Chemnitz, Germany

This past weekend we had a great opportunity to meet the people of Chemnitz, Germany. Our train arrived and we were met by Clint and April Everhart. They are missionaries that graduates from Oklahoma Christian University. They were so accomodating to us and really enjoyed having us. We went to their church that was called Gemienda Christi, which means the "community of Christ." I think it is very fitting. We gather in the church building to have an English Bible study. It seems to me that the people were very eager to practice their English. This can create endless opportunities to minister and get the word of God out there and having people actually speaking it out loud and to spark curiosity into their minds and get them asking questions. It is so exciting. One of the OC students that went with us led a devotional in English and then we sang some songs. They taught us some English songs that even we didn't know, and vice versa. It was a great time of pure worship and praise. I know they were encouraged to hear that many voices all together praising the Lord.
The next morning, Clint had rented a gym for us to have some fun fellowship time with the members of the church. We organized a volleyball tournament and had a lot of laughs. It was nice to spend time with them. After that, we attended an all German area-wide singing. It was so hard to follow along! They really appreciated us trying so hard though! They made us goodies so we ate together afterward got to meet some of the surrounding area church members.
That night, our host, a twenty-six year old woman who is not a Christian, took Mary and I out to eat. She was so great. She loves having students stay with her. She has post cards from Oklahoma all over her bulliten board and is even planning a visit. We talked to her about the church here and she had such good things to say about the Everharts and the other members. Hopefully she was encouraged by our time together.
Sunday morning we attended their church service and they again welcomed us with open arms. They thanked us for our visit, and just loved on us. It reminded me of how important it to to have a "Gemienda" of believers surrounding you. We are called to be different and show others the way by our love. I was truly reminded of this as were the church members at Chemnitz.