Trains, boats, lorries and a cup of tea

There are a few people who we want to thank, especially the 12 people who turned up to help pack the lorry, Robin Harper and David Megarry who drove the lorry over, Alan Armstrong who helped organise the transport and Norfolkline shipping who looked after us with a cheap space on the boat.

Also thanks to Claudia's brother and all those from Kilchzimmer who came to help us unload the lorry and bring everything into the right rooms. Thanks to our home church for all their prayers and practical support and to everyone who has sent gifts our cards in recent days.

"We just love Germany!"

First Impressions

This was our first breakfast in our new house. (David fell last weekend on his lip but it is much better now.) We have now settled in really well and unpacked most of our boxes.


This is the view from our front room where the Kandertal steam railway passes. Every time we hear the whistle the boys come running to the balcony to see the train go past! It is really special and we are so thankful to God for something as simple as this which helps our boys to settle in to their new surroundings.

ARRIVED IN GERMANY!

Thanks to you all for your prayers for our move. Both we and all of our belongings arrived safely. The last few days we have been busy unpacking our boxes and getting ourselves registered with the local authorities, etc...
Our phone has just been connected but I don't yet have internet. However we have great neighbors and they have let me use their connection to pick up my email!
More photos and infos later...

In Transit

Thanks to so many who helped us today to clear our house and to get the lorry packed. It was so encouraging to us that so many of our friends came and helped. Amazingly we got everything in! The car was sold last Monday and I handed over the house keys this evening so I am now the proud owner of a key-ring with nothing on it! I don’t have any keys anymore:)
 
The lorry will soon be on its way to Germany and I will meet it DV at our new home (I fly over tomorrow and Claudia and the boys come on Monday). Please pray for Robin and David as they take turns driving. Pray for me too as I drive down through Germany in the early hours of Monday morning.

Commissioning Service

We had a wonderful day yesterday in our home church in Portadown Baptist. In the morning I was able to preach and speak about our work with Youth Challenge. The evening service was a special Commissioning Service when we as a family were 'sent out' into the mission-field. We are so thankful for a church that is 100% behind us and we certainly sensed that yesterday.
It was also a blessing to see so many who came along to our service to offer their support and to wish us God's blessing for the future.
Now we have to get our heads down and continue our packing. We will be moving out on Saturday and spending the rest of the weekend at my mum and dads. I will fly over to Germany on Sunday morning (to prepare the way) Claudia and the boys will join me on Monday DV.
We really feel that yesterday was an important day to bring real closure to our time of living in Northern Ireland. Now our time of transition moves into a new phase and a new chapter will soon begin.
Thank you again for upholding us in prayer and thank you also for your generous giving.
May the Lord bless you as you partner with us in mission!

Very quiet - NOT!

I know I have been very quiet lately. Truth be told, we lost our phone and internet connection at home (I did pay the bill :) We are moving in a weeks time so please pray for God's strength as we go through the emotional trial of saying goodbye to everyone.
A warm welcome to our Commissioning Service on Sunday, 24th June at 7pm in Portadown Baptist Church, Thomas Street.

For anyone interested - here is My Amazon wish list

"Gary! Hold your tummy in"

Two and a half weeks to go and despite everything we are still smiling. We even managed to get a new prayer letter out this week. If you would like a copy then email us and we will send you one out.

School Sports Day in N.Ireland (last time for Joel)

Ring... ring...

Separating man and machine

You have heard of Gideon putting out his fleece. Well here is my fleece out on the grass! I have listed my bike for sale in the AutoTrader.
If it doesn't sell I'm taking it with me to Germany :)

If you are interested in buying it for yourself, click here to go to AutoTrader website.