New Beginnings

Installation of Ewald as pastor and dedication of Jacob

Two weeks ago was my (Ewald) installation service as pastor of Evangeliumsgemeinde Wien. It was a great and joyful day both for us and the church. The church had been praying and working towards that day of having a new pastor for over a year.

It is a great privilege for me to work with a great team of elders one of whom is Iranian (Daniel), one German (Werner) and one American (Peter also served as interim pastor during the last year and will be my partner and mentor once they return from their furlough in the US).

My major responsibilities are being involved on the different levels of leadership, teaching and training with a special focus on evangelism. Right now this means getting up to speed as fast as possible before Peter and Celeste leave for the US, so that I can fill in any gaps in the leadership team and working with the deacons and team leaders.

Furthermore I am preaching a lot (love it). We are preaching through our creed: The title is: Credo - Pillars of the Christian Faith. Hey, why not get out your German and listen in?

As a family we are getting settled in here at the far east end of Vienna. Where we live it has almost the feel of an Austrian village mixed with the international feel of Vienna. First friendships with neighbors are developing. Davina is going to first grade Volkschule and Elias to Kindergarten (pre-school - I know very confusing). So far they both love it and are making new friends.

It's great to be in Kindergarten

first day of school

10th anniversary get-away

working on the house with Thorsten, a friend from church

Constanze and I have a new project: We are determined to test out a new breakfast place every Monday (which is my day off). - Well, we might revisit some, which we really like. Let us know, if you are interested in reviews. We celebrated our 10th anniversary on August 18, at a lovely getaway in the southeast of Styria. And we are very thankful to God for his grace, provision and protection in these first ten years, in good and difficult times.

We are still working on our house. We have finished three bed rooms and the kitchen and dining area, but the living room and my office and a few other things, are still waiting for furniture and further renovation. It is a work in progress. But God really provides for us, e.g. by placing wonderful people in our church who helped us a lot. In November we plan to take over the house as main tenant (at the moment we are subletting). But that means that we have to raise about 30.000 Euros. - A big prayer request.

So much for now. More soon

Transitions

We arrived safely in Vienna, over a month ago on June 28th and were welcomed very warmly by the church. My job as associate pastor began on August 1st, which gave us time in July to work on the house and also to relax in our little garden.

And we needed the time, I mean we really needed it...

Before coming we expected a house we can just move into, but discovered that it really needs a lot of work. we are basically gradually painting all the rooms and renewing the floors, and are very thankful for some very faithful people from church without whom the project would be impossible.

We still have to settle a few questions related to the apartment with the former tenants and would appreciate your prayers. Having said all that, we are really grateful for this house, which has a lot of potential and we are really looking forward to hosting friends and strangers. But for now we are a bit tired of "camping" and are longing for a home.

We thank you for your prayers and look forward to hearing from you.