Update From Germany: February 2022 

Since the last update, a few things have happened and within the time there were Christmas and New Year celebrations. Talking about the above, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a fulfilling start to the year 2022. How time flies, we are already in 2022. I know many of you don’t like talking about time, it is scary isn’t it. Unfortunately, that is the reality of life, as the saying goes, “time waits for no man”. The bible says “…do all you can do while it is day, the night comes when no one can work” (John 9:4.) What are the plans you have always wanted to do under GOD’s instruction but just never found the courage or drive? Hmmm! Ok, I will not turn this into a preaching session, apologies if it seems like I am preaching to you. Our resident permit process is still going on but as in the last report, we are in a much better place. Pray along with us to complete the process without any problem. Language: This is where our major challenge is, we are still far from competent enough to handle ourselves in conversation and writing in German language. But we are learning and can see significant improvement in our conversations with our neighbours and local residents in the town. We continue to spend time to attend language classes, online courses and our neighbour’s language support meetings, though it seems like slow progress. Integration: GOD has blessed us with kind GOD-fearing Nachbarn (Neighbours in English). They have simply been wonderful and supportive to us. They also continue to help in teaching us the language at every opportunity. We must say here though, living in the country area for us has been interesting as we have always lived in the city or near the city while in the UK. We are now getting used to waking up to be greeted by the movement of the trees in the forest. Life here is peaceful and a bit laid back without the sound of vehicles and people talking or shouting. The change and transition are still a bit strange and make us feel isolated sometimes, but the LORD has been faithful. We believe the LORD wants to take us through a wilderness experience while he teaches and fortifies us through HIS word for the tasks ahead.

Us and Neighbours during the construction of the House Car Park in heavy rain with the wives giving moral support		This is me working together with our Neighbours as we build the House Shed. The wives are providing moral support

FriedensKirche (Church):

In the last report, we expressed optimism that the effect of the virus would have reduced by now, but unfortunately that is not the case with the new variant ‘Omicron’. Church activities are still reduced and for those of us that are bold enough to attend church, we have to wear the higher-grade masks ‘FFP2’ for better protection as the new variant is more infectious according to Government regulation. On a good note, we were accepted as official members of the church, praise the LORD - see the picture at the top of Kemi and myself during prayers held for new members. This will allow us to be able to use the church platform to do external ministry work and it allows us to have support from the church when we eventually start having more outreach/evangelistic events hopefully. Our activities in church are currently pre-service prayer (which is basically just us two as we only recently got the approval of the leadership to start one), with the hope that more people will join us. Also, we have volunteered to start a small group or cell group fellowship, based on the church initiative for members to volunteer to start a home group. This was postponed until March due to the new wave of the pandemic. Hopefully it will not be postponed again.

Pandemic Effects:

The new Omicron coronavirus variant has been biting in Germany recently, making it difficult for the restrictions to be relaxed enough to allow face to face meetings. We are praying for the atmosphere to be better in a few weeks. We thank GOD that he has kept us safe from the effects of the Omicron variant, even though one of our neighbours had to isolate for two weeks due to contact with covid positive people in an event around the festive period. The LORD will protect us all in JESUS name. GOD has been good to us and HE has continued to teach us personally through his word. Praise GOD. Again, we would like to say a massive thank you to the Kings Church family and all you lovely friends that have committed to support us in counselling, prayers and giving. We never stop thanking GOD for you. The LORD will bless you all greatly in JESUS name.

Ademola (Gbenga) and Kemi Onanuga