Reinhold's Journey

Africa again

Here I find myself, after a great weekend with a (very international) wedding, a visit with our aging parents-in-law, 35 degrees heat in Switzerland and a 10hr-flight, again in Kopanong Hotel in Johannesburg, surrounded by black people and breathing African air. For 3 days only, but hey, the world has become small.

Celebrations

Turned 55 yesterday. My wife prepared a great meal with all the kids, friends and in-laws on Sunday. Yesterday, she invited a bunch of good friends, and we had a great time together. Compared to a few years ago - how God has again blessed me with friends to share life and joy and pains with!

Life and more

After the Dünenhof Festival with more than 1000 VERY alive people, I find myself at my mother`s bed, her getting weaker almost by the hour. She breathes hard and cannot communicate well. But when she speaks in her half-sleep, she calls the Name Jesus and mentions pieces, fragments of psalms or songs. But how weak she is. And how I love her. We pray she might go home soon. She longs to. 

Paches Blog and the funeral sermon

My sister and her husband, Esther and Klaus Pache, leaders of a German Megachurch in Bremen, have their own website and blog. If you can read German, you find my sermon at our father`s funereal here.

They took my mother in their house, and my sister very lovingly takes care of her. As a trained nurse, she knows how to treat her well. Thank you, Esther - and Klaus for opening up your house.

Mom in hospital

Just learnt that they had to take my mom to hospital as an emergency. Heart problems. Pray with me for God`s caring and healing hand over her life.

Welcome home

Today, my wife and sons come back from Colombia. These were sooo long three weeks. It is a good experience, though, to be alone with yourself for some time, without the supporting presence of a woman. But now its high time to get back to completeness. Welcome home darling.

end of season

This is the end of my travelling season for this year. Glad to settle down again. Last week, I spent two days consulting in Romania (plus two days travelling); last weekend, we went to Germany to celebrate my mother`s 85th birthday. Northern Germany is full of snow, thousands of people without power (something we thought would only happen in the US). We had a great time together, my two brothers and two sisters, our husbands and my parents (see picture). All are active Christians and on good terms with each other. Fun time.
On my way back, yesterday a full day of planning with the forum church innovation group. We plan for a congress with Alan Hirsch next year, as well as a new magazine. It takes quite something in preparation and planning and finances. We want to help the emerging church to become visible, to develop, to become missional and fit for the 21th century.

Now, home and ready for some weeks of in-depth-work: thinking, reading, writing, and resting. Time for family and inner life. Waiting for the Lord, it is Advent after all.

Need a Chihuahua?

This is the extended family that has kept us busy for some weeks now. Nemo, Mowgli, Nala and Chiquita are the cutest little things you can imagine.
They are just about to be sold. If you want one and can spend 1000 dollars, drop me a line....

Happy Birthday darling

Its a georgeous day and my beautiful wife`s birthday. Celebrating, guests, friends, good German cakes, a bike trip, Kim is here again, a great little concert - what a blessed day.

Church at home - and a glorious sunday

Yesterday, we had a small but beautiful church meeting in our house. I broke the evangelismatic liturgy and dit NOT start with what is usually called a "time of worship", but with a cake - which I had baken this morning - and a direct teaching-discussing-exchanging time which became very deep and honest. Towards the end, we sang one song - but because the Holy Spirit was already there and not because we needed to make Him come.

A quiet afternoon, 2 hours on my racing bike, a fine dinner and a great evening with my wife rounded up a Great sunday.

On Wednesday, we two will be flying to Portugal to take part in the annual meeting of the European Evangelical Alliance and the Hope for Europe Round Table. My wife already started packing her bikinis when Itold her that the place is not mediterranean but Atlantic. So, we will rather pack some sweaters...