God raises the dead!

The first weekend of LoveBerlin, Matthias Beyer's sister asked him to go pray for a friend in a Berlin hospital. Ken went with him, and they found a man in a coma (induced), on a ventilator, and with pneumonia and systemic infection. Thomas is in his 30's and from Hanover, Germany. He and his family are missionaries to Afghanistan.

God spoke very clearly to them how to pray, and they later found out one verse was the very verse his church had been praying for him: "I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done" (Psalm 118: 17)!

We sensed an urgency to get the word out and pray for this man...that the battle over his life was more intense because it was going to be used as a prophetic symbol for the church in Germany. God was reminding us of two of the dreams he'd given us and how Thomas' life was going to play a significant role in God's revealing His Glory and restoring hope.

We prayed with people from the Berlin church, wrote e-mails, and told as many people as we could. One friend had a dream of a telephone pole, saying we are connected...even across great distances. The other verses friends sent/prayed were Isaiah 9:2 and 35:1-10 and 49: 24-26. I remember the urgency being replaced with peace that week. I fully expected to hear news that he'd been healed.

Well, after months of reading updates and God gathering hundreds (thousands?) of Christians around the world to pray, we have some great news: Thomas no longer needs a breathing machine, no longer needs a feeding tube, no longer needs intensive care! When his name came up for a lung transplant, he and his wife Katrin refused it because he is doing so well! He just saw his children for the first time in 3.5 months, and he is being transferred to monitoring unit until they have room at a rehab place.

I cannot wait to hear him tell his story...to hear from his lips what the LORD has done!

Until then, let's celebrate, Church! We have a powerful God!

For those who sent us...Thank You!

When we realized that God was calling us to go to Berlin, I had a secret wish: that all of the churches we'd been a part of AND Christians from every denomination would join together to send us. One day I made a list of all of the churches/groups represented by our friends, and I was amazed: Churches:

1. Peace Lutheran- a charismatic Lutheran church in Port Charlotte, FL
2. Vineyard Central -in Norwood, OH
3. Vineyard Northwest- in the Colerain area of Cincinnati
4. The Bridge-a new Baptist church in Oxford, OH

Friends from the following groups:

1. Catholic church
2. Evangelical Free church
3. Baptist churches
4. Faith Covenant Church-Swedish Lutheran
5. Messianic Jewish believers
6. Presbyterian churches
7. Single moms who believe in God but don't go to church
8. Methodist church
9. Independent/Non-denominational churches
10. Seekers
11. The Call church
12. Pentecostal church
13. Church of the Nazarene
14. Willowcreek Community Church
15. Agnostics
16. Vineyards-Miami, FL; Columbus, OH; Champaign, IL; Maryland

Thank you to each of you who made it possible financially for us to go! What a privilege to be sent in this most wonderful way!

Good-byes and Going back to America

Some of the cool things God did during the last weeks:

• One man who was a recovering drug addict had had 2 surgeries on his arm where he'd injected heroin in a wrong way. He was on his way to the hospital for a dressing change. He asked for prayer for the pain, and God took it away! He said he felt "very good" and gave each person a kiss on the forehead.
• Simon from Sweden prayed for a man with back problems, after he realized it really was FREE. One leg was shorter when they asked and checked (apparently 60% of back pain not caused from an accident is due to a difference in leg lengths) and God made it grow!
• Alex (from the U.S. there caring for the kids of one pastor couple from Germany) prayed for Alexander (a drug addict who believes in Jesus and wanted healing for his "damaged soul"). As they talked he almost fell over from the powerful Presence of God, and they helped him to the chair. He also had cracked discs in his back and had his arm/shoulder in a sling, and ankle pain. God healed his arm (he took it out of the sling and moved it in ways he couldn't that morning) and ankle and back pain!
• Antje (from Hamburg) prayed for a young woman (also from Hamburg!) who was visiting her father. When she finished, she started to hand her a "Vineyard Berlin" card, but said, "Oh, you don't need this since you're from Hamburg!" The woman recognized the logo, and said that a few ladies from this same church had met her on the streets of Hamburg in the red light district and had prayed for her...the same things Antje had prayed! Antje pointed out how God is obviously pursuing her and invited her to her home church in Hamburg!
• Job prayed for Sebastian (a 32 y.o. man with several physical needs and who spent time with Mother Theresa and the Dali Lama) who had leg pain and one leg shorter than the other. God took away the pain and grew the leg!
• Hearing from Heaven-One day we strung pictures up on a clothesline at a busy park; people immediately started looking at them. We offered to pick out pictures for them and give some encouraging words "from Heaven." It was very cool to see God speak through us to the people in this simple way! I talked with a young professional woman, and by the third picture she had tears in her eyes as I spoke of how much God loves her. She also asked how we "knew" the things we did, as the other words were directly related to her life. I explained how God speaks to his children.
• Also that day, a sweet group of Muslim girls and their mother from Iraq came to have us pick out pictures. I got a picture of roses...the girls just looked like a bunch of roses to me! At first there were three girls, then five,...and I overheard "seven" in German...well, the picture had seven roses, one halfway out of the picture. The mother said she has six girls (one wasn't there) and is pregnant! They smiled and giggled as I told them of how God sees them as beautiful flowers. They stayed for about an hour, talking to the other Christian women.
• Thanks for praying for these opportunities, too: I DID get to worship dance with the children, we visited Shoeneberg the day before we left, and Ken finished several paintings and shared them with some people from LoveBerlin and put them on display at one outreach.

Seventh Week Slideshow

A Day on the Streets

• One man was so open as they prayed for him, that afterwards they asked if he'd like to "meet Jesus." He said, "Yes, why not, I don't lose anything!" They replied, "Yes, you actually will lose everything." They talked more and then led him in a prayer of accepting Jesus' forgiveness and inviting Him into his heart. The man said, "That was my first prayer in my life!"
• A 60 year old man had cold, mottled feet. He felt power as they prayed. He knew of the Vineyard because he'd visited a quarterly service in the Koepenick church building.
• An older woman in a wheelchair didn't want prayer in public, but invited Jochen to her home. A few days later he went with another team member. She told them of her history as a general in the Stasi (secret police which is still active in influencing thought) and how she read the Bible prior to that. She felt energy in her legs as they prayed for healing, and agreed to come to the next Alpha group...a big change in direction!
• Alex noticed a woman watching from across the street as the teams prayed for two guys. She started crying as she saw the love they showed.
• A man on heroin 7 yrs. was very open to prayer and conversation about Jesus.
• Antje prayed for Miriana: she saw a picture of Jesus' hand with a coin and shared this with Miriana. Apparently, she'd been betrayed financially recently. As they prayed about this, she cried as she experienced God's love for her.
• Anka prayed for a lady with back problems. She asked her if it was from an accident. The lady looked astonished and said, "Yes." They prayed two times for her and God healed her!
• Anka and Marc prayed for a man with one leg shorter than the other. She felt such extreme heat. "Of course, the leg grew!" A man selling fruit who they'd met earlier was watching. He said, "I feel this warmth coming from you! I don't know why I tell you now, but my 20 year old daughter Manola has had a [disfiguring skin] disease since she was 9 years old. I can't leave this stand, but can you pray for her?" They did.
• A lady came to the door of the Amadeus cafe/Baptist church. She said, "I need to come in but I don't know why." She'd seen food given to the poor and wanted to know more about the church.
• A man wanted prayer for his marriage since this was his fourth wife and he didn't want to continue the cycle of divorce.
• Raymond asked for prayer for his girlfriend who was currently on the hospital's psych unit for attempted suicide. As they prayed, one person had the impression to pray for a "better job" for him. When he shared this, the man said, "How did you know? I lost my job."
• Three times a man approached Marius (leader of the outreaches) to yell at him and say what he was doing was rediculous. Marius just listened quietly. The fourth time he returned to say, "Well you can't judge anything if you haven't tried it!" and plopped down in the chair to be prayed for! He had many health concerns (lung issues, knee replacement scheduled, difficulty breathing while walking). He said he'd call Marius in two weeks to let him know-either way-what happened.

Sixth Week Slideshow

A theme in the healings?

Yesterday, we once again heard reports of people's hands/wrists/arms being healed! One man prayed for a market salesman who said his hand had been hurting. When he took hold of it (like shaking it) he said it got better right away!...and introduced him to his co-worker who's back had been hurting. They thanked him for praying and gave him a Coke: "We also want to give you something!" "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Is. 41: 13) Some of the teens prayed again at the skate park for one girl with similar wrist issues. They asked her to "rate" how it felt afterwards, 0 being no change and 10 being completely healed. She said, "8.5"! Then Berndt shared that his (right) shoulder had been hurting, and he really wanted to go bowling. "Even though I'm not yet a Christian, I asked God to take away this pain...and whether you believe me or not...HE DID!" They've all been the right arms, too! It reminded me of God's display of His might...and thought there was more. I asked around and a lady from Basel said she noticed this theme also. To her it was a symbol of God's healing the history of the people; the right arm had been used to salute Hitler. Psalm 89:13 Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Psalm 98:1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

A Birthday Present

Last night we had worship outside as a group. It was wonderful and felt so right! Before and after (and during), the boys played soccer and cars and mingled with the Vineyard church. Jesse met a lady with her puppy pug; Evan had a "bad headache" and she offered to pray for him. Evan felt mostly better and told us maybe the rest will happen later. Well, a few minutes later, he said it was completely gone: "I'm glad God understands German...actually all languages...otherwise I'd be TOAST!"

Birthday in Berlin

Evan turned 9 yesterday. Birthdays are a big deal at this age. Evan had asked multiple times this year: "Where will my birthday be? In Ohio or Germany?" So, here it was. The Karchers came over and one neighbor, along with three people from Love-Berlin to help out. They played with the kids and kept them running (and wet!). The Hacksteins arrived home just in time to join the water game and help eat some of the food. Evan got the biggest chocolate bar in Germany, gummi bears, and some toys/games... and thought it was spectactular!

The Healings have begun!

It started last Sunday with an elderly man at the park accepting the offer for others to pray. Afterwards, he was able to move at his elbow when he couldn't before. He said, "I don't believe in God; how did this happen?" and agreed to talk more about God the next day at the same place, same time. Then the next day the teens went to the skate park and were able to pray for someone's hand (skin condition, I think) and another girl's sprained/broken wrist. She was able to move it without any pain! Also, a paraplegic man felt sensation in his legs for the first time since his accident. How great is our God! We know that He touches each person, but it's cool to have a glimpse of the healing He is doing sometimes!

Fifth Week Slideshow

Prime Real Estate

Last year I had a dream of an established neighborhood with a yellow tram meandering through. Some of our friends were there, flying high in a hot air balloon over their neighborhood. God spoke the words, "Prime Real Estate." Well here is the yellow tram; every 20 minutes we hear it make it's rounds, as we live at the end of a line. Our friends who were "flying high" have supported us to come here and continue to have influence and authority where they live.

This sound reminds me that it is fertile ground I walk on, that God has declared this "Prime Real Estate" (and I need to know more what this means). It reminds me that I'm in Germany...for real...and I need to not get lost in details of U.S. life (like mentally arranging furniture in a house I haven't seen). It reminds me of my friends and the blessing God has for them and our other supporters: "I will bless those who bless you..." (Genesis 12:3)

God knew that while we're here in Germany I'd need to be reminded of these things...just about every 20 minutes.

Zephaniah 3: 17

For the German people: "Der HERR, dein Gott, ist in deiner Mitte, ein Held, der rettet; er freut sich über dich in Fröhlichkeit, er schweigt in seiner Liebe, er jauchzt über dich mit Jubel. "

Fourth Week Slideshow

'36 Olympics

A year ago Ken had a vision of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The people were enthusiastic and putting their hope in Hitler. God revealed to Ken that He was going to "REVERSE" what happened there...that the people of Germany were going to rally around the one who can really give hope...Jesus. The film director of this scene Ken saw was a famous/infamous woman named Leni Riefenstahl. She was a dancer, then painter, then film maker sponsored by Hitler...paid to make him look like the savior. As we learned about her history, God revealed more...that as part of this major REVERSAL in Germany, He was going to work through artists. We see this happening through Kim's poignant songs (you can hear them at the link below)and the quick response in the music world to them. We also see our role here as a prophetic statement about this reversal...releasing the beginning of dance and painting as expressions of God's beauty.

Third Week Slideshow

On the HOME front

Frankly, we have not had to spend time thinking about our Ohio or Iowa homes...thanks to friends and neighbors helping in so many ways. The last 24 hours much has happened. A trustworthy family would like to rent our home in Ohio starting now for four months. The woman interested in buying our house said she's not ready yet to buy (but might be in four months?). Our part of Iowa is not flooded (the levee held), and the professor we're renting from just had a cancellation in her other (better) home...which is in the area we were drawn to and near the school we wanted the boys to go! Even though we haven't seen the inside, we said a quick yes. So "from a distance" we'll move from OH to IA...and be able to go directly there when we fly back. Thank you to all who have been praying about these details! It's such a neat answer! God is amazing!!

Second Week Slideshow

A Timely Encounter

On the way home from the Eigenbrodt's, we saw a different side of Berlin. The youth ride for free on the weekend and alcohol is available for those 16 and up. There were many teens out, obviously empty and in search of something. We passed a local restaurant with Turkish owners watching the ending of the soccer game. We sat down to see this and began talking with the teens next to us. A boy named Robert had many questions for us and (because the game lasted another hour into several overtimes) we got to talk for a while. At one point, he went to get other friends to see the game, so pretty soon we were surrounded by about 50 teens. A few listened to us, as I told him about the vision of miracles in the street cafes of Berlin (which we were sitting in a street cafe!). The game ended and everyone flocked to the movie theater across the street before I could tell him the rest of that vision...that it was the youth God was using! Please pray that we see him again...and that he gets to know Jesus soon.

House-warming Party

We walked through several areas to get to the Eigenbrodts'and yet by their apartment I saw a bridge that I'd seen in a dream with rushing water. Very cool! We met a Christian couple named Auli and Yilmaz. She's Finnish and he's Turkish. They both glowed with God's Spirit. As we talked I realized that so much of the church here is stuck in believing that "Berlin is hard" or emphasize the number of atheists...even after hearing about what He's shown us. Please pray that the whole church here has their eyes opened to what God is doing in their midst! I honestly had never met a Turkish believer, so I asked him about how this happened. He explaining that 9 years ago he was living in Berlin and had a neighbor who was a Christian. He was so nice that it caught his attention. He asked him for a Bible in Turkish and a few months later the neighbor got one to him. It was amazing to hear how God answered his questions, and led him to give his life to Him, alone in his apartment. Ken also talked with another Turkish man as we watched the start of the Turkish game. The boys met other kids, some Christians who just "sold everything" to move here, and had a blast playing soccer and sharing their video games.

Worship of God has powerful side effects

We continue to hear statements from Germans and foreigners like: "Miracles? Not in Berlin! Hamburg?" And "Germans don't believe in God." Well, we did some prayer walking in the area of the outreaches that will start July 17th and prayed about this. Also, we continue to tell people that God has different plans and it is His sovereign choice to work among them now. www.myspace.com/kathrynscottmusic This link is to the song by Kathryn Scott called, "Everything Changes". Listen and worship along with us as it seems to be the song for here right now.

Reflections

I'm overwhelmed by the kind welcome by the families we met before, our boys' enjoyment of the whole experience so far, the big obstacles (like how to carry groceries for a family of five on a tram) not being obstacles at all (Steffi offering to drive to stores), etc. Our heads have been spinning somewhat with the question of "What now?!" Whereas the other trips focused on encouragement, and announcing, we sense God is saying, "Harvest." Exactly how to do that when we can't speak with many people makes things interesting! Please pray for us to know our part and step into it with courage and grace. We love you all!-Leilani

Kinderfest

Sunday the boys played with the Hackstein children (Paul, Lukas, Andy, and Deborah) in the "garden"/yard. I was so proud of our guys trying to communicate and make friends. We set up for the party...which was similar to the Kinderfest from last September. All the Vineyard leaders from other parts of Berlin came to help, too. There were over 100 children and adult guests! The kids had fun stations, a skit (hence the beard on Georgia), special colored drinks with fruit, face painting (the girls did mine, too!) and a worship time. It rained briefly...long enough for the adults to snuggle together under the tent for Matthias' speech explaining their focus in Koerpenick (they just moved to the next part of town) and inviting them to their small group.

First Week Slideshow

The flights went exceedingly well. We were met at the airport by part of two families: Matthias and his son Benjamin and Steffi and her daughter Deborah...each with a car. The "flat" (first floor of the house) was cleaned and stocked by our church friends with all the essentials...including Nutella which the boys happily have devoured in record time. There are comments by the pictures (scroll over the picture then click on lower left corner over the caption icon), and even a map of where we are in Berlin (the area is Friedrichshagen and you can see the big lake that is nearby). If you want to see a bigger image of the slide show, double click on the picture and then "view album", then "slideshow".

the old man picks up his axe

I look like I'm a hundred years old here. Our bags were separated from us at Heathrow Airport so we resorted to wearing our clothes inside-out on the second day. Aren't you glad you use Dial?

Take Off!

Friday, June 13th we drove from Ohio to Chicago for our flight to Berlin. There were many details that ...well, we think they all got taken care of! Our pets found new homes, our house got one more look through by a potential buyer, two more donations came in, and we found friends who could pick up our van at the airport. Through friends and neighbors, and Christians who offered their help at the last minute, we were off!

His Own Announcement

Friday night something interesting happened...the worship time was ending, and I was writing a short version of the words for Germany to hand to the leaders of the meeting. Someone began to speak about this summer's outreach in Berlin, but no one could see who was speaking, for he was on the floor! His words became slurred after a minute, and his mom took the microphone to calmly explain that he was okay and just "drunk" with the Holy Spirit. Well, when she tried to continue the announcement of the outreach, she began speaking in tongues for a second, was knocked back, and was laughing...unable to speak, too! Soon there were many around the room who were laughing, "drunk" or lying on the floor.* We continued praying and praising God and exclaiming His wonders. I finished the note, handed it in, and returned to my seat. Almost everyone was back in their seats, listening attentively, and the first guy was now sitting on the stage, finishing the announcement. Everything was suddenly back to "normal." But...

God had made an announcement. He had highlighted the summer outreach and deposited His heart for Berlin. I believe that He also instilled hope and empowered his church for the next season. What I envisioned as happening through delivering a message of words, God did in this most powerful way.

So if you are making your summer plans and are (now) curious and want to be part of this outreach, check out http://www.love-berlin.org/ and join us for a week or two! I think it will be amazing!

*To some of you reading this, it may sound odd or even a bit scary...but when you've experienced God's presence like this, it is anything but. You know it is Him. The Holy Spirit was pouring himself out in our midst and visibly, tangibly letting us know He was there!

Across the Lake

The hotel was on Lake Muegelsee, directly across from where we were in September. As I looked out the wall of windows, I longed to be there again...meeting the people of East Berlin, sharing about Jesus and his love for them.

Such a gift...

Edeltraut Lanz was at the conference, also! We knew each other from Miami, FL about 8-10 years ago. She's since lived in the Munich area. We had a great time together. She helped me with translation and figuring out some cultural differences, and introduced me to many of her friends.

Leader's Conference

What a wonderful group of people! Pastors from Germany, Switzerland, Austria (with a few from India, Africa, France, and Romania just for fun) gathered Jan. 2-6th to worship, talk, and be refreshed. http://www.leiterkonferenz.org/ I went to intercede and share the words God has been speaking about the German people and the church in Berlin. Thanks to help from Jeane and Edeltraut, I had a translation of the written version of the promises, dreams, verses to hand to some of the pastors.

New Years in Berlin

Sounds romantic, huh? Well, I am hoping that in a different way that it is. The morning I left Ohio I awoke with the words from a song I'd heard once: "Vater, du leibst mich..." I didn't totally know the words until I listened to the song (Ken 'accidentally' recorded it as part of my worship mix for the trip). When I realized it means, "Father, you love me..." I cried, as the Holy Spirit spoke to me about how this is what He has made so real to me over the past year and a half...His love for me...and that is why He wants me to bring this message to the German people. So it is a love story...God is pouring out his love into the hearts of the German people and awakening in them the realization of his love.