Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Jesus Freaks!



This weekend we were unable to meet at the Y.M.C.A. but fortunately the "Jesus Freaks" have a building downtown and they let us use it on Sunday morning.  It was a sweet experience to be able to meet downtown and worship the Lord together.  There were quite a few new people that came and visited us.  It's really beautiful to see how God has given us favor and provided all our needs here.  Our fellowship here has been very well received by the other Churches in Muenster and there really is a sense of unity here that is really strengthening all the Churches.

There will be a few more special services this month, and some outreach opportunities.  Please pray that these events go well and the Lord guides us in all that needs to be accomplished in the next weeks.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

One year anniversary!



"I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens, And Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth." Psalm 57:9-11


This last Sunday we celebrated our one year anniversary since our church officially started!  We had a wonderful time together praising God for what He has done this past year.  Our official documents for government recognition of our Church and our non-profit status were signed and authorized this week as well. For us this marks a very important milestone! God has accomplished what we have been praying for. This church has become an established fellowship here in Muenster.

It's been a difficult journey to get here and we've had to press through some serious opposition, but God has been faithful to provide for all our needs every step of the way.  This job that I have been working for the past eight months with Microsoft has been an amazing unexpected blessing and provision for us to afford living here. Right now I'm still working at Microsoft but I will be finishing my contract at the end of November. Our visa's will expire in March so I wanted to have the next few months to focus on helping there be a smooth transition of the worship ministry as well as getting everything sorted out with our apartment before we have to move out the end of January.

Thank you so much for those who have prayed and supported us this year.  These next few months will be challenging with all these transitions happening.  We will be coveting your prayers more than ever as we want to finish our race strong. Thank you for your love and support!

Shalom~ Paul

Thursday, October 27, 2011

A lil' update...

Hey everyone,
Thought I'd give an update on all that has happened over the past few weeks.

First, as many of you already know my grandmother "Granny" went home to be with the Lord on October 6th, 2011. Just shy of her 88th birthday. She entered eternity with amazing strength and courage as her last days were tough since she was in so much pain. But now she is united with her Savior, children, husband and many other loved ones who were there to welcome her. On October 8th Paul and I flew home in order to be with my family and attend her funeral. It was a sweet time, as all of my family from all over the East Coast came to Virginia. Granny's funeral was beautiful, held in an old country church she would have loved. Mr. Noel shared a lovely message. My sister and her friend sang an a capella piece and Paul played an old hymn that was one of Granny's favorites. Following the funeral service was a reception with amazing homemade foods prepared by our many friends. Thank you all for your labors of love and for all your thoughts, prayers and encouragements over these past weeks. I know I can speak on behalf of my whole family...we were truly blessed.


We stayed in Virginia for a week, just enough to get over our jet lag before we had to return to Germany.lol But we did get to do a family outing the day before we left. We went to Catoctin Mountain Orchard/Market and bought up a bunch of goodies like pumpkin butter, fresh apples and spiced tea. Than we drove to Lancaster, Pa to take Paul to see the play Joseph at the Sight and Sound Theater. It was amazing of course. Cannot wait to see their new production next year!


Anyways, Paul and I returned home to a busy week. Paul went back to work right away, I started a new job as being a nanny/helper for a German family here in Münster. And the students from the Bible College in Siegen were here on outreach week. We loved hanging with them, we had great conversations and fellowship with these lovely guys and gals. Here some clips for you to enjoy from our musical evening:


(Please note that Simi is playing the harmonica to an ole hobo song...so legit!)



Anyways, that is all for the Ainslie's at the moment. Hope you all are having a great week!



Shalom

Monday, October 3, 2011

South Carolina and such...

Can't believe it is already October! Crazy!

Our trip to the States was awesome! We spent a week at Myrtle Beach with our family. We ate amazing food, soaked up some sun rays, played epic sessions of mini golf, went to a crazy Pirate show and shared many laughs. It was also Josh's 16th Birthday and my parent's 27 wedding anniversary...lots of reasons to celebrate! We then journeyed to Virginia beach for the Oceana Naval Air Show...which sadly was mostly rained out. But we did get to see some fighter jets fly! And we spent our last night home celebrating our cousin Luke's birthday complete with the traditional Kaleda Birthday candle, ice cream cake and fireworks!

Paulie...he is pretty excited about his donut!

Eating at Painter's World Famous Ice Cream

Me and Dad at Hot Stacks for breakfast! Yum.

Lil'MamaG and Joshie

Sisters

Our mermaid man!

Sarah and Levi on the ride up to the first mini golf hole of the night!
Tina and Kevin...
Beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Pirates...
Partners in crime...
Mom and Dad cutting the cake...27 years of Marriage.

Alex and Mr. Hotdog

Sarah with the Mouse King at the Christmas store

The winners of Hawaiian Rumble golf final 2011

Luke's Birthday Candle :)


We had a wonderful trip fellowshipping with our family and getting some rest and sunshine! Sorry we were unable to visit many of our friends this trip, hopefully we will see you all in the spring! 



Shalom

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Update

Hey everyone,
Can't believe it is already September! Here is an update of some highlights from the past month or so.

Last month, the Waldrops and us took a little journey to the city of Heidelberg, Germany. Our friends Marah and Michael from Bible College are currently serving at the Calvary Chapel there and had been asking us to come visit for some time. Paul had a four day weekend off so we decided to go! We had an awesome time, Marah and Michael are wonderful hosts and we loved touring around the beautiful city of Heidelberg and catching up with our friends. Here are a few shots of our trip:







 Just this past week we had a house full of guest here in Gremmendorf! Five girls from Siegen (the same ones who came up for the Easter outreach in April) came to spend the weekend with us. It was so fun and such a blessing having the girls here! We had ice cream by the Canal, ate Mexican food, walked around the city, played pool and of course stopped by the Starbucks. We all had a great weekend together and we felt so refreshed and encourage by their visit. It was sad to see the girls leave but hopefully we all will be able to hang out again soon!


By the Canal

Big Lunch Fellowship after Church
All of us

Paulie taking a shot



Lastly, we leave for the States in one week from today! We are excited to go back in the good ole' USA and hang out with our family and friends. We will be in the US for two and half weeks. Spending time in South Carolina for a big family vacation and also Virginia. Can't wait to see everyone and enjoy some sunshine!

Again, thank you for your continued prayers and support. Know that He is answering your prayers! May you all be showered by His love and grace this week.


Shalom

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Berlin

Hey everyone,
We thought we would give you all an update. Things have been going good here in Münster, thank you for all your prayers. We have had constant attendance for the past few months now, both the Sunday and Wednesday services. The people in the church are truly connecting and fellowhshipping with one another...it is awesome to see! And we are happy to report that we have a rotation forming for the translation and the children's ministry. Our friend Anke (she has been coming to the church for a while now) is going to be our second translator. She and Nada will trade off every other week or so. This is such a blessing, for Nada and all of us because now we are able to have an actual rotating children's ministry as well! It is such a blessing seeing the people in the church stepping up to serve!


Also, last week we traveled to Berlin to meet up with our old bible college friend Sammy Benka and Caleb. Sammy and Caleb both live in Stockholm, Sweden. They had been to Berlin before but this was our first time! 


We arrived in Berlin last Sunday night just in time grab some Turkish food and watch the World Cup final. It was good game and we really enjoyed just hanging out together. Our hotel (thanks to Sammy) was so nice and right in the center of town. The next morning we met up with Sammy and Caleb at Aroma. For those of you who have never had Aroma or even know what it is...I will explain. Aroma is an Israeli coffee shop. Basically the Starbucks of Israel, only a million times better then Starbucks. We use to hang out at Aroma all the time when we lived in Israel. It is our favorite coffee in the whole world! We were so happy to find out that they had one in Berlin, but it made us miss Israel so much!






We traveled all around the city, went to check point Charlie, the Pergamon museum, German- Jewish history museum, saw some pieces of the Berlin wall and the Brandenburg gate. We all bought this amazing thing called a 48hour Berlin pass which allowed us to use all the buses, trains and the underground for two days. As well as free entrance into the museums and discounts at restaurants. All for 15 euro! Anybody who is going to Berlin should buy this pass. You can purchase them at the underground ticket kiosk, totally worth it!





We ate amazing food the whole time! Because Berlin is so international you can find just about any kind of food which is kind of unusual in Germany. But mainly we ate American food, since we all miss it. We had KFC, Tony Roma's ribs, Dunkin' donuts (the boys proceeded to four donuts each!). Here are some pics:















It was a great trip, in a great city with awesome friends! Berlin is definitely one of our favorite cities now...








Shalom

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness....




Happy fourth of July! A little late, but better late than never. Yesterday definitely did not feel like 4th of July. It was a cloudy, in the 50s and no fireworks. But Paul and I still made the best of it by making hot wings, potato salad, sweet tea and a red, white and blue desert. And of course we listened to some patriotic music, watched a movie and read the Declaration of Independence! We hope that y'all in beautiful America had a great 4th! God bless the USA, and all those who stand to protect her.




This past Friday night we had a time of food and fellowship at the Waldrop's home.They shared about their time in the States and showed a little video they had put together. It was a great time to hang out with everyone and of course eat some yummy food!




Thanks for your prayers! Hope you all have a blessed week!











Shalom

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Waldrops return

Hey Everyone,
Just a quick update. Chris and Nada made it home this weekend. They had a wonderful time getting to  fellowship with family and friends in the States. And of course they all have amazing tans! We are happy they are back home here in Münster. We are thankful they had an awesome trip and that everything here in Münster went great. Thank you all for your prayers, the Lord totally took care of us and the Waldrops!



Shalom

Monday, June 20, 2011

Fellowship...

Yesterday we had a great day! We were not able to rent out the YMCA like we normally do, so we decided to hold the service in the city park. But then it was crazy wind and rain. So, we had to cancel but we decided to have a grill and fellowship at our place! It was great, everyone brought something delicious to share and we had a nice time hanging out together. After dinner we went on walk..when we got a break in the rain of course...



There is an interesting tradition here that when a man turns 30 and is unmarried he is considered an "old sock". So all  his friends hang old socks outside of his house on a line! Pretty funny!


Everything has been going well. The bible studies on Wednesday night have been going good and we have really enjoyed hanging out with all the guest speakers and their families over the past few weeks. Chris and Nada return from the States on Thursday, we are excited for them come home! We are going to be really jealous of their tans I'm sure. Its been crazy weather here, raining, windy...cold. But we have had amazing rainbows! 



Thank you for all your prayers and support. We love and miss you all! 









Shalom

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

June...

Lake at Steinfurt

The past few weeks have been flying by mainly because we have been so busy. Work has been going well, same old same old.  The guest speakers Duke and Dawn Knepper returned to Ireland yesterday. We had a wonderful time getting to know them. Last Saturday a family from the church invited us and the Knepper's to visit them at their home in Steinfurt. It was perfect weather! We enjoyed a grilled lunch on the patio, followed by a bike ride into the downtown area. We walked around the lake, enjoyed a yard game and ate ice cream as we watch this bike race.




The evening was ended by a strawberry shortcake and coffee. True German style. We had a lovely time.


This Sunday after church we went into the city of Münster. There was a big festival taking place, although I don't know why. But they had food carts, rides, flags everywhere and a big stage with all kinds of performances happening. It was pretty cool...



Well, that is all for right now! Thank you for all your prayers!






Shalom.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

...

Hey everybody,
Just wanted to give you all a quick update. Everything is good here in Münster. We heard from the Waldrops, they are having a wonderful time with their family in Florida. The church here has been doing good. Last Sunday Paul taught on prayer and intercession, really stirring. This past week Duke and Dawn Knepper from CC Carrigaline Ireland have been visiting.They are such a blessing and we have really enjoyed hanging out with them. Duke shared a great encouraging word on Sunday from Luke 10:25-37. This Sunday we have a pastor from Cologne Germany coming to share. Exciting.

Paul's job is going great. He is finally settled in to the rhythm of the workplace. Yesterday Paul and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. Can't even believe it has been two years already! How time flies when your having fun...

Our wedding day was the best day of our lives! So much joy! It was such a blessing having our friends and family there to celebrate with us. And then of course there was some legendary dancing. Deb the owner of Fredericksburg square said it was the most people she had ever seen dance at a wedding there...and to think there was no alcohol!  Wish we could go back...




Well, that is about it this week. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. May God bless you this week and always.




Shalom.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Münster 2011

This is a video we made for Chris and Nada to share in the States. It reflects all that has happened in the last year!




Tuesday, May 17, 2011



Wow...I can't even believe it is already the middle of May! Crazy!

This past week we have been preparing for the Waldrop's departure to the USA. I will be filling in for Chris at his work. He trained me yesterday and I am hopeful that there will not be any complications. Paul will be teaching this Sunday so please be praying for him as he prepares for that. We will have a bunch of guest speakers and their families in and out over the next 5 weeks. Please pray that we will be a blessing to them and that everything will go as planned.

This past Saturday was our third women's breakfast. Every month we have been seeing it grow and the women become more and more comfortable with each other. It's so sweet to see true fellowship taking place! Bridda, one of the women from the church, shared such an encouraging devo. We had a time of prayer that followed and the women really opened up and shared. It was great.

Yesterday Paul started working on his own. "Hitting the floor" as they call it. He is working in the English support section, taking calls from the UK and Ireland mainly. His hours have now changed to 9:30-6:00 due to the time change between us and the UK. He is doing well and we feel so blessed that God has opened this door for Paul to work here in Germany.

Tomorrow my friend Claudia and I leave to journey to Siegen for the Leadership Conference. I am excited to visit my friends there and introduce Claudia. Paul and Claudia's husband Christian will be joining us on Friday after they get off work. It should be awesome!

Hope you all are having a great week. May the Lord bless you and keep you!






Shalom

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Surprise trip to USA...


So my sister's 19th birthday was on the 4th of May and as a birthday gift my parents secretly flew me home to Virginia to surprise her! And oh boy was she surprised! First she didn't understand that I was actually standing in the kitchen. Then she was shocked and then she cried. Mission accomplished thanks to my stealthy parents! I was able to stay for a week before returning to Germany this past Saturday. I had a great time catching up with my sister and visiting with my family and some friends. My parents even surprised us three kids by taking us on a secret outing that ended in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the Sights and Sound Theater..."Where the Bible comes to life". We saw the play Joseph. It was a beautiful, encouraging play about dreams, family and forgiveness. It was well worth the drive! Later on we went to Gettysburg, one of our favorite places from our childhood. And of course we had to stop and get some yummy Bruster's ice cream! I feel so refreshed and thankful for the time I had in Virginia. You know...absence really does make the heart grow fonder! Never have I loved my country, people and family more than I do today!




With all that said, not too much is happening this week but things are going to get busy in the weeks following. This past Sunday was Paul's 25th birthday and Levi Waldrop's 1st! Both of them were born on May 8th, just 24 years apart of course! So after church, we had a little birthday celebration and everyone had cake, sang happy birthday and had a sweet time of fellowship! Sorry there are no pictures...forgot my camera. For Paul's birthday I gave him a bunch of American goodies, a new pair of shoes, some nice shirts and awesome cds. lol For his birthday dinner he wanted me to make my family's famous hot wings. So I did!

Paul's requested birthday dinner!

Paul and I both received an original portrait that my parents had our dear friend Melody do for our birthdays! They are beautiful as you can see! We are for sure going to treasure these forever. Thanks Mel! 

Next week all of us are going down to Siegen for a ministry conference. All of us with the exception of Paul since he has to work. I am really looking forward to seeing some friends and connecting with more people here in Europe.

Paul's job is going really well, he is in his final phase of training and will be on his own soon. A cool thing is that he has already had opportunities to converse and build relationships with his coworkers.

After the conference next week the Waldrop's are going to be leaving for a 5 week trip to the States. Paul and I will be filling the gaps while they are gone. A guest pastor from Ireland and his wife will be coming to fill in for Chris. Please be praying for us, that we would be a blessing to Duke and his wife and to the people here in Münster. Please pray that everything would work out well and that the Waldrop's will have a smooth, refreshing, awesome trip in the USA!

Again we would like to thank you all for your love, support and prayers. A special thank you to all those who are financially supporting us...every month we continue to be blown away by your generosity and desire to support this ministry! Also a special thank you to our prayer warriors...please continue. God loves answering your prayers! We are so thankful for all the wonderful, loving people God has put in our lives. We are so encouraged by each one of you! May the Lord bless your week!




Shalom