Disciples of Worship
spring 2014 missionstrip has come to and end, and as I am writing this our team
members are making their way back to their homes all the way from Copenhagen in
the south to Harstad in the north. Looking back at our missionstrip I am very
grateful to God for all the worship that has been lifted up, and all the
relationship we have been able to develop in Germany. I believe with all my
heart that atmospheres have been changed and hearts have been softened as a
result of our ministry.
Our last days in Slate
were very special. We did not only have a good time with the believers we met
in Slate and the surrounding region, but we also developed some close
friendships with people of all ages. My own advantage in knowing German, gave
me the opportunity to communicate and talk with both young and old. I personally
found it special to be able to connect with a little girl, whose name was
Anna-Lina. I loved the opportunity to read a small Bible story for her, and to
be able to become her friend.
I know that each team
member made friendships with the people we met there, and that we were able to
encourage both young people who were new in their faith, and faithful believers
who had stood firm for years in a community were few are Christian. The situation
for these believers in what was part of East-Germany, has been difficult. It
was very special to hear young and old share how it is still normal to be
atheistic in their area, and how difficult it is to tell people that they are
Christians even today. Furthermore, some of the intercessors in the church were
sharing how occultism and occult “healers” were common in their area. It was
very special to spend five days in Slate to really come along side these
believers in prayer and worship for their area.
Saturday we held a
worship and song writing workshop for the church in Slate. It was wonderful to
see how some of the young people really caught the vision of what worship is,
and to see them enthusiastic about writing songs that speak to their own situation.
A few of the youths shared how they long to be more brave in sharing their
faith with friends and family, and during the afternoon we helped them write
the chorus for two songs. It was wonderful to see the spark in their eyes as
they were getting inspiration for the songs. In the evening, we had a social
night with worship where we were able to lift up Jesus name together. One of
the church members who were at our events almost every night of the week,
shared his own testimony of how his daughter was saved and healed after a
traffic accident. It was wonderful to be able to lift this man’s spirit through
worship and prayer.
Easter Sunday we
attended a church service in Suckow, and another church service in Marnitz. The
young girls on our team, played two wonderful songs in the first service,
accompanied by Papy on the drums. The youths of the church in Slate also played
a song, and it was such a wonderful and powerful service. After the service in
Suckow many church members walked along a beautiful path between Suckow and
Marnitz (about 40-50 min.). This was one of their Easter traditions. The church
service in Marnitz was a magnificent end to the Easter celebration with a brass
band playing many of the songs. Mary, Lucas, Hannah and Papy shared 4 beautiful songs
during the service. After the church service we were able to eat lunch with
many of the friends we had made during the week, before starting our way back
home from Germany.
Marie Hansen, Copenhagen