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!