The sun is shining, even if you close your eyes!

In our last post I wrote about the number of sunny days we have had here in the Drilaendereck since December 1st. Well, we have not broken any records with the number of sunny days this last month: that is certain. Although today, as we were on an outing through the Algäu, the sun came shining through the high clouds just as we crossed into Freistadt Bayern and pretty much stayed that way all day!

We are continuing with some of the habits we picked during our “Barefoot Language Learning” even now that we have returned to formal language learning. We have continued to meet with a number of “language partners.” We have built relationships with several of them that will probably go on for years after we have moved on. A week or so ago, we met with our language partners for a walk in the woods. Tramping around the top of one of the hills between Lörrach and Weil am Rhein for a couple of hours was their idea of a short walk . . . I forgot that Hans likes to climb mountains for fun! It was a snowy day and walking in town would not have been nearly as much fun. We have also joined a home Bible study group that meets in our area. As we are learning the language, we felt that it was important for us to learn the language that believers use in church and church related settings. Our leaders are terrific! Even though they speak English all we speak is German – what a hoot to sing Fanny Crosby hymns in German. Usually we sing hymns that are only 400 years old. Several of our language partners are a part of “die Eiche” (the Oak) fellowship at church. They have invited us to join them on the third Thursday of the month for their monthly meeting. Since we meet the qualification for membership of being over 50 we accepted. Speaking of church, we have joined the Baptist Church here in Lörrach. We had an interview with the pastor who presented us to the church leadership as candidates. Jürgen was keen on the idea of our being members and then when we do need to move to our ministry location partnering with us in ministry to the Germans. On the Sunday we were accepted as members, we gave our testimonies before the congregation (in German) and had the opportunity to ask the church to partner with us in our “mission.”

As I said, we are back in formal language learning. We are going to a language school in Lörrach, so we walk to class everyday instead of riding the train. There are 6 of us in our class, 3 other M’s and a lady from Estonia. We are having a super time learning. We spend most of our time speaking German on a variety of subjects. We are improving our reading and our writing as well. Following the end of course test we will be on a level that should get us to our ministry setting sooner than we had originally thought.

God continues to bless us everyday . . . could it be that we are meeting Him first thing in the morning? Or could it be that He is God and that we’re not? Or could it be that He loves us more than we could ever dream or imagine? Or could it be that he has a plan and He allows us to participate with Him in spreading His message to the Nations?

Please continue toPray with us for and about our daughter, Mary and our son in law, Staff Sergeant Jimmy Hammond in KOREA. Jimmy saw the orthopedic surgeon earlier this month. He was told that he would need to have physical therapy at least twice a week to reduce the swelling in his knee and strengthen his thigh muscles before the surgeon would operate. He will see surgeon again in early March to discuss a surgery date and further course(s) of action for his healing and rehabilitation. Mary is still pregnant and will have a C-Section at about the end of April. In the mean time she has exhausted herself taking Jimmy to work; to the hospital for regular physical therapy appointments and other appointments in addition to doing all of the household stuff. Our grandkids cannot go into the hospital so even though Mary is taking them along whenever she has to transport Jimmy they are fast wearing out as well . . . Joshy was heard to say the other day, “Mamma, I don’t want to go there today, I just want to stay home.”

Please Pray with us for and about our other son in law, SSG E. B. M., he returned to the warzone following his R&R. If you follow the news, you have already seen what it is that he returned to. As soon as he returned, his living area was washed away in a flash flood. When he called home, he told our daughter that all that he had lost in the flood was 1 pair of socks. Praise God!