From: Ted Holzmann
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 4:20 PM
Subject: News from Neuburg 3/28/03

Prayer Update from Ted and Diane Holzmann (last update February 26, 2003)
Church Planting with TEAM in Neuburg (on the Danube), Germany

Hello to our fellow servants in Christ!
Since our last update, here's a bit of what God's done.

Our losses:
The local jewelery store has assumed responsibility for replacement of the diamond with a stone exactly matching the original in size and quality. (The goldsmith denies any wrongdoing.) Ted's feelings of loss over the Army are mostly worked thru. The assurance of God's sovereignty reigns again in his heart. Thank you for praying for both.

Pfaffenhofen (PAF) Church Plant Coaching:
We look forward to the third workship/training session tomorrow (3/29) with the PAF team. The young team of four couples is dealing with communication struggles at the moment, and some have the flu: just when communication is most important, it seems to be frustrated. PRAY for unity and humility of spirit, so they can move forward.

Pre-Marital Counseling:
Wednesday (3/27) was our first pre-marital meeting with Peter F. & Martina S. As we were unsure whether Martina has a personal relationship with Jesus, we had to speak to this issue. Knowing that we are the "foreigners", that Martina is still deeply catholic in her cultural thinking, and that it is important she respond to the Spirit of God rather than pressure from us, we felt the need for particular sensitivity. After a clear presentation of the good news that forgiveness and a new life are available in Christ, she indicated that she is standing before the door of decision. We gave them 'homework' to read the gospel of John together over the next two weeks. PRAY that the Spirit of God would lead Martina to go through the door, and that Peter would even lead her in the way.

Programs and Prayer:
Last Sunday was another special service for guests on the theme "The trustworthiness of the Bible". It was well received and there were a few new guests and some of our occasional visitors. The elders recognize that the church is putting on good programs, but the underlying spiritual preparation in prayer, and the appropriate personal motivation are lacking. They are looking for better ways to communicate as motivated leadership to the congregation. (Ted likes the pattern of weekly updates those of you at Brunswick Pres. can receive from Pastor Heintz. Yet only 1/4 of our people have computers or email.) PRAY for the elders' meeting on Monday evening (3/31) that they might find direction.

Finally, we went on VACATION for a week! It was wonderful. We went to a hotel in the Bavarian Woods and mostly veged for the whole week. We did some sightseeing, took a walk in the woods, swam in the pool and relaxed!!! (Attached is a picture of Ted blowing glass at a glass factory.)

That got us ready for this week of return and all the stuff waiting for us including a '100 year celebration' that we are hosting at a local hall tomorrow (3/29) to celebrate our combined 100 years of life. (In Germany, the round birthdays are celebrated especially and the birthday person puts on the party for all the friends and relatives.). Since we both turned 50 this month, it worked out well. All the church family, friends, our neighbors, acquaintances, local pastors, etc. are invited to the event beginning at 3PM with coffee and cake and going on into the evening with catered buffet. It is a big splash and we hope it ministers to the Bavarian hearts to tell them of our love.

Serving Him together,
Ted and Diane