Dear Friends,
Our corona experiences and emotions in Germany are probably similar to those of you in North America. We find the opening-up period just as stressful as the lock-down because it is very complicated and it is hard to know if you are following the rules. We actually met physically as a church on Sunday and it was great to be together, despite keeping distancing rules, masks, no singing (but great music!), etc. We plan to
meet this way again on the first Sunday of July. On the Sunday’s in-between we will continue to meet virtually on Zoom. Step by step.
Although some ministry activities have been suspended (German tutoring for immigrants, etc.), some activities have continued and increased in intensity. Our co-worker moved the therapy art class on line and has had the opportunity for long spiritual discussions with the participants. PRAY for wisdom and discernment in these discussions. Our Zoom services have also generated deep sharing and prayer. A foreign exchange student from Argentina, who visited our church while he was attending the University of Cologne, has joined us every Sunday from Argentina! PRAY for wisdom as we work out the next steps for our gatherings. Also, our location need has become more acute because of social distancing regulations. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY for a more suitable location for our services and also to be able to continue ministry events that now require more space.
After my knee replacement surgery in mid April I was able to get a spot for a 3-week out-patient rehab starting just a week after my hospital stay at the University Klinik. The rehab was beneficial and the progress I made was encouraging. Our German health insurance (mostly) paid for it all - including being picked up and dropped off every day. Despite the barrier of face masks, a camaraderie quickly developed with the other patients in the van during the 30-minute drive every morning and afternoon. Ursula (name changed) was very engaging and curious about me and what I do. She is a fiery red haired high school art teacher who is recovering from a bike accident. I liked her sense of humour and quick tongue. She is into eastern religions and esoteric stuff.
One morning she asked me what I thought about a certain eastern religion and I had to admit that I had never heard of it. She was surprised. I said that there is much more in this world that I don't know about than what I do know. But I do know this - I don't like religion because most religions are just a set of rules. (By now, the other 2 patients and the driver were all ears as well.) For me, my faith is about having a relationship with God. Jesus himself was very critical of religion and all about relationship with God and with each other. That's one of the things that fascinates me about Him and why I seek to follow him every day.
She didn't have a come-back or any kind of a humorous deflection so I just let that hang in the air for a few minutes and there was basically silence in the van until we arrived at the clinic. Please pray for Ursula. We have had some contact since rehab and she said that she would very much like to drop by my atelier sometime after she is mobile again.
THANKS FOR PRAYING for my knee. I am doing amazingly well and am grateful, but there are still months of recovery ahead. CONTINUE TO PRAY for a full recovery.
PRAY that each of us would be reflective and mindful with regard to the racism that is a part of the daily social environment we live in. PRAY for open hearts and the Spirit to transform our lives.
Our corona experiences and emotions in Germany are probably similar to those of you in North America. We find the opening-up period just as stressful as the lock-down because it is very complicated and it is hard to know if you are following the rules. We actually met physically as a church on Sunday and it was great to be together, despite keeping distancing rules, masks, no singing (but great music!), etc. We plan to
meet this way again on the first Sunday of July. On the Sunday’s in-between we will continue to meet virtually on Zoom. Step by step. Although some ministry activities have been suspended (German tutoring for immigrants, etc.), some activities have continued and increased in intensity. Our co-worker moved the therapy art class on line and has had the opportunity for long spiritual discussions with the participants. PRAY for wisdom and discernment in these discussions. Our Zoom services have also generated deep sharing and prayer. A foreign exchange student from Argentina, who visited our church while he was attending the University of Cologne, has joined us every Sunday from Argentina! PRAY for wisdom as we work out the next steps for our gatherings. Also, our location need has become more acute because of social distancing regulations. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY for a more suitable location for our services and also to be able to continue ministry events that now require more space.
After my knee replacement surgery in mid April I was able to get a spot for a 3-week out-patient rehab starting just a week after my hospital stay at the University Klinik. The rehab was beneficial and the progress I made was encouraging. Our German health insurance (mostly) paid for it all - including being picked up and dropped off every day. Despite the barrier of face masks, a camaraderie quickly developed with the other patients in the van during the 30-minute drive every morning and afternoon. Ursula (name changed) was very engaging and curious about me and what I do. She is a fiery red haired high school art teacher who is recovering from a bike accident. I liked her sense of humour and quick tongue. She is into eastern religions and esoteric stuff.
One morning she asked me what I thought about a certain eastern religion and I had to admit that I had never heard of it. She was surprised. I said that there is much more in this world that I don't know about than what I do know. But I do know this - I don't like religion because most religions are just a set of rules. (By now, the other 2 patients and the driver were all ears as well.) For me, my faith is about having a relationship with God. Jesus himself was very critical of religion and all about relationship with God and with each other. That's one of the things that fascinates me about Him and why I seek to follow him every day.
She didn't have a come-back or any kind of a humorous deflection so I just let that hang in the air for a few minutes and there was basically silence in the van until we arrived at the clinic. Please pray for Ursula. We have had some contact since rehab and she said that she would very much like to drop by my atelier sometime after she is mobile again.
THANKS FOR PRAYING for my knee. I am doing amazingly well and am grateful, but there are still months of recovery ahead. CONTINUE TO PRAY for a full recovery.
PRAY that each of us would be reflective and mindful with regard to the racism that is a part of the daily social environment we live in. PRAY for open hearts and the Spirit to transform our lives.
Blessings,
Sue and Jason
Sue and Jason
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