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!!