Timing

It has been an interesting couple of weeks.  We told you in the last blog that we were asked to be the new Zone Leaders and on the very day we officially functioned as such, we had a report of Legionelle bacteria found in the apartment complex we and most of the other missionary couples live in.

Even though we have not yet received notification that the bacteria is all gone, yet another event happened.  Last week, a satellite truck positioned itself in the Europe Area Office's parking lot.  It was trying to find what was causing frequency interference.  They eventually narrowed it down to our apartment complex.  Taking in portable frequency detectors they found three apartments that supposedly have non-compliant devices.

Yep, the three apartments turned out to be three of our missionary couples.

Evidently, some devices built in America that emit a frequency signal interfere with the emergency and telephone signals here in Germany.  We scrambled to notify all missionaries that this government agency might be returning the next day to test again and that, if anything was found, a fine of thousands of euros could be issued.

The devices are typically phone bases for cordless phones, but it could also be things like baby monitors, wireless headphones, and remote control toys.  Interestingly enough, one device that was found had been in the missionaries' apartment before they arrived.  Evidently brought by a missionary who had once served.

A comment was mentioned to us the other day that the Lord waited for us to become Zone Leaders because of our background.  That does make sense.  Who better to understand and handle contaminated water than a wastewater treatment guy?  Who better to understand technology issues than two missionaries who are assigned to work with technology?  Sister van Hoff and I each have organizational skills, although hers is better developed than mine.

We could ask, "Why did the Lord have to put these events on us and especially so quickly in our assignment?" But, instead, we are grateful that the Lord trusted us enough to handle those situations for his missionaries.

For Independence Day, we gathered together as senior missionaries for a cookout.  The senior couple responsible for the event did an outstanding job: patriotic music, games, talks, etc.  A lot of the missionaries remarked how wonderful it was.

The Sisters at the cookout.

The elders at the cookout.  I'm in dress clothes because

 of a video conference scheduled for later that evening.

Yesterday, Elder Skoubye and I took a one-hour bicycle ride.  He showed me a place which was a huge park and some wooded areas.  It was a great ride, but in getting lost coming back the one-hour ride took 2-1/2 hours.  Other than being exhausted all day, I've not seen any ill effects.  Yet!!!

Elder Skoubye under an artistic bridge.

Here is a beautiful landscaped section of river we biked. On our bike ride.
We had an exciting week this week with the events of our pilot program.  I'd share them with you, but I think I'll keep the details until later. (Guess you'll just have to continue to read our blogs to find out.)  I will say this much, we received spiritual direction on forming a third pilot group.  It wasn't until we met with the facilitator for that group that we realized how inspired that spiritual direction was.