tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41122038390568235292024-03-21T14:33:15.738+01:00Perrin Family BlogJon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-12699189276975083152015-06-12T22:47:00.002+02:002015-06-12T22:47:45.838+02:00New Perrin Ministries Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw_YZ7d-OWzMsHbYtndWyAv2PWwFgm0BJfyaaUMw5KcSPZz6kp54viqrDHgQ0m9tXHbqDJKy3vxnj2n5uUAbj3L1Ov5KzlV2hSbqvtGwCU3kXXaHYrDoNiJz_bD724cVxWodrJdq0bNjW/s1600/Sacred+People.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw_YZ7d-OWzMsHbYtndWyAv2PWwFgm0BJfyaaUMw5KcSPZz6kp54viqrDHgQ0m9tXHbqDJKy3vxnj2n5uUAbj3L1Ov5KzlV2hSbqvtGwCU3kXXaHYrDoNiJz_bD724cVxWodrJdq0bNjW/s320/Sacred+People.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>In this series of articles we're examining the life of Jesus to see what a truly sacred person looks like. And it may not be the most spiritual or holy person, although that's what we've been led to believe. What we discover may shock you. </i><br />
<i><br />See the blog here: <a href="http://perrinministries.blogspot.com/2015/06/sacred-people-part-2.html">http://perrinministries.blogspot.com/2015/06/sacred-people-part-2.html</a></i>Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-72558955939696874502011-11-07T12:54:00.003+01:002011-11-07T12:57:37.590+01:00New Perrin Ministries Blog: Seeking ClosureNew Perrin Ministries Blog: Seeking Closure - <a href="http://perrinministries.blogspot.com/2011/11/seeking-closure.html">http://perrinministries.blogspot.com/2011/11/seeking-closure.html</a>Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-8150035255774408042011-10-18T13:52:00.002+02:002011-11-07T12:58:35.393+01:00New Watermark Freiburg (Church Planting) Blog<div align="left" style="color: #000088; text-align: right;"><img alt="Watermark Logo" border="" class="" height="169" src="http://watermarkfreiburg.de/upload/WatermarkCrop.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;" title="" width="300" /></div><br />
<div align="left" style="color: #000088; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black;">New Watermark Freiburg (Church Planting Blog): "Thoughts about Church Planting and Church Government" - </span><a href="http://bit.ly/oz8EWJ">http://bit.ly/oz8EWJ</a></div>Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-52480389128219868662011-05-05T08:32:00.001+02:002011-05-05T08:37:09.559+02:00Still Amazed!New Perrin Ministries blog posted about our Easter weekend outreaches - "Still Amazed!"<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://perrinministries.blogspot.com/">http://perrinministries.blogspot.com</a></div>Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-76220024772602576412011-04-22T11:09:00.003+02:002011-04-22T11:09:38.662+02:00spring<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Californian FB";">Spring is my favorite time of year. Winter is usually cold and dark in Germany. The days are extremely short and dark. But, in Spring and Summer, the scenery is so beautiful in the Black Forest, and this part of the country is known to be the sunniest (and therefore, the friendliest) part of Germany. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Californian FB";">The reason that this is my favorite season is not only the weather and flowers, but Easter! Jesus’ birth is celebrated at Christmas. It’s a wonderful time that I feel we have really turned into something other than a celebration of Jesus. But, Easter….it’s a celebration of just Him and what he did on the cross for us! Not only did Jesus live a perfect life day after day, year after year, but after 33 years of this perfect life….he gave it up for us! At Easter, he paid the ultimate price. God paid the ultimate price for us, the riff raff of society. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Californian FB";">Jesus was beaten beyond recognition of even looking like a man- so we could have healthy bodies. His blood that poured out at the cross was to make sure that we could be forgiven….that we could experience the unbelievable joy of being in the very presence of His father! Jesus knew that if he sacrificed himself for us, that it would produce a harvest of believers that would span the course of time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Californian FB";">On Easter, we celebrate when Jesus rose from the grave. When he rose, he gave us hope! I LOVE THIS SEASON! It makes me cry every time I think of Jesus’ sacrifice and the joy in His resurrection! He layed down everything for us…so that we could enjoy everything that God had given to Him! That’s what the season means for me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Californian FB";">People are so open to the things of God at Christmas and Easter. Let’s tell everyone we know! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Californian FB";">Robin</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Californian FB";"><u><b>Watermark Easter</b></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Californian FB";">We are going to have a huge Easter egg hunt and festival (carnival) for the at-risk kids in our neighborhood this Easter. We are going to tell them about what Jesus did for them through eggs, juggling, carnival booths, clowns and balloons. Our church is in the middle of what we would call "the projects". There are so many cultures represented in this area because of the large immigrant population. I can't wait to see what God will do with this outreach!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-45877459952472107822011-02-25T10:05:00.001+01:002011-02-25T10:05:17.794+01:00Free Bible Study Discussion Guides!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TWdwyWTPP9I/AAAAAAAAAy0/2EszOuUYCfQ/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TWdwzJb8W4I/AAAAAAAAAy4/m829pYZL9Mg/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a></p> <p>A few years ago Robin and I wrote a series of Bible Study Discussion Guides for a local church in Bonn, Germany. The small group program at this church had become basically teaching groups (old school Bible studies).</p> <p>In an effort to revitalize the small group program, we started writing our own curriculum, which was translated into German. <strong>The purpose of these Discussion Guides is to both build relationships and learn spiritual principles</strong>. The result was better than we expected!</p> <p>We have <strong>an entire year’s worth of weekly Small Group lessons (52 lessons)</strong> in 4 main themes (including 26 lessons on Spiritual Disciplines). <strong>And</strong> <strong>we want to </strong><a href="http://perrinministries.org/upload/DiscussionGuides%28EN%29/DiscussionGuides-EN.zip"><strong>give them away for free.</strong></a> </p> <p>Click on this link to download the free Discussion Guides (zip file): <a href="http://perrinministries.org/upload/DiscussionGuides%28EN%29/DiscussionGuides-EN.zip">Small Group Discussion Guides (English)</a></p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-328740963630580102011-02-14T10:16:00.001+01:002011-02-14T10:16:03.261+01:00Nice Valentine’s Day surprise<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TVjy0AK3lII/AAAAAAAAAyM/SXDcwcRAbFI/s1600-h/IMG_0990%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="IMG_0990" alt="IMG_0990" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TVjy0uYr3DI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/B2ZpU-7r07g/IMG_0990_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="249"></a></p> <p>This morning we were treated to a surprise breakfast by the girls. Omelets, fruit and walnuts (and a salad?) were waiting for Robin, Ryan and me when we woke up this morning.</p> <p>They cooked and wrote us a sweet poem. What great kids we have!</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-81468080169389299652011-01-04T02:15:00.001+01:002011-01-04T02:15:26.824+01:00Jetlag<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TSJ0qFJUkUI/AAAAAAAAAyA/-GJ50yNn9Ck/s1600-h/Ash_jetlag%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 5px 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Ash_jetlag" border="0" alt="Ash_jetlag" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TSJ0rdp8A1I/AAAAAAAAAyE/3dF7Dh8-8Oc/Ash_jetlag_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>We were able to make a quick trip back to Texas for Christmas, although it didn’t exactly work out as we planned. We had hoped to spend 10 days there, but since we were flying standby (can you say, “CHEAP”?) we had to wait until Christmas day to fly, leaving only 5 days in TX.</p> <p>We flew from Zurich to New York to Austin. We actually took advantage of a break in the storms that shut down the US east coast and messed up transportation across Europe. And we were able to leave our van at a friend’s church, which is near the airport (saving us over $100)… thanks Desmond!</p> <p>It was a very relaxing trip. We enjoyed the warm Hill Country weather and got to see Robin’s family. We were also able to visit my (Jon’s) dad. And we ate as much Tex-Mex food as possible!</p> <p>Ryan, Ashton and I were all set to fly back, but more winter storms forced a change in plans. Because our Sunday services started up again on Jan 2, I had to get back to Germany. The planned return flight was full, so we were forced to fly from Austin to Dallas to Frankfurt. And because it was a last-minute change, our checked luggage (including a new guitar I was given for Christmas) didn’t make it.</p> <p>We had to ride the train to Zurich (to get our van), which included delays and missed connections. We finally arrived back home after 28 hrs of travel (normally only 24)… in planes, trains and automobiles!</p> <p>The next morning we had a service. It was all too much for Ashton, who didn’t get enough sleep on the trip back. She ended up crashing on the couch in our coffee area after the service. She grabbed one of the Kids Ministry puppets (a dragon) to use as a pillow. We just HAD to take a picture of this… what a cutie!</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-49090399224265864592010-11-30T01:17:00.001+01:002010-11-30T01:18:52.595+01:00The gorgeous Black Forest!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TPRCkSLTxBI/AAAAAAAAAxM/Voy4f8N5zWA/s1600-h/DSC02787%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02787" border="0" alt="DSC02787" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TPRClt9WuSI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/jbS_xdicR_E/DSC02787_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="190"></a>It’s been amazingly beautiful here over the past few days, even though it’s been COLD! We’ve had snow for the past three days… and it’s remained!</p> <p>The sun came out for a few minutes today… it was absolutely beautiful, so I thought I’d share a photo or two.</p> <p>You can also see the famous Black Forest fog in this picture… it’s just over the next ridge from our house. It’s a unique phenomenon for this area (and other mountainous areas) in winter.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TPRCm_TKNfI/AAAAAAAAAxU/8cKUiVeDLBQ/s1600-h/DSC02790%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02790" border="0" alt="DSC02790" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TPRCn9ThidI/AAAAAAAAAxY/YRkNgoE5XlY/DSC02790_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="182"></a> Oftentimes it’s so thick that visibility is only a few feet, but above it is crystal clear.</p> <p>We’re thankful that God has called us to live in such a beautiful place!</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-51165529711354515992010-11-10T01:04:00.001+01:002010-11-10T01:04:22.818+01:00New Watermark Blog…<p>New <a href="http://watermarkfreiburg.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Watermark Freiburg Blog</a> -“A Sabbath Rest For Pastors”. Check it out at <a title="http://bit.ly/aNBqyR" href="http://bit.ly/aNBqyR">http://bit.ly/aNBqyR</a>.</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-47906274615487859592010-11-04T00:54:00.001+01:002010-11-04T00:54:43.927+01:00Who we’re reaching…<p>Check out Robin’s blog post about who Watermark Church is reaching: <a title="http://bit.ly/cJXVYs" href="http://bit.ly/cJXVYs">http://bit.ly/cJXVYs</a></p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-67496750418592753872010-09-27T12:21:00.001+02:002010-09-27T12:21:38.122+02:00Our first baptism!!!<p>We baptized one of our Launch Team members yesterday. Here’s the video of Stefy’s baptism (see the <a title="Watermark Freiburg Church Planting Blog" href="http://watermarkfreiburg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Watermark Freiburg Church Planting Blog</a> for the story)…</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:86c9796c-ca2f-4c7f-81ef-0a23455acc92" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YsX6t35sMG8&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YsX6t35sMG8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div><div style="clear:both;font-size:.8em;">Stefy's baptism (on her 20th birthday!)</div></div> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-43904070630924840482010-08-23T00:55:00.001+02:002010-08-23T00:55:55.750+02:00Coburg, Germany<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/THGq-KM6hGI/AAAAAAAAAkk/M9s5QmbM-ew/s1600-h/800px-Veste_Coburg_Luftbild%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="800px-Veste_Coburg_Luftbild" border="0" alt="800px-Veste_Coburg_Luftbild" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/THGq-hbzRSI/AAAAAAAAAko/udsteJnrhXE/800px-Veste_Coburg_Luftbild_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="165"></a> </p> <p>We were in Coburg visiting some church planters this past weekend. we got to spend some time with them on Sat eve and Sun afternoon asking questions and learning…</p> <p>We also took some time on Sat to visit the Veste Coburg Citadel, one of the largest fortresses in Germany. It was amazing! It just kept going and going and going…</p> <p>One of the most interesting things about the castle is that Martin Luther spent 6 months here in hiding so he wouldn’t be burned at the stake as a heretic. While he was here he continued translating the Bible into German so the common man could read it. Actually, after the Reformation, Coburg became Protestant resulting in all Catholics being persecuted.</p> <p>More pictures to follow…</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-86744211671932291312010-08-08T00:25:00.001+02:002010-08-08T00:25:31.956+02:00Feeling stuck?<p>New Perrin Ministries Blog: Feeling Stuck - <a title="http://bit.ly/bPxRRS" href="http://bit.ly/bPxRRS">http://bit.ly/bPxRRS</a></p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-59403621106965385072010-08-06T23:38:00.001+02:002010-08-06T23:38:28.083+02:00What to do when you don’t know what to do<h5>New Perrin Ministries Blog: “What to do when you don't know what to do” - <a href="http://bit.ly/9oJzee">http://bit.ly/9oJzee</a></h5> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-17208951294429459192010-06-25T12:31:00.001+02:002010-06-25T12:31:27.357+02:00Emma’s haircut<p>Emma decided she really wanted her hair cut… and today was the big day!  She wanted to donate her hair to make a wig for those that lose their hair (like cancer patients), but it wasn’t long enough.  It still needed a few more inches.  We think she looks really cute!</p> <p>Well, here are the before</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TCSFdpFh6yI/AAAAAAAAAjk/s_1fe-GigLo/s1600-h/beforephoto%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="beforephoto" border="0" alt="beforephoto" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TCSFeDBsJCI/AAAAAAAAAjo/ncEN2JL3E4o/beforephoto_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>… and after photos.  This is Emma with her friend Izzy (also a missionary kid).</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TCSFe9mW3CI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Co8-KMF0J0Q/s1600-h/Emma%26Izzy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Emma&Izzy" border="0" alt="Emma&Izzy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TCSFfoFfRwI/AAAAAAAAAjw/ATWMD2tOuRE/Emma%26Izzy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-1178945510255597722010-06-10T14:47:00.001+02:002010-06-10T14:47:03.020+02:00My brave little girl!<p>On Saturday we had a day at the pool.  The kids absolutely love it there!  And Emma’s friend talked her into going off the high dive.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TA0eqSCvVHI/AAAAAAAAAjI/ZX5GRuHLECY/s1600-h/photo%20%282%29%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="photo (2)" border="0" alt="photo (2)" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/TA0eqwITCTI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/xSgHdfjtAbE/photo%20%282%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>At first she wouldn’t jump off towards the middle of the pool (see the picture), but we were eventually able to convince her to do so.  What a great kid!</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-69418904797148179402010-05-07T15:56:00.002+02:002010-05-28T08:51:02.421+02:00Photoshop is a wonderful thing!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S-QcDBwAN5I/AAAAAAAAAiY/xsDys6fv6nc/s1600-h/JonwithAbs%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="JonwithAbs" alt="JonwithAbs" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S-QcEWeOYRI/AAAAAAAAAic/9GZiK_McM-o/JonwithAbs_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="166" align="left" border="0" height="244" /></a>I asked Aaron, our friend who is doing the brochures for our upcoming church plant <a title="Watermark Freiburg" href="http://watermarkfreiburg.de/" target="_blank">Watermark Church – Freiburg</a>, if he could photoshop out a little bit of my stomach flab in this picture… this is what he came up with. What do you think?</p> <p> That’s funny… I don’t care who ya are!</p>Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-27138836359681640302010-05-06T01:37:00.001+02:002010-05-06T01:37:54.047+02:00Watermark Freiburg Online<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S-IBTvpZM2I/AAAAAAAAAhY/lOmKaRXo-5Y/s1600-h/WMFRLogo3b%5B4%5D.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="WMFRLogo3b" border="0" alt="WMFRLogo3b" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S-IBUGtAUhI/AAAAAAAAAhc/5xLwylw1T48/WMFRLogo3b_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="60" /></a> The website for our coming Freiburg, Germany church plant is finally online!  Check it out at <a href="http://watermarkfreiburg.de">http://watermarkfreiburg.de</a>.  Although it’s not yet finished, you’ll be able to get an idea of what we’re trying to accomplish through our church in the Freiburg area.  I’d be interested in your feedback about the site.</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-22300965042074445532010-03-02T15:14:00.001+01:002010-03-02T15:14:38.418+01:00Two silver candlesticks…<p>The year is 1815.  A man by the name of Jean Valjean is released from prison after 19 yrs.  He comes to a new town where he’s forced to show his prison release papers… but then is <strong>shunned</strong> by both the mayor and the townspeople.</p> <p><strong>The only person who will feed him</strong> is Bishop Myriel, who also invites him to spend the night.  Not realizing that Myriel is a bishop, <strong>he steals the silverware</strong> and leaves in the middle of the night.</p> <p>To read the rest of this blog, <a href="http://perrinministries.blogspot.com/">visit our Perrin Ministries Blog</a>.</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-48666082775210144832010-02-28T18:02:00.001+01:002010-02-28T18:02:53.586+01:00Photos from Freiburg<p>We love Freiburg, Germany!  We will be planting a church there in October so we are spending quite a bit of time there.  It’s about 45 minutes away from where we live.  Here are some of the latest photos taken this week.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhlFVPQsI/AAAAAAAAAdc/b902WtoSrGk/s1600-h/IMG_0612%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0612" border="0" alt="IMG_0612" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhl-rhUbI/AAAAAAAAAdk/U4tYUAKw2qg/IMG_0612_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="186" height="238" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhmuBuH8I/AAAAAAAAAdo/Yw7lW_plxJk/s1600-h/IMG_0613%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0613" border="0" alt="IMG_0613" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhnDhbqKI/AAAAAAAAAds/Pgo8MdbkMc0/IMG_0613_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="195" height="246" /></a> </p> <p>These top 2 are actually window decorations from our village in Kandern.   This is definitely Carnival season!</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhn_gBC0I/AAAAAAAAAdw/aYP-2ongGq8/s1600-h/IMG_0610%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0610" border="0" alt="IMG_0610" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhoebf1JI/AAAAAAAAAd0/bjWcLpRAjUg/IMG_0610_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="345" /></a> </p> <p>The guy was playing a kind of an upside down steel drum that I have never seen before and pan pipes… all while he was kicking a Cajon drum.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhpV0tnYI/AAAAAAAAAd4/mYmljitXGO4/s1600-h/IMG_0609%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0609" border="0" alt="IMG_0609" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhp_loHkI/AAAAAAAAAd8/BevbpdcxyUU/IMG_0609_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="269" /></a> </p> <p>This guy was playing acoustic guitar and was really good!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhq58hccI/AAAAAAAAAeA/9XO6LTWMl6w/s1600-h/IMG_0604%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0604" border="0" alt="IMG_0604" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhrTEdSXI/AAAAAAAAAeE/FoFnn6qMwUQ/IMG_0604_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="266" /></a> </p> <p>Yes, this is still Germany…but looks more like Morocco.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhsjyvb2I/AAAAAAAAAeI/qso7JHJnHGE/s1600-h/IMG_0606%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0606" border="0" alt="IMG_0606" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhtA_GVlI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/HdkbaDTuJ6M/IMG_0606_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="275" /></a> </p> <p>Germans love to drink and they are really creative about it…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhuYDnAqI/AAAAAAAAAeU/Okq8K1BJKUY/s1600-h/IMG_0607%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0607" border="0" alt="IMG_0607" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4qhutBtFLI/AAAAAAAAAeY/Kzp8D-tHod8/IMG_0607_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="275" /></a> </p> <p>This is actually a large bicycle that is powered by 8 people.  Each of them are drinking “German Beer”  and pedaling while they are getting some exercise going around the city of Freiburg.</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-51039866981925884002010-02-27T20:15:00.001+01:002010-02-27T20:19:40.730+01:00Thumbprint ID-(grocery store payment)<p>Just thought I would share something that is becoming more popular in Germany.  The photo below is a thumbprint scanner at our local grocery store.  You simply put your thumb in this scanner and your grocery total is automatically taken out of your bank account.  </p> <p>For all those Christian “conspiracy theorists”…could this be the beginning of the MARK OF THE BEAST?  :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4lvRLMptyI/AAAAAAAAAdM/9PAPU1fxUW8/s1600-h/IMG_0615%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0615" border="0" alt="IMG_0615" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4lvRpo160I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/mu4IMsP_I0E/IMG_0615_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="133" height="168" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4lvSBMFwRI/AAAAAAAAAdU/ogLYrhAawGQ/s1600-h/IMG_0616%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0616" border="0" alt="IMG_0616" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S4lvSpdwk8I/AAAAAAAAAdY/M2MLMgmavPQ/IMG_0616_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="176" height="138" /></a></p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-88557323391757292582010-02-20T20:54:00.001+01:002010-02-20T20:54:13.459+01:00Evil Spirits Away (Scheiben Feuer)<p><img alt="http://ais.badische-zeitung.de/piece/00/b7/fb/2e/12057390.jpg" src="http://ais.badische-zeitung.de/piece/00/b7/fb/2e/12057390.jpg" width="203" height="155" /></p> <p>Tonight as we drove back home form Freiburg (where we are planting a church in October) in just about every village on the way, we saw the Scheiben Fires.  It begins with a parade of people with torches lighting the way up the mountainside.  As the night goes on, the fire torches that made their way up the mountain were being hurled through the air into the valley.  </p> <p> Every year at the end of February, each village has the same tradition.  It is supposed to be on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday.  Apparently, the fire is to signify that spring is victorious over winter.  (I can totally understand this because winters here are dark, wet and depressing) </p> <p>Sometimes, a straw witch is burned in the bonfire (as a result of Christian influence)…and the flying logs of fire are to chase off and banish the winter “spirits” and welcome spring.  As they hurl the logs or discs of wood, they chant “Schibi, schibo, die Schiebe die soll goh.”  loosely translated… “Schibi, schibo, we will push to make it go.”  This is accompanied by a night of partying & hard drinking.  (This is particularly hard for me to imagine because of the hangovers that they probably had after the last few weeks of partying during Carnival and the “Witch Ball”.) </p> <p>This celebration is very much like the one for New Year’s & Ash Wednesday where the people dress in large masks with eerie lit eyes that are supposed to ward off evil spirits.  It seems that the Germans look for any opportunity to get together with their neighbors and have some drinks! </p> <p>(But not our Christian German friends! :)</p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-30952187975899445452010-02-17T13:04:00.001+01:002010-02-17T13:04:37.339+01:00The Last Melon<p>As I open the last peanut butter cracker package (that I had hidden from the children) it feels like “the Last Melon” scene in Ice Age.  Remember when the characters found the Dodo birds last 3, then 2, then 1 melon that they were stockpiling for the impending Ice Age?  Sid retrieved “the Last Melon” in a slow-motion, football style scene.  When he finally made it through all the Dodo birds that wanted it, he “spiked” the melon, smashing it to the ground….and they all sigh a collective hmmmmm.  (It’s funny what we miss from America)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S3vbUW5vYmI/AAAAAAAAAdA/PmDMTDBXBZA/s1600-h/DSC01227%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC01227" border="0" alt="DSC01227" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S3vbVADyhfI/AAAAAAAAAdE/erzmdM9uhLA/DSC01227_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="169" height="129" /></a></p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112203839056823529.post-41390036870596524012010-02-17T12:50:00.001+01:002010-02-17T12:50:20.409+01:00Mardi Gras-German Style<p>Carnival is interesting in Germany.  In our part of the country, this  “time of indulgence”  concludes with a “Hexenball” which is literally translated a witch party …complete with various forms of “gratification”.  Our village decorates the main square with strands of undergarments.  </p> <p>The top photo is undershirts and the “Hexenball” banner.</p> <p>Notice the three strands of underwear/bras in the bottom photo.  (The locals say that the underwear strands are a symbol of the “indiscretions” that the people are allowed during Carnival.  It’s too hard to remember with whom and at which house they slept the night before so they are just supposed to hang their clothing outside the house so they can be found.)</p> <p>On ASH WEDNESDAY (today), they go to the local Catholic church and are supposed to repent for their sins.  (Well, at least the ones that they remember).  However, I thought that it is interesting that the school children (during the first hour of school) also go to mass and are supposed to repent for their “sins” of Carnival. Hmmmm.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S3vX8Fa2G_I/AAAAAAAAAcw/QMxaUzn4kbc/s1600-h/DSC01229%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC01229" border="0" alt="DSC01229" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S3vX8wm6CBI/AAAAAAAAAc0/uSt2A9IeoMI/DSC01229_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="359" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S3vX-Ia3y6I/AAAAAAAAAc4/p9WpZpj309I/s1600-h/1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1" border="0" alt="1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tIKrVg-GiRg/S3vX-gMpIrI/AAAAAAAAAc8/xKlnXIkAj54/1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="366" /></a></p> Jon and Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904518316099516324noreply@blogger.com0