Eric Roth
February 12, 2007
Germany Yes Team Letter #13

My week started off with a yearly tradition that was very different this year, watching the Super Bowl. There were a few things that were very different than normal. First, there were no commercials, so during the normal commercial breaks, we just watched the people walk around on the field. Second, the game did not start here until 12:30 am Monday morning. Val and I were the only people that made it through the whole game. : ) Also, the announcers were obviously speaking in German, so the only time we heard English was when the referee would announce a penalty over the intercom. Thank the Lord for the internet though, because the next day, I was able to watch almost all of the Super Bowl commercials. Praise the Lord! : )

Looking back on the almost three months that I have lived here, I am amazed at how much German I have learned, but also how little I have really learned. What amazes me the most, is how much my wife has learned and can speak. She can speak and communicate very well. It just amazes me how much German she has packed into her brain. I just thank God for the understanding that he has given us and the whole team with the German language.
For example, today, I was at the laundromat doing laundry with Shaina. A man asked how to pay for the machines. I was able to expain to him how it worked, without using my dictionary. Obviously, I did a good amount of pointing as well. : )

Another thing that amazes me are the friendships that God has brought into each of our lives. God has given each of us various people that I believe we are supposed to be focusing on here in Halle. One such person that Val and I have come to know dearly is named Claus. He almost always smells like alcohol, and has it heavily on his breath. He is probably between 50 and 60, but he looks a lot older than that, as a result of his life of drinking. He is always at church, and he normally takes charge of the set-up and tear-down of the sanctuary. I love helping him, joking with, and working alongside of him. Val and I have developed a very special friendship with him, even though we can barely understand each other. Everytime he sees Val or I, his eyes light up. We both love to just love on this guy and give him huge hugs, even though he normally doesn't smell the best. I look forward to seeing him every Sunday, trying to understand each other, and just joking around with him. I believe that Claus knows Jesus and loves to serve, but he is just trapped in his life-long struggle with alcohol. Claus' health is for obvious reasons not very good. I'm not sure how long his life will last, but I thank God for the time that I have been able to spend with Claus. He has changed my perspective of how we should love others, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. No matter where I go after Germany, I will never forget my friend, Claus.

In Christ, Eric

Praises:
- We are all learning the language.
- Val and I were both hired as English teachers at an English school.
- Our coffeehouse was a success last night.
- Snow!

Prayer Requests:
- Team unity as we are not always working together on the same thing.
- Wisdom for Val and I as team leaders.
- The Lord's continued protection over us.
- Claus, for freedom from alcoholism.
- Continued love for each other
- Wisdom as we start working on different projects and outreaches.