Glorious Day, Yesterday!

Hi Friends. You're probably thinking, "wow glorious is quite the descriptive word for a day" but it truly was. Please let me explain.

My sunny Sunday began as I walked to the train station when I noticed a car quickly pull onto the side walk. I looked, thinking that was rather strange, only to see someone sticking their head out the window yelling something at me. As I took a few more steps I realized it was the couple whose kids I tutor in English and they asked if I wanted a ride. I squished in the back with the kids and got an unexpected lift to church! A great start to any day.

Now this is no ordinary Sunday. We quickly passed the Trafolhaus where we usually meet and we made our way to the beautiful city center. This day we were trying out one of the potential new locations for our growing church. This was really exciting for us because the location is amazing in the sense that it is central and easy to access, as well as the building itself is positioned very well and is very visible to the community which is people who are out shopping.

The new potential space for our church was very welcoming and the transition into this space seemed rather smooth. There are pro's and con's in any situation but I believe this place offers more pro's than con's. One of the big differences is that there is a raised stage. There is also a balcony at the back which looks onto the paradaplatz where there is a beautiful fountain in the center and many people linger and meet at this point. Anyways, I enjoyed the new building and the different dynamics.

After church I went to a friends house for a BBQ. There were many new people to meet, the weather was nice and sunny and they had a yard where we were able to squish our toes in the grass. To all the Canadians reading this, you're probably thinking 'big deal' BUT most people my age don't have yards, so it's something I really enjoyed. At any rate, I guess it kinda marked the beginning of spring for me.

I had to leave early so I could prepare for dancing at Coffee Fellows. The fun part was that my roomy let me drive her car back to Mannheim and I had my first driving experience in Germany. She has a standard and it's been a long time since I drove one, so I was a little hesitant but was so glad that I faced my fears and made my dream come true - driving on the autobahn.

In the evening I enjoyed a mango frap and conversation with friends. The Fellow Meets God team put on a wonderful evening and I concluded it by dancing. I felt comfortable dancing in a Coffee Shop full of strangers and I think it was well received. The most awkward part for me is after the dance is finished and people start clapping. This is when I become uncomfortable.

The theme of the evening and my dance was "living water", and exploring life before and after being filled with living water. Someone made a cute clip displaying this with a flower and the sun and eventually some water, then on the way out people were given water bottles with a verse on it about how this water will not satisfy but there is another water that comes from Jesus and it always satisfies.

I think there is so much creativity and excellence employed at this event, it makes me proud to be part of it as well as just enjoying my time there. So that my friends is what makes a Glorious Day for me.

I hope you're having some of your own. Please feel free to share your story with me.

Tschuss

Dave & Seb - Was brauch ich [Official Video]

Hi Friends.

This is just a little video to bring understanding to all the bragging I've been doing of the talented musicians that play at Coffee Fellows. These two guys play twice a month after church at the coffee shop. It's meant to be a time to meet new people within the church. I hope you enjoy!

If you want you can check out their website (even though it's in German) it's www.daveundseb.de

and FYI David's younger brother made this video. Talented family!

Tschussy

Up and Coming

First let me begin by filling you in on the weekend. It was GREAT! For those of you who don't know what Encounter is, it's the name of a weekend program that helps people deal with issues in their life by letting God encounter them. There are about 7 teaching sessions on key issues and after each session there is a time for people to come and deal with their issues by praying through them with someone else. This weekend shows and equips people how to deal with issues that continue to come up when they are on their own and not in the nice atmosphere of such a retreat. This is the third one I've been to and I have found them to be helpful in my life.

The topic that I was covering as I mentioned in my last blog was sin. This is a rather heavy topic with which we all too easily identify but it's necessary to confront it and take responsibility for it. So that's the short version for you!

Alright on to this week. Baaaaahh, where is time going these days? On Sunday evening I will be dancing at a coffee shop called Coffee Fellows. Our church meets here 4 times a year with something they've coined "Fellow Meets God". I believe I've mentioned it before but let me explain in a bit more detail.

This venue is perfect for people to invite friends who may be interested in God but do not feel comfortable going to a church. Each event has a topic that explores a bit of who God is. The fun part is there's always lots of creativity here. There are often musicians playing while people enjoy conversation and coffee. Then for the more formal program there is some sort of drama, story, dance, discussion panel etc...

I think this is an amazing opportunity to be in the community and in a place people feel comfortable. God moved in amazing ways not only for us but now Coffee Fellows is opening opportunities to other churches to use their facilities and stay open later in other parts of Germany. Recently, there was one done in Frankfurt. They are also willing to have us in there more often but we just can't do that much at the moment. It's an amazing opportunity and I'm glad I get to be a part of it. I wish y'all could come out and join us.

Well folks that's all for now!

Tschussy

I'm Back and Off Again

Hi Friends!

I just returned from a lovely holiday with part of my family. We were able to see a bit of Europe and enjoy Easter together. It was a fun packed time and upon returning home I've hit the road running. I've been catching up on some things and been preparing for the Encounter weekend in Waren. We leave tomorrow morning at 7:45am and we have an 8 hour drive ahead of us. Once we get there I will be on the leadership team, so that means I will be there to pray with people after each session as well as teaching a session on sin. I figure I've got lots of experience in this department.

I've still gotta pack but here's a few quick pics from our trip. These are the girls who danced wonderfully on Sunday.

Walking around Mannheim with lotsa rain which typified our trip.

In Heidelberg

One of the many castles dotting the Romantic Rhine

Nemo: named after the architect and inside it's a hands on Science museum for kids.

This is the most difficult part of the Rhine to navigate, this is where the legends says the sailors would be distracted by the Sirens.

Keukenhof

This one's for Rish!

A few tulips were up but most were still just shoots due to the long winter.

Lovely Lillies

We're in Holland

Wind blown tulips.

Corrie Ten Boom's house that you can read about in "The Hiding Place"

This one's for my neighbors back home.

Alkmaar Cheesemarket (Kaasmarkt)

Beautiful skies!

Cool building in Denmark.

That's a glimpse of our trip.

Thanks for checking in.