Heinz walked by pushing his bicycle up the hill. One day, he was walking by as we were having marionette practice in the trailer which faces the front yard.
He stopped to watch and I went over to talk to him. A few minutes later, I went into the house to get him an invitation to the July 4th party. And, guess what? He came!
We were able to have opportunity to get to know him. His wife died not too long ago. His dog is old and probably would die soon. He lives alone. He has a bad knee and will have surgery soon. He is alone. Also, he speaks German with a heavy Koelsch dialect. Talk about having to pay attention.
Another missionary living in our area also had opportunity to talk to him.
A few weeks ago, I baked and took some zucchini bread to him. Not being at home, I slid it under his gate.
He called later and spoke with Steven telling him he would have surgery and that he is lonely.
Pray that Heinz will be open to the Gospel as we minister to him in the next days and weeks.

At the recent July 4th party, our neighbors from across the street came bearing blueberry muffins.
Manuela was the first of the neighbors we got acquainted with. She came to us as we were sitting outside finishing up our lunch one day. In all the almost 20 years in Germany, we have never had this happen. Normally, we go to the Germans first.
Since that time, we have become good friends with she and her husband, Ronald. We have invited them several times to spend the evening with us and share a meal. They were in our home for the 3 different World Cup events we hosted. They have also gotten to know the Windeck family and one of our young church planting couples. They came and we always have a great time.
We have recently invited them to the Friday night Bible study. As of yet, they have not attended.
The first time we invited them, Manuela told us that we were not of the same religion. They are Lutheran. Over time I have explained what we believe and continue to reach out to both of them by sharing garden produce, baked lasagna, and zucchini bread.
One time when I invited her to the Bible study, she asked if her not attending would ruin our friendship. I quickly responded, “Absolutely not”.
Steven invited Ronald to sing in the men´s choir and he joined.
Pray they will be open to the Gospel and that our friendship will remain strong as Jesus reaches out to them.

We met Ruth and Raimond Windeck at our Christmas Open House last year. Since that time we have become friends, Steven and Raimond sing in the choir together, and we have been meeting with them weekly to study the Bible.
Last week we started the book of John. The Holy Spirit is really beginning to work on their whole family. Even the kids, Isabell, 12, and Christian, 8, have taken part in the study.
Tonight as we read in the first chapter, Ruth got tears in her eyes as she realized that her whole life she had been living in a religion lifestyle and not a personal lifestyle with Jesus. She realizes that she must break away and come to Jesus.
She hasn´t made that personal confession yet but she is on the verge. Raimond is right behind her.
Pray, pray, pray, that blinders will be removed, heart will receive the Good News (their hearts are already open) and that they will soon receive Christ and live a glorious life of following Him.