Leipzig

Today Karen and I took a day trip to Leipzig. Leipzig is the city that is being targeted for a church plant by us and the Sullivans in 2010. We spent the day walking around the city, in the rain, trying to get a feel for the city. Leipzig is a little more updated than Chemnitz, where we currently are. Both are cities in Sachsen, Germany. What we really found out today, other than a little bit more about this city that we plan to be moving to in a few short months, is that sometimes we have to be patient. We start dreaming, developing our ideas and goals and then start marching forward. Understand that through all of this we do a lot of praying about the ideas and the actions. But, I also know that even when I am praying about it I am still plodding along trying to do what I can to move forward. Sometimes I am reminded though, just to slow down, keep praying about it, but take the time to listen to God speaking to us. I sometimes get so into making the plan come together that I dont listen to the direction of the One I am trying to serve. Ever have that problem? I read a great verse that says it much better than I ever could: Ps 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him See what I mean? God provides what we need, in spite of my help. :-)

He actaully has managed to run the world quite well without my help... for a very long time. Please understand, I believe with all my heart that my Father uses me in His service. That is the point, it is His work, not mine. I really enjoyed the day today, especially after I just relaxed and tried to enjoy some great one on one time with my wife today and not get stressed out about where we need to live and what size apartment we need and where it is going to be and.... Anyway, when you get stressed about all the things that lay ahead of you, how about giving them to God, also thanking Him for all He is already doing, and take a little time to be still and wait on Him. He WILL NOT leave you out to dry!

Have a blessed day, I sure did!
Mark

Faces along our way in the Usa

Furlough

Furlough is a strange word... Webster describes this word by saying it means, "absent, rest and relaxation, to lay off of work..." Well, for us it has meant quite a different thing. We have been busy traveling to about 8 different cities since we arrive in the Usa. We have logged a lot of miles these last few weeks, but man what a blessing to be able to be with so many different church families scattered throughout the Usa. I just have to say.... THANK YOU FAMILIES! We have been so blessed to be able to be in so many peoples homes and to be able to share information about the work in Germany. God is GREAT! It is so much fun to be share some of these stories of different peoples lives and their coming to faith in our wonderful Father and our Savior! My problem is I have a hard time stopping talking about it... I tend to ramble, would have never guessed that would ya. Thank you everyone who has listened, helped us, and partnered with us in this work. May God continue to bless you and your ministry where ever you are. I will give a fuller update when we get home to Chemnitz... we still have days left here and want to make the most of them... still more people to talk with.

It is December...

I don't know about you, but I can hardly believe that this year, 2008, is almost over. Karen and I are excited about our daughter Elizabeth and our son in law Chris coming to visit us in Chemnitz for Christmas. They will be here tomorrow. Here in this part of Germany, the Erzgebirge, it is so beautiful this time of year. It is so hard to describe if you have not ever seen it before... almost every town of any size at all has a Weihnachtsmarkt. That is a Christmas market. They have lots of lights, lots of decorations, lots of smoker men, lots of hand carved wood dolls and soilders,lots of food, lots of things to drink, and lots of Christmas spirit. It is a different feel. It is a very busy place this marktplaz, but even with so many people looking, talking, and eating it is something that they are doing together. Not the husstle and busstle of a Walmart in the states. It is a refreshing time of family and friends enjoying this special time of year together. It is so encouraging to me to see so many references to Jesus and his birth and his life. I know we don't know when he was born... but we do know that he was born, then he lived, and then he died, and then he rose again to provide a way for us to come to the Father, through Him!! So as you experience Christmas, where ever you are and however you and your family celebrate it, remember that Jesus was born and came into this world for a specific reason, to be the WAY for us to come to the Father. Enjoy your family and friends as you eat, laugh, and talk together as we are able to spend time together and always be thankful for that special gift that God gave us! I hope that you have a wonderful new year!
Mark

Thanks....Giving

For us here in Deutschland, tomorrow is just another day. In the states, tomorrow will be a big day for families and friends to get together and take time from their busy lives to relax a little and spend some great time talking, laughing and eating together. Karen and I spent last Wednesday celebrating Thanksgiving day with some friends here in Chemnitz. We had turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and green bean cassaroll. It was truly a time for us to be thankful. One of the things that I was most thankful for was having people who understood what this tradition is all about to share this meal and time together. Karen and I have learned so much about German culture, German ways of thinking, and about living a different lifestyle than we were use to in the states. But there are some things that will always be important, like celebrating thanksgiving day. It is really not about the food... okay the food is incredible... it is about have a time together with people you love and sharing. Sharing food yes, but more than that it is sharing our lives with each other. We are a long way away from our families at this holiday time, but I am so thankful for the celebration that we were able to enjoy last week. I want to be more thankful everyday for all the blessings that God POURS out on us. He gives us so much, sometimes I don't really appreciate all He gives me. God is great and He loves us so much and just like a good father he provides for His children. Thank you. I hope you enjoyed your thanksgiving day... I hope you are thankful everyday.

Taking a trip to Leipzig

Today Karen and I took a day trip to Leipzig. As we look to the very near future of moving there and planting a church, we feel it is important to spend time getting to know the city and people. I say very near future because in our lives, as I am quite sure is true in your lives also, time flies by faster than we are ever ready for. Today we spent time walking through the city and trying to get a better feel for the layout of the city. The people are very friendly and quite helpful when you go into one of the little shops. Leipzig has over 750,000 people, man is that a lot of people or what? It is a growing city, with many new buildings being built and a lot of renovation on older buildings. It takes us about an hour to get to Leipzig by train, but we feel so blessed to have such good public transportation. I am going to put in a couple of pictures of the city and then make this post and get to bed... it is quite late here. I just want to say thank you for reading this blog and for keeping us, this work, and the lost of this country in your prayers. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Okay, the pictures are first... I am still trying to figure this whole blog thing out... thanks for the patience.
Mark

God is at work

Often I think that we forget to slow down and see God working. Here me out... God works in His own time and in His own ways, but sometimes we are not on the same page. Take for instance some friends of mine here in Deutschland. Simone has been a Christian now for about a year. But after listening to her "salvation story" I realized that God had been working on her for the last 10 years. He has put different people into her life that have continued to help her get a little closer to God and His son, each and every year. Now her husband Jürgen, has come along in what seems to be a much quicker pace. But when I really think about it, he too was being influenced all along while she was growing. It thrills my heart to hear from Jürgen today with a request for Karen and I to come to Bremen next weekend and celebrate with him as he puts on Christ in baptism. Man, what a great event that we get to participate in. Thank you father for working in so many peoples lives... including mine. Take a few moments this day and slow down and look and see God working... in your life and the lives of those around you, it will give you a great feeling.