Yesterday, we began the process of searching for our new apartment in Cologne. We're not scheduled to move up there until February, but we were told that it's best to start at least 2 months earlier looking for places. So, we went online and starting viewing different apartments. Through those searches, we were already able to schedule a few personal viewings for this week. It's an overwhelming process, and we're having an interesting time navigating through it. It would be difficult even if it was in English, which makes doing it in German that much more challenging.
Please be praying for this process. We know that our choice of apartment can have a big impact on how we do ministry in Cologne. Because of that, we're really seeking God and asking Him to guide us. Most of all, pray that we would not be anxious or timid, and that He would give us the language ability to manage this process.
Well, it has been a crazy last couple of weeks. Last week was our final few days of language classes before a much needed break. In addition to that, I went through 3 days of testing for the Zentrale Mittelstufen Prüfung (ZMP), which is the European standard language exam. It included sections of speaks, reading, writing, and listening, all of which were pretty intense. But, the good news is that I passed! This exam is the required certification that GEM has us do, which means that I'm pretty much done with the language schooling portion!
Between now and New Year's, we're working on a different phase of our transition - cultural adaptation. Our transition supervisor for GEM has us working on a whole list of observation and interaction exercises that will help us begin to understand the people we'll be ministering to. It also means too that we'll have a little bit of a break from the intensive study we've been doing for the last three months.
Happy Reformation Day, everyone! While all of the kiddies are out Trick Or Treating, remember that yesterday was also the day we celebrate Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg! Even though American Halloween celebrations are becoming more popular here in Germany, there's still many people who observe this alternative holiday. Last night we went to the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross), which is the main Protestant church in Bonn. They had a wonderful Reformation Day service entitled "Hallo Luther!". It featured an amazing full orchestra and choir! It was beautiful. One of the highlights of the evening was singing "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" in German.
There was also a wonderful sermon by a guest preacher. Although I could only understand around 50% of what he said, he preached the Gospel. It was so encouraging to hear the work of Christ reaffirmed in a German state church. It really gave us excitement to think that God might be reviving parts of that church. It also makes us consider how we might be able to partner or even work under the state church in some way.
