Klauslis in Korntal

A ministry with a blessing

One of the things that I have enjoyed most so far about our ministry here at the Akademie for World Mission is meeting and having fellowship with so many different missionaries. At the beginning of the year we started hosting a biweekly small group and a social about once a month for students who live at or near the school. At our social last night we had, what I thought, an incredible mix of people:

• Two Wycliff missionaries (one from Russiaand one from Chad)
• One former missionary from Colombia
• One missionary on furlough from Africa
• One person who is getting ready to leave for Brazil to work with street children
• A nurse who just returned from a 10 year term in Mozambique
• A couple who is getting ready to leave for Costa Rica in a few months
• An MK from Japan getting ready to go to Thailand
• A Swiss couple who just returned from Indonesia.

I am amazed and encouraged to see how the Lord has called each of these people to minister in all different parts of the world and I am blessed to be able to share in and learn about these ministries on all continents. It almost gives me a glimpse of what heaven might be like when we see all the things the Lord has been doing around the world.

JuMiKo!

Last Sunday (Jan 6) I had the opportunity to be part of a team that manned a information stand at the largest missions festival currently in Germany: the Jugendliche Missionskonference ("young people's missions conference"), or JuMiKo, for short. In addition to numerous talks given by well known (for Germany) evangelical and missions speakers, there was a large missions fair where missions organizations and Bible schools (like ours) provided information for those interested in pursuing missions. Both surprising and encouraging were the amount of people who were there. During peak times, I think it would be fair to say that hundreds of people walked passed the various stands. Also noteworthy were there were the number of AWM alumni who came by--people who are currently in missions or in missions leadership. It is both exciting and sobering to assess the role played by the AWM in German missions. Thank you for your prayers . . . .

See the the photo album (to the left) for some pictures!

My first week at work . . .

Last week was my first offical week at "work" as a faculty member here at the Academy for World Mission. Since I am not schedueled to teach a class until the beginning of February, these first couple months are devoted to getting me up to speed with things here at the school and to prepare my class. So my week was pretty full, including a number of meetings, working on my syllabus, and sitting in the MA comprehensive exams and new student interviews.

Most striking to me as I watched both the exams and the interviews was the wide range of missions experience and interest brought by both those finishing their degrees and those just beginning the process. Among the examinees, a few had served 20 years or longer in such fields as Japan, Kenya, and Papua New Guinea, while others were on their way to the field in SE Asia and former East Germany. Those who applied at the school were younger people with interests in Bible translation and working among unreached peoples. What an encouragement to see how God is fulfilling the Great Comission through these and many others here, and what a privilege it is for us to be here.

We're here!

After two flights with three kids and twenty-one pieces of luggage, we finally arrived in Korntal, Germany on Thursday, November 15th. Like a dream come true we are still a bit in the "dream" as we recover from jet lag and what has been a whirlwind of moving, goodbyes, and last minute details (even selling our car literally on the way to the airport).

We were greeted here by friendly faces, a comfortable-functionally furnished apartment (pictures to come), and even a light dusting of snow. In short, the Lord has been very gracious to us and has helped us to make a good initial transition.

We will write more and post some pictures in the days ahead. We just want to express our gratefulness to the Lord for His guidance and to all of your for your prayers.

-MTK

"Click or wait"?

"Click or wait" adequately summarizes my thoughts last Saturday morning as I prepared to book our tickets on Delta.com for our move to Germany. Ever since the AWM asked us to come for a three year ministry and we were approved by Liebenzell USA to raise support, we have been preparing for this moment. Why the hesitation? For one, in order to go somewhere new, one must leave behind something familiar and comfortable. We have been the last eight years in Dallas and have come to know this community and love and care for our friends here. To go means to maintain these ties in a new way while trying to establish other ones elsewhere--a worthwhile, though hard task. Second, we still have a lot to do. When we moved here we came with a car load of stuff from the Northwest and seven boxes sent from Germany. Eight years and three kids later, despite a weeding out process we still have a lot to sort and sell--not to mention the plethora of other details associated with moving anywhere. Third, one always wonders if it is the "right" time. Are we really ready? The wisdom here clearly does not come from within. God gives wisdom and counsel through revealed Scripture, trusted voices (such as church and mission board), and circumstances. In our case, the alignment of the latter two that does not contradict the first, seems to indicate that this is the way forward. Does this mean 100% certainty. It never will. It is only as we go step by step that God unfolds the details of a plan in which we only play a small part. So, with this in mind: "click."