August Update - Germany and Indianapolis

Germany and Indianapolis
This first half of July, Tom was able to focus his work in Germany. In addition to speaking at our church in Rudersberg, Tom also participated in the national pastor’s conference in Kniebis. While in Kniebis, Tom was asked to help formulate a series of theses for discussion at the next national assembly. Then our family traveled to Indianapolis for the General Assembly. Would you believe that we had to take the kids out of school early in order to attend the Assembly? German schools let out this year on August 3..

European Education Committee
The General Assembly is always a time of meetings and more meetings. After all, it is one of the few chances to for all of our colleagues from Europe to get together. One of the meetings we held was that of the European Education Committee. This is a unique committee in that it has representatives from all of (from both western and eastern) Europe. During the meeting, Tom was selected to be the chair of the committee. The previous chairman, John Tipei from Bucharest, resigned in order to focus on his school immediate needs. As chairman of the committee, Tom will coordinate the upcoming education consultation in 2007 and together with the committee devise a master plan of education in Europe.

Vacation and Fundraising in the States
Since the General Assembly, we have been staying with family and friends in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. Of course, we’ve used the time to see family and to shop at Walmart (there’s nothing like it in Europe). But we have also visited various churches to renew friendship and establish new partnership. Of particular interest is our upcoming visit to Elryia, OH – the town in which Tom was born. But more about our trip in the next thank you letter.