Wofuer lebt der Mensch? (Alpha question)

 What is your answer today?

This room will get done!!!  

Really?  After how many 'Trek-hours'?

So what is the real history behind plastering concrete walls with Tapeten?

It will be soooo good not to have grit, concrete sand and dust all over everything in the eating area next week!!!  How can some projects be so tedious and take so long?  We've been at this for over a week!! And,  somehow the stubborn 'glue' still has to come off before the ceiling gets painted with 'sand paint'. Thanks for the 'joint effort' guys!

Random today: 

A dear old lady (84) stopped me outside the church door and offered us her 2 bikes (one 'from DDR days' and other newer); I walked with her to get one (complete with basket and lock) - Josiah pumped up the tire and Gary used it to go to Baumarkt. It's parked outside our front steps tonight.

D came to cut out concrete floor for heating pipes - left to check out a one bedroom apartment near the church, (not an easy decision to move out - his mother isn't well).

Gary was laying tiles in the washroom today, happy to have found pre-mixed 'glue' he was told didn't exist here.  Tomorrow he will have the guys do some prep floor cutting for the heating engineer: Mr Spiller who comes on Monday; the building will get it's Saturday 'cleaning' after lunch in preparation for Sunday.

On Sunday the congregation stays for a meal as they'll have the annual meeting at 1 pm. Look forward to the  time of fellowship, the visioning and planning.

After each of the Alpha meetings this week (am and pm) individuals (friendship contacts to this point) indicated that they would come to the service on Sunday morning. 

When you pray for us to know God's perspective,  pray also that GOD would work HIS PURPOSE out in powerful ways as individuals hear, understand, believe and learn to walk with Jesus through the work of the church members at Springbornstrasse.

Heute war's lustig...

The day started with fresh buns, cheese and sausage for Dresden guests and Trekkers at the church;  additional volunteers joined our forces today and we got all kinds of work done! Dave had volunteered to make his favorite Asian peanut butter sauce for noodles, and a salad,  spaghetti meat sauce and bread completed a fun lunch break. 

Dinah was on spontaneous German 'pick-up-Thea-from-school' duty (complete with signature and photo ID) as her mom was receiving a guest; she likes Thea to practice piano at the church between school (ends 1:30) and her gymnastics class (3pm) at the school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pastor Andre came to put in tiles during the morning (he and his father just finished tiling a bathroom in their upstairs suite last week). Cosima showed up, she helped with the tiles and then with dishes after lunch; we chatted over coffee after clean-up and she left her shoes (will be back tomorrow again).

Rudolf and his son Vincent (from Dresden)  continued putting on the heating units. Their contribution these two days was invaluable. So glad they could come!

Today was the day to remove the 'Tapeten' from the ceiling in the main dining area. YEAH for big pieces that aren't super stuck. We could use this for crafts!!!

But the job is oh so dusty and dirty!!! Glad for 4:30 when we can clean up the day's mess and know in 1/2 hour we can wash up, go online, check emails and chat with folks at home.

Yup, today was fun! God answered specific prayers!

 the promises of His Word applied to real circumstances; 

lyrics of worship songs lifted beyond the tedious tasks at hand;

 He graciously cheered and encouraged 

helping hands, cheerful smiles, meaningful contacts,work accomplished,

Thank you Father!

Bring requests boldly...

On prayer screen right now:

- to see the people we meet and the tasks before us as GOD sees them;

- to obediently do what God asks of us, but also have HIS heart and love work powerfully in us and thru us;

- R & R in generous measures for the Trek team and Andre and Olga on their "Day Off"

- specific construction project focus: installation of heating units in smaller rooms;

- quick understanding and good working relationship with father/son team from Dresden church who are here for two days to teach/help re: heating.

- continued linguistic abilities; (tedious 4 hr challenge to confirm inventory list of delivered plumbing parts)

- physical energy and strength; joy and courage;  love and laughter

As you know, there are multiple 'windows'  on the screens of personal prayer which include individual family members and their week; friends (here/there) and their concerns; personal spiritual growth focus etc etc.  

Praying for the ladies ALPHA groups that begin this week (one Thurs am, one Fri pm)...; for those ladies who are eager to attend and bringing friends, and praying also for those who are choosing not to attend, as the 'extras' which are occupying their life are needing attention at this point.

May God have his perfect way in us!  

Lest we err, and begin the day already labeling the week: "Same old, same old" to the tune of "Here we go again", the command is to now wait expectantly.

Thanks for your prayer support!

Friday!

Yikes, did this week go by quickly!  Yours too?

I think a highlight for me (quite easily) was the incredible beauty of the fresh snow...  

Walking home from work today, a young couple with preschooler called us over to see the 'other child' that froze into a 'snowchild' (funny looking snowman they built);  going to work in the morning, a young dad pulling daughter on sled ahead of us... was running, swerving, dumping her in the fresh snow, playing fun games on the way to school...   

"Fresh snow is very pretty,  ... but spring would be nice too." (neighbour)

'Bloom where you are planted' ... even if when covered with snow again and again? (hedge outside our door)

 The week had a number of appointments; visited a church acquaintance one day and had another friend come here for 10 am coffee; cleaned/shopped for Fr. Kaehlert; cooked a few meals,  met with the ladies who take turns cooking, shopped groceries for the church; did book-keeping for Gary's 'construction fund' and translated some items for his BauTeam meeting. Mr Pritzkau Sr. came over for visit last night... showed photos and told stories of their support (father, and other sons) in the renovation project of this church during the past year. God's amazing grace and love evident in His children!

Fun to chat with Christine Dahl while mixing perogies before our guest came last night! Can't remember when I last attempted this task - and quite frankly, I actually had fun. I now know it isn't really dry cottage cheese - the perogies got too soggy to keep their shape and stuck to the wax paper waiting overnight. Having 'Perogy Lasagna' tomorrow - the guys suggested adding sausage, onions, possibly tomatoes and lots of gravy when I bake the left-over 'mush' at noon.

And now... wondering how it got to be almost 8 pm already...; will hang the 2nd load of laundry and see what entertainment we find on TV tonight: sports, nature, news, game show, musical concert...?? Watched a quaint city/district (very elaborate) costume 'show 'n tell' type of an event: complete with band, music, poetry, riddles, jokes. dance etc...;  I was fascinated by the dialects, humor, folklore and need to find out what exactly they might have been commemorating.

WIshing you all a fun weekend!  In the absence of IHOP... we'll be starting with pancake breakfast at church with the Trekkies tomorrow.  Looking forward to it.

HE commands sun and snow...

For those who can't open attachment

Greetings friends,

It’s the 6^th week now that we walk to and from work at Springbornstrasse 248. Gary is a very ambitious visionary Baumeister, who is energized and challenged by hard work and loves fun coffee breaks. The Trek team deserves high honor rewards for persisting with energetic disposition at endless mundane, tedious jobs of jack hammering concrete walls, chipping off old tiles and chomping away at crazy wallpaper etc. in a cold building.

Each effort is making a difference though: quite visible in the literal sense when we look at before/after photos of the physical building – not quite as measurably clear when thinking in terms of spiritual ministry/mission. However, we remind each other of the ‘bigger picture’ and are excited about what God is up to. Those of you who’ve seen pictures on Facebook or blogs (ours or the TREK team) note the smiles right? 

I’ve taken turns on cooking and cleaning duty twice a week, but secured today as a home day. Gary just emailed his projected-task-completion-draft- calendar for me to translate for the Bauteam meeting tomorrow. The group chuckled when he announced completion of the multi-purpose room by June – many more things he proposed to have done by June. J

Were reminded of (and challenged to join) the German-speaking churches of Europe who have chosen as their motto for 2009: ‘With God nothing is impossible’. (comic clipart on bulletin of camel head that got thru the eye of a needle). Who knows what ‘impossible missions’ we’ll have completed and be writing about in December?

Andre and Olga returned from their visit to Abbotsford excited about news from MBMSI that there will be funds for the building materials needed till mid summer. We’re also looking forward to the help of volunteers who are coming.

We don’t take health and safety forgranted and continue to ask God for wisdom re: the details involved in planning and carrying out the work. Pray for God’s wisdom and discernment in coordinating the  work  with  skilled  and  unskilled laborers throughout this year. Thank you for interceding on behalf of this project.  We want to serve and do our jobs well.

A number of the members of the congregation are in the process of moving into Johannesthal to be closer to the church. Transition and change is a current reality that is affecting the families involved at multiple levels. Whether it’s unpacking and settling after a major move, or building and making decisions that construction involves, or painstakingly researching housing and education options for growing children, it all takes considerable time and energy. Pray for them as they navigate thru change; pray for the new contacts and friendships, for new routines and a growing stronger family nucleus at the church.

The ladies met and decided to have bi-weekly morning and evening Alpha groups.  In addition, Bergs invited anyone interested to come for a first home group mtg in this area. There is an energizing dynamic and hopeful anticipation about God’s imminent transformation of lives of people in this community. We are asking God to make Himself known; asking for His Kingdom to come.

Tomorrow Elle and I will make a house call; after lunch she’s asked me to practice piano with her daughter before she goes to her gymnastics class. The Bergs have graciously let the church use their keyboard and are sorely missing it in their home since the move.

On Wed I’ll clean (and have coffee) with Fr. Kaehlert. She lives in one of the 3 senior housing buildings, just 45 steps from the church. Other seniors who stop by to check on the renovation progress can’t wait till there’s a place for them to meet friends, have tea, play pool, and make music or dance.   Soon J

Thanks again for being part of our Berlin ‘09 support team. As you pray for the people of Berlin pray that they have a growing hunger for truth and reconciliation with God. Pray also that we, his children would live, love and speak out boldly for Him.

Asking God to make His presence know to you in your setting today as well.  Asking Him to meet you as you call on Him – to grant you good health and strength for the tasks you face this week.

To care and be cared for...

The ladies met and discussed how best to begin ladies meetings. Will accomodate morning and evening groups.

Right now the plan is to do the Alpha course, invite friends and ensure we have good fellowship/learning times together.

"Viel Spasz..."

Guest speaker, Heinz Quiring, from Bielefeld challenged us today to 'have fun'...; to chose joy, receive joy, be joyful, and live in the strength the 'joy of the Lord' is to those who know Him.

Identifying and reflecting on the multiple factors that affect 'living joyfully'  in my week - I realize again that as Christ's child, I receive adequate orientation and can navigate securely when I clearly learn, understand, know, review, rehearse and apply God's truths. This does effectively quiet the 'joy-robbers' and results in a perspective, outlook, attitude, receptive to experiencing joy God orchestrates. Can't afford not to keep connected... need to trust God - trust His 'orientation device' - HE is who HE says HE is in His Word. HE can do what HE says HE can do.

Billboards in Leipzig: 

Could sin be love?  and 'Beauty comes from the outside'. 

Yes, Berlin celebrates Valentine's Day. One of my favorite things here: the flowers in grocery stores and at all the bus/train stops, especially on the weekends there are reasonably priced fresh new bouquets in buckets. You see so many people carrying flowers - often tucked into grocery bags or backpacks etc. Our Kaisers groceries handed out a small bottle of wine for all ladies. On TV, they had a Valentine's Day interview of young couple promoting 'open relationships' (their own plus additional partners); recommended as apparently it offers a life 'with less stress'. Navigating in a setting where "people have forgotten that they've forgotten about God" (quote from young couple who chatted with us on train last weekend).

(Interruption: fun chat with kids - sorry - time's up for today... will continue later on this week). Asking God to walk ahead of you and clear the path for you; when you are faced with decisions - that HIS truths be your guide.  Have a good week.

...given as a gift;

(Sorry folks, formatting hurdle - will post as is, albeit late)

Echos of Gary's sermon text Sunday, (Jeremiah) keep offering perspective to the events of the past weeks. You and me - chosen to be God's gift to the people around us - wow!

After church Jan 25 (?) the ladies celebrated Dinah's 1st birthday as a Christian;  had soup, baguettes, veggies and fruit (note the candle in the apple)... Dinah told her story; one member suggested we read Psalm 1 as a blessing for her coming year - God winked :)  It was fun!

Monday was a much needed day off... and the work week began with a list of ambitious goals.

Not everything is easy and fun... but with persistence, tasks do get done.

Gary and the guys have installed the granite window sills in the main rooms this week. This was a bit more involved than expected... measuring, cutting, mixing concrete and leveling - but the end product looks nice.

We actually got to open the huge windows, allowing light and warmth to shine into the kitchen for a bit today - what a treat!   The girls swept sidewalks and the patio outside around the building (Candi even took her jacket off) - sure felt like spring for a bit there. Fun to have neighbours stop to chat and ask questions about the building.

Kitchen routines are defining themselves more and more as I've been on cooking duty most of this week.   I'm grateful for the warm water in the tap, the double sink, the wide kitchen counter and extra shelf Juergen built for us -  and for the narrow stove/oven that handled baking chicken and apple crisp, cooking rice and steaming vegetables in time for 1:30 lunch.

Grateful for energy, joy, work and play.