So much to be thankful for

Thanksgiving can be a tough time for those on the mission field. You realize then more then ever how far away from home you really are. Whether it's in the small things like not being able to buy the ingredients for that pumpkin pie you want, or the big things like not being with your own family on Thanksgiving day. But we would have to say that God has been so faithful to us every year to give us joy and surround us with amazing people.

This year was no exception & here's a short list of things we were thankful for this past Thanksgiving...

1. A Thanksgiving spent in Budapest with a room full of 25 friends

2. Amazing food sure to cure any homesickness

3. Two beautiful nights of snow fall

4. Quality time spent with great friends

UK/Ireland Conference

We had a great 2 days last weekend in the UK. Seven of us from Berlin came to Swindon, England for a small conference with Greater Grace churches from England, Ireland, France, Romania, Finland and Hungary. It was such a refreshing time to hear messages from our Pastor in Baltimore and spend time with other missionaries out on the field. It is so easy to feel unqualified on the mission field, but it was so encouraging to sit down with others doing the same thing, with the same vision, and encourage each other to go forward. We can look at the vision God has given us for Berlin and be overwhelmed sometimes with how small we are, but when we are equipped with the message and renewed in the body we are more the qualified.

Visit from Pastor Moon

We were blessed to have Pastor Moon with us in Berlin for the past few days. This picture was taken at the Holocaust Memorial, downtown Berlin.

We had such a great time of fellowship at our Thursday night Bible study in Pankow, in the north and former East Berlin.

The church was very blessed Sunday morning with a very encouraging and provoking message from Pastor Moon. The church must be "sober," think with God, and "watch unto prayer" because "the end of all things is at hand," from 1 Peter 4:7. He had to catch his flight immediately after service, but we were so glad to have him here. We were also happy to house our first overnight guest in our new apartment.

Does My Faith Withstand the Trials of My Life?

Many times we separate the details of our every day life from our belief system. It becomes so easy to find a solution on my own for the simple little needs of life, what should I eat right now, how can I finish this project at work, how can I learn this information before my exam, and so on. Then the giant storm comes that shakes my ability to solve my problem on my own. I am forced to turn to my belief system (my faith) for a solution outside of myself.

For some, perhaps there isn't much substance to my faith that really applies practically to my life. A "higher power" may sound nice, but it is lacking the only characteristic that I need to make it through my storm, a personal touch, a relationship, a comfort. I have chosen, however, to make my belief system more comfortable. I am free from responsibility to something or someone other than myself. I can easily say that God is not real, it makes life much more independent, fun, and comfortable. That is until my comfort is taken away by a massive storm, which requires something more than I can give. Suddenly, my belief system and it's ideals are far removed from me as I grasp desperately for something that really applies to my life and ALL of it's problems.

I believe this is what David the Psalmist was referring to in Psalm 139:23,24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." David said to "try me," or prove me with some test. Immediately we think of being perfect before God, or not failing in the test, but I don't believe that this was David's point. The point is this, that when God tests us, the trial proves to us how much we need God. The storm reveals the "wicked way" that is in each one of us and how desperately we need God to lead us "in the way everlasting." Trials aren't a twisted display of works, but a time for revelation of our need for the grace and companionship of God. When God is at the center of my belief system, my relationship with Him grows in the measure that I reach out beyond myself to the one who practically meets my needs.

Fall Outreach Photos