some photos

It just has started...

Wow,

What a great last few days. All there is left to do is packing and off to the airport for a nice long plane ride back to Chicago. Or is this just the beginning for the students and the people of Pohlheim?

We had our last team time last night and we had an amazing time just reflecting on how awesome our God is. As I was sitting with everyone in the room I was just amazed at how God has blessed both groups with friendships based on His love. It was like we were a part of their community for years and the way we showed loved to each other was a blessing from above.

The last two days we have been learning more about German culture and seeing some of the sights of Germany. From the concentration camp in Buchenwald to Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, it was awesome to learn more about their culture and how their mindsets have shaped over the years. It was a time of highs and lows but we were blessed to spend time getting to know them better.

Today we had a great time just knowing more about Heiko and his ministry and also enjoying a free day in Gissen. We enjoyed shopping, Doner, and ice cream... We ended our whole trip by doing a dinner and presentation for all of the people involved with our trip. We introduced them to "sloppy joes" and bread pudding. Afterwards, we had a program lined up where we shared how thankful we are for all their hospitality, showed a slideshow with all the highlights of our time here, and gave an encouraging message.

As we were doing all of this, we were with the people from Pohlheim. It was like they were apart of our team the whole time. There was never German's and American's... it was always one team and as we leave and they stay here in Germany, I am praying and challenging these students to see that God is powerful and this power that bonded our groups together is available for us back in Glen Ellyn/Wheaton. We can make as much difference back home if we can open our eyes to what God is doing.

So as we finish off this trip, though this is ending, our work is just beginning. Please pray for safety as we fly back home and also pray that our hearts will continue to be soften to what God is doing back home.

Looking forward to seeing some of you tomorrow.

Antho

Montag- What's that? We get to sleep until 11!?!? We trampled on the monday morning blues concept and got our well needed precious rest. Some of us decided to use some of the early morning time to arrange a run with antho...and well...he didn't show up...(yes i did... we just missed each other)

The worship team had practice a little before 11. It's been so cool to lead worship because It consists of half Americans and half Germans. We all just came together and bam, we had music. We all met at the church at 11:30. We sang worship and had a small devotion. After, Lunch!!! nothing like good old meatball subs. Then we packed up to do some ministry!

We all had a great time at a local pool in GieBen(that's the special B=ss). We played volleyball, introduced bags/corn hole, and pushed each other in the water a ridiculous amount of times. Then the worship team played some up beat songs that got everyone excited!!!! Nate and Andy (black n berry) did a rap for the audience, and Nate gave his testimony. Then we had an evangelist speak about the parable of the lost son in Luke. The message was in german, but from the broken translation that we received, the speaker was comparing the happiness that the world has to offer as opposed to the happiness the kingdom of God has to offer using the parable.

Many people were very interested, including the life guard who had his back turned to the pool :)

gute nacht everybody!!

(josephine)

über day in deutschland

ahhh...Sunday. In America it might seem like just another day of the week, but in Germany, Sunday is truely a day of rest. This morning our team had the oportunity to attend one of two of the evangelical churches we have been working with. Kevin, Josh, Becky and Ellie had the opportunity to share their testimonies with the congregations, with positive responses from the church-goers. While services were almost entirely in German, we were lucky to get a translation of the applicable sermons. Afterwards one of the churches hosted a German BBQ (is there such thing?) with rolls and sausage abound. It was a great opportunity for us to connect with their tight-knit church community as we swapped stories and shared a lot of laughs.

The afternoon was reserved for some quality hang-out time with our host families. Some of us went to go see live music at a Ravinia-esqe centuries old monestary, others ate ice cream (like antho) and had a refreshing time of relaxation.

Eating has always been an integral part of Summit mission trips, and today was no exception. We hosted a festive dinner with our host families with traditional American cuisine (chili, cornbread and apple crisp). Afterwards our friends Nate and Andy entertained us with a cross-cultural comedy show, much to everyone's delight. We praise God for his provision thus far and for the amazing opportunites he has given us to connect with our new friends here.

Tomorrow we will be partying it up. Playing volleyball, cornhole, ping pong and swimming at the local pool will function as an evangelistic outlet for us as we chill with the Germans. Please pray that hearts are softened towards the message God presents tomorrow and for our boldness in sharing our faith.

ßlessings ße to our ßeautiful Lord, who ßrings us ßountiful ßread and ßoiled ßrats!!

Leibe,
Simo (Ha! I bet you thought this was Antho!)

pictures from day five

God is good!

Hey everybody,

It's a great sunny Sunday morning over here in Germany and our team is doing great. We had a great day of ministry on Saturday with the trampoline ministry happening again and a few of us going to do another sports camp. It has been a huge blessing for us to be a blessing for the people here. We also had another coffee house ministry where Alison and Sam gave their testimonies there and it was very powerful to hear their stories and to have God's named lifted up.

Our team is still going strong and the spirit of our team continues to grow stronger for one another each passing time. The way we have connected with the Germans is just so amazing to see. God is at work and really it does feel like we have been friends with them for a long time. The love of Christ for one another and for others is a powerful thing and unites people deeply!! It has been so cool for the students to experience that first hand here in Germany.

Today is more relaxed day, we are going to a few different churches this morning and then this afternoon and evening is set aside for our host families. This afternoon some host families will be showing our group around different places or just spending time getting to know each other and then in the evening we have a time where everyone will get together and enjoy each others company.

Please pray for Becky, Kevin, Ellie, and Josh as they give their testimonies at the churches this morning. Pray that God gives them power to speak truth and be in confident in what God is doing in their lives. Also continue prayers for protection and health would be great. Everyone is doing great thus far, no reason to have that stop now. :)

thanks everyone,

Antho

Photos from day 4