We returned to Germany on 16 August. On Sunday, 22 August, I preached at Crossroads International Church in Freudenstadt. This is our home church where I am co-pastor. It was good to be back and continue the work God has called us to do in Europe. Thanks to all who faithfully pray for us and support us financially. We can not remain here without your support. God bless you.
We were blessed while in America to attend a wonderful seniors fellowship lunch with the Harbor Life Church of Safety Harbor, Florida. We enjoyed being with these wonderful folks and appreciate the support of this church led by Pastor John Armstrong. We returned to Germany on 16 August.
Following the General Assembly, we had two weeks of vacation to spend with family. We saw Rodney’s parents, two brothers, and sister-in-law in Clearwater, Florida. Especially great was to see our son, Daniel, his wife, Michele, and our two grandsons, Jordan and Brandon, also in Clearwater. We flew out to Los Angeles, California, to see our daughter, Leslie, and her husband, James, another a special treat for us. We just couldn’t see my brother Randy’s family in Easton, Pennslyvania. We miss seeing family while serving overseas, so we thank God for this opportunity.
We attended the General Assembly of the Church of God 27-30 July. This was an important time to reconnect with some of the pastors in America whose churches support us. It was great to see missionary colleagues from other parts of the world.
I preached in Freudenstadt, Germany, on 18 July in our home church. Now we are leaving for the United States on Friday to attend the General Assembly of the Church of God. After that we will get to spend one week vacation in Clearwater, Florida, with our son’s family, my parents, and two brothers. Then we will fly to California to spend a second week of vacation with our daughter’s family. We will return home to Germany on 16 August. We look forward to possibly seeing some of you at the General Assembly.
In the evening of 11 July after the celebration meal in Rome, we went to another Romanian church to be with them. I preached and we enjoyed the presence of the Lord. Rome was hot, but God blessed us with His presence throughout the weekend, which is always a refreshing time.
59 students received certificates from the European Theological Seminary for completing the first-year course of studies, Foundations Course, at a service in Rome on 11 July. I preached that morning and then handed the students their certificates. This is always a joyful occasion for students and teachers. Martin Schaser oversees this school extension and also was present from Austria. Afterwards there was a celebration meal and we enjoyed being able to worship in a Romanian service. It reminded Carol and me of our days living in Bucharest as missionaries 20 years ago. We were proud of these students.
On Saturday, 10 July, Carol and I were in Rome, Italy, to represent the European Theological Seminary at the graduation event of our Extension School of Christian Ministries located there among four Romanian churches. That evening the students, both current and graduating, met together at church. I, along with two of their teachers, spoke to them. It was good to be back among the Romanians again. We all enjoyed real Italian pizza afterwards.
Carol and I celebrated 27 years of marriage on 2 July. We thank God for blessing us with these years to serve Him together. Some of our co-workers and friends came by to wish us a happy day. Vio Bogatzky, Otto Pesel, and Tabita Pnacsek brought us candy and flowers. Thanks also to all in America who sent greetings in various ways.
After preaching in Crossroads International Church in Freudenstadt on 20 June, we were blessed to worship in two nations on 27 June. In the morning I preached in a suburb of Basel, Switzerland. In the evening we were back across the Rhine River in Rheinfelden, Germany, where I preached at the Christliche Zentrum Church of God, pastored by Antonio and Anna Imparato. In between we had a nice meal with a church family and watched Germany defeat England in a World Cup match. God helped us in each service and people responded for prayer times in each church. Pastor Imparato is being used by God in this whole border area, and we appreciated him arranging these visits.
