Fall 2023

Church

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
The Lord preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
Psalm 116:5-7

Twelve brothers and sisters from Redeemer Bible Church in Indiana made a trip to us in July. This time was special. The group was able to share an evening with our church talking about the histories of our churches, then worship with us on Sunday morning. They spent the week helping with a Christian summer camp, encouraging our family and the Grünings as well as talking about church planting.

I (Jonas) was very proud of Paige. Many of you have prayed for her as she learns German. And it was a language milestone for her to be able to translate live my history of our church talk. I spoke German and Paige ranslated it into English for Redeemer, which even with an outline, requires a high language skill. I am proud of how good her German is every time she speaks.

We recently hosted ten teen boys from our church for a little “camp reunion.” A friend of ours, Phillip, led the weekend and there was a lot of positive feedback. They visited the Bible Museum in Münster, hiked, talked and drank way more hot chocolate than their mama’s normally allow.

As we share this next bit, I (Paige) can only envision Mrs. Doubtfire yelling, “Help is on the way!” as Robin Williams hurdles the table. Watch that movie if you haven’t and please pray with us for two families who are seriously considering moving to Münster to join our church and do ministry with us. One family would be moving from America and the other family is already here in Germany. Linking arms with these two families would be wonderful. And an answer to prayers we didn’t even really think to be praying. Please pray for God to direct or paths and that we would trust in Him with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5).

We continue to pray for a new building. Last week we were completely out of seats and people had to wait to sit until the children left for the Kindergottesdienst. Praise God for a “good problem” of a full room. Jonas is meeting with relators to look at spaces. Just as God’s are the cattle on a thousand hills, so are every meeting space in our city. We are praying, looking, and waiting patiently.

Jonas is currently preaching through Genesis. Please pray for the regular preaching of the Word.

Family

Fenley is thrilled to have joined her big sister at Kindergarten (pre-school) this fall. Our 30-step goodbye routine in the morning includes the girls saying, “I am strong. I am confident. I am kind. And I’m going to make today a great day.” Then they proceed to yell, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty. There’s nothing my God cannot do,” as they round the corner with the final wave. The neighbors love us. Fenley’s German has taken off and the girls are growing everyday.

Jonas and I had our duet debut this month at the Kindergarten. We asked if we could sing a few Christian songs with the kids every week and the office agreed. We sing some in English and some in German. It is sweet, many of the parents don’t know the songs so they will text us for lyrics so their kids will stop fighting over them.

Paige found a studio where she can teach spin classes again. This is an answer to prayer for us, as we searched for this for three years. I (Paige) contacted them on a Tuesday, and he asked if I wanted to teach a class that Thursday. It is fun and I’m thankful.

Jonas and Nora are birthday buddies in October. Papa got a tent so we can start camping as a family and Nora is hoping for a bigger bike.

Lord willing, we will be in the States again in December. We will enjoy Christmas with Paige’s family and later five German young adults will join us for CrossCon in Louisville. We hope to see many of you in those weeks. Thank you for your prayers and support.