In April, Christoph, Susanna and family flew to a different area of Asia-Pacific to get an insight into the work there. Christoph spent three days in the northwest to look at a work for which support is still being needed after a Bible translation was requested locally. Susanna was with the children in the guesthouse during that time but then they “swapped”, and Susanna travelled with a small group of other women to the southwest to visit various villages where churches are already planted and where there is a training centre for nationals who want to be trained as cross-cultural missionaries.
During this time, they were both able to have many valuable conversations with different people, gain unique insights into the simple life of the people and participate in it themselves.
In May, Christoph and some colleagues travelled to a another island region, where several missionary families are waiting to get permission to move into villages. It was very exciting for him to hear their stories.
In June Susanna’s parents visited and they were delighted to give them a little insight into their new home: neighbourhood, team, favourite food, kindergarten, playgrounds, parks and much more. The highlight for everyone was probably a holiday together in Bali!
At the end of July, Christoph, along with colleagues went to another area for a week for the annual conference. He was very encouraged to meet missionaries who have been involved in church planting there for many years who testified that it is not their doing, but that God has given them the necessary strength, therefore He deserves the glory!
Since mid-June, their eldest child has been attending a kind of kindergarten where he has settled in quickly and feels really at home!
Christoph and Susanna were able to successfully complete phase 2 (of four) of their language and culture studies in mid-July and are now dealing with stories from their language helpers in their language lessons.
The plan so far is that they will spend another year of language and culture studies in their current location and then move to another region.
Pray for:
- Clear direction as to which region of Asia Pacific God wants to use them in the future.
- More opportunities to deepen relationships and build new ones.
- Their children to understand and accept the Good News for themselves in faith.
- Patience and wisdom in parenting.