2024 Newsletter 2
“Great are the works of the Lord…”
Psalm 111:2
Life just seems to speed by with the force of a whirlwind, and before we know it, we have passed the date for our newsletter! Our apologies for being late!
Diedrich and Nettie’s Ministry Overview
We’ve had a very busy spring season! Following is a list of some of our activities:
–many local events
–many hours in the studio working on recordings
–countless hours spent in the office on our ongoing projects
–Practicing new songs for jamborees and festivals
–planning and holding fundraisers
–a quick ministry trip to LaCrete
–helping with the Low German church group by leading Bible studies, music practices, preaching, and helping them organize as a church
–preparing, cleaning and packing of the RV for the busy summer schedule
Projects to be completed in the near future:
1) Sunday School curriculum book 6, completed and printed. 2) Second edit of the Low German notated songbook is completed. 3) Final selections made for the second Low German songbook 4) New and original songs have been written and developed and are now part of our regular repertoire.
1) Activity packs and teacher’s manual for Sunday School book 6.
2) New songs and videos to YouTube.
3) Finish at least one new album
4) The notated songbook printed and ready for sale.
5) Children’s devotional book 6, printed and ready for sale.
The next few months hold a few more ministry trips for us, some local events and perhaps a fundraiser or two, depending on time and financial needs. While we plan to continue to help out with the Low German church, we also feel the need to fellowship with our own home church a bit more, so we hope we can work that into our schedule in the next few weeks.
As always, we are very grateful for all of you, for your support, encouragement and prayers. We know it is only by God’s grace and power, that any of our efforts produce results. It is so encouraging to hear from those impacted by any of our products or our music, that God has used them to bring change and growth to their lives. Thank you for your generous support, and may God continue to bless you!
Mark’s Remarks
Hi everyone! As usual, I spent the bulk of my time in the office editing and drawing illustrations for Low German activity, story and devotional books. Other duties have included spending time in the studio, as well as cleaning and preparing the RV and trailer for spring and summer travels, and of course cleaning and unpacking after every trip. I have joined the team in many local events such as jamborees, fundraisers, and church services. Every event means hours of practice, planning, travel time, packing up instruments, setting up at the event, packing up again after the event, and then unpacking again once we’re home! It’s a constant cycle of activity with never a dull moment!
Thanks as always, for your part in making this ministry possible! It is a blessing and a privilege for me to be involved in building the Kingdom in this way. God bless!
Nikki’s Notes
These past couple of months have been very full. April was spent preparing for the May fundraiser. This included making centrepieces, compiling pictures into a slideshow to give an update about the Bolivia trip and preparing food. May started off with the fundraiser, which had a really good turnout! Instead of being on stage this time, I was capturing everything through pictures and videos to use on our social media later in the year. Alongside my usual tasks of admin work, the final CD was uploaded onto Apple Music and Spotify, and the Bolivia Trip Highlight was uploaded to YouTube. June took me away from my typical tasks, as my husband and I prepared to move. Most of my time was spent packing! We are so grateful for the ways the Lord has provided these last few months and look forward to seeing His hand at work throughout the remainder of the year.
Jason’s Journal
The past few months have really started filling up with more spring and summer events. I’ve been practicing and writing for those, as well as continuing on some other long-term projects. The second draft of the Low German notated songbook has completed! The progress we have made on it recently is exciting to me! I’m also still writing and recording for another Low German album. Combined with designing printed material, and computer and technical maintenance, I’ll stay busy for a long time yet! Thanks all for your support. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Praise God For:
His unfailing strength and grace extended to us every day
Our advisory team, and their willingness to help in any way necessary
The way God is moving in the Low German communities everywhere.
Please Pray For:
many more of our Low German people to come to saving faith in Christ
the health of some of our family members who are dealing with serious and chronic conditions
Continued financial support so that we can continue providing resources to the Low German people.