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Monday, September 08, 2008

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:49:35 GMT

Just a few pic's to share. We had an awesome summer. Heather was able to come an be apart and help with work for her summer vacation. It was such a blessing to have her, she just jumped right in, and did whatever needed to be done. These few photos can't even come close to all the Lord has been doing here in Dresden. Yes, lives are being changed, and God is moving. Our job at this point and time is to obey, be faithful, and be patient. Our work may not take off like we would like. But..we are confident that the Lord knows what is best, and we trust and believe He will always be faithful and give us what we need in His time.

During our summer months, we had our first real evangelistic out reach, we had a great turn out, 53 total with 23 first time visitors. It was a great day, with music drama, food, and clear and simple presentation of the gospel. It was a glorious day with memories that will not be soon forgotten. Below, congregation,

Heather and Diana doing a music drama

These are our neighbors, Frank and Christine, They have no belief in God but came anyway, we were just thankful they came to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

This is Uli and Jonathan helping with the serving of the food.

JULY

During the month of July we had pastor Lewis McClendon, and his wife Karen from Ventura Baptist in CA. Their visit was a great encouragement to us. We are able to share and give them a first hand look as to how dark and lost this area of the world is. We took them to Berlin to see "Check Point Charlie" this is where the Berlin wall was constructed to divide, East and West Germany.

below- this is a officer that showed us, how difficult it was to get a pass just to go from East Berlin to West Berlin, One had to get at least 6 stamps at different checkpoints to be permitted to cross the borders.

It was a rainy day...not unusual for Germany, but that didn't stop us, we just put on some rain gear and hopped aboard our bus, and kept right on going.

This is a portion of the Wall,

We also took a trip to a concentration camp, where thousands were tortured and killed, this took place just 2 hours from where we live. The concentration camp was named Buchenwald, near Weimar.

We love our precious new little one, Benjamin, and we still chuckle when he gets upset, this is his face he makes everytime he is getting ready to really let everyone know he is upset.

Also in July we had the priveledge of having another baptism in the Elbe. To see souls saved, and then follow the Lord in baptism is the very reason we are here, and everytime we are able to go and baptize in the Elbe, is just another way we are letting our corner of the world in which we live, kow that we are followers of Jesus Christ, and we want to shine for Him. Praise Be To the Lord!!

Along with all the hard work we did this summer, we always found time to play and make some great memories.

This is Pete, (left) Dimitry (background) and Michael coming back after passing out some flyers

We spent some great evening in Bible study and prayer, had lots of fellowship.

Heather, Romy and Diana, decided, enough work in the kitchen for one day...Let's play!! They were washing dishes and decided to have soap slinging contest.

We often go to this farm to get our eggs, and I had no idea the cows were on their way back from the field, so much to my surprise when I turned around...there was this cow coming in the gate. Bill saw the cow, and snapped the picture

Be watching for more fun photos in the weeks to come.

Love you all,

Bill and Debbie

Friday, January 25, 2008

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:53:50 GMT

Hello everyone,
Here we are in a brand new year, and we have lots to share with you,
In Nov. We had a great Thanksgiving celebration with over 30 people and 13 first time visitors

In December we had another celebration, our Christmas Around the World Dinner.
It was great, with once again over 30 people and many first time visitors.

At the end of December after Christmas we had Tiffany and her husband John and Heather all come home for a few weeks.
It was a wonderful time of laughter and we made some great memories.
They all 3 just jumped right in, and helped out in anyway they could.
John gave a short testimony each Sunday they were here and the girls helped out with the praise team.
They also were able to help with a building project of building a part of our kitchen.


We also started our Kids Bible Club and Kids Tae-Kwon-Do class.




We have 3 and we are all enjoying this beginning of this brand new year.

We are looking forward to bring you some more great things that are going on here, be watching.
Bill and Debbie

Many New Faces

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:28:34 GMT

When starting this new work, we just didn't know what to expect, we haven't had the resources to go out and pass to out flyers to often, or even get a web site up till just yesterday, but oh, how we must go back to the Bible and believe God when He says, "My ways are not your ways, or my thoughts your thoughts" Isiah 55:9,

The Lord has brought people to us in ways we could have never imagined, for example just walking by and learning we have our services in English, or finding out that our church is on a "city list" we didn't know about. God is so good!!

Bill getting some help from our team setting out our "Welcome Sign"

Every Sunday we have had new people come, ranging from 2 to as many as 6 first time visitors on any given Sunday. And our attendance is climbing again , with the this last Sunday having a high of 32.

Dieter and Angela, (in the back ground) getting acquainted with a family that found us on a "city list"

We will be getting ready to leave in just 2 weeks to take Heather to college in Springfield MO. where she will be attending Baptist Bible College. But coming in our stead are Missionaries Ken and Carrie Liles, who will be ministering, through Pastor Ken's preaching, and also through weekly Bible studies taught by both Ken and Carrie. Our folks are a little nervous about us leaving, but we have every confidence that our team will do a great job taking care of things while we are gone.

Heather with her best buddies, Diana, Romy, and Anne.
When Heather leaves for college, her adventuresome personality, laughter, and her giving spirit will be missed very much, and will leave their "laps" empty too!

Although we are "officially" in our building, there is still much that has to be done, which one of our priorities is to raise the funds for our Kitchen, office equipment, and some things for our sound system.

at this moment we have had $6000 USD dollars come in, but still in need of $24,000

Here are some photos of our Sundays, Bible Studies and just being together as a church family.

Bridget, (left) Mia, (middle) and Gerry, Bridget was a first time visitor and said, "I have known about your church, and I don't why I didn't come before." I feel so welcome, and I would like to more about having a personal relationship with Jesus.

This is "baby Nora" as we call her, and yes, she has everyone wrapped around her little finger.

Debbie working with Anne and Dieter as we get our own "Church web site" up and running, http://www.ic-dresden.org check us out.

Put your feet up and stay awhile! Bill, with Pete and Dieter in the middle of their discipleship time and enjoying the fellowship of each other.

This is a picture of some of our folks enjoying a meal together before Bible study.

Just treasuring the "little moments" together just playing around outside with Heather after Bible study.

This is Pete and Anne, going home from Bible study. Because it stays light out for so long we forget just how late it can be, this time of day you are seeing it was already close to 10:00.

Coming up

On Sunday July 22nd, we will be having a baptismal down on our river "the Elbe" It is going to be a great day of celebration with songs, drama and of course FOOD. But also a great testimony to all those that will be walking by and witnessing as 3 of our believers will be taking their first step of obedience and telling the whole world, "I am a follower of Jesus Christ"

So check us out next week about this same time and see what happened.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:47:02 GMT

Work In Progress

We had a great week last week! We had lots of help and we were able to have things set up enough to have our Worship Service.

Here are just a few of the memories we made this past week.

There was a lot of repair work needed, and Dieter worked all week spackling and sanding walls.

Dieter enjoying his work!

Heather taking a short break from scrubbing floors.

Romy worked all day making these very old curtain rods look new again.

Diana working on the small details.

We never want to overlook those who do the "behind the scenes" jobs. Angela, has been such a blessing to all of us, and we all look forward to seeing what great dish she will show up with.

Progress in the making.

Progress in the making.(continued)

This is Anne, she has been coming up and helping, and she always brings her sweet smile.

This is Michael, who has been coming up every change he gets.

Heather and Romy helping out using their "Heads".

Bill and Debbie after a long days work.

We had a great FIRST Sunday in our building, with 30 in attendance, and everyone kept saying how good and comfortable they felt.

Part of our folks, just saying Hellooo!

Anne (middle) brought her 2 friends, she was so excited to be in her new church, and wanted her friends to share in the excitement with her.

Michael (left) and Pete (right) enjoying some fellowship after church.

Hope and Bridget both are from Africa, Bridget was a first time visitor, and we pray the Lord will bring her back.

Zaw, from Burma, being greeted by Bill. Zaw fled his country from religious persecution, and we recently learned that if he were to ever return he would be arrested and put into prison, because he is a Christian. He has left his family and everything he knows, and is now trying to start a new life.

Like our kitchen sink? Not having the proper equipment can make things a bit challenging, but we make do with what we have. One of our greatest needs are lights, and a kitchen.

Our folks have commented on how wonderful it is to be in our own building. We are so thankful for all that God has given us. We give the Lord all the honor and glory for what He has done for us.

Watch for more pictures on the progress that has been made in this past week!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:42:58 GMT

Hello everyone,

While in the process of getting our building ready, we have been blessed to be able to meet at a restaurant. We have been regular costumers at this particular restaura nt for over 4 years now, and when the manger learned we needed a place for a few weeks or so to have our services, he offered their restaurant to us, at no cost. What a blessing it is to see God provide in such a time of need.

This last Sunday, we had 34 people, over 11 countries represented, and 3 first time visitors. What a great day it was, to have people from around the world come and worship. What an honor and privilege it is that the Lord is allowing us to be a part of His work.

Everyone from "The International Baptist Church of Dresden", says Helloooo America!

In this photo, are people from, Kazakhstan, Burma, America, enjoying fellowship with one another.

"It Has Begun"

Well, we started working on our building this week. It was an exciting time for all of us!

This building we are now renting has been empty for over 3 years. It was a restaurant, and was very dirty. It will take a little time to get it in order, but our folks are coming out everyday and spending anywhere from an hour, and for others, they are coming and staying with us the whole day. Right now, we are just in the process of prepping everything, and painting, painting painting!!!

Eating and auditorium area(far end) during the painting process

Romy and Heather scrubbing the kitchen walls.

So, how many men does it take to help put in a pony tail? One to hold the hair, and one to "try" and pull the hair through.

Us girls taking time for a photo op. after cleaning the kitchen.

There is always time for a break to talk and enjoy fellowship together, with food of course!!

This will be our "fellowship" area. The fellowship area will have couches, tables and book cases that have been donated, as you can see, we have lots to do.

Even our little ones are getting in on the "painting."

Diana in the kitchen, scrubbing walls.

Heather, writes mom and dad a sweet note!

Painting, painting, painting.

Anyone wanna scrape some walls?

Bill encouraging Diana not to be scared, as she paints the ceiling.

Michael, Debbie and Bill, taking a little break in the sunshine.

Romy, Diana, and Heather also enjoying a break. Painting can be hard work!

Bill teaching how to mix paints.

Michael working on some detail work around the windows, an doing it with a smile.

Dieter, spackeling and filling holes, and boy does he have his work cut out for him.

Diana and Romy cleaning brushes, and getting things ready for the next day's work.

We never quite know what the day will bring forth, but what we do know is that we will end it with lasting memories that make each day a day to remember. And we also see our folks learning to work as a team, and exemplifying a heart of giving of their time, and always with a smile!!

AND....We are all very thankful that Bill has had the experience to be able to teach us the "How To's" of all the things that are needed to be done to be able to accomplish this big of a task.

Watch for next weeks post, and see how much more we will have accomplished.

Plus all the details in the how much everything will cost to get us going.

Your Servants,

Bill, Debbie and Heather and all of our church folks at the International Baptist Church of Dresden

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 16:30:01 GMT

This past week was once again, a very good and productive week.

We had our Bible Study, and had 22 come out to study God's word. We all have such a blessed time fellowshipping with one another, studying God's Word, and learning new truths and things that challenge us.

Just eating before Bible Study.

Ladies during Bible Study

This past Sunday we had several new visitors with us, and for the past month, we have had some men from Burma attending our services on a regular basis. These men have fled their country for religious asylum. One is a believer in Jesus Christ, and they allowed him to leave, but if he would have stayed he would have been killed.

Susanto,(far right, from Indonesia) chatting with Bill and our new comers.

Jenny and Sache with baby Elias, a new family that have been coming. We are praying for their salvation.

Yinka,(from Nigeria) a first time visitor and Anne. Anne is a believer, and has been coming to church and Bible Study, and is now realizing her need for Baptism.

Jerry comes to us from Aftica, he has been here in Germany for 7 years. He told Bull that before he found our church, that he felt like he was in a desert just drying up. But now he said, "I feel as though I have come to a spring of water." He said this is the first church he has been to where the truth is being spoken and scripture isn't being twisted just to make people feel good. He says each Sunday and at Bible Study, he is refreshed and challenged from the Word of God.

(Jerry from Africa)

Thanks for all of your prayers, and be looking for other testimonies of what the Lord is doing in the lives of the people here in Dresden, Germany.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 16:27:07 GMT

Hi there!

Take a look at what the Lord is doing at "The International Baptist Church of Dresden"

Anne (right) and Tina a new comer. Tina is open to the things of God, but needs the Lord

Ralph (right) talking with Jenny a visitor, and Susanto(from Indonesia)

Last Thursday night, we had a high of 22 at our Bible Study! We are thrilled to see our folks sacrificing their time to come and study God's Word, but as always, enjoying sweet fellowship with one another.

This past Sunday, we were blessed once again, with many new visitors, and later on after lunch, we had our first "Music Workshop 101"

Our music for the last 3 years has consisted of us using Audio CDs with background voices in our worship service, which has worked out great...but, we are finally at the point that we can put together a group of musicians and vocalists and form a "Praise Team". This is something we have been patiently and prayerfully waiting to implement for over 3 years.

With 9 participants, the day was filled with lots of singing, drama, playing instruments, small group discussion, and lots and lots of laughs. Oh, and of course...FOOD! The day was a great success!

Our Praise Team will consist of:
4-5 Vocalists, at any given time.
2 Guitarists
1 Keyboard player
1 Drummer
2 Sound Board people who also run PowerPoint!

But, everyone also is learning that just having the ability to sing or play an instrument is not enough, they must also have a surrendered heart, and the understanding of what it takes to be committed to such a ministry.

And, just as we expected, everyone was ready and willing to do whatever it takes to be that "faithful" servant the Lord has called them to be.

This group is performing "Lean on Me"

This group is performing "How Sweet It Is"

Monika, a new comer to the group, Monika is going to be our keyboard player.

Everybody getting in on the action.

Andreas, our drummer, taking the time to show Heather the basics.

The fellowship was precious and we made memories that we will always treasure.

Visitors!

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:00:03 GMT

The following text is an email from a visitor that came to our church recently:

hello anne! that shall become an encouragement-mail! i don´t know, if you still remember me. i(elli/elisabeth) came to your service 2 weeks ago. together with a friend(maria) of mine. she was very impressed about your church and enjouyed the service very much!!!!!! maria is a person, who thinks about religion quite often, but she could not understand, how one relogion can say, that it is the right one. so she distanced herself from churches. but in summer she wants to go to canada and because of that she wants to train her english. i told her about your church and she came with me. this sunday was her first service in a Baptist church. and i was sooo suprised about her. she sang the songs inclusive the movements! and maria spoke in english with "strangers". i was so impressed, because usually she is a shy person. god is amazing. he opend her heart and now she decided to come as often as possible. thanks, that you are a church of open arms and open
hearts. thats, how we can reach people. maria felt, that you take her how she is. it doesn´t matter, if she is a child of god or still searches him. thanks,that you showed her the love of God!
that´s, what i wanted to tell you. maybe we see us in one of the next services.God bless you - elli

Eli, (right) Maria (left)

Pray for Maria, that the Lord would work on her heart, and that shewould receive Christ.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:55:41 GMT

We had some technical difficulty last week, and couldn't bring to you ourupdates of the week, please accept our apologies.

ARE YOU READY???!!!

Anne, "tall Anne" *almost6ft* as we call her, (because we have so many Anne's in our church), cameto know Christ last week. About a year ago Annewas invited by Ralf, to come to our self-defense class, and after a littlewhile of coming to self-defense, she started to coming to church "everynow and then" and then from there begin coming to church on a moreregular basis. And for the last couple of months she had began comingto Bible study. She would say "Although, I don't believe inGod or anything, I like being around the people hereat the church because everyone was so friendly." We just kept loving her,praying for her and creating conversations that would lead back to God. Andlast week she came tothe realization, and understanding why we havejoy in our lives even when things don't go our way. She heard theWord preached, and people living it out, that what we say we believe. Andwhen she would ask questions, we would always go back to what the Bible says.In her testimony she talks about how insecure she would be, and doubtful,and knew something was missing" Anne, knew that something was Jesus, Shethen repented of her sins, and asked Christ to be Lord and Savior.

All the girls that had a part in witnessing to Anne, Anne is the tall one next to me.

BUT IT GETS BETTER!! KEEP READING

GABI, SAID DEBBIE, "AFTER READING GENESIS 1:1, I QUITBELIEVING IN GOD"

NOT AFTER TODAY!!

Gabi is a German lady, who is has been a school teacher forover 20 years. She and her husband Samuel met in the states a fewyears back, and married. Samuel, an American who is retired from themilitary, Samuel received Christ last summer, and Gabi just attendedchurch with him, because she wanted to "support" him. Gabi,would come to church and sometimes Bible study but always came "questioning"the truth of the Bible. But we could see each time she came the Lordworking on her heart as the gospel message was preached. We prayed daily tha ther eyes and hears would be opened to the truth. Sunday, after theservices, she left crying, and noticing this, Bill and I wentlooking for her. Bill had found her leaving the building, and after alittle bit of conversation and discussion, and with the Holy Spiritleading, Gabi went to the Lord with brokenness in her heart andrepented of her sins, and asked Christ to be her Lord andSavior. What a Glorious day, as we were rejoicing with Gabi cominginto the family of God!!

I have been waiting to give Gabi, her "Welcome into the God's Family" hug for a very long time!!

Gabi, (in the center with blue coat) with just a few of her brothers and sisters in Christ. Rejoicing together as she is welcomed into God's family!!

Monday, January 22, 2007

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:04:04 GMT

Hi there everyone,

For this weeks entry, we have been able to bring you a special live broadcast of Romy's testimony.

Click on "Videos" and hear her tell you what the Lord has done in her life this past year and how she came to the point of surrendering in following the Lord in baptism.

Have a blessed week!!

Bill, Debbie and Heather

This is a small test. We're trying to plant the video into this actual post.