zehn

The conference wrapped up with one pastor from each region, 'the regional leader,' giving some prayer points for their region - North, South, West, & Middle - there's really nothing going in the FEGW in the former East Germany - not for lack of trying over the years, but the difficulty & opposition is great.

After hearing from each leader, all of the pastors represented from that region stood up, & people gathered around them to pray for encouragement & also for the specific requests that we'd all just heard.

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Afterward, we had a few minutes where we could 'break bread' with each other - pull a chunk off of a flat, garlic loaf, & go to another person to share with them (the bread.) Part of the sharing was to be an opportunity to pray blessing on each other. It was a very moving & powerful time together. I was really touched by the prayers & blessings prayed over me... and by the number of people who said encouraging things to me.

This is the 3rd year I've been at the conference, & so far I haven't 'done' a whole lot - just got to 'be'; spend time with people that were interested in spending time with me, usually over meals & in the gemeindeshaft (fellowship :) time after the service in the bistro - answering questions, listening quietly, & trying to pick up as much as possible what was going on around me. I go because I was invited, & because I feel a 'call' to support the pastors & leaders of Germany - I do that in prayer, at home, but also by being present, & by looking for a person that seems open to talk & get to know each other (aka "the hungry bird" -) It's trusting in God's Sovereignty for provision in the connections that I am to make. It's how I met Roland & how Julia has ended up in our house.

It seems that this year, more than the others, I can feel the acceptance & belonging - I heard from at least 10 people that being present, again, is a point of encouragement, for several reasons:

Its a reminder that they are apart of something bigger than themselves - FEGW is about 30 churches, & some have said that it can feel that they are very small.

Someone is praying for them & their situation - which means that they are not alone, forgotten or insignificant.

We have a 'unity in the Spirit" that transcends culture, national origin, & even language. The fact that we're fellow Christ-followers is incredibly uplifting, like being at Disneyland & seeing someone from your own neighborhood, a friend. An unexpected & uncommon love. (I love that phrase, uncommon love. Sharlee M. prayed it for theBean at the Womens Retreat last week, & now I can't get it out of my head. It's begging for a book... on how Christ-followers are to love each other, deeply, faithfully, & without condition...)

I don't always get to know the WHY of my call to Germany, or understand HOW stuff is supposed to look or to work. I just want to be faithful to it - & to be an encouragement, a giver of courage to others, that they would be strengthened in their faith, & in their God-given identity & their own call. And it also makes me thankful for Hillside, & for the people I am blessed to know & be known by there. Traveling reminds me how blessed I am, & all the areas that God has shown His favor to me.

Thank you.