The impact of global economic crisis is still being felt in Spain. "In our community in Marbella, there are currently many who do not know how they can pay their rent," report Johannes and Angela Freimann. A major problem for many people in Spain is that unemployment benefits or government aid for rent are often paid only after waiting an entire year. It becomes a time of great testing, not only for individuals, but for the church as well.

The Friemanns are pleased, however, to see the young church in Marbella rise to the occasion and put God’s word into action. "To help each other out, those who can bring extra food to church every week, to share with those who are struggling economically.”

In many cultures around the world direct criticism from one person to another is never done. Such an encounter would be too embarrassing for both people. So it is also in Micronesia. Our missionaries often wind up as mediators, called upon to do what the Micronesians themselves culturally can not.

Micronesia field leader Harald Gorges recently invited a local pastor to breakfast. The pastor asked if he could bring someone along. "A two-way discussion became a three-way dialogue. Actually, my role was merely that of a facilitator. But as our time together went on, I saw how the relationship between the pastor and his friend improved,” noted Harald.

Fifteen hundred young people from all over Germany, Austria and Switzerland gathered for three days of intense prayer and growing in the Lord at the annual Liebenzell "Teen Prayer Congress.” 2010 marked the tenth anniversary of the prayer conference in Bad Liebenzell, Germany. Young people enjoyed a weekend of worship services, seminars and the opportunity to share with other young Christians. A number of creative displays  invited young people to experience prayer in different ways and situations; one highlight was the “Wailing Wall” where the participants were able to cast their cares to God.  Thanks to the spring-like weather, many young people gathered in small groups outside to sing together, talk, or pray.

Keynote speaker Kurt Schneck spoke on "Christ in me" – the theme of this year's gathering. “God made man in His own image, with great interest in every detail," said Schneck. He reminded the crowd that “you represent God in this world. He wants to you to meet people and let His love be displayed in this world. If Christ lives in you, then you can be sure that it is with His strength and with all His being."

About six-hundred and fifty children from the region around Bad Liebenzell, Germany, recently took a trip to China – without leaving Europe. The purpose of their journey? Looking for Hudson Taylor. That was the theme of a recent Children’s Day program at the mission headquarters.

Students from the Liebenzell Theological Seminary wrote a play which took the children on a journey through the life of the founder of the China Inland Mission. In between various scenes, there were songs, games, and opportunities to experience life in China.

The life and work of Hudson Taylor is closely linked with Liebenzell. As the China Inland Mission grew, Taylor asked a Lutheran pastor, Henry Coerper, to build up a German branch of the missionary work. That society soon became the Liebenzell Mission.

The book of Habakkuk chronicles one prophet’s wrestling with God over some very deep and serious questions. Among those questions is, “Why to good people have to suffer? Why do bad things happen to good people?” By the end of this short Old Testament book, however, Habakkuk recognizes that God’s authority and power are always tied to His love; the prophet finishes his writing with praise to God. Regardless of his circumstances, he patiently trusts in God’s goodness.

In Malawi, Liebenzell missionary Marion Engstler witnessed this first-hand recently. On the way to a church located in a somewhat remote location, Marion noticed the fields alongside the road; withered crops in brown, dry fields composed a sad picture. "I almost got tears in my eyes, knowing that the crops planted in those fields were supposed to last nearly a year."  When she arrived at the church, however, she heard the joyful sound of singing. The women  sang, Sindidzaleka kumuimbira Mulungu, "I will not stop singing to God and praising him." Marion was impressed. "What a contrast; their corn and soybean crops are withering for lack of rain and yet these women sing songs of praise to God."

Training for Liebenzell missionary candidates continues in the Toronto area under the supervision of LM Canada director Jakob Koch and his wife Lorie. Coursework in cross-cultural ministry and adaptation, language training and acquisition skills is coupled with practical experience in the most culturally diverse city in the world. Eleven new missionaries are preparing for ministry:

Andreas and Heidi Brecht (Bangladesh)

Christian and Bettina Danneberg (Intercultural Teams Germany)

Michael and Tamara Schmidt (Intercultural Teams Germany)

Isabell Gäckle (Zambia)

Frank and Julia Wittmann (Zambia)

Jochen and Nadine Stern (Papua New Guinea)

The group will be visiting the Liebenzell USA headquarters in Schooley’s Mountain, New Jersey, for a week in April. This part of their preparation includes getting the know Liebenzell USA, understanding American missions history, and learning about the American church how it sends out missionaries.

They will return to Germany and be commissioned during the Pentecost Missions Festival in May in Bad Liebenzell. Most will arrive on their assigned mission fields by the end of the summer.