Dear Friends,
A typical day?!
It was a typical day - full of housework, deskwork, interruptions and procrastination. I felt like I was a good hour behind my day's schedule - also typical. I threw on my sports clothes for the obligatory 40 minutes of power walking. I always dread it beforehand but grudgingly do it regularly in an effort to manage my chronic back pain. I needed to get moving in order to shower and dress in time for an evening appointment. As I raced down the apartment stairwell I almost ran headlong into our neighbor, J. She was heaving a suitcase up the stairs with a somewhat weary but satisfied look on her face. After a day at the office she was finally home - but her day hadn't been quite so typical. She had returned early that morning from a 10-day vacation in Israel with a friend. Her flight had arrived in Cologne early enough to get a full day's work in and so she decided to go straight to the office. Impressive! I like J. She usually has a smile on her face, is easy-going, uncomplicated, likes to party but knows how to work hard (carrying a lot of responsibility in her job) and she's a great neighbor. Good neighbors are really something to be thankful for. "Hi J! Welcome home. Did you have a good trip?" I let loose as I ran past her. "It was incredible", she puffed, as she reached her fro
nt door. But instead of putting her key in the door she set her suitcase down and turned toward me. This I hadn't expected. With my hand on the front door handle I turned halfway in her direction. And then she proceeded to tell me how truly overwhelming it had been to visit a country with such a long and significant history, including the convergence of three world religions. I walked back towards her as a listened, two voices battling within me. The one saying, "Go, Go, Go; you gotta Go!" And the other one saying, "Let it go and listen". I sighed and worked at being attentive. She went on to relate that she had been surprisingly confronted with her lack of basic knowledge about Christianity, especially the facts regarding the events that had taken place at the many sites she had visited. I wasn't quite sure what she meant by being surprised other than it was a reference to her having grown up in Christian Germany, including the usual religion classes in school and maybe in the Catholic or Lutheran church. Since we have been neighbors, J. hasn't shown an interest in Christian spiritual things. I would describe her as well educated and enlightened but also open minded. I believe she has some interest in Buddhism and/or Hinduism. As her weary shoulders slumped she told me she was looking forward to just doing a no-brainer in front of the TV that night but concluded by saying she need to do some reading up on Christianity and the life of Christ. "Aha", I said and then immediately suggested that a good place to start would be the Gospel of St. Mark because he flies from one event to the next without a lot of commentary - good for getting an overview of the events - and it's a short book; only 15 chapters, that she could even read in one sitting. She flashed her signature smile and thanked me for the suggestion. I walked out the door and crossed the street to begin my walking route thinking what an unusual conversation that had been; just out of the blue and with J., which I never would have anticipated. And then I started to tingle all over as I realized that the Spirit had been hovering around us. As I picked up the pace I prayed for his continued work in her life - that she would open up her mind and soul to a better way; and for me - that I would open up my eyes and ears to discover his presence and work all around me.
nt door. But instead of putting her key in the door she set her suitcase down and turned toward me. This I hadn't expected. With my hand on the front door handle I turned halfway in her direction. And then she proceeded to tell me how truly overwhelming it had been to visit a country with such a long and significant history, including the convergence of three world religions. I walked back towards her as a listened, two voices battling within me. The one saying, "Go, Go, Go; you gotta Go!" And the other one saying, "Let it go and listen". I sighed and worked at being attentive. She went on to relate that she had been surprisingly confronted with her lack of basic knowledge about Christianity, especially the facts regarding the events that had taken place at the many sites she had visited. I wasn't quite sure what she meant by being surprised other than it was a reference to her having grown up in Christian Germany, including the usual religion classes in school and maybe in the Catholic or Lutheran church. Since we have been neighbors, J. hasn't shown an interest in Christian spiritual things. I would describe her as well educated and enlightened but also open minded. I believe she has some interest in Buddhism and/or Hinduism. As her weary shoulders slumped she told me she was looking forward to just doing a no-brainer in front of the TV that night but concluded by saying she need to do some reading up on Christianity and the life of Christ. "Aha", I said and then immediately suggested that a good place to start would be the Gospel of St. Mark because he flies from one event to the next without a lot of commentary - good for getting an overview of the events - and it's a short book; only 15 chapters, that she could even read in one sitting. She flashed her signature smile and thanked me for the suggestion. I walked out the door and crossed the street to begin my walking route thinking what an unusual conversation that had been; just out of the blue and with J., which I never would have anticipated. And then I started to tingle all over as I realized that the Spirit had been hovering around us. As I picked up the pace I prayed for his continued work in her life - that she would open up her mind and soul to a better way; and for me - that I would open up my eyes and ears to discover his presence and work all around me.The last 4 weeks in Colorado have been a whirlwind of activity - reconnecting with faithful supporters, our 5 supporting churches along the Front Range and making new acquaintances who might be interested in partnering with us in the ministry in Germany. We are exhausted but thankful for God's leading and encouragement through so many of you. As we prepare to return "home", we want to ask you to prayerfully consider becoming a part of this ministry by praying, increasing your financial support or pledging to financially support us as a new partner. We are still in need of $1,500 of monthly pledged support. Would you consider committing to $30, $50, $100, $150, $200, or $300 a month? We want to express a huge thanks to all who hosted us and to the many who have been partnering with us so faithfully over the years.
Click here if you would like to give or give more.
Your partners for Germany,
Jason and Sue
