Germany Berlin Mission (July 2009 - June 2012): September 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Leadership Training in Berlin

The Elders commented it was hard for them to be away from their area but they felt they learned valuable skills that they will take back and share. Role playing can be fun!

"Rejoice, for the Hour of Your Mission is Come..." D&C 31:3

Elder Locher (Switzerland) arrived from the Preston MTC.

He received a warm welcome from Elder Ryser and will be serving in Dresden

with the Zone Leaders until the rest of his Golden group arrives

next week.

Elder Kendall, Elder Locher, Elder Gardner, Elder Dean

Sunday, September 26, 2010

"Rejoice, for the Hour of Your Mission is Come..." D&C 31:3

Elder & Sister Monson have arrived from Utah! We are so happy

they are here. They will be serving with the Young Single Adults in Hamburg!

As we walked to Mauer Platz, these mushrooms

were growing in the wooded areas. Hard to believe they are real.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Many of the senior missionaries spent the day in Wittenberg - Lutherstadt. This castle with a church was completed in 1509. The stained glass windows date from the 19th century. Martin Luther preached here as well.

We are privileged to have the town of Lutherstadt Wittenberg in our mission. Here the Reformation truly began. As explained in the Liahona in March 2005, this had to happen so that the Restoration could follow:

“Martin Luther was another of these people, called reformers, who saw that some of the practices of the Christian church were incorrect. He was a religious and educated man, and he wanted to change the practices of the church that did not match the teachings of the Bible. In 1517, in an attempt to promote discussion on the practices of the church, Luther wrote a document, identified as his Ninety-five Theses, and nailed it to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. This act marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.”

In the same article there is also a quote from President Monson about Martin Luther and other leaders of the Reformation:

“The reformers were pioneers, blazing wilderness trails in a desperate search for those lost points of reference which, they felt, when found would lead mankind back to the truth Jesus taught. …

“Such were the teachings and lives of the great reformers. Their deeds were heroic, their contributions many, their sacrifices great….”

As important as the Reformation was, the Restoration is the key part of a testimony of the gospel. As missionaries we know and we preach that God lives, Jesus is the Christ and the church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is true!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Hamburg

This is the view across the street and a couple of blocks from the Hamburg Stake Center.

Leadership Training in Hamburg

Zone Leaders, District Leaders and Trainers from half of the mission, met in Hamburg for special training. The role playing really makes a difference in their teaching ability. We train so they will become "Master Teachers!"

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sunday Meetings with the Berlin Stake (Conference)

A special meeting was held for those baptized earlier this year

in the Berlin Stake. It was great to hear their experiences.

We love them.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sunday Meetings with the Forst Branch, Dresden Stake

Another outstanding Sunday in Germany! We visited the Forst Branch, located on the Germany/Poland border about 1 1/2 hours from Berlin. The Dresden Stake Presidency were visiting to make changes in the Branch Presidency. The president had been serving for 9 years. President Voigt was sustained and set-apart as the new branch president. The chapel was filled (80+) and the spirit was strong.

Sweet Sister Schramm was willing to talk to me even with my limited language abilities. I told President Pimentel, "Ich habe einen neuen freund." (I have a new friend). She was willing to have her photo taken.

Elder Redmon, President Pimentel, Elder Stewart

The bridges in these photos were used to connect Germany and Poland. The bridges were bombed in the war and never rebuilt. You can see the trees of Poland in the background. Sidewalks run alongside the grassy areas and are used for biking and walking. It is a beautiful area.

Elder Stewart, Jonathan, Elder Redmon

Right after Sacrament Meeting a baptism was held for Jonathan.

He is a young man who was raised in a family who taught about

Christ, and read the scriptures. He was introduced to the Church

by a friend from school. He was impressed that people really live

their religion. He has studied, attended Seminary and Church for

a year and has been taught by many terrific missionaries. It

appeared the entire branch stayed for the baptism. Jonathan's family

and friends came to support him as well.

It was incredible to hear the Young Men/Young Women and

their leaders sing, "As Sisters in Zion/Army of Helaman"

(in German, of course). What a tribute to this young man to

see him surrounded and loved by so many.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Zone Conference Week

Elder Howarth, President Pimentel, Elder Roden

and, Karl G. Maser in the background

What would we do if we didn't have such terrific Assistants and office missionaries? The week of Zone Conference is certainly a busy one for all of us. We pack supplies and mail all over the mission, get up early, travel hours and hours. We are well cared for with wonderful lunches by sweet ward members each place we meet.

The Assistants teach with a wonderful spirit. This week they taught, "We invite, they commit, we follow-up." Change is very personal and must come from within. When you have a good lesson plan, that invites people to teach themselves and they are more willing to commit.

President Pimentel catches the attention of the missionaries as he teaches, "teach people, not lessons." We need to learn to ask inspired questions and to listen to the answers. Then respond as inspired by the Holy Ghost.

Sister Pimentel taught, "the Book of Mormon invites revelation." The introduction to the Book of Mormon teaches us that when we read the Book of Mormon, ponder and pray in faith, we can receive a knowledge that the restored gospel is true.

In each zone, Zone Leaders taught classes and did role plays. We were also treated to musical arrangements at each conference. The abilities of these young and senior missionaries is incredible! We love attending Zone Conferences!