Last update: March 28th.

Dear Family and Friends,

Our sense of having our feet planted on two continents has dramatically increased this last month!

ON THIS SIDE of the Atlantic we were greatly blessed (April 1-3) by the “Weekend to Remember” marriage retreat in Atlanta. We came away having opened up new areas of communication, ventured into more risky forms of sharing, and generally re-discovered how very deeply in love with each other we are. Thanks for your prayers.

Diane is working diligently, while very much wishing for it to be over, with three papers and a take-home final yet to go. Her counseling practicum hours are also coming together. She has been privileged to be involved in some really wonderful break-through type of counseling sessions, where God’s Spirit was obviously present.

We also had the privilege of experiencing a cell group – far more intimate than a Bible study / fellowship group; but less ambitious than a house church – just 45 minutes away from Columbia. It is this level of relational fellowship that we dearly want to facilitate in Mainburg.

The prep for Mainburg also progressed. Ted did get hold of “M-Bags” from the Post Office and shipped 90 pounds of books. And our hosts, Dr. Bob & Judy Long, directed our attention to the rather large collection of empty boxes in the garage, inviting us to use them for shipping our other stuff. Now that process has also begun.

ON THE OTHER SIDE of the Atlantic we have been utterly blessed by the preparation for and conduct of a major evangelistic effort in Mainburg. (For those who read German, some of the 1st hand text and reports are below.) Taking advantage of a festival in the pedestrian area of the city on Sunday (April 24th), the “core of four (families)” planned to set up an open house in the storefront they have rented for church services. Three individuals from the “core of four” are taking Evangelism Explosion (EE) training. The teacher-coach agreed to preach about Angst (fear), and brought the rest of the EE class to conduct a religious survey and to share the Gospel with those interested. A book table was set up for the sidewalk, and in the store front they offered coffee, cake, sausage, bread, and beverages (yes, including beer – also non-alcoholic) for nominal cost.

We were consulted by telephone concerning their fear that too direct an approach might get the church labeled as a sect. Using our experience in Neuburg, we urged them to publicize what they were going to do in the newspaper, and to offer raffle prizes for those willing to participate in the survey.

God really worked marvelously. About 100 people participated in the survey. A number of people identified themselves as believing Christians, so glad to know that the church made its presence felt. Many people appreciated the Gospel presentation, spending, in some cases, hours with the EE trainees. We know that one 80 year old woman gave her life to Christ in prayer. Several other people exchanged phone numbers with workers. One man took a Gospel of John and then showed up at a small group on Monday evening, his Gospel in hand: “I’m going to make it, just be patient with me. I am going to give my life to Jesus.”

We feel like very proud parents, and oh so thankful to God for being on the front row of what He is doing!

“O, magnify the Lord with us, and let us exalt His Name together!” (Psa. 34:3)

Pray for us through the craziness of the next four weeks: assignments completed, stuff packed and shipped, graduation accomplished (all three of our kids are coming, plus Diane’s mom and cousin from Schenectady!) and we get to drive to Nashville, TN on May 24th to visit Nathan, Bridget and our four grandchildren!

Blessings,

Ted & Diane