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In issue 3 | 2022, we reported on Edeltraud Macioszek's childhood, her decision for Jesus, and her preparation for full-time ministry at Tabor House. This is the continuation of her life with God.
God's call to Edeltraud
During a church service, God asked Edeltraud if she was ready to follow Him, where He would lead her. She answered God's call and made herself available to Him. Through an encounter with a devout elderly man living in a nursing home, God prepared her for her future ministry.
As a social worker, it was part of her job to take the children on a three-week holiday. When looking for a place to vacation, she thought of Schieder, a beautiful area with a forest and playground, and the retirement home with its lovely garden. She asked at Haus Tabor if she could come with her children to spend the holidays there. The housemaster agreed, and so they came to Schieder for three weeks in the summer of 1979.
Image source: AdobeStock_478994559 © Mario
They stayed in a lovely room, and the children played in the garden during the day. On the second evening of their stay, the host said to Edeltraud, "You're coming to live with us now!" "Oh no, that's impossible," she replied. "I won't leave my children. I have my friends and a good community there. I lead a Sunday school, sing second part in the choir, and pick up my older children for church. Just three months ago, I moved into my first apartment, renovated it, and have already had visitors. When I have time off, I can gradually bring my children over. I also have five weeks of vacation left and earn a lot of money through long hours of overtime. No, it's impossible for me to leave there to work here."
But God was working on her heart. For two nights, she couldn't sleep. Edeltraud wrote a list of arguments for and against. But it didn't make the decision any easier. She read the Bible, but she found no answer to this question. She called some friends and her parents, who strongly advised her against going to Schieder. Her mother asked her, "Is this what we made you study for?" "Lord Jesus, I want to obey you and do what you want," Edeltraud prayed. "If I am meant to come here, then you must show me exactly how." After the prayer, she was able to fall asleep again immediately. The next morning, she read the Bible passage from 1 Samuel 14:7: "Do whatever is in your heart." However, this answer wasn't clear enough for Edeltraud.
She spent her vacation time in deep reflection and prayer. The thought of coming to Schieder grew stronger and stronger in her heart, and she couldn't shake it. She worried about the children she cared for and wondered what would become of them, or if it would be possible to take them with her to Schieder. She also thought about her church community and friends: Could she really leave everything behind?
Since there were still six weeks until the end of the quarter, Edeltraud was able to give notice at the children's home. Upon her return, she told her boss about her decision. This news came as quite a surprise to him, and he reacted with dismay. However, the next day she received a call from him. He informed her that a new caregiver had contacted him and would be spending a week observing at the children's home. The following day, the new caregiver began his observation period and visited Edeltraud's group. After only half a day, he decided to take the position. Thus, a replacement for Edeltraud had already been found.
Beginning of a new phase of life
In her apartment, she asked God for a word, for clear guidance. God brought to life the words of Deuteronomy 33:18: “Rejoice […] in your departure!” Edeltraud collapsed in tears, walked through the newly renovated apartment, praised God, and said to Him: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
God reaffirmed her calling through the missionary couple, the Nussbächers, who visited Edeltraud for a week during her mission assignment in Henstedt. She told them about the Tabor House in Schieder and her new calling. The missionary couple encouraged her with a word the Lord had laid on their hearts: God would lead her along a narrow, stony path, but He would also provide her with peaceful, green, and restorative oases along the way. Now, a replacement was needed for the children's program in Henstedt that Edeltraud led. She asked a young girl named Sabine if she could take over. Sabine initially declined. But then her grandmother died during a family trip during the holidays, and God worked on her heart so that she agreed after all.
God also provided for Edeltraud's other ministries. While she was already in Schieder, a young family joined the congregation in Henstedt. The husband picked up the elderly members in his car to drive them to church services, and the wife took over the book table. A short time later, another elderly woman joined the congregation; she was a good alto singer. Thus, all the ministries in the congregation that Edeltraud had performed were taken over by other members of the congregation.
The situation at the children's home also changed. The youth welfare office gradually placed all the children with families. Within six months, all the children had been placed, and the children's home was subsequently closed. Only two group homes remained open, housing young adults with disabilities. God acted promptly in every situation and gave Edeltraud a new assignment at Tabor House. Many missionaries from various countries around the world came to Tabor House and stayed overnight. Edeltraud was tasked by the house father with taking good care of the missionaries, which she gladly did. She had already learned to practice hospitality in her childhood home. There, they had always welcomed guests: beggars, missionaries, old and young people. And they had shared everything with one another.
She was particularly influenced by the missionary Brother Hallelujah Israel from India. His experiences with God and his devotion to Him deeply impressed her and motivated her to serve God with complete devotion as well.
In 1981, Brother Rudolf Dzinnus, leader of Haus Tabor, and Brother Jakob Wiebe met at a conference. From then on, a friendship and exchange with the Russian-German Pentecostal church developed. In her interactions with the residents, Edeltraud experienced how hymns of worship and praise could transform a situation, bringing God's presence into the room and filling everything with His love. During times of conflict, sadness, or bereavement at Haus Tabor, she comforted the residents by singing hymns of praise with them or leading them in song. After just three hymns, the atmosphere changed, and God's Spirit filled the room.
Working at Tabor House wasn't always enjoyable for her. There were difficult situations where she needed God's help and had to learn to wait and trust. In November 2011, tensions arose among the staff at Tabor House, and Edeltraud asked God if she should quit and give it all up. God answered her with an audible voice: "Do not waver. I will help you!" She repeatedly drew new strength from God and continued working until God ended her service and answered her prayer for a successor. Edeltraud served full-time for 36 years in housekeeping, the kitchen, the office, and nursing care. For the last 19.5 years, between 1996 and 2015, she worked in social services and as the home's director.
Do whatever is in your heart. 1 Samuel 14:7
Service in the Kingdom of God: Indian Village Mission
In addition, she was the treasurer for the Indian village mission led by Brother Hallelujah Israel. Edeltraud not only provided for Brother Hallelujah but also traveled with him throughout northern Germany to translate for him in the communities he visited. During her 36 years at Haus Tabor, Edeltraud flew to Madras, India, 13 times, sometimes as part of organized groups. Through her translation work, her English became increasingly fluent and confident.
On December 31, 2015, Edeltraud retired as head of the Tabor home and from the social services department. She entered retirement at the age of 67 and continued to work part-time as a caregiver for a while.
Since December 2015, she had lived in an apartment in Schieder and had been a member of the FECG Blomberg church since January 2016. God lovingly caught her from the emptiness through her farewell to a loving congregation and fellow believers. On December 30, 2021, Edeltraud went home to her heavenly Father.
Edeltraud wanted to convey one message to every reader: “Nothing that happens in our lives is by chance. God guides us and speaks to us. God shapes us through different people, and we can trust Him in every situation. We can take God's word literally and apply it in our lives.”
God sits enthroned in a humble heart and amidst hymns of praise, and we too can experience this today.
Simon Arent
Municipality of Stapelage