An Opportunity to Share

April has turned out to be a rather beautiful and warm month. As we reached the end of my Mom's visit, she and I decided we should have my German neighbors over for coffee one morning, by the way, when Europeans get together for coffee, we are talking about a four or more hour event, at least in Germany. This turned out to be such an answer to prayer. I had been looking for an opportunity to have them over and just share Christ's love with them in a practical way, and this turned out to be exactly what I have been hoping for. While we were eating they were asking how life differs here from in the U.S., and what made Chris and I decide to move here, besides the job. I began to explain how we gave these decisions to God to determine where we live and work; I think they understood this. Then, my mom decided to expound further about how we decided to give all of our stuff away, including furniture and household goods to those in need. With puzzled looks on their faces they asked why we would do something like that; to which I replied, its just things, and we knew God would be faithful to provide exactly what would need here. (As they looked around my house, they knew that was exactly the case; with my borrowed piano sitting in the family room and plenty of stuff to live comfortably.) What a perfect opportunity this was to share our trust and relationship with Christ. With my German friends it takes small steps; as a whole this country is skeptical of the gospel and church, since much of religion is controlled at the National level. I have been praying for one of these friends in particular to get pregnant and near the end of the day she announced to all of the ladies, she was 10 weeks along. To God be the glory. This makes 3 women on our street who are pregnant; my friend replied, well, the stork is going to stop at your house next.

After my mom left, I was really exhausted for weeks. I have just now began to recover from it. Please pray for me though, I am a little concerned about being so tired all the time. I have begun to be more diligent about working out and this seems to help. Speaking of prayer request, my heart has been really burdened for a young woman in our group named Rebecca. She has been struggling since returning from Service Project; she is loosing control of her gross motor skills; this includes thing like balance and it affects her ability to walk. This has been very frustrating and a little scary for a very involved and active teenager. Please pray for the doctors to have wisdom in diagnosing her problem.

Chris has kept busy as the Assistant Director of our Camp in Italy, called Beach Break. Along with all the organization involved in bringing a teen of workers from the States, Hohenfels has signed up over 20 teens per week; this is the largest group we have ever taken to Camp. We are really seeing fruit develop over of the last 6 months; teens are beginning relationships with Christ, others are committing to going deeper; and the chapel congregations are growing in size. We are so blessed God has called us here for such a time as this.

Hunter is getting so big and becoming quite a "ham". He is pictured above trying on his Fasching costume (from Feb.) and posing for the camera. He is very excited for his upcoming birthday in June. He asks everyday if all those people from last year are coming to his party this year! He is pictured below on an early birthday present from Momo and Bopa. He loves Kindergarten and all his friends. He talks all the time and asks some great questions, like but mommy who made...the bench, the dog, the road, our car, and so on and on. He is in a phase right now of fake crying. He pretends like he is upset and then lays down and peeks up at you and wimpers...its annoying, and we just explain to him that he won't get anything that way. I hope this phase wears off soon.