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Culture Watch
This isn’t Legoland’s newest theme park but rather the market square in Wittenberg. Normally a larger than life bronze statue of the city’s favorite son, Martin Luther, stands on the square. The statue is being “cleaned up” as part of the preparations for the Luther Year (in 2017) in celebration of Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses - an act that led directly to the Protestant Reformation. A total of 800 blue, red, black and green “Luther Dwarves” will “stand” on the square - perhaps because “sie können nicht anders” ☺ - until September 12th. Critics within the Lutheran church have called this art exhibit: “embarrassing”, “inappropriate” and “a tasteless form of indulgences” (a reference to Johannes Tetzel’s selling of medieval indulgences to raise funds to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome).
Praise & Prayer
✴ Praise for many „positive surprises“ from God in recent weeks. We are thankful for the clarity and confirmation we have received through your prayers for us. New doors for evangelism and discipleship have opened among like-minded people. We are among people “hungry” to learn and grow in their love for and faith in Jesus Christ. It is a joy to work with those who desire to mature in Christ. Pray for us as we minister to them that they may become fully committed followers of Jesus.
✴ Praise that the Lost for Words course is now on templates and is being proofread by a woman who has not seen the course before. Her “fresh eyes” will be a great help in spotting needed corrections. Pray for Axel as he continues to prepare the PowerPoint slides and CD.
✴ Praise for the opportunity to serve as a resource among young business and professional people networked in Leipzig, Berlin and Chemnitz. Pray for a young lawyer, Daniel, who is spearheading a one-day seminar for “Managers in Prayer” in Leipzig (September 19th). His desire is to draw business and professional people together in prayer for each other and to consider how their businesses may be used to expand the Gospel. Pray for me as Daniel has asked me to consider meeting with him regularly.
✴ Pray for Ben as he begins to hand over his assignment to the new unit that has arrived in Iraq. Pray for him and his men as this is a dangerous phase in which his men become less focused and distracted. As the sign at their base warns: “Complacency Kills! Stay Alert. Stay Alive.” Good counsel for the spiritual life too!
✴ Praise that Emily was able to work at the Austin Film Studios as a senior apprentice. Her apprenticeship has ended but she continues to look for full-time employment. Pray for employment, protection from discouragement and for wisdom in this process.
✴ Pray for us as we prepare for a short “home assignment” in the USA from mid-October through November. We look forward to seeing many of you soon!
Did you know . . . ?
that 600 of the 800 “Luther Dwarves” have been sold to private buyers? Buyers from as far as Dubai, Australia and South America have placed orders - each figure is priced at 300 Euro (ca. $380).
