Our lovely home in Korb, Germany (15 minutes outside of Stuttgart) is officially on the market. This Friday the first group of potential buyers will meander through the place we’ve called “home” for the last 13 years. It’s a bitter-sweet feeling. When the Lord says “GO”, then it’s always best to obey! And so…with hope in our hearts we begin to make a huge transition to return to the Philippines!
Friederich lived there for 12 years (7 as a single missionary in Surigao City on Mindanao and the last 5 as a married man in Cebu City on the island of Cebu avec moi) ~ so moving back is, in a way, like coming home.
We served 8 years in Colorado as pastors in a fantastic body of believers and have been pastoring here in Germany since 1999….which allowed us to only visit the on-going mission work among the islands once or twice a year. Now we believe that the LORD wants us to return and focus on the next generation. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
Benjamin is 15 years old and in the 9th grade. When he was 2 1/2 he came with us to Germany, so he’s basically grown up as a German boy! (although he has an American passport and Colorado Rocky Mountain blood in his veins) For this we are extremely thankful! He’s been raised in an idyllic village, surrounded by forest trees, fruitful vineyards, and fields of wheat, corn and barley. Our church family here has provided an exceptional environment to encourage his spiritual growth and confirm what we’ve been teaching him all these years at home. He’s had the the coolest, godly home church leader, our dear friend Marco — and then a row of super-amazing Royal Ranger leaders (Christian scouting) — who have guided Ben through one rugged outdoor adventure after the other since he entered first grade. So our “Big Ben” as we affectionately call him, has a solid foundation from which he can further develop as we now transfer our family to Asian life. He’s got the grace on him to go with the flow…and is actually looking forward to the big move! If you think of him, please do pray for the changes he’ll go through as we begin homeschooling.
Quite honestly, moving is definitely not very high on my list of favorite things to do in life! So I have determined to just take one day at a time. In fact, I have been heavily leaning on verses like: “He is a very present help in time of trouble” or “God will perfect that which concerns me” !! I began praying about this move last summer, so I trust that HE has the perfect buyer for our home, the perfect time-table to make the move, and the extra helping hands I need to close up shop here in Korb. We are also trusting HIM to be our inner strength as we say good-bye to our dear co-workers and faithful comrades here in the Stuttgart area. Words from a special friend, Dave Duell, which the Lord spoke to him as they left their good friends in the Presbyterian church to pioneer Faith Ministries Fellowship in Greeley, have stayed with me over the years. The Lord said, “There are times here on this earth when I require you to drop the hands of those you love from around your table, so that around My table in heaven there will be more hands to hold.” Wow! Such truth and comfort in those words!
We’ll keep you posted when our house sells and when we plan to actually head to the Philippines! Until then….think of us as we sort through all of our belongings & worldly posessions. (My, we people are like squirrels, aren’t we?!?)
P.S. This morning as I lay awake in bed, I counted how many times I have moved in my life (not including the times at college when we had to shift dorms). I counted a whopping 20 times!! Yikes.
Dear Nancy,
WOW…a continued divine assignment for you guys. I remember the story you told us at one of the Women Embracing The World Conferences about how when you were in the Philippines for the first time and the house girl thought she was doing you a favor by scrubbing all the teflon off your pans! Please keep me informed about what you might need. We have a dear couple in our church, Paul and Nancy Roberts, World Missions Outreach Fellowship that have established works in the Philippines too. They take teams from our church there about 2 to 3 times a year.
i am going to be moving to Colorado in June for a couple of years while my grandaughter Taylor goes to Vet Tech school in Aurora. Claudia is excited as I am after this messy over 6 year divorce.
Our God is faithful and always leads us in the way that we should go!!!
Love Ya,
Karen
So excited for your move! You’ll love Colorado! We’ll have to mail and get caught up….it’s been 4-ever since we’ve talked! Yes, I’m returning to the place where it all began…expecting more adventures and more funny escapes like the Teflon pan. (you have a fantastic memory!)! Would love to connect with Paul & Nancy! Pls. give them our web-site link! Much love!
Nancy, you’re such a great writer. I really enjoyed reading this update on your situation and am so happy for you guys!
Thank you for all the time you’ve faithfully ministered in Germany, pouring into so many lives and investing your hearts into the region.
I declare that your house will sell multiple times of the worth you purchased it for!
Also please tell Ben that I have a strong impression he will very quickly make incredible friends and dive into life-long, god-prepared relationships.
Looking forward to reading more soon! By the way: are you guys on twitter?
Thank you, Daniel, what an encouragement you are!!! I’ll be sure to tell Ben this great word, too! No, we aren’t on Twitter!
Dearest Nancy,
I will, for now, live vicariously through you. For me, I have had the desire in my heart for as long as I have believed to serve the poor; especially the children. God has been showing me now that my nest is empty that He will use my gift of being an RN to serve the children in some way. For now, I am blessed to know you and Frederich, also Benjamin from afar; and I am encouraged that you are going back to this land from where all the stories you told were made alive to me. I will pray daily for you and hope this transition will be peaceful for you, Frederich and Benjamin. Love you sweet friend…blessings on your household!
Love,
Paige
Hi Paige! You are always welcome to come work with us ~ putting your gifts & passions to use to serve both the poor & especially the children! Thank you for your committment to pray, as that is a precious gift to us. We’ll keep you posted on the big move! Blessings, Nancy
Nancy,
I still use the hand motions that you choreographed for the song “KIDS TELLIN’ KIDS”. I don’t think I ever told you that? When something is inspired, it’s inspired for years to come.
I too enjoyed reading about your new adventure. I’m sure you have heard from God and will continue to hear for each future step. Wow, back to the Philippines! I wish I could come along and bring my guitar! We’d have some old songs to share.
I will be checking in here to see what’s new so please, please keep up the blog. It is gives to life and meaning to all I do in my life as serving the same Lord….knowing that you are making a difference in this world.
“Super Gang” was and is still a classic!! I believe you remember the motions….I do, too & have used the song all over the world! All I can say is: pack that guitar and plan for a visit. You are making a huge difference in so many lives, Robin! Your faithful love for Jesus, contagious joy, and musical giftings are one-of-a-kind! Looking forward to hearing more from you as this new year unfolds! Hope you are well …. miss our times together at Grace!