So I have been very bad about this blog thing. It is hard to keep everyone up with what is going on this way. Too much to say, in so little space.
Well, we took a trip to Berlin with my neighbor and his fiance'. They were great. They showed around Berlin and took us to all the sights. Berlin is a big city, and full of life. It definately has a different feel to it that Duesseldorf does. Most of all, we just really enjoyed our time with Gregor and Magde. They are great people. We are going to miss them a lot when we leave, but I think Emma will miss them the most.
On May 1st we drove to Muenster with Andre and his family to visit the zoo. We had a great time of fellowship with Andre and Batina, and Emma enjoyed seeing all the animals and hanging out with Ari (Andre and Batina's son). The funny thing is, every time I ask Emma what she saw at the zoo, the only thing she seems to recall is the pony pooping. It was a very impressionable moment.
Ministry has been going well. I have had a few opportunities to speak, and have helped lead worship at a couple services. A few weeks ago, I spoke at youth group on the subject of Forgiveness. It was a very good time in the word, and probably one of the best jobs I have ever done preaching in German.
This brings me to the biggest lesson I have learned these last few months. On easter Sunday, I was asked to preach in a nearby town. I prepared the message, knew what God was leading me to say, and was really excited about the opportunity to preach. A few days before I was to preach, I decided to do it in English with a translator. No big deal. There was someone in the church who was very good at translating, and I really felt like I could get my point across better in my own heart language. Well, the day came and I got up to speak. I said everything I planned on saying, and preached the Gospel very clearly, but after I was done, I felt so empty. I felt as if I had missed something or had not said something I should have. It bugged me all the way home, and when I came in the door I shared how I was feeling with Kristen. After a few minutes Kristen said, "why did you do it in English anyway? you can preach in German." then I realized what God was teaching me. While I was preparing for my sermon, I was preparing everything in German, and felt God leading me and preparing my heart and my mouth. Then I chickened out and relied on my own strength, my own ability to give the sermon. I was disappointed at my quick decision to scape goat out of speaking in German, instead of just trusting God and doing what he was calling me to do.
well, that's about all I have for now. We only have a few weeks left in Germany before we head back to the U.S. and to seminary. I would ask everyone to be praying for us as we prepare for this next journey.
