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Dear brothers and sisters,
In the last issue and in a special issue, we already reported on how the Stephanus Mission has been active in the Ahr Valley, primarily through practical work.
Many siblings had come from different regions of Germany and had helped with clearing out, gutting, and everywhere else where a helping hand was needed.
FECG Speyer Symphony Orchestra
The kitchen, which had been set up in front of the school and the retirement home in Altenburg, provided meals for many helpers and those affected. It was at this very spot that we offered help and support in a different form on October 17th: We held a church service in which we introduced ourselves to the local residents and delivered an encouraging message.
After Brother Michael Akulenko, the second chairman of Mission Stephanus, opened the event and explained how the meeting had come about, Mayor Lanzerath-Müller thanked everyone for their help and expressed his delight at finally being able to attend a cultural event again. The Speyer Symphony Orchestra and a joint choir from the Christian congregations of Speyer and Ulmen provided the musical accompaniment.
First Deputy Mayor of Altenburg – Werner Lanzerath
Brother Leo Altmann, who coordinates the aid in the Ahr Valley, summarized the work that had already been completed and justified the aid by saying that we have a God and that he loves us.
A special guest was the Catholic Bishop Peters, who also expressed his gratitude.
Brother Alexander Korbmacher and Brother Jürgen brought the healing message of Jesus Christ to the people of the Ahr Valley. After the prayer together and once the last note had faded away, everyone was invited to eat in the tent and enjoy good conversation to round off the day.
About 40 people from the village and the surrounding area came to listen in the tent.
These discussions revealed the gratitude of the people of the Ahr Valley. We discussed further projects and established contacts.
To God be the glory for all. May He cause the seed sown in the Ahr Valley to flourish abundantly, so that His name may shine forth through it.
Tobias Vogel,
CDH-Stephanus