June update

Dear Friends,

We want to accuse you of praying for requests that we mentioned in our last letter.  THANK YOU and don’t stop!  Sue was able to finish this teaching year with much more satisfaction and confidence compared to last year.  She is now exercising patience in the recovery from minor hand surgery.  

E. continues to deal with very difficult circumstances, but he remains committed to his new-found faith in Christ.  He still brings the occasional immigrant friend to our weekly small group which is often a challenge regarding language and culture but so sweetly infused with his desire to share his faith.  He also brought his ex-wife to our annual church grill fest which was the first opportunity for many of us to meet her.  PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY for E., for discipleship and growth and for his ability to deal with the challenges that face him.


I., a young immigrant from eastern Europe was also a first-time visitor at the grill fest.  She has come to Germany on her own, no family or friends, with the hope of somehow obtaining a long-term working visa.  Seeking anyone who could help she looked for an immigrant orthodox church from her country.  Her knock on what she thought was the church door was answered by an older German man who informed her that, no, this was not a church but the home of his family.  Sensing that she was needy he asked about her situation.  He quickly decided to offer her a room in his aging mother’s home in exchange for household help.  Because he and his wife have occasionally attended the jazz

concerts in Jason’s Atelier, he knew of the German language class being offered for refugees and immigrants, advising her to attend.  She has been attending faithfully for a month.  At her first visit, Sue invited her to the grill fest – and she came – and then to church on the following Sunday – and she came.  We sense that she is very lonely and also very concerned about her long-term future in Germany.  The story ​continues.  Last week four young women arrived in Cologne for a summer internship with GEM.  They “happen” to be housed in the same part of the city as I.  At last week’s class Sue worked with I. and three of the interns on beginner German.  Close in age, the girls were able share a number of laughs and enjoyed the session which led to the exchange of contact information.  The interns met with I. just to chat and get to know each other last Sunday.  PLEASE PRAY for I.  God works in amazing ways.

And speaking of language class, aside from several long-term refugee participants, several new refugees are participating.  PLEASE PRAY for A. and O. from Syria, Z. from Afghanistan and F. and F. from Eritrea.  PLEASE PRAY for several additional German helpers for the language class.

PLEASE PRAY for the consultation for church planting in Germany in Hannover – June 18-19 that Jason was involved in planning. PRAY for a breakthrough in moving toward a shared vision and a church planting movement.

Jason turns 60 on July 1! Germans love to celebrate the big round number birthdays so we have invited over 60 people to help us celebrate the night before. It will be a grand mix of friends, neighbors, church family, volleyball group and GEM colleagues. Both of our boys are coming for the week as well, which is very exciting for us. PLEASE PRAY for a blessed celebration and Gospel conversations. PRAY that the believers present will be real salt and light to those who don’t yet know the Lord.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY for a more permanent church location.  Nothing in sight at the moment.  However, you have been praying and we have been witnesses to the outcome.  In the middle of it all is an incredible, almighty, sovereign and loving God who is at work.

Gratefully,

Jason and Sue