Expecting the unexpected

We started outreach a few days ago and it already feels like so much time has gone by. I already have so many stories but to keep this blog posting not so long I will just share the first few and go from there. so except to see more postings from me on all that God has been doing during our outreach in these countries throughout Europe.

We left early in the morning from Paris and made it to our first stop in Germany on the way to Finland.

We drove all day and arrived in Kiel Germany, We come into the town and see a huge old church in the center of town.

We were joking around like “oh there’s the church were staying at”

next thing you know our GPS directions takes us right up to the door steps.

Our host church the first night was so incredible, Staying at “Apostelkirche church” they greeted us with such joy and showed us around their church and cafe ministry.

They were so happy to have YWAMer’s (missionaries) staying with them they offered us free coffees and deserts.

The pastor himself actually was working behind the counter of the coffee shop and he shared with us just how the church really has been coming alive there in Germany.

He shared with us how the city was planing to demolish the building, but the city reached out to one of their other church campuses and asked if they wanted to take over the old church building. (It had sat empty for many years) They said yes they would love to but they didn’t have much money to do it.

So the city said okay we will have a council meeting and see what we can do to help.

The next thing they knew the city came back to them with an offer, giving them 2 million euros to remodel the church building.

The pastor said they couldn’t refuse the offer and that he actually found out after that an older lady had been praying for that church to be open and used again for over 40 years.

(wow it’s insane the power of intercession prayer)

We were so touched by the people of this church in Germany. It was so refreshing to see an older church building being used in this way compared to a lot of older historic churches in Europe.

I loved seeing how many ministries they had going on, from the coffee shop, book stores, and even a huge detached building that they house refugees in.

We actually got to meet one of them, He had fled from his country of Iran and was living in the church there. (in Germany if the church claims a refugee they can stay in the county longer with out as many issues)

We befriended him and invited him for dinner with us and He shared with us how He came to know God. He said he walked away from the muslim belief because of its inconsistencies, he said nothing matched up and he became atheist because of it.

From then he said he came to befriend a Russian who eventually shared the gospel with Him. He started to follow God but because of the muslim belief and christianity being illegal he never told anyone not even his family for fear of being disowned or being imprisoned. He even shared who Jesus was to two close friends of his and they followed after God in secret had had secret meetings together. He said that ended up fleeing the county because someone borrow his phone and saw the screen saver of Jesus on the phone. He knew they turned his phone into the authorities and he fled from Iran. He hasn't seen his friends or family since then.

He shared many other stories with me of how God was real to him and how he had been so protected in his travels.

I cannot share with you enough just how incredible it was to hear his stories, even in just a short night of staying with the church in Germany it really brought more of a sense of realness to the bigger picture of what were doing here on outreach in missions. It was so encouraging to see how one persons story can be used to share the love of Jesus to another and just how powerful it can be.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

Prayer Requests

-Strength for our team to stay encouraged. We have already been experiencing some opposition as we go out in faith.

-Safety. As we travel we have had some difficulties come up with our transportation. (I'll share more later on this, Stay tuned)

Well friends be on the look out for more blog postings and please sign up for my newsletters. I will be sharing more personal information in those.

Leave your email at the bottom of the page and I would love to share with you all my joinery of what God has been doing through me and my team.

I plan to keep everyone as updated as I can (wifi willing)

We are only 5 days into outreach and I already have so many stories to share on what God is doing.