Leaving Germany for One Year!

Today you will hear from Jim about our up-coming plans for the next 12 months: 

We hope this finds you well and looking forward to Spring.  We are still currently under a tight Covid Lockdown here in Germany.  Yet the Gospel is unchained as we minister online and one-on-one with individual students.

Empty Closets for a family to live in our home for one year. 

We are writing to you today to inform you of some decisions that are impacting our plans for the coming 12 months.  There is something called the "Totalization Agreement" between Germany and the United States.  It is a document meant to coordinate and protect nationals living in the other country from being double taxed for Social Security.

This document stipulates that a person may live and work in another country and maintain their payment to and anticipated payment from their home country in regards to Social Security income.  This is typically 5 years with the option, here in Germany, of requesting a 3 year extension.  

We have been compliant with these requirements and were anticipating having to begin our one year exile from Germany in October 2022.  Yet in conjunction with Josiah Venture (JV) leadership, we are aware that we currently have two families raising support to join JV Germany and us in 2022.  With that knowledge the decision was made to have us go earlier rather than later.  So that means we will do our exile now, in hopes of returning just as the families will be ready to move to Germany.

This has been a relatively short decision making process.  We are making preparations to leave Germany March 16. We will continue to work remotely online with our contacts here in Germany during this year.  We will also be able to take some time to visit our daughter Emily and Alpha and our new grandson, Noah in Bangladesh.  Then we are planning on spending the summer in the States before returning to work from Czech in September through the end of our exile (March 17, 2022).  In addition to working with our contacts here in Germany we will be working with JV leadership in areas of HR and Member Care across the 16 different JV countries.

Jim packing van.

All of the other Josiah Venture countries affected by this Totalization Agreement only have to leave for 6 months.  Germany is special in that we have to leave for one year.  Yet at the end we will be granted a new certificate of coverage for 5 more years.

During the previous three weeks I have sought information from other mission organizations with Americans working in Germany hoping to find an exception. But in the end they all said this is what you must do to remain compliant and eligible for Social Security in the United States upon reaching retirement age.

We are trusting the Lord to accomplish His will in our lives and the ministries that we are partnered with.  We are so thankful that Rachel Berkebile, our teammate will be here working during our exile.  She will host two evangelistic camps this summer, Lord willing.

In personal news, Lina had her gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago.  She is recovering, tired, but doing well. 

Our friend, Simeon, helping us pack our van.

In short:

• We must leave Germany for one year, beginning March 16, 2020 through March 17, 2022.
• We will be in Bangladesh for one month, March 18 - April 15.
• We will be in the States working remotely, traveling, and being there for new granddaughter to be born, April 17 - Sept 14.
• We will be living in and working from the Czech Republic Sept. 15, 1021 - March 17, 2022.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for us as we travel, especially with all the Covid 19 restrictions, that we will be able to cross boarders and travel without a problem and with good health.
• Pray for Lina as she is still recovering from gallbladder surgery.
• Pray for time with family and friends while in the States.
• Pray for continued good connections with young people we are discipling, youth workers we are training, and youth groups we are involved with in Germany.
• Pray for a healthy rest of pregnancy and delivery of Nate and Caitlin's little baby girl.

A Few Months Late, but Not Short on News!

Do you know how easy it is to get out of a good habit? Really easy! I've been doing this blog at least once a month for the last 5 years! Yes, 81 blog posts, and yet, the last few months... (crickets sound here)... I will assure you that it is not because nothing has been happening!

October was full of wedding travel and preparation, and ended with Nate and Caitlin's delightful wedding! It was beautiful, intimate, and so much fun! We are so blessed with Caitlin as our daughter-in-law! Of course I must include one funny story. A woman came up to me and very excitedly told me how happy she was to be there and to see me! I smiled at her, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out who she was. I politely said, "I'm so sorry, can you remind me of your name?" She pulled down her mask and I instantly recognized my cousin, Pam!!!! Oh, the trials and tribulations of a Covid wedding!!!!!

Such a beautiful wedding and absolute joy to our family!

Wedding Party. Yes, that is Jared next to Nathan.

We returned to Germany and dove right back into ministry! Most of our meetings are online, but we are allowed to meet with one person face-to-face at a time, so we have been taking full advantage of that! I admit we have cut it very close a few times! One day, Jim and I each planned a meeting, without the other knowing it and, although one of us can usually go for a walk in the park with our "one person", this day was way too cold. So Jim headed over to Steffen's house, rather than Steffen coming to us, and Lisa came up the stairs just as Jim left. We were having a wonderful time, when suddenly the doorbell rang, and Elli was at the door. She was off work early that day and was here an hour before I expected her! What to do! I now have 2 people in my house! We socially distanced, prayed together over a cup of tea, then Lisa quickly left and we were legal again! 

I have also been taking an Intensive German course 4 mornings a week since November. This has really helped push my German forward! Last Friday, February 19, I had my gallbladder removed and was in the hospital for 4 days. I few months ago this would have been much more stressful, but I was able to handle it all in German! I am recovering well and taking it a bit easy over the next week, but I was so encouraged by being able to communicate and understand in a very important situation!

The next few weeks are busy, as we plan the coming year. We are excited about what God is doing and will continue to do in our ministry here. We will update you on a few things over the next few weeks as plans start to solidify.

Oh, and one last thing, I can't leave without a picture of our new grandchildren...yes, that's right, grandchildren!!!! (Can you say happy Grandma!)

Nate and Caitlin's little girl coming this summer!!!

Emily and Alpha's Noah, soon to be 6 months old!

Prayer Points:

1. Pray for my continued recovery from Gallbladder surgery.
2. Pray for us as we finalize plans for our coming year.
3. Pray for our ministry as we continue meeting online and restrictedly in person.

 

Thoughts from a Grandmother

This will be the most unsurprising post from a grandmother. It will be filled with 3 things: 

First of all, God provided my visa to fly to Bangladesh! Thank you to so many of you for praying for that! It was such a privilege to be there. 

Secondly, we are now in the States, preparing to celebrate Jim's parents' 60th anniversary and our son, Nathan's, marriage to Caitlin Henry (I'm sure next blog post will be filled with pictures from that!) 

Lastly, pictures of Noah Ullash Samaddar and his incredible parents, Alpha and Emily. Really, there aren't all that many. Only a dozen or so!

So, without further ado...

Alpha, Emily and Noah

Alpha's first glimpse of Noah

Wrapped up in Grandma, Anjuli's Saris 

Ever notice how long you can just stare at a new baby?

When we ask Ember (the dog) where his puppy is, he runs over and licks Noah's feet!

Dressed up to match for the picture. Two minutes later he spit up all over his photo outfit!

Grandma, Anjuli and Grandpa, Arabindu

Yes, still looking!

The praying baby

Grandma (Omi), Mom and Smiley baby!

Looks like an angel holding him.

OK, last one (for now)

Stay tuned next post for wedding pictures!

End of Summer? How can that be?!?!?!?

For a summer that started out looking like we may not have much of a chance for contact ministry, we sure had a surprise waiting for us! Originally we thought we would have 4-5 camps and 4-5 interns. Then we thought we would have zero camps and zero interns. My, weren't we surprised!

Though neither our US interns nor our US church teams could come, God provided us with two incredible "twinterns". Our Ukraine-born, German twin-sister interns, Anna and Sofia, graduated from German high school this year. Together with another young man, they have been leading the youth groups in Eisenhüttenstadt and Guben the last two years. We are so thankful for them!!!!

Anna and Sofia on Graduation Day

The new style in Graduation Attire!

We also ended up having an INCREDIBLE camp, with the Twinterns' youth groups, as well as three other youth groups. You may have heard us refer to this as the Brandenburg Area. We have been doing this camp for 4 years, and feel so blessed to have had it again this summer! We had 32 campers, over half of which are not yet believers! We sure love these kids and have enjoyed our two follow-up activities of a lake-side Bar-B-Que and a Kayaking day!

Fun play on the mask theme, we had a Masquerade Dinner!

True Covid proofing food service!

Such a great group of kids!!

Jim, the Kayak-King!

We also saw 5 of our students from our Leipzig youth group graduate and the Leipzig youth band did a concert for some new youth groups in another city in Germany.

Leipzig youth band leading worship at youth group.

All in all, it has been an incredible summer of unexpected ministry. We feel so blessed to be here and be used of God in these young peoples' lives.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for us as we finish up our summer ministry with some "Action Days", a three-day, in-city camp in Magdeburg.
• Pray that Lina will be able to get her visa to go to Bangladesh on August 23 to be with Emily as our first grandchild is born. (Emily and yet-to-be-born baby boy are doing great!)
• Pray for our Twinterns, Anna and Sofia, as they leave us and start University.

Personal Time During Isolation

I've given you a window into what ministry time looks like for us under lock-down, but...and I know this will surprise you...I also have been doing some fun personal things during this time.

As you know, Emily and Alpha are expecting, so I have been able to merge two of my favorite things into my free time...creativity and babies!!!!

Emily on their rooftop, starting her third trimester.

So, the sewing machine has come out, and not just for my grandson, but for other babies as well!

It all started while we were in Bangladesh over Christmas. Emily and I each made a quilt, then I just couldn't stop! So here is a quick window into my happy times here:

So, this is the Bunny/Heart quilt before baby.

And this is after baby!!! This is Hannah Abigail Roney, daughter of David and Katka Roney! But just wait...there's more!

Dream Big quilt before baby...

And this is after baby! Timothy David! Hannah's twin brother!!! Soooo precious!!!

This is a puff quilt I made for our little grandson as a floor mat for him to lie on to soften their tiled floors! Pooh Bear is trying it out!

This is the quilt Emily made for her little boy while we were there over Christmas, with some fabric I brought from the US, as well as some from Bangladesh! A mixture of the two, just like he will be!!!

And of course, you can't have a lock-down without pulling out an old UFO (Un-Finished Object). Yes, this was started when Nate and Emily were toddlers and, hopefully, will be finished today!

Emily and I also had fun doing an online class together making these two cuties!

My Brother Fox

Emily's Puppy Dog

So, what is next? I'm starting a 30 day quilt challenge, making 1 square a day for 30 days. But don't worry, it should only take me about 130 days, since I DO need to continue working, too! So, this is what is it supposed to look like when it's through. I'll let you know, but don't hold your breath!!! 

By the way, if you would like to participate in an online shower I am doing for Emily, you can find her Amazon Baby Wish List here. 

Just be aware that this is the Amazon German site. To translate it into English, click the icon to the right of the search bar at the top of the site. We are asking that you stick to the list, as I will be taking the items over and have a weight limit (and you know how that is with all these quilts to take!!) You can also purchase a Gift Card on the wish list. It is called "Geschenkkarte".

Also, we would love to have you send a gift of words for Emily, Alpha, and their baby, a childhood memory, a memory of one of your children, a blessing, a prayer, advice, etc. We will be putting these in a book for her. You can send it to my email here.

So, have some fun in your own happy places during this crazy, beautiful time!!!

We Even Made Them Think!

Many years ago, there was a TV show called "Kids Say the Darndest Things". This week, during our youth leader training, I just had to take some notes, because it felt like "Teens Say the Darndest Things"! Our young leaders were telling how their Good Friday youth group went. One of the girls said that there were three guys in the Zoom group that they didn't know. The 2 girls that lead the group were so excited about this and one of them said, "We even made them think!"

They went on to tell us that one of the guys was a skeptic and was making all kinds of crazy arguments, just for the sake of arguing. The incredible thing was that one of the guys that has been coming to youth group since camp last year, but is not yet a Believer, started speaking up and defending the girls and what they were saying about the Bible! We all had to laugh a bit and get excited about how God is using this isolation time in very unexpected ways!

It seems like there is not much to tell about during this time. Sometimes the days all seem to blur into each other, but there are definitely some moments that sparkle! Spring has truly come to Leipzig and I have been able to enjoy some wonderful times on my balcony. Sometimes it's talking to God and sometimes it's talking to someone else on Skype! I am so thankful for our beautiful balcony.

Me on our balcony, praying in the Josiah Venture online Prayer Room

Emily's Puppy 

My Fox

Another fun thing is that our daughter, Emily, and I have taken an online crafting class together. For those of you who don't know, Emily and her husband, Alpha, are missionaries in Bangladesh. Here is what we made together across the thousands of miles!


No one knows how long this will last or what life will look like when the isolating is over, but I am so thankful that God has not isolated Himself and that He is still working and still giving good gifts!

Prayer Points:

• Pray for our summer ministry. We have no idea what it will look like, but we know that God has a plan.
• We have had to cancel all our Short Term Church Teams coming from North America to help with camps this summer. Pray for each of the team members that will be home this summer, that God will use them where they are.
• Pray for our Interns. We will make a final decision on May 15 if our North American Summer Interns will come for the summer. Whether or not they come, our 2 German Interns are still planning on doing ministry with us this summer. Pray for their support raising. You can click here for Anna and here for Sophia, if you would like to give toward their ministry.

Coronavirus and the Millers

Just as many of you, we are working from our home these days. Here in Germany most of our borders are closed, schools are closed and all but "essential businesses" are closed. (Interesting fact, dry cleaners and hair salons are considered essential businesses here!) All our church meetings, including youth group, are disbanded for awhile.

So what does ministry look like during this time for us. Most of the time it looks like this:

I feel so privileged to be part of this Bible Study made up mostly of young mothers in our church. This week we met online and, yes, the children were still playing in the background and crawling on moms' laps, just as they do when we meet together.

Right now, Jim is on a Skype call with one of the boys in one of our youth groups who is still seeking for answers. They are starting an online Bible reading time together. We continue to think of and try creative ways to continue ministering to the people God has call us to here!

We have a monument in Leipzig that commemorates the "Battle of the Nations", where multiple nations came together to fight and defeat a common enemy, Napoleon. Today, as I was watching the news, it seemed to me that we are now in a situation where we are doing the same thing, coming together to fight a common enemy, Coronavirus, only with one great difference. We are coming together to fight, and yet we are divided from each other, as we do not know if the one fighting next to us actually has the enemy in them.

Monument to Battle of the Nations in Leipzig.

So how about you? What are you doing during this uncertain time. I would love to hear about what God is doing and any ideas about how you are reaching out to others!!!

Please, pray for us as Josiah Venture is making some decisions about what summer ministry will look like here.  I will keep you updated on that. Please, continue to pray for us, as we continue to pray for you!