Brussels// The Dudes// The News

Its been another busy month! 

Brussels.

Zac had the brilliant idea to do a spontaneous random trip to Brussels. One of the perks to living in Europe is that flights can be very cheep, we paid 12$ round trip. So we woke up early and headed out. We were skating around the city and we found a ledge spot in front of a museum and started skating it.  An old man walked up to me, I greeted him expecting him to kick us out but his reply left me thinking. “What you are doing is so wonderful, I will sit down and watch.” Oh and did I mention he spoke French. I began to think about this response from this old man. He saw it as art, as creating and the more I began thinking about it the more I was fascinated with this, God created us to create. 

The Apartment. 

Another great accomplishment in the past month was finishing renovating an apartment. Two months ago, we started ripping out concrete walls in one of the flats, there were only 2 of us and after starting both of us began to realize if we jumped the gun. We put allot of work into it and soon all the walls were out, we dropped the floor and started building new walls and after more and more time we finished the apartment. It turned out very nice by the time we finished. The family living in it now is an American family who is working with the refugees in Berlin. Its great to see the work that has been done going towards the kingdom. 

Outreach Team.

In the middle of the month an outreach team came from Australia. We have teams come through all the time but this one was different. Most of the base was gone for a week so it allowed us to connect and get to know them. It was fun tagging along on their outreaches and assisting with that. I think the time that sticks out the most is when it was raining one afternoon and a few of us went into a train station and just played music and told people about Jesus. 

There was a class trip from Belgium that was in the tunnel I told one of the dudes that he should try preaching to the crew and I would go with him and get him started, and he did. I guess it was so rad just seeing these guys step out and be bold. 

The Dudes. 

God is beginning to bring more and more dudes together from all over the place who skate and have a passion for God. This month we did a little shred weekend and Huckleberry came out along with Mike from CAS as well as out bud Timothy from Germany. It was so encouraging all being together and growing, brainstorming and visionering for the future and what we see God is doing. 

From left to right, Mike and Huckleberry from Calling all Skaters, Timothee and Zac. 

The News. 

During the Summer and Autumn, God began opening some new doors. I had already applied for language school in the south of Germany in Nuremberg. After allot of prayer and counseling with people I made the decision to stay in Nuremberg and work with YWAM Nuremberg. 

So November 8th I packed my bags and headed south. And on the 10th I started language school. It weird being back in school again but knowing that God has called me to Germany for what I believe long term I believe it is very important to know the language. 

Other then that, the goal is still building relationships with local shredders and networking and of course learning the language and seeing where I can fit in and finding my place in my new home in Nuremberg. 

Reflecting on my time in Berlin, God did allot. I served there for 14 months, staffed a DTS and was involved in more outreaches then I can count. The people and relationships that were built and formed will last forever. 

This months prayer request; 

*Language School. (Understanding, wisdom and no stress.) 

*Financial Support. 

*Building relationships with the skate scene here in Nuremberg. 

*Future. As we plan out the event calendar for 2017 and launch new projects we need your prayers. Aswell that God will bring more people together for are European team. 

*Health. 

Thank you all once again for all your prayers, it is the best thing ever knowing I have you all in my life! As well as all of you who have chosen to support financially, THANK YOU! 

I wish all of you a warm, sunny and rad Thanks Giving! 

Zac// Norway//Stuttgart

It has been an extremely busy 6 weeks since I last wrote. Gods been teaching me allot on a few different things, passion being one of them which I'll share later on. 

One Year

One year ago on September 11th I flew to Germany. Im still kinda shocked how fast a year goes by. When you first enter the field you always wonder where you will be in a year and its still so exciting. Germany has turned into a new home and God has given me such heart for this country. So I want to say thank you! Thank you for all your prayers over the year! Thank you as well for your financial support! I remember when I first moved he, I knew how to count to 10 and good morning and good night. Now this foreign language is no longer foreign as Ive learned how to communicate a little haha. 

ZAC

Four months ago Zac headed back to the states. It was a hard good bye, I had no idea when I would see him again. After a month of being home all he wanted was to be back in Germany and September 2 he came back. So stoked! Its so good skating and seeing him again. 

Norway

Five months ago some friends and I started planning a trip to Norway. We didn't have a clear idea how it would work Igor look but we decided to try. September 7 we loaded the camper van and set off. It was a really great experience to get away from everything and see more of Gods creations. 

During the first week we stopped at a skatepark in Giro, it was small but fun with good vibes and a ton of scooters. I got to talk a little with them a d give em some stickers. They were all stoked! We drove by so many skate parks in small villages and it makes you wonder, will this park ever be reached? And really created ideas and desire to do something about it. 

A few months ago you read about Jon, Jon was staff on my DTS back in Africa. Currently he lives in the south of Norway teaching kaiaking and surfing. He told us about a pastor in Voss who had a sheep farm and needed help herding the sheep from the mountains. We drove over to Voss on Thursday. Friday afternoon we meet with Jon at the church and joined them for Bible Study. Saturday everyone gathered at the Pastors house and we headed to the 
mountains. I don't know how many moles we hiked around that valley that day. After herding the sheep everyone went to the pastors home for an all Norwegian dinner. One thing I got out of that was a literal understanding of sheep. Jesus talked so much about sheep and it's so interesting to spend time with sheep, you begin to understand the personality and it all begins to make sense. 

We took a faerie across from Norway to Denmark. During the time on the sea the water got really bad. Probably one of the most scary moments of my life. The ship was swaying up and down, going crazy. We were all sick, and praying. After 6 hours of sailing the waves finally stopped. There is something about a sea becoming still. One more experience God used to reveal himself more to me. 

We had so many amazing stories of adventures throughout our time there. It allowed us allot experience more of God in nature. I wish I could share them all. Hopefully you can enjoy some of the photos. Overall the trip was a really amazing experience to see and experience God. 

Stuttgart 

We came back to Nürmberg the 30th and the next morning I headed west to Stuttgart for an event with SRS bmx guys.

 A local church just south of Stuttgart hosted a skate and BMX outreach. Zac headed down two days before me to help set up with the guys. We were able to build so many relationships with the dudes there, I was also able to speak at the event. So good! 

In one month I will be moving to Nuremberg Germany, Its a couple hours south of Berlin for Language School. I will be doing an intense 5 month course. This will open more doors in building relationships with skaters and people of Germany. I strongly praying about the next season of ministry. God is opening more and more doors and we are building so many new connections in action sports in Germany. The future is ripe and I'm stoked! 

Prayer Request; 

Health 

Financial Support 

Language School 

Skate ministry as a whole in Europe

The Future 

Local Skaters 

Summer//Visitors//Encounter

Jon

Three weeks ago I was out to lunch with my church. I get a random Whats App message from one of the staff on my DTS, I knew he was planing on coming to Berlin for a friends wedding but I figured that was still weeks away. I texted him back and said I could talk in 30 minutes, on the train I wondered what does the text he sent mean "Where exactly is your couch?" I gave him a call and he said he was in Berlin. It made my day, this dude is probably one of the raddest guys I've met. So he spent the month on my couch, helping with ministry and being involved with projects at the base.

John and I at the intake center.

Heros

We went to Legozo, maybe you remember me writing about Legazo (Its the refugee intake center.) We went there to do the local ministry where we skate and see what doors God opens. I sat down next to a guy and struck up a conversation. I asked what the reason for moving to Germany? he replied he changed his religion. I was thinking could this be?! I asked what religion he changed to and he replied that he was a christian, he then pointed to his friend on the right and said he was too. He said that they wanted to kill him so he fled. Ive told this story already quite a few times and every time I think back I feel so honored. This man is a hero in my eyes, his life shows the radical step of following Jesus. But for him, he is just being obedient. I told him I would keep him in my prayers, we parted ways and hugged. 

The persecuted church is real. I would like to invite you to please keep him and his friend in your prayers but also the church. 

The Event

Break dance competition. 

YWAM Berlin helped at a local outreach. It was a bit more up my ally. We helped with set up and security for a music fest and break dance event. It was rad to see so many people from around the city participate in this event and through it many people heard about Jesus. 

Vojtěch

Saying good bye to Vojtěch

A couple weeks ago I got a text from a guy we had connected with though skate ministry. He comes from the Czech Republic and was back packing around Europe. I invited him out to Berlin a few months ago and he was finally able to make it out. It was so encouraging being able to spend the couple days with this dude and hearing his heart for the Lord. 

We were skating the new park in town. I started talking with a dude from Sweden as he began to talk he became very interested in what skate ministry. Turns out that a few years ago he was going to a christian skate park in one of the southern states of America. 

S.O.S. 

Worship

YWAM Berlin just finished up a summer program called Summer of Service. Its a 2 week camp where highschoolers come and grow spiritually, serve and reach out to the city. I spoke the second day and was periodically involved in it. The most rewarding part is seeing all dudes and girls grow in their faith equipped and ready to take it to their community. 

It brought back so many camp memories from a couple years back when I worked as the skatepark instructor.  So encouraging! 

Prayer Request

• Encouragement. 
• Language. 
• (This month I have unproved more with German, understanding and speaking more, it still isn't that good but I can see God growing me in that.) 
• The local skaters. 
• Future growth in skate ministry here.
• Financial support. 

Thank you everyone for your prayer and gifts. It brings me so much joy every month know I have people like you to support!

Skate Camp//Zac//German

On June 5 Zac headed home. It was a hard goodbye for one because he is my best friend and my brother and for 2 I had no idea when I would see him again.

I knew I would see him again soon. Two weeks ago I get a FB call at 1:30am saying "Im buying my tickets and am coming back September 1st." So stoked! 

Its a really exciting time for us. The harvest is so plentiful here, but the workers are few. Its rad to have Zac coming back as we reach out more and more. 

As I get more and more into the skate scene here, I get more stoked! I was skating the other day at the park. I started taking with a dude at the park before long the subject had switched to God. He said he wasn't raided in the Church and had no idea of who Jesus was. I shared a little of my story and the peace I found in Christ. From anyone who doesn't believe, when you say you found peace they think this dude is crazy. He was so open and wants to know more. 

Im so stoked that I am finally understanding but also speaking more German! Every day I've been speaking German on the streets or the park. Whenever I skate, I always try to speak in German with the dudes I know. Thankfully they're gracious with my bad grammar. Its so cool! There are some dudes I've seen around and skated with lately and they don't speak much english which makes interesting but really good because it challenges them to learn english but me to German. 

Skate Camp. 

It was a busy week, non stop but so good! When I look back on things I then most easily process everything.  We had one dude come out from the Netherlands, his name was Fulvio. A super chill down to earth dude with a great heart. 

On Saturday we went out to Alexander Platz (The Berlin City Center) and connected with some other ministries. They did a dance outreach and then shared the Gospel. I and other slipped into the crowd and started talking with different people. 

I started a conversation with a group of dudes, once I mentioned God all but 2 stayed. The dude said to me that he wasn't religious, I hight fired him and said nether am I but preceded to say, that I do believe and have a personal relationship with Jesus. It was hard for him to understand what this whole thing could mean. He also wasn't raised in a Christian home and knew nothing about Jesus. He believed in science and nothing different, that was the way he was raised. 

Sunday we started off with church and headed off to Templholf (An old airport with a skatepark). We were skating, having a really good time with the locals and then the rains came. We chilled out under a building and chatted and chilled with the locals. More relationships being formed. 

One of the things I've taken over at YWAM Berlin is Renovations and Maintenance. So we spent Monday doing practical work, cleaning out a huge attic.

July 4th last year is when I first came to Berlin to meet with YWAM and see of this is the place I felt God calling me. One year later here I am, crazy how time flies. Still haven't made it home for a 4th since 2011 I think but each one away has been well remembered. 

Tuesday we headed out to a Refugee intake center but when we arrived they were ripping down the buildings and tents. We caused across the street and chilled in a normal park. I sat on a bench for a while while Fulvio went off to talk with some people. He comes back 20 minutes later and ended up having a super good conversation with a dude and he ended up getting saved. It was rad! As I was still sitting on the bench a Refugee came by and sat down next to me. I started to talk with him in German and we ended up having a really good conversation all in german. I was so excited! One year ago the extent of my German was learned from Hogans Heros and now God has opened my ears and mouth to speak at least enough to cary on conversations. Its so rad! 

Wednesday afternoon we parted ways and Fulvio headed home to the Netherlands. So many good stories and experiences happened. 

Upcoming events. 

Berlin Open Skate Contest 

July 10

Summer of Service

July 29- August 7 

Fire Starters Conference 

August 11-14 

Prayer Request. 

Local skaters we are working with. 

Berlin Open for hearts to be open as we do ministry there. 

Summer of Service for the students coming for 2 weeks. 

Language. 

Encouragement. 

Financial Support 

Local Team, for more riders and dudes that can pour into locals lives. 

Thank you all for your prayers and financial support!! It means so much to me having people wrapping their arms around me in prayer as well as financially.

Until the Harvest is in!
-N

Local Ministry// Barcelona// Harvest

The month started off busy with Huckleberry coming from Calling All Skaters in Barcelona for a YWAM conference. He decided he would come out a week early and skate and be involved in everything we have going on.

We decided that we could go out to a refugee camp and try to find some ministry opportunities. We did! We started skating in the street doing some tricks and it wasn't long before people started watching. We walked up to this guy and started conversation. He spoke little german and english so we used the next best thing, google translate and pictures. Zac took a stone and carved the cross diagram into his board while explaining the gospel and why Jesus came. At the end we were able to pray for him, even though there was language barrier, God still worked.

Every day we try to get out and skate. This day we went out and rand into a random crew of dudes, good vibes.
We skated a couple kilometers down to a spot. Where everyone started filming a little and there were a bunch of little kids getting in the way, messing around on the spot. I think its easy to forget to love. But thats the cure. So some of us took turns giving the kids our boards to use and tried teaching them stuff.
I started talking with a kid in German and he asked if I came from Italy, I felt super honored so apparently he didn't hear my american accent in my German. It was good and so good being able to speak a little more and more. Along with teaching skating. I looked over at Zac trying his hardest to communicate in German while teaching a little kid how to skate. It brings so much joy to my face seeing it.
After we were done skating the spot we caused down to the river and chilled out. While there I felt God really confirm skate church here in Berlin. That one day soon, after a day of causing we will head down to the river and do Bible study. So I am so stoked for that day and to see what God will do.

This month God opened the door for Zac and I to head to Barcelona for Street League. Street league is the largest skate contest in the world. This year there are 2 stops in Europe and few scattered around the states. We met people from all over Europe while there who flew in for this one event. It brings everything into reason. Thousands of skaters filled the bleachers and streets that weekend. It makes you feel so honored to be part of reaching them with the Gospel. 

There are more stories and more experiences that happened but we know for sure that God is at work here with skate ministry. Our current needs and prayer request for the next month are.  

• Help. We are in need of skaters to come out and help, if you or you know someone that would be interested please let us know. The harvest is plentiful.
• Financial support. As we continue to reach skateboards with the Gospel across Europe. 
• Skate Team. We are now beginning to build a skate team here in Berlin.
• Relationships. To grow deeper.  
• Language. 
• Skate Camp this July. 
• Upcoming events. 

We are so excited seeing all that God is doing. Thank you so much for your prayers and support! 

Zac has been serving faithfully the past two months here. I have to brag on this photo because I am so stoked that God has opened the doors for him to be here and be a huge blessing to what is happening here in YWAM Berlin and in skate ministry. I am so honored to call him my brother!

 

USA // GERMANY// SKATE MINISTRY

Another month rushed by and with the rush of time so many new and exciting things have happened. The first part of March I spent doing renovations around the base, doing odd repairs as well as building a new sealing in one of the rooms.

March 16, my girlfriend and I flew to the U.S. for her to meet my family as well to spend Easter at home. It was so amazing to be home being able to rest and spend time with my family. During my time there I spoke at 2 churches, one homeschool group, one youth group and two radio stations.
Thinking back on that now shocks me because only 2 of those were planned before I arrived. As a missionary you live on what others give to you.

I flew with my laptop back home and when I had gotten there tried turning it on and it was broken. I didn't have the money for a new one and was wondering "why" I was praying about it for a reason and for it to work. So that morning my mom walks into the living room where I was doing quiet time and asked what kind of size computer I needed because an independent Mac store wanted to give me one. I told her what would be nice and the next day a new MacBook Pro shows up way better then the previous one I had. This still shocks me but I know that God had a plan and I am so grateful. He is so faithful, even in the small things he always seems to provide our needs.

One day while back home we decided we would do a day trip to Chicago. A man stopped me on the street and handed me a couple Bible tracts, I said to him I was already a Christian and he should give them to someone else, he handed me a few more and said "no, you give some out to people too." I walked away thinking about this and his response. That was the best answer he could have possible given me. That evening on the train I felt Holy Spirit urging me to talk to the man behind me on the train. He was reading a JW book, so I struck up a conversation with him and gave him some of the tracts I got as well sharing with him why she should read the Bible and asking God to show him truth instead of relying and reading JW material. Before saying goodbye I told him I would pray for Him, he was so encourage through everything. He was so hungry for truth that He took anything he could get his hands on and thy was why he was reading that stuff, people are hungry and its so important that they get their hands on TRUTH.

One thing I haven't experienced that much in the past couple years in snow.

The last time I really saw snow was for 2 weeks in the beginning of January 2015. While home the weather was doing some strange stuff and we got a couple inches and were able to go sledding with my brother. I know it sounds like a kid thing but it was amazing and so much joy in all of it.

Finally, April 3 we flew back to Germany and April 5th Zac arrived where he will serving along side me for the next 2 months.



As we look to the near future we are so excited to see once again!
This spring we will be focusing on building relationships with more skaters around Berlin as well as ministry at contest and starting refugee skate lessons.

Our prayer request for this month are.

• Skateboards for skate lessons. 
• Relationships with local skaters 
• Ears to better understanding German
• Skate camp this summer 

Please join us in prayer as we reach Germany one skater at a time with the Gospel as well if you are interested in financially supporting, your donations would be greatly welcome.

HomelessMinisty//Germany//Graduation//Future

Another month has come an gone. So much has happened. As I look back over our 2 months in outreach I see the grace mercy and love of God.
One day during the final weeks of outreach we did some homeless ministry. We made a ton of sandwiches and tea and walked the streets.
 We sat down and started talking with some guys and gave them tea and a sandwich. They opened up very fast. For one man he said he had been living on the streets for over 20 years. He fought with his commanding officer and got kicked out of the SA Navy. He never really got himself up. Another man had a similar experience.
We had a chance to pray for them. It begins to break your heart. For us, this is a story we read but for them this is a life they live.
One homeless man came up to our group and had a bag of bread and offered it to us. He fed the birds and his friends. It was amazing to see the heart.
One student prayed for one of the men to receive Jesus. The joy was amazing! Probably one of the most rewarding moments on the whole DTS.

During our time there we spoke in multiple schools on human trafficking. We will never know how many classrooms we were in. We would split into 4 groups and do whole schools. Its such a big problem but so rewarding to be part of raising awareness and letting the students and teachers know what they can do to help.

 February, 2 we flew back to Germany. I got food poisoning the night before so it made for an interesting flight. We all made it back safe and sound to Berlin.

We did a week of debrief and on the 9th we had the graduation. Its so crazy how the five months went by so fast but more then amazing to see the ways and things God did in the students lives.
sandwiches, tea and went out on the streets. I was with 2 students and we sat down on the side of the road with some homeless men and woman.

So what does the future for me now look like? One reason that I believe God called me to to Berlin for was to pioneer a skate ministry. So this month I will be working on building connections. As the weather gets better I will try to get Skate Church started. This summer we will be doing a skate camp here for European skaters. My hope is to work with refugees since the amount we have in Berlin is huge. I will also be working with renovations on base. So I will be staying busy. I am so excited to see what God has in store!


Prayer Request.

• Financially. 
• Skate Ministry. This month I start having meetings and planning for skate ministry here.
• Language. Im learning but its still slow. Last week I completely 3 sentences when one of the students parents was talking to me. I was so excited! And I am understanding allot more but its is a slow go. Prayers would be amazing!

One day at worship night in Muizenberg the base leader talked about smelling the roses. He talked about how being a child and walking to the river to draw water and how he had gone back to the river this year an saw the beauty he had never seen. He also talked about the need in slowing down and noticing all that God has created. This challenged me! So i did it. I started noticing flowers, water, creeks, trees, mountains, people, animals, the list continues. The mountains became normal but not anymore and the sea even more beautiful. Enjoy some of the photos i took with this mind set. Now my challenge to you, take time to smell the flowers.

I went skating one afternoon and shot this. I saw it every day and it didnt take long to be normal until this day where God showed me. The mountains are his.

From a prayer walk one day and came across this beauty. Another everyday place that God reminded me of.

Climbed this mountain the second to last day. Behind the thistles and weeds there are beautiful flowers growing.

Ethiopia.

Hotel view from Addis Ababa. So many people so many stories from that day.

So thank you for all your prayers and support!

 Love you all!

Nathaniel Muench
Until the harvest is in.

December//Holidays//Jesus

Reflecting on the past month gives me so much joy to see what God did. We arrived Dec 10 here in Mizenberg. We all had a general idea of what ministry would look like but then again it was only a general idea.

The first week we spent helping host a crime prevention program in one of the villages. We had no idea how many kids would come or what it would really look like but when we arrived that Monday morning we could see that it would be a busy week. The kids showed up so excited.We spent the week doing games and other stuff like that as well as teaching them in crime prevention. The villages have quite a bit of crime and the key is to raise the kids up in the right way.

The week after that was Christmas, it had its challenges being away from home.This past year, I was

gone for every holiday and family gathering so it was somewhat challenging but it was still so good and I would even say one of the best Christmas I've had. Christmas afternoon a few of us climbed to the top of a local mountain. We got to the top and you could feel the presence of God. We spent time praying and worshiping. We believe that God, our Father made the earth he made it to be enjoyed for us to see his glory and experience Him. Looking over the city and sea, it was like a Christmas gift from God with a smile on His face saying enjoy.

During the week of Christmas, we did door to door ministry in the village. The first day we came to a house with two older men who were addicted to alcohol. They were so broken and looking for anything to take it away and give them peace. One excepted Jesus.
The next day we were waiting outside one house while a part of our group was talking to some people inside. A mama came up to us and said, "You walked right by my house, I want prayer too." We we went to her house and one of her friends was there. The woman was a born again but her friend wasnt, we talked with her for a while and then she gave her life to Christ. The raddest part was the joy that this mama had, you could see the light of Jesus shining out of her.

The week after we spent time time doing train ministry. We brought a speaker into the train and we would play worship music, preach and walk around the train and pray for people. It was an amazing experience. One day we took the train into Cape Town and we prayed for people. Everyone came into really cool conversations with people on the streets.

This past week we helped with a youth camp. Each day we prepared a teaching, did songs and a drama. From there we would break the kids into groups and have them talk about what they learned.

One kid who was in my group always had the biggest smile on his face. We sat the kids in a circle
and prayed for them. He said that he felt God wanted him to be a pastor when he grew up. I was so stoked to hear that. I will never see him again but I know God will do amazing things with him.