In just 5 weeks, Johann will be graduating from his 2nd year at Bible College. Just like you would see in an American movie - with a graduation hat and black robe. Photos to follow. 😜👨🏻🎓Betty is also working intensely to finish her 1st year of online studies.
We are following God's leading and will remain in the US for another school year. Johann will attend the Ministry track in his 3rd school year and Betty will complete her 2nd school year. For Betty this means, that a mission trip is coming up, which we will also report on. Johann will gain experience in ministry by working with other students on projects, preaching 5 to 10 sermons during the school year, and participating in evangelistic events. The program offers eight "electives," two of which Johann must choose to delve into more deeply and specifically. Courses such as church planting, project management, team building, leadership, church systems, preaching and communication etc. complete the training. In terms of our calling, these topics will certainly serve us.
And again it proves to be true: Man plans his way and God directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) If we leave the steering wheel to Him...
In the last video we talked about our summer plans and that we might want to support the ministry in Wyoming (Johanns Mission Trip). Well, the day after we uploaded the video, four pastors from the RVFM-Ministry (https://rvfm.info/) were visiting Charis Bible College. Johann got talking to one of the pastors and he told him about the vision of RVFM and that they offer internships in the summer. At home, Johann told Betty about it, we looked at the ministry together and were immediately attracted. The vision of the ministry, the way of living and working there was exactly what we had in mind for the summer. So Johann sent off an application and had an interview shortly afterwards, which went very well.
In the following time, we started filling out our applications for the next school year. And realized that our savings were no longer sufficient - not for the minimum amount for the visa and also not to finance ourselves for the year.
So we thought about how we could handle the next school year and since we had no specific word from God, Johann decided to act on the word from 2 Thess. 3:10 and try to find work in Switzerland or Germany that he could do on an hourly basis. He received a positive response from two companies in Switzerland, but bureaucratic obstacles are in the way and we have not yet made any progress.
Last Wednesday evening, we came to the conclusion that it would probably be best to fly back to Germany for the summer and sort out all the necessary arrangements. Johann could work full-time for three months, Betty could possibly do something part-time and then we would fly back. Just a few minutes after our conversation, Johann received an e-mail from the RVFM: Congratulations on Your Internship with River Valley Fellowship of Ministries!
Stunned! So much for our plans... God has something else in mind. And actually, we had known that before we left for the US. We came with a one-way ticket because the Spirit told us we would be spending the summer here. So we met the founder of RVFM and Pastor Jon and his wife in a Zoom meeting on Friday morning. Johann will be closely working with Pastor Jon throughout the summer. In addition to a deep insight behind the scenes of the ministry and pastoral work, preaching sermons, leading meetings, etc. will also be on the agenda. Pastor Jon told us to buckle up, because there is a lot to do. A step that will further equip us and give us some practical experience along the way. Betty will also be able to work with us to a limited extent - if the tasks allow Elijah to be there.
We are so grateful to the Ministry for the open communication and for giving us this opportunity, despite the many applicants and possible obstacles around our visa. They put us in touch with a lawyer who confirmed today that we can spend the summer in the US without any problems. We see God's hand in all of this. When we met the pastor couple, they told us about another miracle: at just the right time, we will have our own apartment so that we can be on our own as a family. (Which will do us good after living in a shared house for 8 months now. 😊) A miracle, because interns are normally housed with families in the church and we get the apartment provided to us at no cost.
With these events, however, we also have to put an end to the idea of spending our summer vacation in Germany. And as we had already considered the possibility, it took us a little while to be at peace about it again. 😉 Which brings us back to the financial situation. Johann will spend so much time in the ministry that there will be no time to work. In addition, there are still barriers due to residence etc. that have not yet been resolved. So we are still facing the challenge of having to show a minimum amount of money for our application in order to be able to apply for the status extension at all. Last year, we were able to prove this amount through our savings and were also generously supported by other people. We are grateful to God for opening the hearts of these people to us and are convinced that this investment in God's kingdom will come back to them manifold!
The cost of living in Colorado is high. Based on experience and with some additional expenses next year, we will need about $4,000 per month.
This is our place called “there”
Over the last few weeks or even months, we have repeatedly asked ourselves why we are staying here despite the circumstances. The Bible school, the move to the US and serving under a ministry was and is not our idea. From a human point of view, the entire stay in the USA is way out of our comfort zone and was never part of our future plans. But this also shows us that we are on the right path and that this is exactly where we are supposed to be. God shows up big in our lives when we come to the end. We are in the right place at the right time. We already wrote about this in our blog "Welcome #01 and Àman and Tsalàch #05".
The next 10-12 months will be an intense time for us. In addition to his family and studies, Johann will be working on projects, doing homework and making various preparations. Even if he were to get to work, there wouldn't be much time left each day.
If you feel called and would have joy in becoming our partner for the next year (10-12 months) and planting seeds in our lives in the form of finances, please get in touch with us. We have listed below our approximate costs for the next year.
God's blessing is upon you, with you and around you all.
Blessings
Johann + Betty with Elijah
Tuition: $ 6'500 per person for the school year
Rent: $ 1'500 per month
Child care: approx. $ 700 per month
General expenses (food, insurance, car etc.): approx. $ 1'250 per month
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