Winter 2024

We end this year with a huge “thank you.” Thank you for praying for our family and our church here in Münster. And for supporting us financially this year. Your generosity is never lost on us, and we praise God for your partnership. Your faithful prayers and giving have enabled us to be instruments in God´s hands in Germany. We are incredibly thankful to you.

Jonas’ income continues to come 50% from ministry partners. Would you prayerfully consider joining our monthly-giving team? Or would you consider giving a year-end gift to help offset some large expenses we have had in the last months? (We bought a bigger car, medical expenses with baby, upcoming travel to the States).

We're asking the Lord to provide $10,000 toward this. Here you can find the different ways to give (see here). If you prefer to give online just follow this link: GIVE

Since our last update, we welcomed our son, spent a week in the NICU, buried a young father at our church and celebrated Jonas’ sister’s wedding. As your days are surely just as full, may we all seek ways to slow down and look to Christ this Advent season.

CHURCH

Tomorrow our church will host its first “Tag Offenen der Tür,” which is basically an open house for the neighborhood. We will have kids crafts, waffles, and a table where people can take books and ask questions about the church. Then Jonas will do a brief devotional. We pray many visitors will be there to hear the gospel. Would you take a few minutes to pray for this?

While we were in the hospital after Henning’s birth, we got news that the husband of one of our members died, leaving behind two sons, 10 and 15. Jonas organized the funeral from the hospital then held the funeral two days after we were released.

In this man’s last conversation with his wife, he made it clear that he trusted Jesus. Afterwards I (Jonas) talked to his mom, who told me, “He trusted Jesus because of you.” Of course, it was because of Jesus, but God used our church for him to hear the gospel and be saved.

Doing ministry in an unchurched, post-Christian culture is hard and the growth is slow. These moments remind us that our work is not in vain. God is using the faithful preaching of His word to redeem people to Himself.

FAMILY

Henning Ray Bültemann was born into our family on October 4th- just two hours after the first contraction (yikes says Paige). Henning had trouble breathing after birth and was taken to the NICU where they found an infection. He was treated with antibiotics, and we stayed in the hospital 8 more days. So many prayers were answered in this time. My labor/delivery nurse spoke English, a “family room” was always available so Jonas was able to be with me the whole time, and even after a rocky start, we were soon able to come home and start life as a family of five.

Also in October, Jonas turned 34 and Nora turned 6!

Jonas officiated his sister’s wedding. However, never a dull moment, one day before the wedding, Paige had to call 911 (or in Germany 112), because she had severe chest pain (lungs and heart) and couldn´t breathe. As scary as that was, thankfully it was not severe, but a blockade between her spine and ribs. Paige was released on the same day and the wedding could proceed as planned.

Paige´s mom spent eight weeks with us, some before and some after baby boy. The kitchen table was craft central and Henning loved a daily nap in Grandma’s arms.

The last five years in Germany have been filled with joys and sorrows, and they were also very exhausting. After a difficult nine months of pregnancy and a tough post-partum time, we are grateful to have some downtime come January. Jonas will have one month paternity leave and we are planning to rest and refresh at home. Lord willing, we will be in the States part of May and June 2025 before Nora starts school in August. We believe that these times of rest are vital for our longevity and sustainability long-term in ministry.

May God bless you and your family this Christmas season as we celebrate our Savior.

In Christ,

The Bültemanns

Prayer: