First, I had a wonderful time in Köln/Cologne with our friends, Arne and Ute. Arne is a physician, so about 30 minutes after I arrived he took me to the pharmacy and got me an antibiotic. (I was mostly tired, but I’m feeling much better.) Thanks for your prayers.

You may be wondering what’s been happening with “House Nazareth” since the contract was signed just after Christmas.

Things have been developing in two areas: finding the right people for the professional offices on the ground floor and shepherding Philosophia’s incorporation papers and application for tax-deductible status through the bureaucracies of the German court system and the “Finanzamt” (equivalent of the American IRS).

Let me catch you up a bit on both fronts:

The “ground-floor fellowship” - Matthias has been talking with friends who are believers about the vision of “House Nazareth”: an “every-day” community of professionals and business folk who will rent offices on the ground floor in partnership with the missionary community of Philosophia. Several are seriously praying about moving their practice or offices.

These believers will carry out their professional work and business in “House Nazareth” but can participate in the fellowship of the house through morning prayer times, the weekly communion service and evening or weekend seminars that will also be available for visitors, patients and clients. The chapel is on the ground floor and will be open as a place of meditation, prayer and reflection. While the “every-day” fellowship will support the entire community by financially carrying the weight of the mortgage and upkeep of “House Nazareth”, the mission community of Philosophia will support them by providing the spiritual framework and seminars. (See the Project Description and the page on Daily Life for more details).

Philosophia Europa - The articles of incorporation for the European branch of Philosophia were filed with the court in Berlin in early December. Things seem to be moving forward. Would you please pray that this will be wrapped up soon? We’re also polishing up our articles of incorporation for the “Finanzamt” (Philosophia is, of course, already recognized as a tax-deductible charity in the U.S). Matthias will be talking with both bureaucracies again next week. Please continue to pray that things will go smoothly and quickly.

On the financial front, we’ll let you know the current figures for donations and loans as soon as I have an update from Dale. (I’ll be back in the U.S. at the beginning of next week.) Have a wonderful weekend!