Update on Shootings in Germany

As many of our friends back in the States have heard and seen in TV, there has been a terrible school shooting in Winnenden, Germany - which is only 13 km (9 miles) from our home in Rudersberg. (Click on map for larger image). Although there is never a good place for something like this to happen, it became very uncomfortable -- it's too close to home!

Unfortunately, a 17-year old graduate of the Albertville Realschule came to his alma mater and killed 9 students (eight girls and one boy), three teachers (all female). Eight addtional students and one additional teacher were injured and taken to local hospitals. Unfortunately, the killing didn't stop there and went on in other locations until the police finally shot him. For a detailed account, read here.

We have received many emails and facebook messages regarding our safety. Thank you for your concern! Our kids do not attend school in Winnenden and, subsequently, were safe throughout the entire ordeal. The school officials were notified quickly and took appropriate measures.

As to the best of my knowledge, no one from the Church of God was directly involved in the events on Wednesday. However, we have 5 siblings that attend our church who attended the Albertville Realschule. They even have a cousin who was in of the attacked classrooms and came away unharmed - at least physically.

The pastor of our church in Winnenden has a daughter that was in the neighboring school. (There are four schools in the school complex.) Very quickly her building was locked down and she spent four hours sitting under her desk waiting for the all-clear signal from the police.

There is also a sizeable Assemblies of God church in Winnenden (Volksmission). But I haven't heard any news from their youth group as to how the events have effected them.