Fall 2026
Ministry
Erntedankfest translates to “harvest thanks festival.” It’s a bit like American Thanksgiving, but traditionally focuses on thankfulness to God for His provision and the harvest. On Sunday our church will gather for the service then all eat together in thankfulness.
On holidays like this, one can’t help but be overwhelmed by thankfulness to God for all He is and all He’s done. These months have felt a bit like an Old Testament “year of the Lord’s favor” and I can’t help but notice this comes in our seventh year in Germany. Year seven and we finally feel established, able to breathe, live in a rhythm, see some fruit and a small harvest of joy after some back to back years of hard toil. Next Sunday our church will celebrate 14 baptisms. The Lord is building His Church all over the world!
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 106:1
Jonas has started a new position which has truly been a wonderful next step for our family. He is working with Evangelium 21 translating Christian books into German. His current project is “Make It Your Ambition” by Jeremy Writebo. Jonas has started a book club with young guys where they give him feedback on the translation, apply lessons to their lives and pray together.
Recently church has been a refuge from the burdens of this life. We’ve formed and grown new relationships, and the girls have also molded right in. We wait prayerfully, patiently and anticipatingly for what God has next for us in terms of a pastorate. In our current understanding, that looks like planting a church, but that is not anytime this year.
We are about to do the premarital counseling for a sweet young couple who loves Jesus. These two have been so kind to love on our kiddos and now we are honored to speak into their future marriage.
Paige started co-leading a morning home group going through Ephesians. It’s always a humbling morning for my (Paige’s) German. But praise God, we’re doing it!
Family
Our family is grateful. These months since spring have been healing, restorative, encouraging, inspiring, full of joy and marked by calm.
Technically, Paige did have emergency gallbladder surgery and Fenley was in the hospital for two days with infection from a bug bite. But since THEN :)
I (Paige) was in America the past 6 days. I have some family in poor health and amazingly in 2026, it’s possible to fly to hug them, then fly back to our life abroad. I’ll treasure that trip, and hope my kids forget how much they missed me by the time I do that again.
Fenley started school this fall and is thriving. She is kind and servant-hearted, and I pity the fool who picks on someone in her vicinity because she might take them out.
Nora is a little book worm and growing so much in what she can do for herself.
Henning is turning two. His week revolves around watching the trash truck on Friday mornings and getting to the breakfast table for his bread with peanut butter.
In August I (really WE, because I’d have accidently done everything illegally if Jonas hadn’t done all the legal details) launched our Etsy shop. We make Scripture memory bracelets that help you memorize longer portions and a wider breadth of Scripture. Check out the link for yourself or for Christmas gifts!
https://www.etsy.com/de-en/shop/EmbracedByHim?ref=shop_sugg_market
We are thankful for your love, prayers and support. We pray God is the lifter of your head (Psalm 3:3) today and everyday.
In Christ,
Jonas, Paige, Nora, Fenley and Henning
GIVING
If you like to financially support our ministry in Germany you can klick here.
