Impact Ministries Newsletters

November 2010 Newsletter

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:08:11 +0100

Life racing by...
With life “racing” by it hardly seems possible that this year is almost over already! Where has the time gone?!

And how did the kids get big so quickly?

As we look back we are so grateful for how God has BLESSED our lives so richly once again. It has been a great year. Of course we had our challenges - who doesn’t?

But God has been faithful every time !!! With Sam (8) in 2nd grade & both Joy (5) and Joshua (2) in Kindergarden now (as of lately) a whole NEW SEASON of life is beginning (for Gaby especially).

After 8 years of diaper changing & always somebody ‘hanging on her leg’, Gaby hardly knows what to with her new-found freedom (2-3 hours of NO KIDS at home...! Wow!)
She is quite enjoying it though... ;)

And believe it or not, Joy will start school next fall already!

Life is a RACE ! ;)

We are happy to be where God wants us to be & excited about what is yet ahead.
Running the race in Germany,

July 2010 Newsletter

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 19:23:28 +0200

I’ve realized that there are many situations that God will help us to train our child in. As we learn to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our situations, often opportunities open up where we can show our kids how we got the victory in that situation. And when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, it’s ALWAYS VICTORY! (II Cor 2:14)

We’re talking about real-time, real-life application of relying upon God for His help in that situation we’re being confronted with. That’s real-life practical training. It’s what they’re going to really take with them into adult-hood.
We’re helping them apply what’s been taught (the things we’ve learned from the Word about God - at church & at home) in the everyday situations that confront them.

Since they’re such great little imitators of us, we need to just realize that the best way to train them is to model a life in front of them that honors God and His Word. And that’s the inheritance they’ll take with them in life!

Samuel is as involved as ever with his soccer club and school. He loves to go down to the school play-ground every afternoon and play with his friends there. A social bug.
Joy loves wearing her new summer dresses. The high-light of her week is when she gets to visit her friend “Sofia” every Tuesday afternoon. She just lost her second (upper) tooth and she can’t wait to tell & show everyone!
Joshua is really developing into a personality that is very different from his older two siblings. He’s a real character. He’s normally content to just play by himself all day long, as long as he gets his drink.

Ever since Brent’s return from his trip to the US in April, it’s been like a whirl-wind. We’ve had Graduation in May, Leadership Seminars, and of course Bible Training Centers that go basically non-stop all year around.

March 2010 Newsletter

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:14:11 +0100

Recently we were reminded of the awesome influence we have as Childrens’ Pastors. We were able to meet up with a young man (Daniel) during a new-years eve party, who was one of those kids (pictured above) that Gaby was able to lead to the Lord back in 2001. Now he’s a youth living for God! And as we visited with him, he expressed to us the impact we had had on his life.

It’s good to be reminded of the change Jesus can make in a child’s life & it comes through us... to them... every Sunday morning. We’re having a great influence on their whole life, which in turn, effects future families & generations! And we all get rewarded for doing our part! Thank you for doing your part!

JOSHUA IS SUCH A PLEASURE TO HAVE AROUND. HE LOVES TO CUDDLE AND WRESTLE WITH HIS DAD. HE’S REALLY STARTING TO LEARN HOW TO COMMUNICATE TOO! IT MAY BE WORDS NOBODY UNDERSTANDS BUT HIM, BUT HE SURE COMMUNICATES. HE’S ESPECIALLY LEARNED WHAT THE WORD “NO” MEANS!
IT’S A REALLY CUTE AGE.

JOY HAS A BEST FRIEND AT KINDERGARTEN (SOFIA), AND SHE GETS TO GO TO HER HOUSE & PLAY ON TUESDAYS.
THIS WAY SHE GETS TO PLAY DOLLS & PAINT FINGERNAILS (GIRL-PLAY), RATHER THAN ALWAYS HAVING TO PLAY WITH HER TWO BROTHERS AT HOME - THE WAY THEY LIKE TO PLAY (BOY-PLAY).

ONE OF SAM’S FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS TO WATCH HOME VIDEOS OF HIMSELF & THE FAMILY.
HE’S A REAL ‘PEOPLE-ORIENTED’ PERSON, AND HE ENJOYS THE INTERACTION HE GETS AT SCHOOL (FIRST GRADE) AND THE FRIENDSHIPS HE HAS WITH THE KIDS AT CHURCH.

October 2009 Newsletter

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:24:05 +0200

Sam, Joy & Josh
Sam (7) just started school this fall. Too celebrate his 1st day of school, we went put-put golfing.
Joy is 4 1/2 now and enjoying her “independence” as she is the “Big girl” now @ Kindergarden.  And Josh (1 1/2), our little ”Einstein”, is walking, playing, talking ... little 2 word phrases - but bilingually, of course :) What a boy!

Impact Ministries News
Teaching, Training & Baptizing
Besides our normal stuff, like teaching kids, training workers & teen helpers, we had some special events this summer.
For instance a cook-out in the park. Some of “our” kids also got baptized in the Rhine River.
What a day of IMPACT !
THANK you for impacting lives with us !!

June 2009 Newsletter

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:26:25 +0200

Since we arrived in the middle of April, we have kept busy traveling, preaching, teaching and ministering all over:
• Circle, Montana
• Dickinson, North Dakota
• Glendive, Montana
• Sydney, Montana
• Kalispell, Montana
• Miles City, Montana
• Ogden, Utah
• Gillette, Wyoming
• Detroit, Michigan

Sunday morning services, Sunday evening, teacher training seminars ... and a LOT of miles of travel !
Our time in the States is soon coming to a close. Time seems to be flying & so will we soon (June 23rd).
We had a great time & thank God for all the wonderful people we got to see.  
We’re so thankful to be able to “come home” and meet up with all of our friends and supporters here in the states. We are truly blessed.

Sam (6) is going to school this fall. He is having the time of his life right now, playing with the cousins (Zachery (7), Kolby (5) and Lainey (2) )

Joy (4) is looking forward to seeing her friends from Kindergarden soon. She misses her barbies... :)

And Josh (1) is our little cuddle-bug, enjoying getting to know Grandma & Grandpa for the first time.
Our kids go everywhere we go. And considering all the traveling lately, they are doing really great.
We are so proud of them.

Of course, we try to make it a as good of an experience for them as possible. (motivating with swimming pools @ the hotel whenever possible...)

Still, they have had a lot of “Car time” and have needed to exercise quite a bit of patience...
But patience pays off !!!

Just lately, Sam, has been BLESSED tremendously. He has believing for a “motorcycle” for a LONG TIME.
On our last trip through Wyoming, one of Brent’s cousins had exactly THAT. A kids’ motorbike... perfect in size. And guess what? Sam got it! You should have seen his face... he danced a jig of joy and said (lifting his hands and head to heaven) “Thank you, God!”...

I don’t know who was blessed more. (Sam or the parents :)
So the kids (and us parents) have really enjoyed our time in the States.

Now it’s time to return to Germany and pick up the work God has called us to again.
Of course, it’ll be good to be back in our own home again.

A heartfelt Thank you to all of you who have been a part of our lives on this trip. We love you !!!

Engine Blow-up
While we were in the States, good friends of ours were using our van. As they were driving it one day, the engine blew up on them! Even though it was not their fault, we now need to replace the whole engine.
The approx. cost for that will be 4500 Euros (= $6,300). Since the van is a 2005 model we feel it is worth fixing.
Isn’t it good that we serve a God of more than enough? So we don’t look to our bank account .... no, we look to our Provider. He provides all our needs as we do what He has called us to !
 But until this is fixed, we’re without wheels. And here where we live, in Leubsdorf, we HAVE to HAVE wheels!
So, we believe our wonderful Father in Heaven will supply just ON TIME !
Looking forward to sharing with you how HE DID IT!

December 2008 Newsletter

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 08:00:00 +0100

Brent & Gaby are keeping pretty busy. Between the demands of home-life and ministry, there is not too much time left for just “Mom & Dad”. But they know that it is just a season & Brent has been working hard to train others because he can’t possibly do it all himself. But it just takes time to learn his new job as Multi Media Director (plus all his other responsibilities & commitments -- it’s like he is working 3 full time jobs). So there is never a shortage of things to do... but God has really been blessing them for it.

Sam just turned 6 in October. He still goes to Kindergarden & when he isn’t playing soccer or riding his bike, he loves to help his Dad... Whether it’s cleaning the car, loading the church van, or “fixing stuff”, he’s always game. He is a fun kid, and full of life!

Joy is 3 1/2 years old now & our little “Princess”. She just learned how to draw hearts and loves to make little pictures for her Mommy & Daddy. She is a sweetheart all the way around and a real joy :) She loves to cuddle, sing, play with the baby and copy her big brother. Her favorite is doing her “make-up” with her new make-up kit that Daddy brought from his trip to the States in Sept.

Joshua is 10 months old now. He sitting up, rolling all over the place and making first attempts to crawl. He loves to make gurgling noises, clap his hands & shake his head “no” - his newest achievement. He is a fun baby and all in all a “happy camper”. He adores his big brother and sister (and they love to play with him,too - it’s fun watching them).

August 2008 Newsletter

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:00:00 +0200

As we teach kids the Word of God, we believe in the HIGH IMPACT we are making. Not only are we feeding their spirits and shaping their thinking early on, but we are making them little disciples and equipping them to live out the good plan God has for them.

So what’s been happening in Germany with the Harris family?
Well, it is summer and the weather is beautiful! Our kids are loving life.
Playing in the sandbox, baseball, soccer, and eating ice-cream... What a life!
Of course, there is little bit more to it for us parents ☺

Since Brent’s promotion as Multi-Media Director, he has more to do than ever ... But he is enjoying the work.

Childrens’ Ministry, Website Maintenance, Training Workers, Leadership Meetings, Mobile Bible Training Centers, Sound & Duplication, various computer projects, and other special events are keeping him pretty busy.

We miss you all and are hoping to see you next spring when we are planning to come to the States as a family!!
The Harris Family

June 2008 Newsletter

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:11:43 +0200

Graduation - May 20, 2008
This year, graduates were from centers all over Germany and Europe.  Also included in this year’s ceremony was an ordination service for those licensed through RMAI in Europe. Brent & Gaby went forward to have hands laid upon them for the official completion of their ordination. 
Brent helped create a video for the ceremony. To view the video, see: www.rhema-germany.de
Click on: “Downloads ➙ Videos”

The Harris Family
Sam & Joy
Sam took a break from Kindergarden (for about 6 months) so he could spend more quality time with his dad. But now he’s back and he’s bringing his little sister with him (to show her all the ropes). 
Joshua’s Dedication
On March 16th, we dedicated Joshua to the Lord. We are doing our best to bring our kids up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Joshua will fulfill God’s purposes & plans for his life. He will grow to be a mighty man of honor and will do many great and mighty things with our God.

Brent has recently been promoted to take over the whole MultiMedia Dept. at RHEMA Germany **

February 2008 Newsletter

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:21:38 +0100

Kids & The Kingdom of God
Red & yellow, black & white, they are precious in His sight. Both young and oldare equally a part of His Kingdom.

Children’s ministry is one of the most important areas of the church. We consider it a privilege and an honor to be able to minister the Word of God to each child. We want them to learn how to apply the Word of God to their lives.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Psalm 127:4

Kids are a product of the influences that are around them. When a child comes regularly to a word-based church, and the word is made simple for him or her to understand, it’s going to make a big difference in his or her life. Many times, we under-estimate the influence we, as teachers, have on them. It can be a very positive influence or we can have a negative influence.

They are like arrows.

When a man shoots an arrow at a target, the farther he is away from that target, the more margin for error he has. This is called, “Compound Error”.

Our job is to take careful aim and point these arrows (kids) in the right direction. The best way we can do this, is by instilling into them a foundation of understanding God’s word. And if we can get them established in applying it, we’ve done our job well.