Notes from abroad

Just want to update everyone with a couple of quick notes. I apologize that we have been away from the blog a bit, but the reality is that these next six or so weeks will be really crazy as we move toward re-entry into the States. Don't be surprised if entries come a little more sporatically.

We experienced a small earthquake last week here in Weil am Rhein. The epicenter was about 20 km northish from here in the village of Kandern and measured 4.5 - not a bad quake. It occurred at 3:39 am and by the time I woke up, realized that it wasn't a dream and registered as an earthquake, it was over (say 4-5 seconds). Unfortunately, I never quite got back to sleep again so it was a long day for us.

This last weekend was our annual church retreat - aptly named the "Weekend Away". The church invited speakers from England, one of which was at last year's Weekend Away, to speak, encourage and challenge us. This was one of the best/hardest retreats that I have been to in my life. God showed up in some amazing ways - bringing significant spiritual, emotional, physical healing to many. I had the privilege of assisting in the worship music which kept me pretty busy - we did a lot of up front planning, but as the Holy Spirit moved and guided over the weekend, we flexibly moved also so that God could be praised and worshiped with a minimal of distractions. Delynn and I were stretched in some very meaningful ways and are grateful for having had the opportunity.

This coming weekend, Delynn will be a surrogate godmother for the christening. One of our staff from last year had a beautiful baby girl. She is Canadian and her husband is a wonderful, quiet German. They make a really great family, but the child's godmother-to-be is in Canada, so they asked Delynn to stand in. Another wonderful privilege of living in the expat community. Plus we get to have a BBQ after church - yum!

We know that many of you pray for us regularly. As we work through these final five weeks of school, here are our prayer needs:

• That we will finish the school year well, including those tough "good-byes" that are a natural part of transition.
• That we will have enough volunteers to help us close down the school. We have about 4 days (not including Sunday) after our last school day to sell/move/recycle/discard everything in the entire school.
  
• That the library might be sold as a complete unit.
• That the staff exhibit God's grace and the fruit of His Spirit during this increasingly busy time.

As someone once said: "Lots to think about (and do), nothing to worry about." God is in control and for that we are eternally joyful.