One More Year!

I've already mentioned this to some of you, but I wanted to make it official and let you all know that I have decided to STINT here in Germany for one more year. I love being a part of what God is doing here in Europe and especially this fledgling movement in Berlin. I will be coming home on June 29th and will return to Germany in mid-September. If you're on my mailing list, you will be receiving a support letter from me very soon. If not, you can go to give.ccci.org/give/610377 to set up giving and then please let me know your address so I can send you my newslettter. Obviously your financial giving is a crucial part in what is happening here in Berlin. I couldn't be here without you. I can't thank you all enough for your prayers and support. My desire is definitely to be able to see many of you when I'm home this summer, so I'll be hosting an "open house" to share stories and show pictures etc. More details to come later! I hope you share in my excitement to be returning to this city in the fall to continue God's work!

Anfangs Party and Fire-Abend

Last week we had our Semester Anfangs Party, kicking off the semester with a casual party at our apartments. It was a good atmosphere for conversations and relationship building. The students seemed to have a great time and the ones I knew kept thanking me for inviting them.

Last night was our first Fire-Abend of the semester. We'll be having this meeting every other week this semester instead of just once a month in order to build some momentum. Also, instead of having the meeting at our apartments, we now have a room in a different building nearby (kind of looks like a classroom). Overall, it was just a more polished and prepared atmosphere, but still fun, welcoming and casual. It is so awesome to see how the group is slowly starting to solidfy into a real movement. Two students even came last night, just because they found our website online! Please pray for the momentum of this meeting, that more students will come and invite their friends and that we will be able to plan it in a way that meets the needs of the students.

Not Always Rainbows and Butterflys

We just finished up with the first week of classes of this new semester. And honestly, it's been a good, but tough week. At the TU, we are planning a outreach in the beginning of May so we're in the midst of figuring out details for that (which has been bit stressful) and this past Thursday we passed out flyers that had our website and schedule of events for the semester. This has never been one of my favorite things to do, but what made it worse that day was a student who took the flyer, looked at it, came back to me and told me it was an insult to have a group like ours at the university. As I slowly processed the German he turned around and walked away. I guess I'll never know exactly what he meant or if he even understood what our group or Christianity is all about, but I know it didn't give me a good feeling.

Thankfully happenings like this are the exception and don't define what is happening here in Berlin. In fact, last night we had a big party in our apartments to kick off the semster. Many students came and I was able to have good conversations with some of my friends I had met last semester. Very cool. Also, the amazingly beautiful weather makes all the difference in the world when we go sharing on campus. Students lay about everywhere in the TU courtyard and they're more open, friendly and willing to talk. We've already had some good conversations this week.

Please pray that God will really open up students' hearts this semester. I'm realizing more and more how in our own efforts, we can do absolutely nothing, but with God, anything is possible. :)

Springtime in Berlin

I've been absolutely amazed by the change in the city in the past week. It seems the newly found sun and warm temps bring the people out of the holes they've been hiding in all winter. There are people everywhere! And everyone seems to be in a good mood (that's saying a lot for Berlin!). This is definitely the best way to start the new semester. This week is our planning days, spending all day figuring out strategy, outreaches and making goals for the next semester that starts next week. Please pray for our first week of classes, that the team will be motivated and energized to get back out there on campus and that God will be already working in the hearts of students we meet and that we already know.

Also, thank you all so much for all the birthday wishes - all the cards, emails and messages were very sweet of you.

Have a very happy Easter!