Back in Germany

so, I am back in germany! my flights were a breeze and really great.Today I went to my first German service in my church here in Frankfurt. It is fun to sing all those songs in German! Good message about how to live out the resurrection authority. I saw Doris and Steve and had a good time over some tee and coffee after the service. There is a lot that I see how to be part of that church again and how to let them be part of the mission God has given me. I am praying for open doors and the right people to network with. All is new and all is good. I center myelf in our GOD and know that HE is taking care of me and taking care of you!!

my quote for the day!!!

God not only knows where He is taking me. But He also knows how to get there! ~Roy Lessin~

My interview on the weekend

It was an awesome time that I will never forget. I was ablet o listen to a sermon three times and really got a lot out of it (grin), I got prayed over 3 times and enjoyed the fatherly blessing of an older brother and fellow restoration missionary and warrior in Christ. Here are some pics and u can go online and watch the video urself on www.easthill.org. This is how you get there: type in easthill.org, then from there, click on "resources" and scrall down to "past messages", then click on "a stubborn love by Ted Roberts", voila and have some fun- I love the interview and I totally dig the message, it fits, it is my life!

2 SUITCASES? Packing...

man, I pray I get all that in my cuistcases and all........

oh my goodness!!!!!!Packing fever :(

O my! I am trying to fit my life in 2 suitcases!!! I claim this mission to be possible although it kinda looks more like the opposite right now! Let mje tell you , I am sweating! I had downsized so much...at least taht is what I thought. I shipped one big box full of books to Germnay today which cost me 141 $. Crazy!!!! I hope I can check in all the way from Portland to Frankfurt. These 2 suitcases are heavy duty. I guess, I need to buy a few of those strip thingys to put around my suitcases...if u know what I mean? Well if not..too bad cuz I do not know the English word :) So off I am , packing some more and trying to get rid of things and downsize as much as I can!!!!!!!!

New National Anthem of South Africa

enjoy

Nervous....

Yes I am nervous. It is saturday and today and tomorrow I will be interviewed on the stage of our church in front of everyone. I know God has made me for this and He told me to speak in front of an ocean of people but HEY, this is way beyond me! I read Phillipians 4:13: I can do everything THROUGH Christ who loves me and combined with John 15:5 that reads that I cannot do anything apart from Christ...I know that what I can do I only can do through my Lord and with HIs help. If someone had told me 2 years...even 1 year ago that I would go as a female single long term missionary to Cape Town SOuth Africa, I would have shaken my head, rolled my eyes and stuff like that. I can see how far God has brought me and I know that HE is able to do far more. Am I happy to have HGIM, to know HIM and to be with HIM every second of the day and of the night: what a priviledge!!!! I picked out my outfit and hope I can do something different with my hair :) (lol) oh well, I guess I see u out there. After this weekend you can go online on: www.easthill.org to go on our website and see the service and there will be my interview. The battle belongs to the LORD (2. Chron. 20)

Faith makes things possible NOT easy!!!

Here I am again...what a day. I had a really good meeting and lots more that I need to learn about money and how to handle everything. It can be discouraging and overwhelming and yet I have wonderful people around me that really help me understand things in the monetary world. NEWS NEWS NEWS I have 4200 $ in for my funds!!!! After my meeting I realized I need to have a monthly amount of 2000 $ raised every month. I am working on getting friends and fellow East Hill attendies to commit to give towards my ministry for a year (every month at least 35 $). This weekend, I will be on stage for all the services (6) and have an opportunity to speak my heart and be prayed over. I will also have a table in the foyer and be sure about that , I will decorate it to the best of my creative ability :) I was invited to the widow connection yesterday and boy was I blessed. I fellowshipped with 15 widdows of age and experience of life. they reminded me of my grandma who passed away last year. We had a potluck and then did a scavenger hunt in the parc whci was so much fun (I will post some pictures of this soon). Later these precious ladies prayed over me and blessed me for my ministry in South Africa. How precious!!!! I am showered by HIS blessings every day. My staff has touched me by praying over me in my last staff meeting and by having a goodbye-cookie-thing while I was working at the front desk for the last time. I am blessed to be aprt of the East HIll Church Family! Yesterday I received a call from a lady who wants to sell thngs for me and give me the money and she is talkingabout the garage load full!!!

Thank you my dear Lord for bringing all these people into my life! Thank u for helping me trust when I am worn out and overwhelmed! Thank you for helping me to focus on YOU and be with you my dear dear Lord Jesus!

I so love you!!!! ur little sunshine princess

Prayer requests inthis time

Kerstin goes to Cape Town These are my prayer requests : -Peace of mind in the midst of the storm -Protection and coverage: emotionally, -For the right family to live with in Cape Town -Get more information on good fundraising and money issues ( -Good communication with people I work -Ability to trust and walk by faith and in alignment of the Holy Spirit -For finding a good doctor over there -For wisdom and good and right -Good and increasing discipline physically, financially, and all ways! organization with in ministry or and healthy decisions ood in my quiet times with the Lord organization)

25 $ per month?

Dear readers, after looking at my fundraising, I thought I try something else to make it more accesable. I need 1650 $ per month.

To meet this number I would need a total of 53 people who could commit to give 30 $ every month, 66 people who could commit to 25 $ a month or 83 people who could commit to give 20 $ per month

. If you feel led to commit to give either 20, or 25 or 30 $ a month to my ministry in Cape Toen, feel free to contact me or send a check to: East Hill Church PO Box 650 Gresham, OR 97030 memo line: South Africa LONG TERM Missions Kerstin Berthold Long Term Missionary Cape Town/South Africa Blog: http://freiheitwelcometomyworld.blogspot.com Ministry blog: http://capetownmissions.blogspot.com

I have a new MINISRTY BLOG

Dear readers, I proudly present my new MINISTRY BLOG on blogspot:

http://capetownmissions.blogspot.com/

check it out, I also have a link on here. Be blessed! Kerstin

This is our God

Someone experienced God and I want to shar this with you- I am proud of MY GOD!!!!

"One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator) We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates) "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. "All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm." The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During prayer time, one ten -year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God" she prayed, "Send us a hot water bottle today. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon." While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say "Amen"? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator! Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!" Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?" Of course,I replied! That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God'sprompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon." "Before they call, I will answer." (Isaiah 65:24)"

I got an email today with this content and I am stunned and amazed at my GOD, don't you think HE is not the best ever like ever ever ever? Forgive my unbelief and help me to dream and live BIG my LORD

My long Term Mission starts soon!

His hands extended to SOuth Africa

SWEET HEAVINESS

I am feeling this sweet heaviness about me these days. I am somehow feeling peace in the midst of it as well. That in itself is a WOW moment (good and inspiring blog Travis!), that in itself is a miracle. I feel calmer and yet in anticipation thes days. The sweet heaviness is something that brings tears to my eyes every once in a while, makes my heart heavy but yet thankful. I am emotional and that seems normal I guess. I still have 9 days here at work with my family of East Hill staff and then another week before I fly home to Frankfurt. Weird but I am looking forward to it....looking forward to my friends on that sied of the world. I know I am in the zone, I know I am doing what I am supposed to do in life and that really brings me huge satisfaction. This Sweet heaviness has a very sweet and tender aroma and I am ok with it because I know it is part of the journey. I am sweetly broken and I surrender to my God Almighty, JESUS is HIS name, my High Priest who takes good care of me!

UPDATED update, more money in and more to raise!!!!!!!!!!!!

 SOUTH AFRICA-CAPE TOWN Dear family and friends, Here I am, less than 3 weeks before the big move. I will go home to Germany, get my visa and then go to Cape Town as soon as I have enough funds. I am doing ok in all this, am so glad that God provides me with peace and trust and all that. I know that He is here and He is working in all this. Thank you so much for your prayers!!!!!!! Trust is what my theme is these days…a trust that is weak and raw and vulnerable, a trust that can only come from my God  When will I leave the U.S. for South Africa?              My last day of work at East Hill Church will be Friday, July 20th, 2007 and I will fly home to Frankfurt, Germany exactly one week later on the 27th of July.  I am returning to Germany to apply for my visa which must be done from my home country.  Then I will have approximately three months in Germany to work and be with friends and family before I embark on my new adventure to Capetown, South Africa. NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS How is my support going? I have a lot of people praying for me and to be honest that is the most important thing right now. It helps not to stand alone J The finances are slowly coming in. I should have about 1700 $ by now, but need at least 3,200$ to be able to have a “reserve” here at East Hill at all times in case of emergency PLUS the money for the first 2 months there that I can spend: in all 6,400 $. I believe that God will provide and bring it in. If I cannot cover the first months in Cape Town, I cannot be sent out yet. Also, I need to have the “reserve” money in at all times. If I fall under the 3,200 $, I have 60 days in financial emergency state before I would need to leave the field to go home and build up my support again. Certainly, I would not want to go there.How can you support me in this? - with your prayers.   During this season of transition I am need of spiritual protection over my emotions, decisions, thoughts and actions.  I need discernment and God’s wisdom for balance.  Likewise, you can pray for a good and stable family that will open their home to me in Capetown.  My e-mail address is newborntigger@yahoo.com and I would love to hear from you at any time. Financially, I am going to need approximately $1,650.00 a month in support.  While East Hill will be giving me some financial support, it will not cover the full support amount that I need.  My IMMEDIATE needs are 2 months worth of my budget as reserve PLUS 2 months of my budget to actually spend on housing and food to be able to go: 6,400$ If you need a tax receipt, you can send payments to East Hill Church. Please make sure to note "South Africa Long Term Missions” on the memo line of each check .

The address of The East Hill Church is: East Hill Church, PO Box 650, Gresham OR 97030

You can send checks made out to East Hill to the East Hill PO Box . Finally, If you have any questions about my plans or want further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I’d love to hear from you as well J May God bless you!  Sincerely, Kerstin

Test in trusting - Promises need faith!!

Wow, so I am in a total trusting training here. Trusting in the lord my God....... HE is my shelter and my solid rock on which I stand. As I am reading in Hebrews I learn how important it is to have God's promises followed by faith I need to put in HIM and HIM alone. Words without acts are dead as James declared and it is true. The Israelites had all those promises from THE ALMIGHTY GOD and yet they did not put their trust in HIM and so those promises have were not fully fullfilled. In Hebrews 4,I read about God's rest and I yearn to enter this rest and I say and proclaim that I trust my God to fullfill allt He promises that HE has given me. HE will come through!

My dear dear Lord, thank you for givingme promises and now I tell you that I trust you in all you do to fullfill those! Help my mistrust and give me strength to stand firm in these days! YOur Princess K

Test in trust, promises need faith

WOW, I am tested in my trust to the Lord big time. Yet, I stand firm on the solid rock, HIS promise. Reading in Hebrews this mroning made me realize that God's promises need to come with faith on my part. God had promised the Israelites so much and yet when they were in the desert, they did not put their trust in GOD and acted on that faith. Thus the promises were nor fullfilled. I strive to enter into God's rest as it talks about in Hebrews 4. And I need God's help to trust in the promises that He has given me. WOW, what powerful Scripture!

I trust and stand, you are my portion, my deliverer, my shelter,s trong tower and I come to you in time of need: NOW! Your Princess :)

Thank you for your prayers- 3000 more!!!!

SOUTH AFRICA-CAPE TOWN Dear family and friends, Here I am, less than 4 weeks before the big move. I will go home to Germany, get my visa and then go to Cape Town as soon as I have enough funds. I am doing ok in all this, am so glad that God provides me with peace and trust and all that. I know that He is here and He is working in all this. Thank you so much for your prayers!!!!!!! Trust is what my theme is these days…a trust that is weak and raw and vulnerable, a trust that can only come from my God NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS How is my support going? I have a lot of people praying for me and to be honest that is the most important thing right now. It helps not to stand alone  The finances are slowly coming in. I should have about 1200 $ by now, but need at least 4500 $ to be able to cover the first two months in Cape Town. I believe that God will provide and bring it in. If I cannot cover the first months in Cape Town, I cannot be sent out yet. How can you support me in this? First of all and most importantly you can support me with your prayers. During this season of transition I am need of spiritual protection over my emotions, decisions, thoughts and actions. I need discernment and God’s wisdom for balance. Likewise, you can pray for a good and stable family that will open their home to me in Capetown. My e-mail address is newborntigger@yahoo.com and I would love to hear from you at any time. Financially, I am going to need approximately $1,650.00 a month in support. While East Hill will be giving me some financial support, it will not cover the full support amount that I need. My IMMEDIATE needs are 2 months worth of my budget to be able to go: 4500 $If you need a tax receipt, you can send payments to East Hill Church. Please make sure to note "South Africa Long Term Missions” and “Kerstin Berthold” on the memo line of each check . This information is very important and for easier way for our accounting department we want to make sure that the money goes into the right account.

Missed opportunities-Taking things for granted?

I have been thinking about this one for a while and every time when I am to take up my tent and belongings and move on, I come back to it. I think about missed opportunities, things that we take for granted, people that we take for granted......

As long as everything stays the same: no problem- BUT as soon as there is change in thea air, then we get it, we think about what we have had all this time that now will be different. Have we taken things, situations, people for granted?

Last week I was at a memorial service. That person used to be at the office every week. She was there, every week. Then, one day we got a call from her sister telling us that this lady died...just like that. I was shocked...we all were and still are. When I was sitting on my chair at the memorial service, I suddenly came to think about how much I took her for granted. Well, if I take HER for granted, what then about all the precious people around me every day? SO needless to say that this post makes me feel grateful for what I have....for what God provides me with wherever I go. A Pioneer for God