October 10, 2008
Earlier this week, Berlin International Church (BIC) facilities were robbed during a puzzling daytime theft. A church assistant was working on BIC’s laptop computer on the fourth floor where the congregation meets. The doors were locked, and she left the computer to go to another area for a few minutes. “When she returned, the laptop was missing, along with her wallet and all her money,” said missionary Jerry Kragt. “This robbery is of special concern, since we don’t know how someone gained access to the building. We are thankful to God that [our colleague] was not hurt, as she was completely alone when this happened.” Police are investigating.
“The theft of the laptop is a great loss because all of BIC’s worship songs for projection were installed on it,” said Kragt. “Pray for the Lord’s protection over our facilities here in Berlin. Since December when there were signs of a forced entry, we have been taking extra care to make sure everything is locked and bolted.” In July, one of BIC’s key children’s ministry leaders was praying in an adjoining room and returned to find his wallet stolen from his jacket hanging on a chair. “These incidents are discouraging for those who are committing themselves to serving in the church. Pray that God would graciously protect BIC’s facilities from further thefts and encourage those who have suffered losses while doing the Lord’s work.”