The Phamily in Mallorca, Spain

Hi, here are some random pics of the Phamily in Mallorca. We will add captions and explain some of them later, but for now, at least you can enjoy Mallorca with us.

Spain, Sun, Sand, Surf

We are currently in Mallorca, Spain for a week or so with a missioanry family sent out from CCF. They are now serving at the CC Bible College in Mallorca and have invited us over for a bit of a break also. So, we won't be able to post anything regularly but will get back into it when we return to Freiburg. Have a great summer! And enjoy the sun - we will!

The Phamily in Mallorca, Spain

Hi, here are some random pics of the Phamily in Mallorca. We will add captions and explain some of them later, but for now, at least you can enjoy Mallorca with us.

Spain, Sun, Sand, Surf

We are currently in Mallorca, Spain for a week or so with a missioanry family sent out from CCF. They are now serving at the CC Bible College in Mallorca and have invited us over for a bit of a break also. So, we won't be able to post anything regularly but will get back into it when we return to Freiburg. Have a great summer! And enjoy the sun - we will!

Crucified with Christ

After Wed night service, some of us had headed over to the JuCa (youth cafe - although it's not just for the youth on Wed nights) to sit and talk. As we were sitting there, in came 3 guys from the streets (they were also in service). My first reaction was - 'wow, they smell like beer, sweat (it's been really hot and humid here this week) and other body fluids.' But as they sat down, my second reaction was - 'hey, cool that they feel welcome and that the people around them don't even notice anything so odd about them.'

I sometimes wonder what the disciples did when Jesus touched the lepers. Was it 'normal' for them? Or did they roll their eyes when a leper came near? Or pretend to gag from the smell? I guess it doesn't matter when you see people getting healed, saved, touched. That is what matters.

In any case, as I was getting ready to leave, I stopped at their table to say 'hi' and 'bye' but ending up talking for a long while with one of the three - a young man from Tunisia (northern Africa - see map) who had recently converted from Islam (Islam is the state religion of Tunisia). He shared about how he has been attacked and ridiculed by other Muslims since he made a decision for Jesus. He said that one Muslim came up to him recently and tried to convert him back to Islam, but he looked the Muslim in the eyes and said 'don't talk to me about that, I made a decision to follow Jesus and I will not go back!' That Muslim has since left him alone. WOW.

So please pray for him - although this young man has accepted Jesus, God still has much to do with and in him. There is a whole past life of living on the streets, drinking, sexual sin, etc that needs to be brought under the Lordship of Jesus. He (we all) need to daily be crucified with Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2.20

Aaaarhh, Matey!

Avast, matey - here's an interesting 'how-to' - 'How to Talk Like a Pirate'. It's something that I always wanted to know, and now I do!

In fact, there is a whole day set aside to talking like a pirate! September 19th of every year is 'International Talk Like A Pirate Day' - check out the webiste here.

And if you really wanna get into it - there's a 'Talk Like A Pirate' song - get the mp3 here.

Let me recap the 9 steps to sounding like a pirate on the high seas. Let's see if you've got pirattitude...

1. Growl and scowl often
2. Use pirate lingo
3. Gesture with your hands frequently
4. Always run words together
5. Never use 'you' or 'you're' - ever
6. Embellish at will
7. Refer to yourself as 'me' at all times - never 'I'
8. Mutter unintelligibly unless when yelling
9. Be as loud as humanly possible

When you think about it, this is EXACTLY how a 2 year old talks! Anyone who knows our 2-and-a-half year old Zachie would agree with me - he's got the whole piratey attitude going, let me tell ya!

Well, I think I know what the theme for our next staff meeting is going to be - 'Talk Like A Christian Pirate'! Arrrrrhhh, me hearties! Git yer sea-legs on, we's headin' out on a shor'-term missions plunderin' trip, yer lilly land-lubber! Shiver me timbers! Yo-ho!

Crucified with Christ

After Wed night service, some of us had headed over to the JuCa (youth cafe - although it's not just for the youth on Wed nights) to sit and talk. As we were sitting there, in came 3 guys from the streets (they were also in service). My first reaction was - 'wow, they smell like beer, sweat (it's been really hot and humid here this week) and other body fluids.' But as they sat down, my second reaction was - 'hey, cool that they feel welcome and that the people around them don't even notice anything so odd about them.'

I sometimes wonder what the disciples did when Jesus touched the lepers. Was it 'normal' for them? Or did they roll their eyes when a leper came near? Or pretend to gag from the smell? I guess it doesn't matter when you see people getting healed, saved, touched. That is what matters.

In any case, as I was getting ready to leave, I stopped at their table to say 'hi' and 'bye' but ending up talking for a long while with one of the three - a young man from Tunisia (northern Africa - see map) who had recently converted from Islam (Islam is the state religion of Tunisia). He shared about how he has been attacked and ridiculed by other Muslims since he made a decision for Jesus. He said that one Muslim came up to him recently and tried to convert him back to Islam, but he looked the Muslim in the eyes and said 'don't talk to me about that, I made a decision to follow Jesus and I will not go back!' That Muslim has since left him alone. WOW.

So please pray for him - although this young man has accepted Jesus, God still has much to do with and in him. There is a whole past life of living on the streets, drinking, sexual sin, etc that needs to be brought under the Lordship of Jesus. He (we all) need to daily be crucified with Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2.20

Aaaarhh, Matey!

Avast, matey - here's an interesting 'how-to' - 'How to Talk Like a Pirate'. It's something that I always wanted to know, and now I do!

In fact, there is a whole day set aside to talking like a pirate! September 19th of every year is 'International Talk Like A Pirate Day' - check out the webiste here.

And if you really wanna get into it - there's a 'Talk Like A Pirate' song - get the mp3 here.

Let me recap the 9 steps to sounding like a pirate on the high seas. Let's see if you've got pirattitude...

1. Growl and scowl often
2. Use pirate lingo
3. Gesture with your hands frequently
4. Always run words together
5. Never use 'you' or 'you're' - ever
6. Embellish at will
7. Refer to yourself as 'me' at all times - never 'I'
8. Mutter unintelligibly unless when yelling
9. Be as loud as humanly possible

When you think about it, this is EXACTLY how a 2 year old talks! Anyone who knows our 2-and-a-half year old Zachie would agree with me - he's got the whole piratey attitude going, let me tell ya!

Well, I think I know what the theme for our next staff meeting is going to be - 'Talk Like A Christian Pirate'! Arrrrrhhh, me hearties! Git yer sea-legs on, we's headin' out on a shor'-term missions plunderin' trip, yer lilly land-lubber! Shiver me timbers! Yo-ho!

Want to Know Your IQ?

Yesterday as I was preparing the Sunday message, I needed a break so I took an IQ test (you know those ads at the top of websites that ask you 'which of these don't fit in the series' or 'complete this picture…'). You can take your own here.

Well, after 50-some questions, the result came back that I am a person with 'superior intelligence'. In fact the website labeled me as a 'Complex Intellectual' although I am not sure if that is a compliment or not! Sounds kinda snobbish and well kinda complex if you ask me.

But here's my question - if I am a person of superior intelligence, why is it so hard for me to remember simple facts - like how old I am this year or what my mobile tel. number is? And if I am a complex intellectual, why is it that I can't do simple arithmetic? For example, I can't for the life of me remember what 8 x 7 = ???? Is it 48 or 65? Or was that 56? See! And why is it that I always forget how to use 'there, they're and their' - as in 'their going to pick up there kids over they're'.

Well, I don't know what all that means - all I know is that God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. So I guess the IQ test was wrong!

Well, here are a couple of the questions. If you take the test, what was your 'classification'?

Which image is not like the others?

Each of these boxes is filled with tiny marbles of identical size and shape. Which of them contains the most marbles?

Want to Know Your IQ?

Yesterday as I was preparing the Sunday message, I needed a break so I took an IQ test (you know those ads at the top of websites that ask you 'which of these don't fit in the series' or 'complete this picture…'). You can take your own here.

Well, after 50-some questions, the result came back that I am a person with 'superior intelligence'. In fact the website labeled me as a 'Complex Intellectual' although I am not sure if that is a compliment or not! Sounds kinda snobbish and well kinda complex if you ask me.

But here's my question - if I am a person of superior intelligence, why is it so hard for me to remember simple facts - like how old I am this year or what my mobile tel. number is? And if I am a complex intellectual, why is it that I can't do simple arithmetic? For example, I can't for the life of me remember what 8 x 7 = ???? Is it 48 or 65? Or was that 56? See! And why is it that I always forget how to use 'there, they're and their' - as in 'their going to pick up there kids over they're'.

Well, I don't know what all that means - all I know is that God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. So I guess the IQ test was wrong!

Well, here are a couple of the questions. If you take the test, what was your 'classification'?

Which image is not like the others?

Each of these boxes is filled with tiny marbles of identical size and shape. Which of them contains the most marbles?

Sommer GrillAbend (Summer BBQ)

This past Sunday afternoon / evening after service, we headed out to a local open field where we often do BBQ's and lit up the fires and grilled and just enjoyed the time together as the Body of Christ. I really enjoyed getting to know some of the newer people as well as catching up with some of the ol' faithfuls. As I was just walking around and talking with people, it remined me again that ministry / church can take place anywhere - as long as we are open, flexible and willing to serve.

Walking from one group to the next, I would try to make eye contact with people, just to let them know I was available, that I was here for them. I talked to an older couple who are actually from another church but all their teenage kids come to our youth group. They have been to our church for a while now and love it and are thinking about switching to CCF - they said that even though they don't 'belong' to our church, they are so amazed at our love and acceptance of them. It's hard for them because they were almost 20 years in the other church and were part of the group that started that church!
I talked to one young lady who has been in the fellowship for almost 2 years now and has never talked to me before. She shared almost her whole life story with me in the 20 minutes that we talked! Then I spent another 5-10 minutes explaining spiritual gifts to another young lady - she had a few questions and thought this might be the perfect time to ask.

Another young couple shared about their recent vacation to Sicily and they were so excited to talk about it. Going over to the fire, I got to talk with the 'grillmeister' for a couple minutes, thanking him and encouraging him. Then another lady (who has been a part of the fellowship longer than I have!) came up and I got to hold her baby for a while as I talked to her and just encouraged her to keep going. The baby has a difficult time eating/nursing/drinking and gets all his nourishment through a rubber tube inserted into his nose and down into his stomach - it has been a hard time for him and his parents.

Then I spent 20 minutes talking to a young man who has recently started a relationship with his long-time school friend. I encouraged him to keep it pure, to take it slow and just enjoy the non-physical friendship (I know, I know, easier said than done for a 19 year old guy and an 18 year old girl!). But they are both great kids and love the Lord dearly (both are really evangelists - after he accepted the Lord, he shared with his mom and she gave her life to Jesus too!).

And all the while as I was walking and talking, I had Dariah in one arm, with Zachie running back and forth between Becks and me and his 'aunties' and me trying to get the kids set up with Würstchen (German hot dogs) and bread. Yet, it wasn't stressful - in fact it was really 'locker' (relaxed and easy-going).

As I look back, it occurred to me that I was doing exactly what a real shepherd would have done with his flock out in the fields under the stars on some warm summer night. He would walk around to each of the sheep, spend a few minutes with each to see how they were faring. If a thorn needed to be pulled out, he would do it. If flies were bothering a sheep, he would take care of it. If a sheep was sick, he would lovingly care for it. If a sheep was hurt, he would bind up the wound and comfort it.

If a sheep was lost, he would go looking for it and guide it back to the flock. If a sheep was being stubborn or rebellious, he would correct it. That was the life of a shepherd. And he did it because he loved the sheep. He wanted these sheep to know (well, as much as sheep can know anything!) that he was there for them and that he would lay down his life for them.

That evening, that was how I felt - God didn't call me to be a shepherd because he needed a hero. He didn't choose me because of any great talents or abilities (I know that for a fact!) nor because of my charming personality and charisma nor because of my good looks (no matter how much I want to think so!).

He needed someone who would take care of His sheep, His people for Him. He needed someone who would love and care for His sheep. He needed an empty, broken, earthen vessel made out of dirt, mud and water. That's why He chose me to have this privilege of caring for His sheep. And I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

Sommer GrillAbend (Summer BBQ)

This past Sunday afternoon / evening after service, we headed out to a local open field where we often do BBQ's and lit up the fires and grilled and just enjoyed the time together as the Body of Christ. I really enjoyed getting to know some of the newer people as well as catching up with some of the ol' faithfuls. As I was just walking around and talking with people, it remined me again that ministry / church can take place anywhere - as long as we are open, flexible and willing to serve.

Walking from one group to the next, I would try to make eye contact with people, just to let them know I was available, that I was here for them. I talked to an older couple who are actually from another church but all their teenage kids come to our youth group. They have been to our church for a while now and love it and are thinking about switching to CCF - they said that even though they don't 'belong' to our church, they are so amazed at our love and acceptance of them. It's hard for them because they were almost 20 years in the other church and were part of the group that started that church!
I talked to one young lady who has been in the fellowship for almost 2 years now and has never talked to me before. She shared almost her whole life story with me in the 20 minutes that we talked! Then I spent another 5-10 minutes explaining spiritual gifts to another young lady - she had a few questions and thought this might be the perfect time to ask.

Another young couple shared about their recent vacation to Sicily and they were so excited to talk about it. Going over to the fire, I got to talk with the 'grillmeister' for a couple minutes, thanking him and encouraging him. Then another lady (who has been a part of the fellowship longer than I have!) came up and I got to hold her baby for a while as I talked to her and just encouraged her to keep going. The baby has a difficult time eating/nursing/drinking and gets all his nourishment through a rubber tube inserted into his nose and down into his stomach - it has been a hard time for him and his parents.

Then I spent 20 minutes talking to a young man who has recently started a relationship with his long-time school friend. I encouraged him to keep it pure, to take it slow and just enjoy the non-physical friendship (I know, I know, easier said than done for a 19 year old guy and an 18 year old girl!). But they are both great kids and love the Lord dearly (both are really evangelists - after he accepted the Lord, he shared with his mom and she gave her life to Jesus too!).

And all the while as I was walking and talking, I had Dariah in one arm, with Zachie running back and forth between Becks and me and his 'aunties' and me trying to get the kids set up with Würstchen (German hot dogs) and bread. Yet, it wasn't stressful - in fact it was really 'locker' (relaxed and easy-going).

As I look back, it occurred to me that I was doing exactly what a real shepherd would have done with his flock out in the fields under the stars on some warm summer night. He would walk around to each of the sheep, spend a few minutes with each to see how they were faring. If a thorn needed to be pulled out, he would do it. If flies were bothering a sheep, he would take care of it. If a sheep was sick, he would lovingly care for it. If a sheep was hurt, he would bind up the wound and comfort it.

If a sheep was lost, he would go looking for it and guide it back to the flock. If a sheep was being stubborn or rebellious, he would correct it. That was the life of a shepherd. And he did it because he loved the sheep. He wanted these sheep to know (well, as much as sheep can know anything!) that he was there for them and that he would lay down his life for them.

That evening, that was how I felt - God didn't call me to be a shepherd because he needed a hero. He didn't choose me because of any great talents or abilities (I know that for a fact!) nor because of my charming personality and charisma nor because of my good looks (no matter how much I want to think so!).

He needed someone who would take care of His sheep, His people for Him. He needed someone who would love and care for His sheep. He needed an empty, broken, earthen vessel made out of dirt, mud and water. That's why He chose me to have this privilege of caring for His sheep. And I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

WOW, It's Not Just a Toy Anymore!

Check this guy out - it's amazing what you can do with some free time and lots of hand-eye coordination! Here is his website - he's got other truly amazing works!

PS - If you are thinking about buying one, he does sell them on his website - starting at $7500!!!! Man, I wish I had spent more time on my old Etch-a-Sketch when I was a kid!

WOW, It's Not Just a Toy Anymore!

Check this guy out - it's amazing what you can do with some free time and lots of hand-eye coordination! Here is his website - he's got other truly amazing works!

PS - If you are thinking about buying one, he does sell them on his website - starting at $7500!!!! Man, I wish I had spent more time on my old Etch-a-Sketch when I was a kid!

$$$Cha-Ching$$$

Well, here's another how-to - 'How to Make a Million Dollars'. This is related to the last post about the safe-cracking and Swiss bank accounts. This how-to however, is for the do-it-yourselfers among us. Enjoy the read and when you make that $1M, remember my commission! ;-)

PS - and no, the how-to is not how to 'make' $1M, you know, as in 'make it yourself' as in using your own ink and paper, as in, well let me just say - jail. ;-)

$$$Cha-Ching$$$

Well, here's another how-to - 'How to Make a Million Dollars'. This is related to the last post about the safe-cracking and Swiss bank accounts. This how-to however, is for the do-it-yourselfers among us. Enjoy the read and when you make that $1M, remember my commission! ;-)

PS - and no, the how-to is not how to 'make' $1M, you know, as in 'make it yourself' as in using your own ink and paper, as in, well let me just say - jail. ;-)

Another Hmmm...

Some more "how-to's" of interest...

How Safecracking Works - for those missionaries who always struggle with raising support. This might be your answer ;-).

How Swiss Bank Accounts Work - this will come in really handy if you follow the above "how-to" and now need a discreet place to store your 'support'.

Ok, maybe this isn't the best solution, but hey, sometimes you get desperate! No, seriously some very interesting reading.

Another Hmmm...

Some more "how-to's" of interest...

How Safecracking Works - for those missionaries who always struggle with raising support. This might be your answer ;-).

How Swiss Bank Accounts Work - this will come in really handy if you follow the above "how-to" and now need a discreet place to store your 'support'.

Ok, maybe this isn't the best solution, but hey, sometimes you get desperate! No, seriously some very interesting reading.

Pictures

I have so many pictures I want to share but I can't possibly blog about them all so I've put them into another photo album. For those of you who want to check them out just click on the picture below.

Random Pics

Pictures

I have so many pictures I want to share but I can't possibly blog about them all so I've put them into another photo album. For those of you who want to check them out just click on the picture below.

Random Pics

Forget Training Wheels, Got Life Insurance?!

So, what do you think, would you do this? Hmmm...let me think about it...NO!
Well, maybe...

PS - one of the kids' godmom asked if this is a picture of how Taliah learned how to ride her bike...we had thought about it but didn't think Grandma Jan would approve!) ;-)

Forget Training Wheels, Got Life Insurance?!

So, what do you think, would you do this? Hmmm...let me think about it...NO!
Well, maybe...

PS - one of the kids' godmom asked if this is a picture of how Taliah learned how to ride her bike...we had thought about it but didn't think Grandma Jan would approve!) ;-)

Getting big!

I can't believe Dariah is already 7 months old! She is finally sitting up by herself (she still flops over every now and then, so someone has to sit with her). She wants to be with everyone at the table when we eat so we set her up in the high chair and put Zachy on the bench with the big kids. She eats when we eat now and she really enjoys the 'tisch gemeinschaft' (fellowhip at the table). She doesn't show any intrest in crawling yet....but that's probably because she's been able to get around in the walker now for almost a month now. She learned very quickly how to get where she wants to go! She even follows the kids down the hall and into their bedrooms. We have to watch out for our ankles and toes, she gets some speed on those wheels! She is a joy to have! Taliah can't wait until she's big enough that they can be princesses together!

I live in a zoo!

I'm sure that anyone who has small children feels like this sometimes! My kids really are monkeys though! Their new favorite thing to do is climb the door frames. It works here because the door frames are pretty wide. They literally start 'climbing the walls' when they are bored!


monkey number one...

and monkey number two!

Getting big!

I can't believe Dariah is already 7 months old! She is finally sitting up by herself (she still flops over every now and then, so someone has to sit with her). She wants to be with everyone at the table when we eat so we set her up in the high chair and put Zachy on the bench with the big kids. She eats when we eat now and she really enjoys the 'tisch gemeinschaft' (fellowhip at the table). She doesn't show any intrest in crawling yet....but that's probably because she's been able to get around in the walker now for almost a month now. She learned very quickly how to get where she wants to go! She even follows the kids down the hall and into their bedrooms. We have to watch out for our ankles and toes, she gets some speed on those wheels! She is a joy to have! Taliah can't wait until she's big enough that they can be princesses together!

I live in a zoo!

I'm sure that anyone who has small children feels like this sometimes! My kids really are monkeys though! Their new favorite thing to do is climb the door frames. It works here because the door frames are pretty wide. They literally start 'climbing the walls' when they are bored!


monkey number one...

and monkey number two!