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Sunday, March 26, 2006

Preaching In Vienna

Today I preached for the 4th and last time before returning to Mali. I was invited to a young English-speaking church in Vienna that is hungry for God. Several of my friends are part of that church, including the leaders, who I have known for most of my Christian life. I was honored to minister to them, prophesy and bring the word of God. I pray that lives were drawn closer to HIM, and the fire rekindled in many of them!

And now it's really time to write a report to everyone, about these past few weeks. This is my last week in Vienna, and I'm extremely busy - that's the only problem :-) On Sunday I'm taking the plane to go to Paris where I'll stay for two days before continuing on to Mali.

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Saturday, March 25, 2006

My Mom's Wedding Today

Today was the 20th anniversary of my Mom's relationship with her "life partner", and today was the day they finally got married - after 20 years. I can now officially call him "step-father".

They got married in a government office (everybody has to do that), and then we all went to a restaurant to celebrate. We were about 20 people, family and friends.

Congratulations to the newly-wed, and God's abundant blessings on you!

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Thursday, March 23, 2006

Having Fun In Vienna

Last night I had the joy of being part of a cell-group of the German speaking part of my church in Vienna. I was a little tired, but had a great time among family. We had dinner together, and then I led us all in worship, as we were hungry to meet with HIM. After worship, I showed my video presentation, and we talked a little about Mali. Then they prayed for me, which was a great blessing. It was pretty late by the time I got home - and I was very thankful for the ride.

The day before yesterday I made it to my university. I sat in a class with Martina, who was my Fulfulde professor. It was funny sitting in the Fulfulde class, though I've forgotten so much of that language I hardly use now in Mali. After the class, we went to drink coffee and had a great time catching up.

That night I spent with my Mom and her soon-to-be husband (this Saturday), which was a wonderful time together.

On Monday I also did something special (after returning from Hungary). I went to an ÖSM meeting, that is IFES, the evangelical student group at university that reaches out to students. I was saved through them 13 years ago, and I know the full-time leader now in Vienna. I had a chance to tell them about Mali, and to get a few Christian students, which was fun.

Well, now I've gotta go get ready to go to university again, to meet another professor, and sit in his Bambara class. After that I'm meeting with a wonderful girl who wants to come to Mali. And then, I'd like to go see a movie. I haven't been to a movie theater in so long and would love to go!

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Friday, March 17, 2006

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Still Sick

Today is the fifth day, and I'm still sick. Every day I'm canceling another day of appointments, as my precious time in Vienna gets shorter and shorter. I've now been in my home town for a week and not had a chance to get anything done yet.

Today I dared venture out of the house - to buy groceries - and was shocked at my body's reaction. I got off the bus one stop too early (stupid) and had to walk uphill with the groceries in the cold air. By the time I got to the house I felt like passing out and had to lie down as quickly as possible.

My friends, please agree with me for my complete and quick restoration! I'm invited to do a cellgroup Friday night in another town (tonight's I had to cancel), stay there over night, and go to Hungary for two days on Sunday. That means, I have two days to regain my health.

This truly is a very malicious virus I caught.

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Sunday, March 12, 2006

Sick - In Bed This Time

I'm shivering all over, as "boredom" pushes me to grab my computer and update you, while lying in bed with fever, a cough and running nose. Over the past few weeks I've constantly had "a cold", but no time to lay down. This time I canceled everything to be able to allow my boday to get restored; thankfully I had no preaching or sharing engagements today. In any case, I haven't felt so miserable since last November

Please pray for swift healing so I can pick up my schedule again.

I'll update you on the meeting last night later. It's so amazing, how the Lord uses us in our weakness for HIS GLORY! It was an awesome meeting!

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Friday, March 10, 2006

My Hometown: Vienna

Today is my second day in Vienna, my hometown, where I was born and grew up and lived until the age of 28. This time, I'm staying for the first time with my brother and his girlfriend, since they finished building their house a few months ago. It is a very special time to stay with family - a first for me.

Did you read the blog I wrote in the train on Wednesday? If not, go to the BLOG page; it also contains a few pictures. When I left Ischgl, it was snowing really hard. I later found out that the roads were closed a few hours after us, so that we just about made it out of the valley. The roads are still closed - because of the huge quantity of snow causing avalanches to come down. A few years ago, there was a huge, devastating avalanche right there that killed many people and destroyed houses.

But isn't the Lord good? He allowed us to leave town just in time - for me to take the train to Vienna, and for my friends to get home and take their plane to Germany.

I enjoyed my train ride "home" and was met by my Mom and her fiancé at the train station. It was good to see them again after 8 months. They took me to my brother's house, where they were waiting for me. I got to see the "finished" house for the first time, which was great. They've been wonderful hosts, and I enjoy staying with them.

Starting Monday, I have a full schedule of meetings, one-on-one and groups, errands, university, etc. I kept the days before the weekend free to prepare for the meeting Saturday night. I'm gonna preach in German in my homechurch (see the CALENDAR page).

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Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Two Days Of Skiing

I'm sitting in the train from Western Austria to Vienna - a 6-hour ride. The perfect time to get out the computer and get things done I haven't had time for.

Today was my second of two days of going skiing. Last night, I could hardly walk because my muscles hurt so bad, but today it was okay. I was looking forward to another day. The weather seemed better in the valley, but by the time I was up in 3000m, it was worse than yesterday. You could hardly see anything - "skiing by faith"; something new ;-). But I wanted to make the most of my last few hours. I skied over to the Swiss side of the mountains.

Part of the "skiing experience" is the lunch break, when you sit down in the these Alpine huts and eat wonderful local dishes. I stopped at this nice place, and got out off my skis. When I took off the second ski, the front half of my skiing boot broke off!!! I was shocked! I have to admit, my shoes are/were 20 years old. I love those boots, they are great! It's the only old equipment I used these past two days. And now they are gone. :-(

But how did I get back into the valley? That was the big question. I was over on the Swiss side, a long way from where I had to go. Of course, I couldn't use the skies any more (I lost two hours of skiing, but the weather was already VERY bad). I took my skis, put them on my shoulder and walked to the first chairlift, that would take me towards "home". I talked to the guys there, and they helped me get on the lift with skies and sticks in hand. Thankfully, the next chairlift, that would take me DOWN the hill, was only a few meters from where I got off. Again, the guys were nice to help me. I had a magnificent view (considering the weather) as I slowly went down, while people with skis passed by me, going up. I started worshiping God, singing and praising Him. With tears in my eyes I thanked Him for the past two days, that He had made this dream possible, of me going skiing! I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I got off the lift, and had to walk uphill for some time to reach the gondola that would take me back into the village in the valley. The worst part was probably having to wait another 45 minutes for the bus that took me home; it was snowing so hard, and it was cold!

Because of all the snow, we had to go slowly on the roads, as Wolfgang & Christine took me to the next bigger town so I could take the train to Vienna. And that is where I'm now.

I want to publicly honor Wolfgang & Christine - thank you for blessing me so much, for being a reflection of the King to me!

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Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Skiing Again - Yeah!!!

Yesterday morning we left Lustenau to drive to Ischgl - the most beautiful skiing resort there is! As a teenager, we came here every winter for a good number of years. My last time was 15 years ago, as an 18-year old. I've been a Christian for 13 years and I went skiing only once about 6 years ago (for 1 day), even though I love skiing. I started when I was 3 (in the Austrian Alps), and skiing became my favorite sport. I ran races for a while, and I have a good number of trophies from that time.

Yesterday we arrived too late, so we just got my access card for the resort. My friends Wolfgang & Christine - who made this dream of mine come true - don't ski any more, so I have to go by myself. Of course, I don't have any more equipment of any kind, but it's amazing how God takes care of everything. My Mom mailed me my skiing shoes, her snow glasses and her gloves. I was gonna go with my jeans and normal jacket, but since it was snowing so much, that was a concern. Then, our hosts, Wolfgang's daughter and son-in-law, gave me skiing pants and a jacket. Not just to lend but as a gift! Wow! Now I can go skiing every year ;-) They also lent me skis and ski sticks.

So, on the left you see the final product - the colors aren't matching, but who cares!

So I finally took the skis and sticks and walked to the bus station, where I'd take the bus to the gondola that would take me into the mountains. Little time later I got off the gondola on top of the mountain, at a height of about 2500m. It was snowing and you couldn't see very much. I put on my skis, somewhat anxious to see whether I'd still know how to ski. At the same time I was overjoyed that God had made this possible at all - there were so many reasons why that wouldn't work out at all.

I was back on my other pair of feet - though like someone who hasn't walked in a long time. But also in the same way, the longer I "walked" the better it went. About 70% of the time I was able to see enough to know in advance what was ahead of me. Ischgl is a HUGE skiing resort, where Austria, Italy and Switzerland meet. The skiing resort allows you to ski into Switzerland (but not Italy). It's so beautiful!!!

I didn't get back to my racing form. For the first time I can truly say, I'm not young any more. I'm clearly older than last time, 15 years ago. It was somewhat shocking. I wasn't too happy at times with the way I was skiing, and I did have to stop at times. In the past, I'd simply race down the hill without ever stopping. I've also never gone skiing all alone.

BUT, I went skiing with Holy Spirit :-) And we had a great time together. A dream of many years has come true today, and I thank the Lord - and my friends who made it possible - from the bottom of my heart.

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Sunday, March 5, 2006

My First German Sermon

And my second is already next Saturday!

This morning I went with my friends here to their church, on the other side of the border, on the Swiss side. I was so very tired, I couldn't keep my eyes open. Afterwards we went to my friends' Mom's house, where we had lunch together, the three of us. She's a wonderful old lady who just recently started following Jesus in serious. Before we left, we not only did the dishes, but prayed for her.

It's been snowing lots the last few days, and my friend said she hasn't seen that much snow all this winter. A gift from Jesus for me!

When we got home, I had about two hours before having to get ready to leave for the service where I'd preach. I used those two hours to be with Him, to soak in His presence, and He gave me a few more little things for the sermon. I enjoyed my time with Him! All day long I had been extremely tired, but when it was time to go, I was ready. I was fresh, and looking forward to pass on God's heart.

I had been to the Vineyard church here in Lustenau once before, 14 months ago, with Peter Loth, interpreting him. And last summer I met with the pastor once. For tonight he had given me the subject - evangelism. The worship time was wonderful, and I spent time in His presence on the floor in worship. Then it was time for me to come up. I started by saying a few words about Mali and showing my 7 min presentation (see picture). Then I had them all stand up, and I prayed, inviting Holy Spirit to come, and telling the Lord how wonderful He is. Then I started my sermon. A big part of it was on compassion, the compassionate heart of God for the lost. I could see quite a few people with teary eyes, as the Lord imparted His heart. I hadn't looked at my watch and was given a sign when I had preached for over an hour. I brought the message to a close, and had people stand up. I started praying, asking the Lord to give us His heart for the lost, for our families, our neighbors, our colleagues, our country. I then invited those forwarded, that wanted to receive the Lord's heart for the lost. About 6 people knelt in the front, plus myself. I continued praying with the mic. Then I laid my hands on each of the people. After that I did a second call for those who wanted to receive more power, power and anointig to go out and do what Jesus did. A good number came forward, and I was praying and waiting on the "power release", before I started going from person to person to pray for them. Some fell over, some had tears in their eyes, over some I prophesied, over others I felt intense compassion, some received more power, others more intimacy, others His heart. It was 11 p.m. when we finished (the service had started at 7:30 pm). I felt energized and tired at the same time - if that makes sense to you.

Well, now it's already nearly 2 a.m. Tomorrow/today we're driving to the most beautiful skiing resort in the world, where I'll get to go skiing for 3 (half-)days - a dream come true!!! Five times I've been to that skiing resort (as a teenager) and I love it! It's been about 6 years since I last went skiing. I used to run races (for a short time) as a teenager - skiing was always my favorite sport. Thank you, Jesus, for this wonderful gift! Please pray for protection!

By the way, when I get tonight's sermon on CD, I will put it on the TEACHING-AUDIO page to download. Remember, it's in German. I thank God that He enabled me to preach in German. Thanks for praying!

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Saturday, March 4, 2006

Spending Time With Friends In Western Austria

Today is my third day in Austria, and I'm greatly enjoying my time.

Thursday around noon I arrived in Zurich, and my friends were already waiting for me. Christine has been a long-time friend of mine (one of my best when we both still lived in Vienna), and she got married last Oct, to a wonderful man. We drove across the border to Western Austria. It was so wonderful to be in my home country again! It was great to see everything in German, the familiar sights... and then to have Austrian food again, go to an Austrian supermarket. Wonderful!!!

I then found out that there was no cell-group that night for various reasons. Somehow I was disappointed, but I was also glad to get some time to rest. Instead we ate cheese fondue together (I love it!), and had a wonderful time of fellowship. I'm also so excited about the weather. It's snowing most of the time - and I love snow! I just hope it will stop on Monday, so that I'll have some sunshine for my 3 days of skiing.

Christine and her husband are really spoiling me, so we had another wonderful day yesterday. We also got to pray for her mother-in-law, and I got to see the Christian director of a tutoring service. In the evening we went out to eat, as well as to walk around the snowy village. Beautiful!

In a few minutes, a couple who has an organization to find partners to support orphans is arriving here, to get to know me, and consider working together with me. They want to expand, and want to see, whether they could find partners to support our (future) street kids living with us. So far it looks like a divine set-up, how it all came together.

Tomorrow night, I'm preaching in a small, local Vineyard church. The pastor gave me the topic EVANGELISM, and I'm very much looking forward to pass on what I feel the Lord has given me. The main theme will be God's COMPASSION for the lost, and I'm praying the Lord will break their hearts for what breaks His.

Do you remember that in January, in California, when some people prayed for me, they said that I was in a desert right then. Which was so true! Also all month February. But in a sense, a good kind of desert, when you're just very hungry for God, but cannot feel His tangible presence, and He still comes to do "His stuff".

Yesterday I took a shower, and when I walked back into my room, the presence of God was waiting for me. I was so overwhelmed, lay down on the floor, and simply basked in His glorious presence. How I had longed, desired, prayed for His tangible presence again! And here He was! Was the desert time over? Or was it just because I had come out of that dark place Mali? In any case, today as well, I'm just having a wonderful time with HIM, and wished I had even more time with Him.

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Thursday, March 2, 2006

Saying Good-Bye

Paris, France, Airport - I arrived in Paris this morning, after a night-long flight with little sleep. Thankfully my health is much better, my nose nearly okay, but I'm still coughing. In an hour I'm boarding the plane to Zurich, Switzerland, where my friends will pick me up. In the evening, I'm doing my first meeting, a cellgroup. I hope I'll get some time to rest, and pray I will be God's instrument.

Leaving Bamako was hard. Everyone was there to say good-bye. On one hand I was a little worried to leave them alone, on the other just the fact of leaving. I said good-bye to my cat, but the hardest was saying good-bye to Hama. His Dad told him that I was leaving, and he told everyone he was coming with me (4 years old). When it was time to leave, he wanted me to pick him up. Since he can't walk (and his saliva is always dripping), he is always very dirty. I simply could not pick him up and embrace him, like I would have liked, since my clothes would have been totally dirty. That also broke my heart, and I wished they had changed his clothes. When I walked away somewhat, he started crying and reaching with his arms towards me. His Mom had to take him and take him away. It broke my heart to see him cry like that, and I kept asking his Dad to tell him I was coming back.

My relationship with Hama has really grown, and is very special. When he sees me, he starts smiling and dragging himself towards me. When we have movie night, he always sits on me where he also falls asleep, and he probably has his biggest advocate in me.

This time Sekouba and his new brother Brouhama were also there to say good-bye. Emma and his friend Jean took me to the airport, and since they live in another part of town, it wasn't practical for them to have to take people back from the airport. Otherwise Sekouba and others would have come.

Simeon has been very low the last few days, hitting rock bottom once again.

And by the way, I was able to get all the papers together, so Simeon is depositing our request for the property this very day!

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Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Last Day - I'm Off!

We did our weekly children's program this morning, and then we went to the government office where we have to deposit our request to receive land. The guy there told us that we could deposit it already, with the attached photocopy of the land, but it would take another month before they were free to process it. In any case, praise God that we can go ahead!

Now, in a few minutes, I'm going to the airport to fly to Austria. Simeon, Marie, Paul, Emma, Sekouba, they're all here to see me off, so I need to finish up everything and leave. I'm flying to Paris (midnight till 6:30 am), and then on to Zurich, where my friends from Western Austria will pick me up.

Pray for a safe and smooth trip!

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