Thank God For Omas!

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for checking up on the Coronel Family D'dorf.

As you all know, Anne is in smoldering California where the fires are coming to rest.
The fires could not stop the family from taking a trip to Disneyland! Are you kidding?! So while Karis and I were having our own fun here in Germany, Anne and the boys were heading towards Disney, where they had a great time going on roller coasters, driving at Autopia (you Californians know what I mean) and watching the parade at California Adventures. Anne told me that Zeeky-Dude had a blast driving the cars at Autopia but when it came time to get off she must of left his heart on the seat of one of the cars 'cause he freaked out! He did not want to leave, he could have driven around that track till the 'cows came home'.

Anyways, this last week was a special time for Karis and I because my mom came to comfort us for the week. She is amazing! She just got home from the craziness of California to the craziness of Herborn and before she could say 'Was hast du mit mein Haus getan?" I was there to pick her up and put her to work. My dad barely had time to ask "Was haben wir fur Abendessen" when she was already cooking us chicken tacos, enchiladas, Albondiga soup and baking us scones! C'mon! That's my Mexican Mamma! Sorry my dear sisters, I know your mouths are watering but wipe up the drool and ask God to forgive you for being jealous! J/K! Hey, she was with you guys for 3 months! ;0)

I think it was the first day when our adventures began. I thought I would show my mom how to find her way to pick Karis up from school. It is not far but I thought it would by nice to show her exactly where to find our little one in the sea of yelling, screaming, running, jumping, German speaking school kids. We walked out the door of our apartment and she closed the door behind her as I checked my pockets for a house key...yup, we were locked out on the first day together. This is what happens to me and my mom when we team up to make life easier. So we got Karis and came back in time for me to show my worried Muttie how I had some skills in opening the door to our house with a credit card. But before I could say "Ich habe geschaft" our Turkish 20 something neighbor walks out of his apartment one level up from us, sees me trying to get in, walks down the stairs, grabs the card out of my hand and opens it for me in about 3 1/2 seconds. My mom is now officially freaked out and locked the door from that time on at all times of the day. I don't blame her, now I am too. (Nothing against Turks)

That brings me to my next story. We made it to the end of the week pretty uneventful but now it is Saturday and we have to take my long haired, brown-eyed, German speaking daughter to a birthday party. Echinoa is how her name sounds it would be spelled, she is a friend of Karis who turned 8 and wanted Karis to come to her party. Now I wasn't sure how this would go, some times parents stay at the party, sometimes they take a look around to see if things are safe and then leave until the appointed pick up time. We were invited in as we arrived and before we knew it we were sitting on the couch with uncles, grandmas, grandpas and in-laws. Turkish style. It was a great experience and the first I must add.

We ate pizza, bread, drank cola and shared our faith in Jesus with the whole family. Some of the family was really open, like the brother they called Isa (Jesus). I was kinda glad the brother they said they called "Hezbollah" wasn't there though. Anyways, it was time for us to leave and the father of the girls dad wanted to ask one more question which I was glad to try and answer in my limited Deutsch. As I was struggling through to answer and then understand the man speaking to me in even worse Deutsch than I, the father of the girls mother was staring me down and waving some kind of Islamic rosery at me. I didn't even realize it, my mom was the one who was watching the whole thing, praying silently but with all her might. The conversation ended friendly and I had to excuse myself to go home and finish studying for Sunday's sermon.

Mom and I got home and prayed for God to bless the Word we shared to the hearts of those who were open to listen and that the love we displayed would go a long way.

Thank you Muttie, it has been an adventure and mucho fun-o. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us! God bless you! Tomorrow I will fry up some enchiladas and eggs for 'fruehstuck'. Mmmm....

Oh, and big thanks to Auntie's and Grandma's that contributed to making this little Karis Grace soooo happy with the letters, the gifts and all the love that you sent her while Mommy is gone.

When Mommy leaves...

Hello from the almost empty nest in D'dorf. As you all well know, but not as well as we do, Anne and the boys left today to California. This trip has been a long time coming but is now 'unterwegs' as we say here Germany.

After lots of prayer and waiting for the right time we had to 'drop the bomb' on Karis. You see she was not able to go because she has to go to school. She took the news really well. Of course after the 'why's and the tears we hugged and gave here 'great and precious promises' to live by for the next 3 weeks. Promises which include: Oma coming over and spoiling her for a week, going swimming (indoor of course), taking her friend Lukas and her to a jumphouse, checking out an local aquarium, and visiting a family from the church for dinner (they have 4 kids).

I didn't know how busy the first day would be. We went to bed late, got up early and it was time for 'fruestuck'

Zeeky and Kaleb were excited and ready to eat. Zeeky was so excited he didn't even eat much of his normal 'Schoko Musli' but it takes a lot for Kaleb not eat his 'Zimtos' (Generic Cinnamon Toast Crunch). Kaleb has been really looking forward to going to California. He has fond memories of English speaking cousins, lots of hugs, kisses and tickles; Disneyland, good American food, lots of new toys, Nanna, Pappa, Aunties, Uncles and new friends. In fact when Anne asked him if he would mess Karis and I, he simply replied 'No'. We asked him again later and he said he would after all. Whew...

Thanks for praying. The morning went well. We got off to the airport on time and made good time to Cologne Int. Airport.

The boys had fun running around at the airport.

Karis and I had a fun day, we were both tired and already missing our #1 women and those two crazy boys.

We made the time go by in this way:

1. We came home and ate noodles
2. We did crafts
3. We colored
4. We played Yahtzee!
5. We watched T.V.
6. We drew pictures
7. We cried
8. We laughed

And now we wait for word from our loves ones.

We love you guys and we have you in our hearts every moment till we see you wonderful smiling faces!

Family Visa Update

Well as Anne said 'We got a definite MAYBE' That's funny...ha...ha! Well the truth is that we were a bit bummed out that we didn't get our visas even though we gave the 'Dusseldorf Auslaenderbehoerde' (the local Foreign Ministry) all they asked us for. You see they don't like the whole 'living by faith' thing. We didn't tell them that but when they see that we are living by donations from the U.S. along with some regular support from CC Herborn they get a little bit scared. They are used to people with regular incomes that allow the state to figure out if those applying for visas are able to support themselves and not end up on welfare.


They don't know how to handle our situation. They asked us how we have been able to live in Germany all this time and we pointed to the papers we gave them. We have been wonderfully supported by the saints both in Herborn and the U.S. which have allowed us to minister here. They still didn't know what to think. They have no clue what 'Calvary Chapel' is, they have a hard enough time pronouncing it! ;0) Anyways, they ended up giving us a paper that they want the churches that support us or anyone in Germany or America for that matter to sign. It basically says that the person or organization signing will support us in case we don't have enough money to support ourselves and if it comes to that point that they will pay for us to be flown home to sunny California. They just don't want us at their doorstep with our hand out.



Yeah, it is a little humbling to be thought of in that light but that is how it goes in these financially difficult times I guess. We also know that there is a spiritual battle taking place within the governments offices. You just don't move into a city that has nearly 600,000 people, which the majority need Jesus just as much as you or I, and start launching preemptive strikes on the enemies territory and think that you will not encounter some opposition. We had an outreach in Dec of 2007 with CC Mansfield, Ohio during the Christmas Markt, we had an outreach with CC Herborn in May 2008 with drama and open air preaching at the Main Train Station, CC Siegen sent a team of youth up for a week this summer passing thousands of flyers, Gospel tracts and doing one to one evangelism, and just a month ago CC Chino Hills sent a team to hit the streets day and night bringing the Good News to D'dorf!
It was right on the heels of all of this that we we begin to experience our difficulties in getting our visas. Should have seen it coming. So now we have three months to get these papers signed, pray, fast and see the glory of God in our situation. Joshua 1:9 'Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.'
CC Mansfield and CC D'dorf Women's Christmas Tea Outreach
CC Herborn practicing dramas to take to the streets
CC Chino Hills stamping Gospel Tracts for Street Evangelism

Our group of around 30 CC Chino Hills and CC Herborn

CC Siegen Youth send out teams to neighborhoods inviting them to church services.

Church Building Update

First of all a big 'Danke' to all family and friends who joined in prayer for these two important meetings! We cannot go a day without your prayers. We have really seen that 'our battle is not against flesh and blood' (Eph. 6) These two situations have been coming together for months now. We have known that the year contract for our church building was coming to an end and had hoped to be at a place to support our rent from the giving of the fellowship. We are still a bit too small to maintain the rent at this point but have seen how the Lord is supplying favor from our renters to allow us to be in it four months longer than we had planned. This has really brought us to a deeper dependence on God 'giving us this day our daily bread' for the church building.

We called the saints to pray with us as we set up a meeting with our renters to ask for lower rent. yikes! We had a good talk with them and they sincerely wanted to but were unable to do it due to their own financial position. They were very encouraging and hoped the best for us. We ask you to pray for Mr and Mrs. Schem, they are a nice couple, she is Brazilian and goes to a Mormon church in the area and he is an older German man who is battling cancer. Pray for their salvation and for our church to be a blessing to them and all those who live in the building.

So our current situation is that we can stay till the end of January 09' but will meet again in December to talk over the possibility to sign a new contract. Pray that God would make a way for us to stay in our place. We really like it. It fits our needs, has parking, is easy to find, is close to the Autobahn exit, and not so far from the University. Even though we are hoping to rent it for a lower price, we actually have a good price for what we have. We have looked at other buildings and have not found any cheaper. God knows! We will trust! Prov. 3:5-6 & Phil. 4:6-7

Karis First Day of School

Here are some photos of Karis on her first day of school. The big 'schultute' pronounced 'shooltoota' in English

The schule tute for the first day of school is a German tradition. It is only for first graders, parents can fill the tute with school supplies, special gifts and of course, candy. It really made her first day special.

Our Family

Here are just a few pics our our little family. We are so blessed to have 3 wonderful children to share in the ministry. They prove to be a joy and often tool in the Lord's hand to make us laugh, to remind us of what is important, to have faith, to help us get down to basic theology over and over again "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so". Here are a few pics of us and them.

Karis is 7 and is an official 'schulkind' now in the 1st grade here. She is attending a German public (Catholic) school and loving life.

Kaleb is 4 and attends a pubilc (Evangelical) kindergarten. He has a great personality, loves to laugh and joke around, and ride his 'hot wheels' bike.

Ezekiel, a.k.a Zeeky-dude, is at home enjoying all the attention till 1 pm when big sis and bro comes home. After 1 he becomes the little brother who can either make his siblings laugh, cry or want to lock him out of their rooms. Hey what are little brothers for? :0)