Finding Purpose - Song of my Life - Kristine van Dooren

Welcome friends! I would like to introduce to you, my good friend Rachel, who is originally from the UK. We met here in Munich at a German church. We discovered quickly on, our love in reading, and studying the Bible. This might seem a bit uncommon for women, but in various ways, and for different reasons, God set us on that path. Enjoy listening to Rachel's journey from Birmingham, to France, and eventually to Germany. Every step of the way, accompanied by the truths of the Bible!

On with the next episode that takes place in the year of 1980. You have heard about our new endeavors, branching out and connecting, with new friends in Italy. I told a portion of their story packing up, and leaving the familiarity of their lives behind, for an unknown future in Italy. In the recent “Rerun - Final Countdown,” I shared a lot of the details that led to Thomas and I, finding our way back to Germany. Though we took some unusual routes, that even led to discarded plans, still we trusted that God was going before us. The most joyful event as new Christians, was the day we turned onto the road with the welcoming cross at the Living Waters Ranch. Then a year and a half later, we left that same road forever. It was a

I mentioned in that episode that we had made an 8mm movie, walking through the fields, crossing the creek, and spending the afternoon with Naomi, in the dining room of the Redwood dome. Well, that film and others, have finally been incorporated into a 22 minute interview documentary that my grandson made with me. He did a beautiful, and time consuming job, putting many of the pieces of our lives together, in one short film. Hopefully I will be able to share it with you soon!  

Welcome friends!

In the last episode, I was talking about the adventures of our friends, that moved from California to Florence, Italy. I thought it would be fun, especially for my new listeners, to hear my story about ending up in Germany. At the end of 1974, Thomas and I, with our first daughter, (and pregnant with number two), were sadly moving away from Living Waters. The plan was to live in Eureka, in a communal house, and get more Bible training there. But we discovered that God had a completely different plan for our lives. This is what happened!

A couple of months ago, I posted two video conversations, about the beginnings of a church in the UK. This fits into our story, of how we came in contact with other people, who also desired to go to different countries. Throughout the coming year of 1980, there were more developments, in this direction. Thomas was hearing from his friend, Steve, in Eureka, that a team was forming to go to Italy. Their situation was similar to how the UK team started, with people who had lived in our communal house in Trudering. Maybe you remember, I talked about a group that came in 1975, called Christ is the Answer.

They were still at our house, when the second team from Eureka joined us in Munich. Marc, who was a part of that team wrote about all of these adventures in his book. I will reference it at the end of the podcast.

Song link: "Beautiful are the Feet"

https://youtu.be/lUbk9el1jgE?si=Bu7sX69lx643nwVp 

As usual, I have been rummaging through old newsletters, and found this statement that Thomas wrote. He was reporting to our friends in the States about what we were doing in Germany as missionaries. He said; “Kristine besides being a mother of four, was involved with church organization, counselling and teaching women, children’s work, correspondence, and hospitality.”

Of course, I wasn’t doing all of that at the same time, but what stood out to me now, is the mention of teaching women. I used to have stacks of notebooks from the 70s and 80s, but unfortunately, I didn’t keep them the last time I moved. It would have been fun to see, what kind of notes I made, in English and in German. Since I have been reading Thomas’ German articles, it’s obvious for me to see how far away I was, from being able to express things in German fluently.

But because I wanted to communicate with the women, things that were important to me, I was motivated to try my best. The regular sermons and Bible studies in out church were always led by the men. The teachings applied to everyone, but sometimes it was important for us ladies to get together, and talk personally. 

After I was finished with the months of nursing our fourth daughter, I started getting together with the women at one of the communal houses. Since we were spread out in the city, it was a good opportunity to meet the young women, who were new in the faith. This began for me a deeper pursuit into the scripture, so I could share God’s truths with the women.

Song link "Run to You" by Elijah Thomas

In the last episode, you heard Thomas and Naomi,

Although our home life was harmonious, and he didn’t have any problems at work, there were other issues wearing on him. That year our form of ministry had shifted and it wasn’t easy, learning to re-structure, after having a communal base. There were still two community houses, but it wasn’t easy for everyone to find their place. Some of the newly married couples, were also busy establishing a means of support, and preparing to start a family.

We were living through, not only the “winds of change” in our young church, but also the troubles in Germany were ever present. In the world news there were constant reports, just like Jesus said, “ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it, that you are not alarmed.”

One of our churche's regular outings, was a meeting point, on Sunday afternoon, at the Monopteros, in the English Gardens. It is a famous landmark of Munich; a round ornamental temple in Greek style, that towers 16 meters high. It was built on a raised grassy embankment and especially attracted, subculture groups such as the hippies in the 1960s. It has always been a tourist attraction, with a great vantage point for taking pictures. Today it's also a hang-out spot for students from around the world. For those of us from California, the place brought back memories of Hyde Park in San Francisco, where the hippie gatherings took place.

In other words, it was the perfect place to meet people and share the gospel. Thomas wrote in the church brochure, that the meeting time was every Sunday, when it wasn’t raining, at 2:00. He encouraged everyone, to be brave and take a turn, to share the testimony, or story about how they met Jesus. Thomas, Randy and Steve brought their guitars, and led our group in songs of praise, to draw in the passerbyes.

I have a cool photo taken one day when Marc, who even though his German wasn’t perfect, loved to tell the people how Jesus set him free. Sometimes friends from other churches, would come and join in. Many lives were touched during those years. I wonder if other Christians go out there today. Sadly, I cannot remember the last time, I have ever been there again.

In the meantime, my stories about being Christians, have covered a time frame, of seven years. In Episode 102, I was telling about how Thomas had the opportunity to teach; by writing and translating articles, for the church brochure. The time had come for Thomas, to formulate his understanding of the scriptures. It also took him deeper into explaining God’s principles in German. This is what he had been equipped and trained to do all along.

The first two articles that appeared in the “Ernte”

What also helped Thomas grow, was studying and

This is Thomas’ journey of putting aside his instruments, and identity as a musician. In an unexpected way, the Lord gave him new music, melodies to the scriptures.

At the prayer cabin, Thomas began writing letters to his family in West Berlin. He warned them about the deceptions of the world's philosophies, that have their foundation in evolution. He wrote that instead of human knowledge, they should turn to God, who is the Creator, who is all wise. Thomas wrote that the “Truth is so simple and can set you free."                            

I have added below, 2 links so you can get an idea of the scripture songs we sang. They helped build into our hearts and minds, the Truth and the Joy of the Lord!

Seek ye first the kingdom of God:

https://youtu.be/EsBpM9IcBts?si=Nn47PsT-0J2FOxA9 

He is exalted:

https://youtu.be/vUq4QDrtEjY?si=TXRMOsPbLKjkZaxp 

The next two weeks are vacation time, so I thought it would be fun to listen to a couple of episodes that are “oldies but goodies.” I am calling them Reruns! They are about our beginnings as brand new baby Christians. These podcasts were recorded, exactly two years ago, in 2022.

In this episode I tell the exciting stories of our life, living in the tipi at Living Waters in May of 1973. The theme is about the miracle of being forgiven by God, and receiving a heart of flesh, rather than the old heart of stone.

Here's a link to the songs we sang in those days! Singing the scriptures filled our hearts with joy and wonder! This helped us the memorize important truths in the Bible.

https://youtu.be/SxjMHm5ZEwg?si=7AlryKZC4A9gCIW0