Carnival
- J Caleb Stewart
- Mar 5, 2019
- 3 min read
We like a good party and the Germans definitely know how to throw one. I'm not saying there's no excess. But, the Scriptures help us understand that the presence of one extreme doesn't mean we should go to the other (Ecclesiastes 7:17 ;). God mandated no less than three official, public, extended parties to be placed on the Israelites' annual calendar. So, when we heard that each municipality in the Frankfurt area has its own Carnival (or Mardis Gras) parade, we figured it was time to get Hebraic and take the kids out for some loud music and free candy!
We even joined the parade for a quick snap shot with the "American Culture Society," a group of German Americana enthusiasts who walked the route in your everyday American-wear: Hoop skirts, native american leather get ups, civil war uniforms, and prospector overalls complete with pans and conestoga wagons. You know... just like home!
The Carnival season is a brilliant reprieve after what's been for us, a long, long winter. We were hit with a solid month of illnesses of every variety. As soon as one of us got over something, someone else would get it. The original sick person would then catch something new in short order, and so the cycle went through the six missionary-Stewarts, despite our kids having a two-week break from school. In the days leading up to the parade pictured above, we were finally all well enough to rent a car for a few days and make some small excursions to nearby castles. These day trips, combined with a break in the winter weather, went a long way toward restoring our spirits.
They also provided Ashley and I with a chance to chat about recent successes and dream toward things we'd love to see this summer and beyond. We came to Frankfurt with some specific goals in mind. Namely, to help get systems in place for the nascent NewLife Church so it could support an influx of growth. In the last 3 months we've seen a lot of those ideas become realities. I've worked with the senior leaders on a new, comprehensive approach to branding and communication, as well as overhauled the structure behind the creative arts & worship teams. Ashley has started something similar with the children's ministry as well as begun guiding the multiplication of the LifeGroups. Both campuses continue to grow and teams are gathering around these new systems to support the influx. We are hopeful that by Easter, an easy-to-grow, easy-to-replicate, easy-to-adapt, behind the scenes structure will exist to support the real work of the church: the relationship between people and God.
We of course need continued prayers. Our senior pastor, Brian Weaver, often reminds us that "the means of the harvest are in the harvest." In other words, the people needed to do the work of winning souls and making disciples, are the souls we win and the disciples we make. As people connect with God, they want to participate in His community. We're so grateful for your support - God continues to answer them by sending new lives to join both in the fun and reward of working together.
In slightly less theological news, Caleb's German driver's license finally arrived! This helps us clear a huge logistical hurdle. Like Willie Nelson, we can't wait to get on the road again. Speaking of (both prayer and travel), Caleb will spend the next week working in Seattle, so Ashley is particularly grateful for any prayers for domestic calm offered on her behalf! You guys are the best -
Pictured above: Us checking out local castles and hanging out a bit with Diana Meyer and her family. Amazingly, Diana was an exchange student from Germany to the USA and lived with Ashley for a year when they were both in high school! They've kept in touch and now that we live in the same area, we see them as often as we can.
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