We believe we met our landlords Peter and his wife Helga through divine orchestration. We had been in Germany for less than 24 hours when we went in search of permanent housing. We went to a bulletin board at BFA (Black Forest Academy) where people often advertise housing and stuff for sale. We saw a card on the board that the current tenants had put there for Peter and Helga’s house on their behalf. We called the number and went to check the place out the same day. We knew right away that we wanted the house. We had been prepared to live in an apartment or a small flat. This was a house with a yard for the same cost as other places much smaller. We met with Peter and Helga the next day and signed a lease. BAM! The Lord provided for us in a big way. Even our fellow Proclaim team members were amazed at God’s timing in this. Peter happens to be the mayor of our small little village (280 people) called Sitzenkirch and Helga is a massage therapist. They are a wonderful, generous older couple with grown children who have welcomed us with open arms. They live just down the street.
The previous tenants, Randy and Nancy, also missionaries, were extremely nice and helpful people as well. Nancy had a regular routine of taking a walk with Helga on Thursday afternoons. Nancy asked Dawn if she would like to continue these walks with Helga. Of course she said yes and they have been walking for several weeks now. Nancy told Dawn that she had been witnessing to Helga, and had been praying for someone to rent the house that would continue to share Christ with Helga. Dawn and I believe The Lord brought us here for this reason among others.
Dawn says that when they walk, they speak german half the time and english the other half. They talk about life, the community, hopes, dreams, dissapointments… all of it. Their relationship is developing and our prayer is that over the course of time, through the power of The Holy Spirit and Dawn’s witness, that Helga will come to know our Lord Jesus. Wouldn’t that be glorious?
We are here as a base for ministry to train, equip, and mobilize local churches here in Germany, Eastern and Western Europe, North Africa, Central Asia and beyond. That is a big vision and we are excited about this work God has called us to. However, we each have a Helga right next door or down the street that is asking questions about why they are here and the meaning & purpose of their lives. So in addition to our far reaching ministry that takes us to Muslim stongholds like Turkey, Albania, and North Africa, as well as secular Europe, we must live with our “eyes wide open” and see what God has for us in front of our noses.
God has arranged an opportunity for Dawn right here and right now. I pray that I’ll have an opportunity to get to know and engage Peter as well. Please pray for Peter and Helga. They don’t know our Lord Jesus and this is heartbreaking and tragic. We are His ambassadors sent here to impact our community for God’s glory. That sounds really good and what you would expect to hear from a missionary…. However, we believe it with all our hearts.
Thank you for your prayers and for sending us!
With much love and gratitude,
Steve, Dawn, Bianca & Sofia
Please pray for:
God’s glorification and Christ’s magnification in all we say, think and do
Bianca and Sofia’s continued transition to go well
Language learning
Our Proclaim Germany team
For our dear friends and family experiencing loss of loved ones
Strong relationship for Dawn and Steve
