Göttingen

No picture with this one, sorry, dad, but I just really wanted to share something. Fiona and I went to see a friend of ours, Christin, and her choir perform. It's a Gospel Choir, which is quite the "culture attraction" here. I'm not sure what it is, but a lot of Germans are interested in this kind of excitement or show, as the case may be. As I thought about what my friend said about not everyone in the choir being a strong believer, I asked myself what, then, motivated them to sing with "soul" if not for the meaning of the texts. I have no answer, save the overwhelming sensation that fills my heart everytime we drive over a certain hill and see the lights of Göttingen. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have." (1 Peter 3:15) I am so thankful to be here and part of God's plan.

First snowman

Brett and Fiona had to take advantage of the daylight and make a snowman right after lunch today. Fiona is very frustrated when she wakes up from her nap (4:30) and it immediately starts getting dark. We've gotten quite a bit of snow the past two days. More, actually, than I ever remember getting in Peine.

Laterne laufen

So you can't see it really well, but this was our first "Lantern walk" at Fiona's preschool. The kids get a Lantern, which traditionally has a tealight in it, but, what we didn't know, usually has a battery operated light in it. I also didn't know it was supposed to be on a stick, so when we got there I was scrambling around trying to find a stick somewhere, in the dark. So then you walk around the neighborhood and stop to sing a song every once in a while. I don't have the "why" figured out, though, yet.

This is Fiona's best friend, Samed, he and his family are from Turkey. She insisted on holding his hand the entire time, which was very cute, but somewhat difficult, at least as a parent, when you're worried about a lantern catching fire (and why she's not carrying it in this picture, she did not forsee a fire hazard).

I'm pretty sure our two families were bringing up the rear the entire walk. And a big thanks to Samed's mom for sending me the pictures, as we of course had no camera with us.

An unlikely visitor

So, if you know Fiona, it's no suprise that she immediately welcomed Martin into our home by taking him by the hand, showing him her room, where he'd be staying and calling him her friend. What might be suprising, though, is his past. He'll talk about it with anyone who's interested and it's quite shocking to hear what Jesus saved him from. Having just celebrated his first birthday in 8 years outside of jail, he's got quite the tale to tell, not the least of which being his christian roots. Upon reflection, Fiona's innocent and unconditional welcome was an example to me.

He spoke on Friday night here in Göttingen and we all went to Peine on Saturday so he could speak at the Upper Room. The conversations he inspired where quite moving, gave me goosebumps, to be honest.