Joel's first days at 'German' primary school

Today Joel had his first full day at school. He really likes his class and his new teacher. The day starts at 8.25 and later on in the year his classes will move to the normal starting time of 7.35!!!
I have more photographs in an online album - just email me and I will send you the hidden link.

Impressions from Zürich

For a long time I have wanted to visit the Shepherds' Conference at Grace Community Church and maybe someday I will... but even though it wasn't LA it was still very special to be in Zürich and to fellowship with brothers and sisters from across Germany and Switzerland who share the same desire to see the Word of God faithfully proclaimed across this most needy continent of Europe. The Masters Seminary has established a distance learning programme for German speakers in Berlin and Zürich know as EBTC (European Bible Training Center). They were the organizers behind this conference.
I especially enjoyed the messages from Mark Dever and the chance to chat to him briefly. I also met some old friends and made some new ones.
Last night we had John MacArthur preach to us via live video link from his church in LA. Of course he also had to be simultaneously translated into German. How does that work you may ask? The little clip below will let you see how it was done. I must say, it was all very professional (Martin is an excellent translator!)
The conference was extremely well organized and we enjoyed the excellent conference facilities and accommodation at the Mitternachtsruf mission headquarters.
All this only a few miles away from the Grossmünster where Ulrich Zwingli preaching the Word of God verse-by-verse and led the Reformation in Switzerland.

Shepherds' Conference in Zurich, Switzerland

Tomorrow I plan to attend the Hirtenkonferenz (Shepherds' Conference, 4-6 Sep. 08) in Zurich, Switzerland.
I am really looking forward to hearing the main speaker - Mark Dever (Senior Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church and President of 9 Marks Ministry).
Also speaking will be Stephen Lonetti and John McArthur who will feature via video-link. There are also many more speakers from the German speaking world. I pray that this will be both refreshing and challenging to sit under these guys ministry and also that we will make new contacts with Swiss and German churches.

I can tie my shoelaces!!!

Exploring the Black Forest

This weekend we went out to explore the Black Forest as part of Claudia's birthday treat. This may well have been the last hot weekend of the summer - so we made the most of it. We went back to the spot where I had been for the Teen Camp a few weeks ago. We all had a wonderful time in the water and walking along the lake.

While walking in the forest Joel picked up a little grasshopper and very quickly (literally) became attached to him. He had no fear and seemed to be very happy with his new found friend. When it came time to go back to the car, it took more than a little gentle persuasion to convince Joel that it was time to say goodbye and that 'Oscar' (mummy suggested the name) would be much happier in the big forest than in our house. We really do need to get Joel a pet rabbit or something - the only problem is we are away so much - would our neighbours be willing to car for him?

German Koinonia

In true German Koinonia style, this week a brother from our church shared some of his wood with us in exchange for me helping him in the forest to gather it and afterwards to cut it in his workshop. We have a large closed fire in our living room and heating with this wood should help us greatly to keep our fuel costs down this winter.

Also this week, Claudia celebrated her ??th :) birthday. As a little treat we took her out to Lörrach for an ice-cream.

Meanwhile the fields around Binzen are rich with crops waiting to be harvested in the next few weeks. Grapes, apples and corn on the cob are never far away.

Teaching at Kilchzimmer

Last week I had the privilege of once again teaching at the LTI (CEF Leadership Training Institute) at Kilchzimmer. I taught the subjects Junior Teens and Time Management. This week I have a class on Prayer Letters and explaining and promoting the use of blogs/websites as a means of keeping friends and prayer supporters informed about your ministry and life.

This was the group that were here for the first 6 weeks - the 2nd 6 weeks is a smaller group (as some choose to take the second part of the course another time). Those taught will be going back to minister in countries such as Finland, Belarus, Cyprus, England, N. Ireland, Germany and many more.

Why we're not emergent

The perceptive among you will have noticed that during my summer holidays I was reading: Why we're not emergent (By two guys who should be), Kevin de Young and Ted Kluck, Moody Publishers, 2008.
I had intended posting some extracts and giving a review but I have come to the conclusion that I should just recommend that you read it! There is so much about this movement that is hard to define or put your finger on... so if you do decide to read it, make sure you keep a highlighter and notebook nearby.
This movement and the false teaching that it is propagating is leading many Christians astray - even many who have never heard the term 'emergent'. At times the book is quite heavy going but the writing style is fresh and original making it very hard to set down.
Read more, download a free chapter and view an interview with the authors by clicking here.

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David is 5!

We celebrated David's 5th birthday in Ireland with my family.

Now we are back home in Germany.

Lizanne and Lindsay's special day

More photos now available by clicking here