Evening Service & Community Groups

Evening Service & Community Groups will continue as scheduled. Please join us for a time of worship & fellowship.

Rachel Swanson (Liberia, Africa) – African Travelers

Hello from Liberia!

I am back from the ACFI conference in Buchanan. It was an experience in more ways than one. We got to try the true African way of traveling across the country…a loaded van with all the luggage on top, while we were swaying back and forth traveling at a good speed. Christie and I were in front with three other people, and the rest of the 20 some kids were sardined in the back. During the trip our noses picked up a pretty ranky smell from the back and there was alot of yelling to stop the van! The driver pulled over and all the kids piled out of the back and let the poor little boy run to the bushes. While we were stopped, the driver decided to check the engine which we had been sitting over in the front. (Christie has learned where the phrase “pants on fire” comes from as she sat right above the battery which was over heating.) As he pulled up the seat and unscrewed a cap, boiling oil spurted everywhere. He just poured in more oil, screwed the cap on and we were good to go. God was good in keeping us all in one piece.

The conference was good. There were three sessions a day, which in truth got rather long, especially when at least one of them never failed to go at least 4 hours if not 5. Great preaching and I was challenged in many ways just through my devotions in the morning as well. Christe and I have been putting our dancing shoes on! It’s the African tradition to dance to the offering and also the worship. When I first attended a service all i did was clap. Now, the Lord has loosened my muscles and I have been turning my “happy feet” on. The older women loved to see that we were trying to adapt to there culture. One night when we came home from the last session, a lady who cooks for us was laughing with another women about how Christie and I dance. I guess Americans tend to do a lot with there shoulders….We told Kamah that she would have to teach us some moves, so the next night she found us during the offering and we praised the Lord with our dancing together. Since the conference was in under a tent with dirt, we all got the dust flying.

One day when we were walking back to the house that we were staying at, there was a crazy little old man that wanted some attention. He had a small build, was dressed like a girl in a black blouse and skirt and wearing flowers in is hair.Also, his eyes looked like he was in drugs. I just thought he was begging and couldn’t catch all that he was saying. When he started to get too
close, almost touching us, I was thinking that a good self defense action might becoming in use. Before we had do actually confront him, one of the drivers from the conference was passing us, and I asked him if he would make sure the man wouldn’t follow us home. When we got back to the house and explained the situation, we were told that he was the local crazy man and filled with demons. He has been that way since the war. We ran across him a couple others times, but didn’t have to rebuke him in the name of Christ. During that week we ran across a few more cases like that one, and everyone’s explanation for the case if that “they have been like that since the war. ” It really opened my eyes to the spiritual warfare that is taking place down here and that I will need to have my “armor” on and be prepared for the fiery darts the devil’s going to send my way. At the conference there was a Pastor that is Liberian who is from North Carolina where he is pastoring a church. He fled Liberia 12 years
ago, because the Rebels wanted his life. This was his first time back since he had fled so many years ago. We stayed in the same house as his family, and enjoyed many conversations with him. His testimony is phenomenal. He said that he recognized many people from so long ago. He even, just in that short time that he’s been here in Liberia, has walked past people that he saw slaughter families, children, pastors…just for the sake of killing. He said that Liberia still has so much unforgiveness in their hearts and need deliverance from it. I can only imagine how hard it would be to see the person how killed your family everyday. A lot of bitterness. I can only think of how hard it was for Corrie Ten Boom to shake the hand of the Nazi officer how killed her sister, and look him in the eyes and forgive him.

We traveled back to Dixiville this past Monday. When we pulled up, it actually felt like home. I think we are getting settled! We celebrate our 1 month anniversary tomorrow. The ride home was almost even more eventful than the first, but I just might have to share that one when I get home.

School is on break until March 2nd. Christie and I already have our hands full with kids and forming and controlling our relationships
with them. we really feel a burden for the older girl and desire to start a bible study with them and get deeper into their lives. We are discovering though, it’s very easy to “vex” them. (The Liberian way how they explain that they are angry.) It’s hard to show each of them the attention and the friendship that they are hungry for. They each want to be “the” close one, and will get jealous or hurt over a very little thing. Pray for sensitivity. Wayne says that there has been a lot of abuse done to a lot of the girls at the orphanage, and I’m sure some of the girls are emotionally/physically scarred and are hurting inside. We don’t want to leave these girls with just a surface friendship. We want to go where it hurts and where both our lives will be changed because of it. Your prayers are needed and such a blessing. Thank you. Not only that, but we are still very much involved with the younger kids. Combine the two and it’s a little overwhelming. Wayne was there this past week and he had some words of wisdom. He said not to worry about loving every single kid. The ones that God wants us to love will just find their way to you. It’s been very true. Not that we don’t reach out, but also, there are some kids that are just attracted to Christie more that me, and visa versa. It’s been a joy to discover all these unique individuals here. God is so good.

We made the adventurous trip into town today. Every day I have more and more respect for my little escort back at home. I didn’t know that when I bought it I was buying an “all terrain” rugged vehicle. It’s amazing what these cars go through down here and
still survive after one day of it. The drivers are hard core and would win any demolition derby. (correct my spelling all you car lovers out there!)

Again, there is so much to write down, but I look forward to updating you in the future. Thank you for the prayers. Love you all.

Rachel
Prov 27:1

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Jason Parmerlee (Australia)

G’day from the Sunburned Country!

The land isn’t the only thing that’s sunburned! It is amazingly hot here as February is the hottest month of the year! It has been so fun to see the Lord work over the last 4 weeks! Four weeks, it’s unreal to think it has already been that long! God has given me a good time of transition into the Aussie way of life over the past few weeks. We began youth group two weeks ago. The first night we had 8 students and had a great time getting to know one another and seeking to find
out what the students desired from their time in youth group this year. Last week we had some different students in the group and began our new study on discipleship training and what it is to be a disciple! The majority of the students are young in their faith and I am so excited to dig into God’s Word and see what He is looking for in followers of Him!

I have yet to be disowned by the Matthews as I wait for the house I have been offered to from a family in our church. The current renters are remodeling their “new” house and are running into unexpected delays! I am very eager to actually get to unpack my three monsterous bags and know where everything is and I’m sure Josh Matthews is looking forward to me getting out of his bedroom! They have been SO encouraging and refreshing to be with! They are doing a great job here and have heaps of cool ministry opportunities!

Please pray for me as I begin teaching my Scripture classes this Wednesday! I will be teaching six classes each Wednesday and Thursday. One class will contain 44 kindies! I’m so eager to get in and begin sharing the Truth with these kids who need to know Him, not merely know about Him!

I pray for Saylorville’s continued ministry in Saylorville and around this world!

Cheerio Mates,
jason parmerlee

Promises, Promises

Pat Nemmers
AM Service

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Virgil and Dolores Bunjer (Germany)

Yesterday’s new snow and strong winds, causing drifting, waited with their arrival until after the travel of the past several days. We are grateful. We returned from Ankeny late Thursday night, concerned about some earlier thermostat problems in our house. Then on Friday we returned to Ankeny for the benefit of our church to participate in the all-day seminar at FBBC on building the local church, a very profitable and challenging theme. It began by establishing a solid, clear, biblical foundation showing God’s purposes for the church, and then suggested methods of reaching those biblical goals by following His plan. After seeing how the Lord worked and is working in our churches in Germany, we were enthusiastic about this presentation.

Threats of icy roads preceding the arrival of the snow did not discourage our SE Iowa pastors from coming here to our church on Monday for an all-day workshop led by Prof. Dr. Ernie Schmidt from FBBC on one of the important issues of the day – Covenant Theology.

A busy week of work in our church auditorium will begin on Saturday as the piano, organ and all the old carpeting are removed from the platform in preparation for the arrival on Tuesday of the new carpeting. Sunday night after church all the pews will have be moved to one side.

The emails that arrive on my desk each week from several of our local churches in Germany stagger me with the many home Bible studies as well as a full program of services and activities. The Lord will bless that with fruit. TWO EXCERPTS: Eight couples showed up at the Krauses in Landshut for their first Valentines’ event in that new church. In Ingolstadt Uschi’s Bible studies with Michaela have resulted in Michaela’s decision to go to the court house to have her name removed from the state church roll in preparation for her baptism, a major step for Germans.

The leaders of our churches met on Saturday to make plans for Summer Camp. Todd writes: “26 people were there to begin talking through the details and activities for the week of camp in August. We’re planning on about 120 people and will be at a new camp location. It’s great to see some faithful workers who have been working at camp for many years and some new faces, just getting started in this ministry.” It is not too early to begin your prayer ministry for this very vital and fruitful activity among the young churches in Germany. The preparation of hearts is key also.

Virgil and Dolores Bunjer
Baptist Mid-Missions

Kristi Walker (Berlin, Germany)

Well, tomorrow is another departure day. As some of you know, I’ve been in the States for the last few weeks doing some recruiting for EBM on college campuses as well as presenting at churches. It may be that I start coming home every winter for a few weeks instead of every other year for 10-12. We’ll see…

This particular trip went very well. I was everywhere from Scranton to Sandusky to Cedarville to Chicago to Moody Bible Institute to Purdue University to Toledo and back to Clarks Summit. The highlights for me were definitely getting to see friends and family. I got to spend quality time with my family over Christmas, including two whole weeks with my niece, Lana. J What a cutie! She’s going on 9 months. Travis & Kaci (her parents) are bringing their youth group over to Berlin this July to help out with our English-speaking Day Camp. By that time, Lana will be 14-months-old and walking!

I also got to see so many friends that have spent time with us in Berlin (several youth pastors and students that were part of the World Cup outreach; many short-termers and interns now back at Cedarville, Purdue & BBC; my teammate, Brittany Good at Moody; and several pastors, BBC faculty members and EBMers that were instrumental in getting me to the field. I thank God for the friendship and partnership of all of these people! It’s hard leaving them all behind to go back, not sure when I’ll see them again – definitely one of the hardest parts of being a missionary!

I am returning to an exciting spring and summer in Berlin. Here are some upcoming things to keep in your prayers:

Feb. 14-19 EBM Germany Field Council Meetings

Feb. 24 – March 3 Friends and fellow BBC Alumni, Matt & Alicia DeWever visiting

March 31 – April 5 Friend, Trisha (Rudolph) Amos visiting

April 20-30 My parents visiting!

April 28 Mom speaking at our ladies’ retreat

June 13 or 14 Dyes leaving for furlough

June 15 Marty Dittmar & family arriving for a month of ministry

Moody student, Ashleigh Burdick, arriving for a 6-week internship

June 16 “CSI: Berlin” (final youth event/outreach for the spring)

July 2-7 English youth ministry in Poland

July 13 Teams arriving from Harbour Shores Church in Noblesville, IN &

Northeastern Baptist in Kalamazoo, MI

July 16-20 English-speaking Day Camp (led by Harbour Shores)

July 18-21 ESDC Teen Camp (led by Northeastern Baptist)

These are a few of the things that will be keeping me busy over the next 5-6 months, on top of the normal ministry activities a part of CrossWay Church. I’d greatly appreciate your prayers as I fly back tomorrow and dive back into life and ministry in Berlin. Again, I’m leaving with bittersweet emotions – excited to be going back and sad to be leaving people I love.

I have chosen Galatians 1:24 as my focus verse for 2007. It says simply, “And they glorified God because of me.” This is my heart’s desire and prayer as I leave the States and return to the field. I want so much for the people I’m leaving behind to glorify God because of the ministry I’ve had while I’ve been home. I’m also crying out to God for those I’m returning to in Berlin. Please pray that my life brings God the glory He deserves! Thank you. For those of you who have encouraged me, loved me, and ministered to me while I was home – God bless you. I love you.

Kristi

berlin.ebm.org

The Perseverance of Job

Pat Nemmers
AM Service

Podcast: Download (0.0KB)

In EVERYTHING Give Thanks

I started my previous e-mail with a different verse before the computers blacked out and I had to start again…I think this one is more appropriate in this situation. I am sorry that this will have to be brief, I had so much else written, but please get a hold of my parents for more details.

I want to start out again with a big “thank you.” We don’t take your prayers for granted and I know that they are covering us. We made it out to Dixiville (Daniel Hoover’s Orphanage) this last Monday. It’s been a change is so many ways, but actually it hasn’t been as “bad” as people were telling us it would be. Maybe we got so many horror stories in our heads that we were pleasantly surprised. The orphans are precious. I wish I could describe each one of them to
you, but I’m still learning all of their names and personalities as well. Kids never change no matter what country your in. Christie and I had our very first medical client yesterday. That was an experience, one that I wish that I could go more in detail with.

The school system at the orphanage is almost none existant. Liberian’s have been struggling just to survive and live for the past 15 years that trying to get a school running is hard. They don’t have enough teachers and all the kids do is sit with a book in their lap in mass confusion. Christie and I are assigned K-1st. There are about 80 kids in a room no bigger that my dining room at home. School is out now till March, but prayer that we’ll find a way to take small groups of the kids and get them started on a more 1 on 1 basis.

Christie and I are leaving Sunday for ACFI’s annual conference which is 3 hours away. It should be a good time to praise the Lord, worship and get some spiritual food. Pray for direction in our lives.

Linda, i keep thinking of you when I see the kids. I would love to bring some home. The need is so huge. Each of them are so precious and individual. We’ve been jamming on our guitars and singing with them everyday. They are all fantastic singers and have so many talents.

I got a touch of fever earlier on this week. Thank you for the prayers for my health. I just dosed up on my pills (i joke that i’m a walking pharmacy) and after a good nights sleep I felt completely
normal. God is good.

I killed my first spider this week!! Ok, i had to say that first while you all still had the image of a spider as big as a plate. Did it work? Really, it was only the size of a quarter…..doesn’t sound
too impressive, does it?

Again, wish this could be longer, and wish I could go into more detail.

Hope to update you all soon.

Much love,
Rachel (or “lorpu” my liberian name.)

The Judge is at the Door

Pat Nemmers
AM Service

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