Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:5-6

A new generation to bring to the Lord! Simon Christopher Zachhuber was born on February 23 at 6:30 a.m., weighing in at 4 kg, and measuring 53 cms. Simon was in a big hurry to get into world, even with the umbilical cord wrapped twice around his neck and around his leg. The midwife had to push him back and the team moved fast to untangle him and pull him out quickly. He arrived protesting. Katrina is serene and Simon is an easygoing little man. Christopher, a capable father, is delighted with his family.

There are some NEWBORNS IN FAITH also. Christian made a profession of faith a few weeks ago during a conversation about our studies in John. Back in August, I’d talked with him about a personal decision and he’d gone home and prayed and thought about what we’d discussed. He was surprised that, after what he thought was 15 minutes, he had spent 2 hours praying. He testifies to a changed life and we are seeing growth.

Two weeks ago at the fellowship, instead of a sermon, we prayed. It’s still working! Amazingly, Christian’s friend Heinz came alone for the first time. Heinz thanked the Lord that he’d found the church and so many friends there, but especially that he’d found Jesus. Christian and Heinz find that the College and Careers group bible study is not enough for them so they study with bible with me during the week. One of the women at church has contact with Heinz’s mother who seems open to friendship and the gospel. Karin has invited her to visit us this weekend.

Silvia, Guenther’s wife, was unsure about her salvation. She was honest! Like many people she was looking for an outward sign as proof. This past week, we heard that she is now sure that she is a child of God. She is due to have her first baby any day now. Guenther and Silvia will accompany the College and Careers group in our absence. Pray for these people.

Last week, following the women’s bible study, Karin was bombarded with issues related to our departure in a few weeks. The men are suddenly afraid and the women don’t seem to know how to encourage them. Negativism and inferiority complexes have deep roots around here! We looked at the story of Deborah and for the first time, they identified with it. Karin challenged them to go into battle with their men. One woman didn’t get it and thought I meant she was to fight WITH him. No, she didn’t want to do that. As we referred to Eph.6 and the spiritual battles dealt with there, the “light went on”, and we could discuss fear, obedience, encouragement and prayer. We trust it was a fruitful evening.

We’re looking forward to our visit to Canada and the U.S. We value your prayers for Mureck in our absence and for our travels, conferences, speaking engagements, various conversations and Heidi and Jeff’s wedding.

Trusting the Lord
Karin and Bernd

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Dear Saints,
We start a new year and often look back over the old and review all of God’s blessings. We look forward to the new in great expectation of further blessings.

As believers, we should regularly look back and remember what the Lord has done for us. We definitely should be looking forward to what He wants to do through us and for us in the future. We also need to look into our hearts as well to see what still needs to be changed.

We begin 2004 with great anticipation. Our younger daughter, Katrina, and her husband Christopher are expecting their first child in the end of February. So this year Karin and I graduate into the grandparent category.

Heidi graduates with a degree in Elementary Education on May 8. As if that wasn’t enough excitement, Heidi will bring another man into the family. She and Jeffrey Witte plan to be married in Dubuque, Iowa on June 12. Jeff had been creeping into our hearts via e-mail and telephone but he fairly jumped into our hearts during the Christmas holidays and we think these two have all it takes to make a good, exciting marriage.

We will be in Canada and the U.S. from mid-March until the end of June and hope to see many of our friends and prayer partners. What with Heidi and Jeff’s graduation early in May, the wedding in June and speaking engagements around the country, we will be fairly busy. It’s a good laugh when we’re asked about holidays.

We see progress in the work here. The men are taking over more responsibility in the church. This week, even those who haven’t preached before begin practice sermons at our study meetings. They will be evaluated and then they preach when Karin and I are away. The older men who already have preaching experience but who have been reluctant, really were encouraged to discover that, with the help of the Inductive Bible Study approach, they can get the same information and depth from scripture as Bernd!

The teenies (8-14) will be taken over by Thomas and Maria. Tommy has been in the fellowship for years, but has had problems. Now that he has the correct medication, and takes it, he is balanced and a faithful saint.

Maria is a Lutheran and came from former East Germany and is an occupational therapist. She has been attending the fellowship for almost 2 years now, and was baptized last summer. Tommy and Maria want to get married in July so we’ve already begun pre-marital counseling with them. We think they are a good team. This will be the first REAL wedding at the church in Mureck (July 10).

Guenther and Silvia are expecting their first child in early March. Guenther wants to help with the College and Careers group when I am away. It is great to see him coming out to our men’s meeting, and he will be the first Guinea pig to preach. Although Geunther is “in your face” a lot, he’s quick to admit mistakes and he’s teachable and challenges others in their walk.

Kerri Larter is our Missions Intern from Emmaus Bible College. She arrived the same day Heidi and Jeff departed and already she’s getting a good feel of things. She’s to experience the mission field with all it’s ups and downs. We can virtually guarantee this. We’ve organized a german teacher for her, one of the girls who’d drifted away last year. We trust Kerri will be a help especially with the teenies and young women we meet with.

Trusting our Lord

Bernd and Karin

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Email: bernd.flock@gmx.at