Pete and Mary Ellen Stewart are flying today to the States. They have been in Germany this last week. (Pete had a business trip to the Ruhr valley industrial area and Mary Ellen joined him after his work was completed for a week’s vacation in order to come to Berlin for the final closing on “House Nazareth”). It was a great encouragement to everyone here that they came. Their presence has been a symbol for the love and commitment of all of the friends of Philosophia in America.

Pete and Mary Ellen at House Nazareth

They had the opportunity to meet Sister Ursula. (The nuns are wonderful - they are such “Jesus people” and an amazing encouragement to us with their prayers and help. Please pray for them as they get settled in their new home. It’s not easy for the older sisters in particular to leave the place they’ve lived and worked for a lifetime.)

Clark with Sister Ursula

Unfortunately, though, Pete and Mary Ellen had to leave before the final papers were signed. Which brings me to a BIG prayer request.

As I mentioned in the last blog, it is taking longer than expected for the bank to make a final decision about the mortgage. The general background to this is that mortgage loans (both commercial and residential) are particularly difficult to get in Berlin right now. A couple of years ago the Berlin Bank - one of the really big ones - almost went bankrupt when a huge project went south and the bank lost almost 2 BILLION Euros. (We haven’t applied with the Berlin Bank, but all the credit institutions are very uptight right now.) Another factor is that Philosophia Europa (the name of our German work) is such a young organization, even though it was born out of decades of ministry here.

The bottom line is: we have enough money for the purchase to go forward and the necessary renovation work to begin (a combination of donations and interest-free loans) but the bank would be happier if more of the funds for renovation came in.

SO:

• please pray that God will move the hearts and heads of the decision-makers at the headquarters of the bank in Cologne (the file will be at their desk on Monday);

• if God has laid “House Nazareth” and Philosophia on your heart, please don’t hesitate to give because the first deadline is past; every penny helps at this point.

I’m still having some trouble with internet connections, but I will try to let you know immediately when we get word on the mortgage. Thanks so much for being there and continuing to pray!!