25-YEAR CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

Donna and I were able to support the preparation and catering of a special event at our freie evangelische church in Kandern.  There were Saturday and Sunday activities and we were glad to see many in the church participating, with many guests and stories from the past.  One of the big challenges is to reach and grow more of the younger generations in the community.  We are glad to support the leadership and ministry vision as the church seeks its way forward.

 They put together a special choir to sing favorite songs from the 25 years

 Pastor Markus was the main host

 Deacon Oswald told special stories

 Daniel, also part of leadership on many levels, was a founding member of the church in his late teens

 Denominational leader Michael made some comments about playing well as the Body!

 We were glad to serve and be a part of the event!

 The church's Youth Center "Connexion" space on showcase - great place to grow ministry!

Baker Alex from the church made some excellent celebratory cakes!

Spring in the Forest

We had a number of good activities to help us engage people and enjoy our Black Forest landscape in the Spring season.

Ice cream "sundae feeding" party with small group girls.

 Feeding each others with awkward utensils!

Easter Visit from Mom George and German Cousins, Peter and Maria

 Walk thru the neighborhood above our home

 Another hike - to the nearby Lörrach Schloss Castle Rötteln

 Ladies in the castle - climbed the tower with Badische Flag - looking over city of Lörrach

 Easter meal together!

Special Outreach Event with our Kandern Church on May 1st Holiday

Working with church leaders Christoph and Klaus 

 Grilling Veal Wurst and Veal Cutlets 

A family walk around Kandern

 Down in  "Wolf's Canyon" right on the edge of Kandern

 Back out in the fields among the Black Forest cows!

Building the Church...Brick by Brick

      Mission Partnership to Szeged, Hungary

with Hope Church, Richmond

An ordinary greenhouse is becoming a mission center for the community of Szőreg-Szeged.

We had a special week back in our previous hometown of Szeged, partnering with Béla (above), Bea, and Regina Mihalecz on their farm, helping convert their greenhouse into a church building.  Hope Church, Richmond, VA sent 4 great workers - Wesley, David, Jay, and Jeff (above left to right) - to support the church construction.  We saw God move among us, including a neighborhood outreach event during the week.  We also spoke at a Szeged Zion Church service, met Cornerstone Church leaders, and visited the Christian mayor in the village of Kübekháza.  At the end of the week, we had ministry friend, Laki, and his family come up from Serbia and join us on the farm.


A special thanks to Wesley Mullins and Sarah George for capturing many special memories by taking wonderful pictures!

Béla poured concrete foundation a couple weeks before we arrived.

1000 Strawberry plants inside the greenhouse (4000 more outside!)- our GOAL was to build a brick wall on the left side!

The bricks arrive!

The first row of bricks went down Monday am!

Hannah keeping watch on the cement mixer

Béla was the patient construction boss with all of us amateurs!

A good team - everyone working hard!

Thumbs up for the good workers!

Not all bricks were perfectly shaped, but we found places for almost 2000 of them under Béla's direction!

Between the bull horn and the neighbor's rooster, no one slept late!

The wall is more than half built and the windows are in!

Donna and Hannah were a big help to Bea - lots of cooking and food prep!

10 o'clock "Hungarian snack" was a favorite

Regi and Sarah had lots of fun during the week!

Getting ready for the Thursday evening outreach!

Béla welcomed people on their front gate:  "Come into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise!"

Jeff and the guys shared some great thoughts on the importance of fellowship

A special Friday meeting of Hungarian friends Béla and Bea with Serbian friends Laki and Boba 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  An awesome sight at the end of the week!

Posing together on Friday, celebrating in fellowship and the potential for the future - note: we started the right wall as well!!