August 2009
Ministry Update
To view letter in PDF format, click here
Praying for
energy, endurance, and quality time together for the busy Fall ahead...
finalizing IT system installations in the UK...
my sister, Sheena, her baby girl is due September 8...
time of evaluation--December 2009 marks 3 years--we’re a little overwhelmed with how to evaluate our time and future, so pray for wisdom and clarity...
We are thankful for
the Lord’s beautiful covering of grace...
Oliver’s contagious giggle...
a summer that was restful...
Mirabelle plums...
our 10 year wedding anniversary--Sept. 11th!
Laugh Out Loud Moment
I bravely try to converse with the butcher about searching for Italian style sausage. He is uncertain and has no idea what type that could be. So, I tell him I will try to make it. Then, I couldn’t figure out how to ask for plain sausage or sausage without any seasoning or flavoring. At this point, I’ve become flustered which means not even English will come to my brain. Without thinking I ask for “Wurst ohne Kröte”, when I meant to say “Wurst ohne Kräuter” (Sausage without herbs). Unfortunately, the German word for “herbs” (for my mouth at least) is a little too similar to the German word for “toad”. The poor butcher was baffled even more.
Gottkennen Tour
At least 28 major cities in Germany were visited by a bus tour that “advertised” God. One bus had this statement in very large writing: “There is no God”. The other had a response: “...and if there is a God, KNOW him”. The first bus held a group of Atheists, while the second a group of Christians (staff with Agape). They stopped in each city along the tour, and began open discussions about God. The tour challenged people to think about God, and encouraged believers in cities to be in conversation about God. For three weeks a bus full of Ahteists toured alongside a bus full of Christians, and the primary purpose for them traveling together was to talk. About God. With the people in the cities and with each other. Amazing.
To read more about the tour in English, go to:
http://agapeeurope.org/AENow/wordpress/?p=557
For Photos and more information in German, go to:
http://www.tour.gottkennen.de/gallery/main.php
What's new with Oliver?
The summer for Oliver was a lot of fun. He “swam” in a pool for the first time, learned to sit on his own, belly laughed at his Dad swatting flies, learned to play peek-a-boo, and charmed our previously stoic baker to smile every time we walk in.
Take a look at Oliver's website to see some recent photos and videos of him.
And on our Homefront
Summer months tend to be a little slow in the office, but the Lord has used this time to rejuvenate, prepare, and strengthen us for the months ahead. Thad took the opportunity to join a language class that met every morning for 4 weeks. In it he was able to memorize and recite Psalm 23 in German!
This Fall will be busy for all of us, so pray for us as we balance our time together and apart. The following is our upcoming travel schedule with purposes for each trip, we would appreciate an extra covering of prayer during these times:
August 28-30
Retreat for our office, all three of us are going.
August 30-September 15
Thad working in the Birmingham, England office for set-up of two IT systems. Jana and Oliver will join him in Birmingham, September 8. Our 10 year anniversary is September 11.
September 22 - October 1
Jana traveling to Denver to be with her sister, Sheena, for the birth of her daughter. Thad and Oliver will stay in Kandern, please pray for Thad as he balances work and being Super Dad.
October 13-20
Thad traveling to Turkey for Global Technology Leadership Meetings. Jana and Oliver joining.
November 3-10
Thad attending Agape Europe’s “Round Table” meeting in Barcelona, and setting up an IT system in Agape’s Spainish office.
