Don and Sarah Jones

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

Pushing back the darkness...

Last week a well-known German magazine, Der Spiegel, reported online that this has been the darkest winter in Germany in 43 years. A German winter usually brings with it an average of 160 hours of sunshine, which isn't all that much. As of last week, Spiegel Online reported that Germany has seen an average of less than 100 hours of sunshine this winter. Considering that Berlin and the northeast generally see fewer sunny days than the rest of the country, you can imagine how much we are all longing for the sun! We are thankful that after having read that report, we were greeted on the weekend by blue skies and sun... so despite the coldness, we spent a great deal of time on the playground! Those interested can read the article I'm referring to in English here: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-weathers-darkest-winter-in-43-years-a-885608.html

While reading that report, I couldn't help but think of how the weather in many ways mirrors the spiritual climate here in the Northeast. How we long to see the Son at work here, just as we physically long for sunshine upon our faces! When the weather is cold and the sun doesn't shine, the natural human tendency is to curl up on the couch and hibernate for a while. Perhaps some people choose to ignore what's going on around them due to such winter blues. We see this in spiritual matters as well. So many here in NE Germany have grown up without any knowledge of Jesus Christ, so naturally, they don't see what God is doing around them. We even experience that some who are believers show a sort of "winter blues" attitude in their lives. There is an apathy toward their own spiritual growth. They instead choose to "curl up on the couch".

In the midst of the greyness, we thank God that He is very much at work! We thank him for the light that His Word brings into our lives daily and that despite the lack of sunshine we can be hopeful about what each day brings. We continue to pray that those who have not heard will see Christ's love lived out in our lives and in the lives of the believers at Freischwimmer. And we pray that those who have become apathetic in their walk with Christ would experience a fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit. Will you be praying with us?

Here is the monthly schedule for our church, Freischwimmer:

1st Sunday of the Month: Lego-Brunch

2nd & 4th Sundays of the Month: normal services

3rd Sunday of the Month: Cafe International

We've written about Lego-Brunch many times and encourage you to go back in the blog and see the video from May 2012 if you'd like to see a glimpse of what happens on those Sundays. We are praising God for the great turn out at our recent Brunch and pray that many return to worship at Freischwimmer regularly.

Most recently we've started offering the Cafe International service. On that Sunday, we've been excited to see those in the church body step up to tell their own story in a time of testimony. Then, after a time of worship, the sermon is preached in English and translated into German. Afterward, everyone is encouraged to take part in small group discussions as they enjoy a cup of coffee in a relaxed atmosphere. This international setting is attractive to Germans and internationals alike. Pray with us that many will come and experience God's love!

Thank you for your partnership as we push back the darkness in NE Germany together!

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

Germany

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