As you can imagine, things are getting even more busy around our place! But I wanted to post at least one more time, and offer some reflections on the process so far.
The most important thing I've learned so far - between the time we were offered the assignment to this moment as our house is filled with boxes, and we are experiencing the uprootedness that comes with any kind of relocation - is that we are not alone. What I mean by that is that this is not "our" ministry, by any stretch of the imagination. We are simply two people deeply excited at having the opportunity to be part of GOD's ministry.
And it is not only we who are joining Him in His work; we are simply the two pairs of hands and feet who are going to be on the ground in Germany and Switzerland. Mission is not simply the call of a few who decide to leave their home country and serve God in some other world area. Mission is the purpose of the Church, our very reason for existence as the people of God. This means that you, not simply those who do leave home for another place, are challenged to become part of what God is doing all over the world - including right where you are.
So, we want to continue extending to you the opportunity to participate in what God is doing on the Eurasia region through the Church of the Nazarene. Specifically, we challenge you to prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner, making our continued efforts possible as you give sacrificially one time or on a regular basis. Because of the difficulty of our times, your giving is particularly important to the continuing work of the Church of the Nazarene all over the world.
For your convenience, online donations to ministry in Germany through us may be made HERE.
I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say that you may be the most important participant, even though it is only Gina and I who are relocating, writing the Eurasia newsletter, helping run the library and communication center, and teaching the New Testament course. Your prayers and your generous financial giving continue to make it possible; your encouragement and support are some of the means God is using to confirm His call. We look forward to reporting regularly on this blog and on our Facebook group, Pottengers in Germany, on what is taking place there because of your involvement.
We appreciate each one of you, our friends and family, for all you have done and are doing. Nobody has a small role to play, each of you are vitally important to the success of what we're becoming a part of this next year.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ministry in Germany
As we pack, prepare and pray for our upcoming year-long journey as Mission Corps missionaries in Switzerland, I have been thinking a lot about the first time I volunteered there.
In June 2002, I went for a six-month stint as a short-term assistant to the communication coordinator at the Eurasia Regional Office -- the same place I will be serving starting in February. Then, as now, I lived on the campus of European Nazarene College (EuNC), next door to the regional office. In that place I was privileged to get acquainted with many of the students at EuNC who hailed from all over Europe and even other continents. It has been a pleasure in the 7 years since then to follow some of these students' ministries from a distance. I have been greatly impressed with the passion, commitment and innovation they are infusing into the Church of the Nazarene in the Eurasia Region.
One of them is Philip Zimmerman. He is now leading a creative ministry in the town of Mainz, Germany, called KiA Mainz. KiA stands for "Kirche in Aktion" (Church in Action.) This group of believers has purchased an old hotel and a number of them live in the hotel, inviting people from the neighborhood who need a place to stay to live among them. Some who accept this invitation are Christians, others are not. But the entire group has embraced a type of ministry focused on living out Christ's love in community, sharing everything in common--perhaps in a similar way to the very early church 2,000 years ago.
As a community these folks conduct projects of love and outreach to Mainz, including baking treats for city workers, sharing hot meals with neighbors, making first-day-of-school gifts for children of refugees, tutoring local school children, making regular visits to a nursing home, and gathering for Bible studies, discipleship and worship services. They are truly being the hands and feet of Christ through incarnational ministry in a country where many are growing up without even basic knowledge of who Jesus Christ is.
If you're interested in learning more about this ministry, visit the Web site kiamainz.de (it's in German) or check out this article in English: http://www.naznef.org/news/newsstory.asp?newsID=89. You can also read some of Philip's reflections in a recent essay on Engage magazine: http://engagemagazine.com/Magazine-Content/Stories/December-2009/The-power-of-presence.aspx
Stay tuned to our blog to hear more exciting stories about current and former students who are up to great things in Europe. We are itching to get there and be part of what God is doing through these energetic and creative leaders.
- Gina
In June 2002, I went for a six-month stint as a short-term assistant to the communication coordinator at the Eurasia Regional Office -- the same place I will be serving starting in February. Then, as now, I lived on the campus of European Nazarene College (EuNC), next door to the regional office. In that place I was privileged to get acquainted with many of the students at EuNC who hailed from all over Europe and even other continents. It has been a pleasure in the 7 years since then to follow some of these students' ministries from a distance. I have been greatly impressed with the passion, commitment and innovation they are infusing into the Church of the Nazarene in the Eurasia Region.
One of them is Philip Zimmerman. He is now leading a creative ministry in the town of Mainz, Germany, called KiA Mainz. KiA stands for "Kirche in Aktion" (Church in Action.) This group of believers has purchased an old hotel and a number of them live in the hotel, inviting people from the neighborhood who need a place to stay to live among them. Some who accept this invitation are Christians, others are not. But the entire group has embraced a type of ministry focused on living out Christ's love in community, sharing everything in common--perhaps in a similar way to the very early church 2,000 years ago.
As a community these folks conduct projects of love and outreach to Mainz, including baking treats for city workers, sharing hot meals with neighbors, making first-day-of-school gifts for children of refugees, tutoring local school children, making regular visits to a nursing home, and gathering for Bible studies, discipleship and worship services. They are truly being the hands and feet of Christ through incarnational ministry in a country where many are growing up without even basic knowledge of who Jesus Christ is.
If you're interested in learning more about this ministry, visit the Web site kiamainz.de (it's in German) or check out this article in English: http://www.naznef.org/news/newsstory.asp?newsID=89. You can also read some of Philip's reflections in a recent essay on Engage magazine: http://engagemagazine.com/Magazine-Content/Stories/December-2009/The-power-of-presence.aspx
Stay tuned to our blog to hear more exciting stories about current and former students who are up to great things in Europe. We are itching to get there and be part of what God is doing through these energetic and creative leaders.
- Gina
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Countdown Begins!
Following our Christmas vacation to Colorado and Ohio, we've returned to Kansas City to begin packing our house.
Andrew's mother and sister have helped us begin the great task of packing, and in just a couple of days and despite a threatening snow-storm, we've accomplished a lot already.
We are so grateful for all the expressions of support we've received over the last few weeks! We appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement for a smooth transition from Kansas City to Busingen.
Andrew's mother and sister have helped us begin the great task of packing, and in just a couple of days and despite a threatening snow-storm, we've accomplished a lot already.
We are so grateful for all the expressions of support we've received over the last few weeks! We appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement for a smooth transition from Kansas City to Busingen.
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