Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Explosion

We have just returned from our weekend in Dresden, and are in full swing of preparations for the conference this weekend. Going out and encountering new people and places in Germany has given us fresh fuel and passion leading into what God wants to do this weekend, as He releases “Streams in the Desert.”

We arrived in Dresden Friday just before lunch, and after checking in at the Kangaroo-Stop hostel, we went to meet Charlotte who had prepared a great lunch for our team. Charlotte is a precious woman in Dresden who is giving her life to hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit and gathering in the treasure of souls from off the streets and out of the bars. At her apartment, she shared with us her testimony of how the Lord brought her out of darkness and the journey she has been on through her seven years in the faith. On Friday evening, we joined Charlotte and her team for their Friday night gathering. Every Friday, these hungry hearts meet together to seek the Lord and then go out on the streets to share the Gospel and bring in the lost. We met in their new room that only a year ago was a popular bar and place of darkness, but is now a place of worship and of calling people out of darkness, into the light. As we worshipped, we felt clear direction from the Lord that we were not to go out on the streets this night, but were to stay in this place of worship to encourage and refresh this team. It turned out to be a night of dedication—dedicating this room for its new purpose and dedicating our hearts afresh to worship, prayer, and reaching the lost. It was a great surprise and joy that Arnie Klein was visiting from Israel and we were able to share this time together with him as well.

Saturday was a really special day. Our team enjoyed a later breakfast after some Shabbat rest and then we went out together to walk through the beautiful city of Dresden. This weekend was the Stadtfest, a city celebration that reminded me of the State Fair. There were food and games everywhere, hang-gliders over the River Elbe, and a procession of 18th century costumed people through the castle grounds. We were joined by Norman and Joel’s brother Jeremias and his family, and we all had a great time enjoying the fun and the sun.





On Saturday evening, we had the opportunity to lead the “Explosion” meeting at the church. This is a monthly gathering for whoever would like to come from the different churches and worship and meet with God. As is often the testimony with our faithful God, though we began by really having to press in and push past what felt a resistant atmosphere, God came with His sweet presence and exploded His love and intercession in our hearts. We have been asking and believing for a release of creativity in the believers, especially in worship and intercession, and God has begun this in our own team. We showed a slideshow that Marissa created as intercession for the people of Germany to break forth. The spirit of intercession fell in the room and many people were on their faces crying out for this nation. This was so beautiful to see and to know that God does not only want to use us to bring breakthrough for the people here, but also to see them released in intercession for their nation so that an even greater harvest can be released.



Sunday morning we visited an international church. Thaddaeus, and Rachel helped lead worship, and Marissa and Hannah did the children’s ministry. After the service, many people came to thank our team and share that they had been greatly blessed through the service. Sunday afternoon we had a barbeque back at the Kangaroo-Stop. We were joined by more of the Heidel clan—Jeremias and his family and their sister Beate and her family (Livia’s family!). It was such a great time. Cousins playing, brothers and sisters catching up, and friendships forming. We love family and it has been such a joy to be able to connect with the Heidels throughout this trip.


As we listened to the blasts from the Stadtfest fireworks, we felt the agreement of heaven that truly this is a time for light and new colors to explode in this people.

Many Blessings,

Hannah for the GBI Germany team

You may click on this link to see more photos of our time in Dresden:

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll108/hannahbriscoe/Dresden/?albumview=slideshow


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