Germany: Where's the snow?

Its mid-February and the Southeastern US is getting pounded with snow and with the exception of a Synergy conference 3 hrs North of here on the 1st of February, I have yet to see any snow. However, with my bike as my main mode of transportation I am very thankful for the warmer winter. What is that going to mean for our summer in Germany? Last summer was the hottest summer I have experienced in the last 3 years and as far as I know for others that have been coming to Germany for the past 7 or 8 years. So we will just have to wait to see what is in store for us Baseball Camp 2014!

As I mentioned we were in Lübbecke for the 2014 Synergy Germany conference. Here we talked a lot about the happenings of each camp and location this past year, including showing a couple of our videos. This was a great time of sharing. We also talked about how the German side of Synergy can be most effective and are continuing to move in a positive direction. Earlier that week I took part of a camp in Bonn that takes place between an American organization called UPI and a local baseball team/organization Kottenforst Saints. UPI is a christian organization which seeks to invest in and disciple pro baseball players. These camps are a dual purpose tool to reach out to Germans as well as a discipleship tool to teach pro players about services and ministry. It was a great couple of days that I got to spend with those guys!

Later that week before the Synergy conference we had a meeting all together at the SRS headquarters, between all 3 organizations to talk about how we could lean on each other and become co-supportive and co-beneficial. SRS is a christian organization that connects ministries and churches to one another as well as provides outreach locations and camps year 'round. They would be the networkers connecting all the potentials to new seekers or fitting ministries. UPI has the ability and know-how to train our German churches to be more confident in baseball with the aim of carrying on the ministry the other 51 weeks of the year. As we all continue to pray about these possibilities we will see where God leads us.

Finally today we met with one of our big supporting funds of Baseball Camp and got approved. The final value is TBD. Earlier this week Ralf and others met with the Bruckberg Kasserne (Siegburg Military base aka: Home of Baseball Camp Siegburg). Formalities were exchanged and everything seems to be moving right along to prepare for Baseball Camp 2014!!

This past Saturday we met at the church to play wiffleball. It was our first time this year to do anything baseball. We had a good number and a lot of fun! With wiffleball it makes it possible that we do not have to wait on good weather to come before we have any activities. The sanctuary is big enough that when we clear out all the chairs there is enough room to play!

Be praying we can create a consistent expectation of involvement between the campers and the church as we start playing baseball/ wiffleball more often. I believe this to be a great tool to connect with the campers and their families! Last weekend we got a couple a good complements about the church building from camper parents saying, "I have never been in here..." Now they have and hopefully they will continue to return as they grow to know us a little deeper!

Following His Call

Nick