meetings in Marburg and talk of a PhD

It's been a busy day: class, it was my turn to have the Tuesday girls came to our house for lunch today, and then rushing off to spend the past 3 hours meeting with some old friends up in the old city. Here you see us standing with Scott and Deborah Hafeman (photo taken by Joel) in the Oberstadt.The Hafemans were in town for a conference, staying in Lich with Joel White & co. and met up with us this afternoon. Dr. Scott Hafeman was a professor Stefan had at GCTS and who is here at the end of his 3 month sabbatical after receiving one of the prestigious German Humboldt Scholarships. He had done his doctorate years ago at Tubingen and had returned for more research. His wife, Deborah, is a talented photographer and painter - and has a fantastic sense of humor to boot. Needless to say we had a lovely visit in Cafe Wagner with everybody!

It was so nice to catch up with them. Much talk ensued over Stefan's current status as public school teacher. Most of you already know that although a beamte teaching position here in Germany is something pretty much all Germans will tell you is a fantastic position for a number of reasons (remember how teachers are actually respected and paid decently in this country?), you know that Stefan's heart is not in it. He does it and does a good job, but doesn't feel it's his life's calling.

The past few weeks we've really been going over where we're at with life and things in general. We both really believe further studies is something that Stefan needs to do. This was confirmed by a meeting with Roland a couple of weeks ago and then again today with Dr. Hafeman and Joel. Stefan has also seriously considered working as a pastor in a 'free church' (ie, non-state Lutheran church) here in Germany, yet -- well, long story short: opportunities for that are even more rare than us finding a new apartment here in Marburg. The denominations he's considered either aren't hiring at all, not even in the near future, or could train to hire, but not with pay. And we have no way to support ourselves otherwise in this expensive country if Stefan is full-time with a church and no pay.

We also can't pay for further studies for Stefan just now, so we've opened a special savings account just for that project. I have a possibility of a job, but we don't know too much about it, so won't say anything unless it happens. That's also going on. If I had a job we could live off of Stefan's job and save with my job.

I write all this, knowing that God's timing and ways are often not our own, but knowing, too, that things often come about in ways we never expected, and are just perfect. I am content with the situation, really. I know it's much harder for Stefan because he is the one who actually HAS to work at a job where he knows it isn't the final stop. I've been there before in my life, and it's not easy.

It was good meeting with Joel, Scott, and Deborah today. Deborah, for those of you who don't know her, is such a brightly-lit person - one who herself has experienced much, and is therefore a great empathizer and cheerleader. She also brought me two very interesting books to read and some hand-painted greeting cards she made, really lovely. Stefan enjoyed talking with Scott and Joel about their doctoral programs and of other programs they know about here in Germany and abroad. We left with happy memories and a few thoughts and ideas to chew on.

So we continue on our journey. Thanks for keeping up with us. Please pray for further discernment as things move along.