Adoption

When I was in eighth grade I made Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.
I gave my all to him.
Surrendered everything.
Gave him complete control of my life, my will and my desires.

Around the same time, I met a family at church that basically took me in, adopted me in many ways. Over time, I became part of the family and I knew it. We celebrated birthdays and holidays together, we rejoiced together in the good times, mourned together during the bad times, we challenged each other, we did life together. 
My given family was a bit of a mess during this period of time and I was (and still am to this day) so incredibly thankful that I had this place to go; this family that I knew I was considered a part of - not just because I called them mine, but because they also claimed me. There was a couch and a cup of coffee ready and waiting for me at any time. I was welcome. I was accepted. I was loved. 

Scripture says that when you belong to Christ, the Spirit of God dwells within you and gives you life (Rom 8:9-11). Paul goes on to say that those in whom the Spirit of God dwells are made "sons [and daughters] of God" (Rom 8:15-17). 
By this Spirit we are adopted into the family of God. 
By this Spirit we are compelled to cry out "Abba, Father". 
By this Spirit we are made heirs with Christ Jesus our Lord. 
In Ephesians, Paul points out that when God created the world, He intended for us to be adopted as children of God through Jesus Christ and that we have gained an inheritance (Eph 1:5,11). He goes on throughout the epistle to state that we who have accepted Christ and are living by the Spirit of God have been made "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph 2:19), "fellow heirs, members of the same body and partakers of the promise of Christ through the gospel" (Eph 3:6). Again, in Galatians Paul writes, 

"God sent forth his son...to redeem those who were under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying 'Abba, Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." (Gal 4:4-7)

 In light of this, returning to Romans 8, Paul's declaration of the surety of God's love for him, and for us, is incredible. You see, I've often held to the words and declaration of Romans 8:31-38 for an assurance of acceptance and love, but I had never before read these words in light of my adoption. But when framed with the lenses of acceptance as a daughter of the Most High, an heir and partaker in the household of God, these words suddenly hold so much more weight to them. 

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?....No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

They are no longer simply big words of the big God that I serve, they are words of assurance that the family I've been adopted into is never going to leave or forsake me. I am more than a conqueror who defeated sin and death through Jesus Christ. My Heavenly Father loves me, looks out for me, takes care of me, and will never abandon me. 

Until this morning, the concept of adoption has eluded me. I've understood the basic concept, and even more recently have I been able to start to grasp the weightiness of being called a daughter of God, a co-heir with Christ. What it means to not simply be accepted and tolerated but claimed, desired and made a part of. 
But my Heavenly Father has reminded me this morning of the significance of this family who took me in and made me one of their own many years ago. This, and so much more, is what it is to be adopted into the household of God: to be taken in, cared for, loved, desired, valued, made a part of the family, given an inheritance and treasured forever. 
What shall I say then? Can anything separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus? 
I dare say nothing at all. 
I am His forever. 

Transparency, Perspectives and Realities

I've been in Germany now for seven months. 
It's been seven months of seeking God's face and depending on Him for direction and provision.
Seven months of learning what it means to "trust in the Lord and lean not on [my] own understanding" (Prov 3:5). 
Seven months of trial.
Seven months of grace.
Seven months of stress.
Seven months of learning what it means to live guarded with the "peace that passes all understanding" (Phil 4:7).

Just after Christmas, it was brought to our attention that there was a misunderstanding in the financial expectations with our landlords, and suddenly we found ourselves with a very large bill and no income. I turned to God.
In November, I had a trial of learning what it means to trust in the goodness of God. What I learned from that was that God is ALWAYS good - no matter what, no matter where, no matter how the cards fall. God is good. 
So now in the face of a mountainous bill, is God still good? 
When there's a new, inexplicable ailment every week (for six weeks) that manages to somehow keep you down, is God still good?
When you know that your current God-given mission and objective is to learn the language so that you can clearly communicate the message of hope that you have been sent to share to a people, but you don't feasibly have the means to complete that task...is God still good?
When you weekly find yourself at the foot of God's throne, surrendering again the fears and doubts of living this life of faith, of loneliness, of pain, of distance, of - dare I say it - disappointment, IS GOD STILL GOOD??

The answer to all of these questions is invariably and resoundingly - YES!

And during that challenge in December, when I was literally facing a rock, a trench and a hard place and didn't like the looks of any of them I discovered what Paul really meant when he said to the Phillipians "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Phil 4:12) 
I learned that (and this may seem basic for some of you), while I've said for years that "God is good all the time and all the time, God is good", my belief of that was dependent on Him working out His will in accordance to mine. In other words, I was operating under the belief that any outcome that did not coincide with the ideas that I had in my head would constitute a failure (and since I know that I can't fail God, my concern for failure actually had much more to do with a fear of man than a fear of God). Therefore, they were not "good". 
However, the truth of the matter is that when we give something to God and say "Here you go. Do what you want with it" then God gets full control over what the outcome is - regardless of whether it's in line with what we want or not. AND, because God is good, ALL the time, "[h]e is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he" (Deut 32:4), then I should be able to not only trust but expect that any outcome that God brings about, get this, WILL. BE. GOOD. 

Can I just tell you what a weight off that is for someone who has no idea where the money for bills is coming from? Can I just tell you that when you're asking friends and family to send monthly support to you to do the mission that God has called you to (especially when it's currently "to learn a language"), what a relief it is to be reminded that while these are the people I'm asking for money, these are not the people I'm asking for validation in my calling and mission. 
My calling and mission are sure. 
God's Word is sure. 
My life's dependency on Him is sure.
But people, sadly, are not. 
Opinions change. 
Support varies.
Friends come and go. 

There is only one constant in this world, and that is God. And He is it for me.

So, in the last three-ish months, I have... (Also known as "Praises")
- progressed (quite significantly I would say) in my German language level and am almost at the closing end of the A2 level.
- had the opportunity to start a bi-weekly small group with a couple of girls from the university
- have been privileged to start meeting one on one with another university student 
- been able to join a church small group as well as participate with a couple of worship nights with fellow brothers and sisters.
- thankful for opportunities to share in meals with fellow language students and share about life and cultures
- experienced an incredible and unexplainable attitude of peace, grace and understanding towards others and towards myself
- begun to recognize new lessons beginning to be learned in my personal spiritual life (always exciting!)

Prayer Requests:
- Health: From depression to sinus infections to allergies (Spring will be brutal) to flu to strained muscles and fluke sickness that has never been a part of my life, my life has run the gambit for health issues in the last three months. I had a dear friend remind me about a month ago that God has a work here for me to do and the devil is certainly not going to just lie down and let me do it. My health has been one consistent way that the enemy has sought to keep me from doing all that I've set my mind to do. Please pray with me against these attacks and that my health would stay strong and good that I may continue on in the work that the Lord has set before me.

-  Study: This time of unemployment has been meant to be a time of study and growth in both the Word and the language. In both of these areas there has been much growth evidenced and I'm both excited and thrilled to see where it continues leading me to. Please pray for the continued endurance needed to finish this season strong.

- Small Groups: I'm thrilled that we've finally got small groups started after a season of quietly learning what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Please pray that these groups would be a source and space of life, love, encouragement and community growth among us as we seek to live/do life together as Christ's disciples.

SFC:  
1) The university is currently on break in between semesters until April so we're not currently having our weekly meetings. Absence can make the heart grow fonder but it can also cause a forgetfulness as well. Please pray that the community/family that has been built up over the last semester will actually be strengthened during this down time. 
2) The student leaders are also taking this break time to pause and pray about what God's vision for SFC Freiburg is and how we can best carry that out given the means and talents that we currently have at our disposal. I ask you to please be praying for discernment, boldness sensitivity and wisdom to the things of God that he would have done on our university campuses.

- Future Plans: 
1) Currently I have been in the process of applying for possibly apprenticeships that are available in Hotel Management. This would provide a bit of income, career training, a legal working visa and a whole new spectrum of people to influence with the Word of God (=]). However, this requires a German speaking level that I have not yet attained (B1, comes after A2), but am very close to. I would have to pass a test to say that I've done it. It also would require at least three years commitment, which is beautiful in the sense of long term (when three years is considered "long term") stability and constancy in the groundwork of ministry being laid; not necessarily so favorable in regards to return trips for visits in the US (but we'll see what God has in store). Please pray that if this IS God's will, the correct connections will be made and that those wheels will be set in motion ASAP. 
2) I am also currently in the process of planning a return trip to the US this summer. My intention is to work as well as visit. First and foremost, this trip is an answer to prayer to see family and so, while I love the idea of working again, I also would really love to spend time with family and friends. Please be in prayer for all of the details that are involved with this (transportation, schedules, monies, etc) to be worked out gracefully in His timing.

- Finances: Six months ago I asked many of you to consider helping to support my life and calling here in Germany, three months ago I reiterated this sentiment again and made known to you the option of sending monthly support via my organization ICMS (you can go to Ray's donation Page), now I'm asking again. The reality is that I still have very little coming in and I'm still not allowed to work on my visa (I'm currently living off of $200/mo; hello!). That said, I ask you again to please consider donating a monthly amount (it can be as little as you can afford) so that I CAN continue on in this amazing work that He has started here in Germany.

- Freiburg: There is a work of God on the move in Freiburg, and it's because of the faithful prayers of many faithful ones over many decades. Freiburg is a small university town and seemingly insignificant, but when you take into consideration that Freiburg University is a well-renowned university that has students from all over the world, when you take into consideration that the university students of today are going to be the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow, I hope you see the significance of Spirit driven vision for this city. Will you join me in praying for this city, for its students and for the faithful saints that are here laboring in churches, on campuses and in other outreach ministries (refugees, sick, homeless, prayer and more)? 

Second Christmas and Be Encouraged

"Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul." Ps 66:16

So here in Germany, we celebrate Second Christmas on Dec 26th. It's the day where people go out and celebrate Christmas with extended family and friends - you know, the people that you're NOT supposed to ditch your family for on the 25th. :)

Well Jo and I, along with another friend and student leader, were invited to spend Second Christmas with the family of another friend, J, a student that we've gotten to know through SFC this semester. He comes from a family of eight children and is very sweet-spirited with a quiet and calm personality; although he'd proven on a number of occasions that he has no problem getting LOUD or silly when the time calls for it. Given that, we were a little surprised by the invite to spend Second Christmas with his family, but also deeply honored.
His family, namely his siblings, went above and beyond to get us there and home again (they live up in the mountains), making accommodations for us to sleep comfortably, the dinner that was prepared was fabulous, they took us bowling (!!), and they even left the cat outside when they heard that I was allergic. They were wonderful in every sense of the word. 
But it wasn't just the things that they did for us that made this family wonderful. In my opinion, inviting complete strangers into your home, or better yet...allowing your brother to invite complete strangers into your home during Christmas holiday is enough to color me impressed. But no. That's not all it was. From the time that we met the siblings, walked into the house or sat down to chat, there was not a moment of feeling out of place, unwelcome or different. My German is rough and most of them spoke some English but few were comfortable using it. But that didn't stop us from sharing. Whether it was playing games, worshiping our Father together as a Body, or sharing the passion that God has placed on our hearts with each other, there was a tangible sense of the Spirit at work in this meeting and in this family. 

This Christmas season has been a tad challenging for me. It felt weird: a little strange, even a little lonely, and it's easy for me to start thinking too hard when I can't figure out why I feel a certain way. My brain started churning towards all the different unknowns and options that 2016 presents and, to be honest, and can be overwhelming if I don't keep myself in check and surrender it all to my Father. But Second Christmas was a blessing in disguise. I thought it would be a fun way to experience Christmas holidays the way Germans do it. Get a little immersed. Get out of my comfort zone. And maybe, if I was lucky, make some new friends or at least strengthen the ones I had.

It was so much more.

"The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:2-3

One of the oldest siblings cut straight to the meat of conversation (already a plus for me because we skipped right over small talk) and asked Jo and I why we came to Germany. He had already pointed out that he knew that we were missionaries, so it was a pointed and slightly challenging question. But as we began to share the message that God gave us to share with German[s]y, as I listened to his hearts desire for Germans to come to an experiential knowledge of our Lord but his struggle to see it in real life, as I was able to share testimony of how we've already witnessed this movement taking place just in the six months that we've been here, I began to be encouraged and heartened. I hadn't realized it at the time, but some days later I realized that I needed to be reminded of my purpose and calling here in Germany. I needed to see the hope that fills the hearts and eyes of young students who here the message of the Father for them. And I needed to see that faithful obedience produces fruit - in this case, it was going, speaking and seeing the encouragement and empowerment that came just in sharing testimonies, in bearing witness of each other's lives.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Heb 10:24-26

I am convinced that we, as a Body, are losing the significance of Christ in our daily lives here on earth, because we're forgetting WHO our God is. And the reason for this is that we don't share testimonies. We pass off His work in our lives as trivial or even convenient, but it's the constant awareness of God's presence and working in our lives that brings Him closer to each of us. It's when we are reminded of His work in the lives of those around us, as well as in our own lives, that we are able to 1) encourage our brothers and sisters in the faith, 2) become more aware of His working around us, and 3) live our lives as testimonies to believers and unbelievers alike - how else will they come to know this God??

What is God doing in your life? What are you trusting Him for this year? Share it. Tell it. Brag on God a bit, He deserves it. And watch the world catch fire with the Light of the World. 

Happy New Year friends! God bless.

Adventures in the Kingdom: Reflecting Forward on 2016

Five Christmas’…

Five New Year celebrations…

Five years of birthdays…

Have been missed.

Five year’s worth of life events - marriages, divorces, separations, estrangement, boyfriends (not my own of course), breakups, babies, moves, sicknesses and deaths – have been missed.

Five years.

It hasn't been easy. I wouldn't trade the experiences, connections and adventures that I've had for anything as they've shown me more of my King, who I am and how wonderfully He and I work together when I obey. But it has been far from easy. If you had told me six years ago that I would find myself living overseas as an expat with no idea what the next step of my journey would hold, I don't think I would've believed you. I certainly didn't anticipate this life. But faithfulness to the Lord is to live a life of adventure, I've found. (Even for those who don't country hop and stay in the same place, there is an adventure for you too.) Someday I pray that adventure will include a family and perhaps even a stable home, but today I'm reflecting on the adventures that have already been had. So many more than can be recounted here.

In June of 2011 I left America to go to China, thinking it would only be for one year.

In 2012 I thought that I would stay in China for just one more year.

In 2013 I obeyed and stayed for another year, but was beginning to sense that the end wasn’t in sight just yet.

In 2014 God began preparing me to move – but not back to America.

In 2015 my wonderful Father had me pack up my life into two suitcases and two boxes, move, once again, to another country, culture and community.

As 2016 approaches, I’m preparing for another wild ride.

This may look like a lot but when you consider that this
is all two people own aside from two boxes being
sent by mail, it's not much.

This time last year I was still in China; enjoying the blessings and surprises that came with living in China. But I was also wrapping my head around the word that I had just received to “go” yet again. By Springtime 2015, the command was unmistakable, “GO” to Germany. In July, I was on a plane to Germany with no idea what God had in store for me when I landed – and never could I have imagined. I remember as the plane was descending into Frankfurt airport, praying quietly, “God, I sure hope you know what you’re doing because I most certainly do not.”

But He has been faithful.

When we needed a place to call home, He was faithful to provide a place that was more and better than we could have imagined. He even added the much desired and much prayed for and believed for community that we so needed and desired.

When I had no idea where finances were going to come from, He provided for our needs.

When it looked like there was no way we would be able to acquire visas to stay, He provided the favor and the means to do just that.

When I had no idea where to begin getting involved in ministry, He provided the contacts to open the door to active ministry all over the city.

When I broke my toe, He healed it. Just ‘cause He can. *smile*

When I needed church support, He brought it (in the most unlikely of places)

When I was sick, He Healed.

When I was struggling with the goodness of God, He was patient with His child and reminded me that He is a Good Father, ALWAYS.

YES, my God has been faithful in every way this year (as He has been in the past). And I am thankful for the hard times, the struggles, the challenges that I’ve faced that have brought me closer to Him and taught me more of who He is.

Looking forward to the coming year, I’m excited to see what God has in store, though I confess that there is still lots to discover. I will continue on in my working/assisting with SFC in various aspects, including worship, teaching and relationship building. I will continue on in my language study for as long as necessary (likely another 6 months at least). I will continue to seek to build connections at the local Prayer House, as well as the local body that I meet with regularly.

Yet, in the midst of the consistency, I’m also seeking specific direction to become clearer in the coming weeks/months in regards to ministry, schooling, trips to the US and financial provision. As it is, I’m seeking and living off of financial support given. And will likely continue to do so for at least the next year (legally I am unable to work on my current visa; depending on how God leads in areas of ministry will dictate whether I seek work after language or continue on in this new phase of life). I would urge you again to pray and consider giving a small amount (maybe only $20) monthly to assist in the basic living expenses that need to be covered. One of the many blessings that has come in recently is that I’ve been accepted as an “agent” of International Christian Mission Services (ICMS) which is a 501(c)(3) organization and enables those giving to me as an overseas missionary to receive tax receipts. This is especially good news for the churches that I've been in contact with. A BIG answer to prayer.

2016 will be a year of excitement and challenge! It will be year of constant change and the unexpected. But it will also be a year of blessing and declaration. A year of fulfillment, and a wonderful year of growing with our glorious and wonderful Father. This is what I do know.

As you prepare to enter into a new year, a new season, perhaps even a new chapter, I pray that our God would bless you greatly in this coming new year and that 2016 would be a year of drawing closer to our Lord as children of God as well as the Bride of Christ. God bless!!

Community of Believers

So last weekend, we (SFC) got to enjoy our first annual Winter retreat!!! Woohoo!!

It was definitely an adventure! =]

Truth be told, there was little that seemed to quite go the way that we had expected or anticipated. BUT, the goal of the retreat was to bond and build relationships with each other, to learn more about spiritual growth and get away and worship through life together for a few days. And THAT goal was accomplished.

Game time after the first session

We arrived at the house to find no gas for the heaters, less than clean rooms and most of the beds had been written on in ways that only teenagers away from home can leave memories behind for others to be embarrassed by. And I arrived with an upset stomach that had me in bed most of the first evening.
But God in His goodness restored and calmed the storms in my stomach and allowed me to enjoy and really glean from the rest of the weekend while getting good quality time in with others there. We were able to have someone come and fix the heaters and we got a fire going and had a great time huddling in the warm community room while we learned together, shared together, ate together, prayed together, and laughed together. Outside, it was too warm for snow but there was still enough snow on the ground from the previous week's cold days that those who wanted to were still able to enjoy the snow without freezing to death (a very important grace for the Floridians present).

Learning about the different spiritual disciplines

One thing that I loved the most about this retreat was the concept of coming together with the intention of learning and growing together. Something that we've really been focusing a lot on with SFC this semester is the concept of discipleship and how thats done in community. This weekend, I felt like we had the opportunity to come together as a community, as the first disciples did when they gathered around Jesus, and hear the Word of God being taught.
I had the privilege of sharing about what it means to worship in community this weekend and the conclusion of that came in recognizing that worship is an attitude of reverence and awe towards God. And when we come together with that same heart attitude, our actions and reactions towards each other become acts of worship to Him, regardless of what we're doing. We can be celebrating or mourning, praying and singing or playing games, sharing testimony or sitting together in silence, no matter what it is that we do, when our hearts are set on Christ (which is what the process of discipleship does to our hearts), we can worship Him in doing life together. A.W. Tozer says that one hundred pianos tuned to each other will lead to disharmony, whereas one hundred pianos all tuned to the same master piano will all be in tune with each other. We are the pianos. Jesus is the master that we need to be in tune to. This weekend was a great time to practice that. Such a blessing.

In other news, as a group, we also had a chance to go and enjoy the Freiburg Christmas market together and had a great time eating great food and looking through all the stalls. THIS was just too much fun!!

Thank you to all of you who have been faithfully praying for the work that is being done here in SFC, Freiburg, and in Germany. God has been amazingly faithful. And for the students as well as the leaders, we have had the beautiful blessing of witnessing the working and orchestrating of God throughout this semester. And there's more to come!!

Brief Recap in Pictures

There's really no way that I could share everything that's been going on here over the last two months in just one or two posts. Seasons have changed, schedules have picked up considerably. Relationships are growing and God is ever-faithful. Here's a few pictures of the many blessings He's provided.

Special blessings: our dear friend and "angel" - our first friend in Freiburg. Here we had a chance to spend time fellowshipping together, bike rides and good food and lots of laughter. 

Beautiful dusk while waiting to get into the building for our weekly SFC meeting

Pre-meeting SFC prayer time

There's frost on the ground!!!

Great turn out for Coffee-To-Go at the teacher's college. Lots of fun and lots of great conversations.

A picture of Autumn

SFC Thanksgiving Dinner

Prayer requests:
1) SFC retreat this weekend (Dec 4-6). Pray that hearts would be receptive to what God is speaking to them. Pray for the servants, that they would be properly prepared to give their best to these students. Pray for a time of joy and fellowship and that relationships would continue to grow deeper.

2) Busy schedules. With the holiday season now here, I'm sure you know very well how easy it is to get overwhelmed with the amount of things to get done. It's no different here. :) SFC has about three weeks left until the semester ends and we take a break until January, but that does not mean that we're slowing down at all! We've got loads of events and meetings still scheduled to take care of and that doesn't include the personal lives of all of us involved. With everything going on, please pray for wisdom and discipline to work and rest when needed. Strength to fight off illnesses (our house has already been through a nasty bout of flu this past week), and patience and understanding towards each other with it's easy to get stressed and frustrated.

3) Remember the reason for the Season.
In everything that happens during this merry time of thanks and gifts, let us not forget the Supreme reason that we have to celebrate. I pray that you would have a chance to take some time to reflect on the miracle baby and His precious life that He gave for us.

Much love!!

Pray For Germany

Jo and I were invited to tag along on a trip to Karlsruhe about a week and half ago to participate in a day of worship and prayer at one of the local prayer houses. This was a real treat for many reasons, not the least of which meant a short road trip with a new but very dear friend and angel; but also it was especially exciting for me because it was an opportunity to both witness and participate in something that God is doing outside of Freiburg as well.

Within Freiburg, it's been wonderful to see the move of the Spirit around town. I meet random people who somehow within a conversation will inadvertently say something to the effect of, "It's really amazing what God is doing here right now." And I just smile at yet another affirmation of the word that God has spoken for Germany.
Within SFC (the ministry that I'm working with) has seen wonderful growth and enthusiasm, more than what even we, who walked in excited and convinced that God was going to do something amazing, had really anticipated. New people come almost every week and there's such a joy and familial atmosphere each week when we come together. Relationships are growing stronger and deeper, and to just put it simply, the "work" is a joy.

But back to Karlsruhe, we showed up to the location with our beloved *Angel and I was almost immediately struck by the amount of young people. And when I say 'young people', I don't mean 'young people' like I'm a young people. I mean 'young people' like teenagers - middle and highschoolers. There were most certainly adults there as well, many of whom I gathered were parents, but the majority of the 120+ crowd were under the age of 21. And I was struck by this.
Here we were spending our Saturday afternoon/evening at a prayer house for a time of worship, and here were large groups of young people willing to do the same right along side of us "old people".
My heart smiled. I was so encouraged to see the desire and willingness and fire of God that was moving among this generation.
This was only furthered by the fact that, with the exception of times of teaching and communion taking, the entire event was led by youth - which means it wasn't all an exceptionally put together event, but it was done with hearts that were willing and wanting to serve and grow.
My favorite moment of the evening was when we were all singing Christ Is Enough and I looked forward to the front of the room and I saw these two boys standing in the front, declaring with all of their hearts (and I was just standing behind them) this stand of faith. They're eleven and fourteen. And when these two were called up to the front to stand in for the many others their age that we were all praying for, they stood there and prayed right along with us.

What an amazing generation of young men and women God is bringing up in this beautiful country. I'm excited to be a witness. I'm excited to see what He's been and in the process of doing. I'm excited to be a part of this movement that is happening in Germany. Pray for Germany.