Dear friends, you have not heard from us for a very long time. Every time I was going to start writing, there was something coming up that I wanted to include in the letter. So now finally I will write, no matter what else could be included in a few days. Mark just came home from the 300th tour to Romania, not all done by him but many of them since 1990. Everything went well. Not quite so on a trip in April. Mark's co-driver fell asleep on their way home and ended up skidding along the railing of a bridge. How the truck could get back on the road with just one hind wheel of the trailer hanging over the bridge - only God know how His angels did it. They had only one empty container. If there had been any load, they would have gone down the side of the bridge. Nobody got hurt, no other vehicle was involved - at 2am in the morning the road was clear. The Hungarian police did not make a big fuss about the spilled oil and diesel. The two guys came home by train and had to leave the totaled truck behind. The truck belonged to Global Aid Network, the Campus Crusade for Christ humanitarian aid branch. Some of the loss was covered by their insurance, and they were allowed to sell the still usable parts since the insurance company could not haul the wreck here. This way enough money came together to purchase a 2-year-old truck in good condition. In May, Mark experienced God's protection again. There was a minor accident with a truck whose driver tried to put the blame on Mark, but the police had been watching and confirmed Mark's version of the story. Mark's truck had only a scratch, but the other had more damage, both from taking Mark's right of way and an accident he had had the day before, all of which he tried to blame Mark for. Mark was even able to share the gospel with the man and the police. For the past seven years, Mark had worked for a trucking company for several weeks each summer where he not only supplemented the weak dollar but also shared Christ with co-workers and customers. This summer, the company had just hired two new drivers, so they do not need him for now. Mark won't be bored, there are enough things to do here that have been waiting for long time. And we have never worried about money, that is up to our Heavenly Employer. Our "old church" in Weil am Rhein, that had joined a church in another town when they had could not find a new location in town several years ago, is starting anew, and Mark is helping them. They have had worship services once a month which are attended well and they are planning their official start for October. In May, I was in the US for a week of "graduation tourism", Cathrin's in Arizona (where we all met, including Mike, Lisa and Doris) and Lisa's in Maryland. We had a wonderful time of celebration and fellowship. Cathrin started working right away, she now lives in Saint Marys, GA, about 5 hours away from Mike in Covington. But distance could not harm their relationship! They got engaged two weeks ago! We are very glad and thankful. Lisa, who does not have dual citizenship, is still waiting for her work authorization. There are several job opportunities, but she cannot pursue any of them until the paperwork is through. She is trusting the Lord that either one of these jobs is still available or another opening will be there. Until then she is busy helping the park project in downtown Annapolis get started which had been her master's thesis. Financially God helped her by letting her get an award of the University of Maryland for being an outstanding teaching assistant, which came along with 1250 dollars. This covers the time until she can start working. Isn't that amazing? Doris and Chad are doing fine. The inner city youth ministry with its summer activities and camps keeps them very busy. Doris' job at a credit union is also going well. Susi quit working for the company that had hired her. They did not give her the promised training, but expected the full work load of her anyway. She is now looking for a new job. Jana will be a 5th grader in a few weeks. She is very glad to leave the bilingual school behind and just be with the English speaking students at the middle school. She has several summer assignments which she is doing quite well. Even though she still has to catch up, especially in math, she is doing a great job. Starting this September - our school year does not start until Sept. 2 - I will be teaching German at the BFA middle school. Shannon will repeat 8th grade and have a different aide so that it won't be all the same. And the person they found for her is just perfect. So I am free to fill in as a German teacher for the advanced levels. With all the news about wars and threats, I think it is important to celebrate peace: our peace with God, with family and friends, with neighbors and other countries. And our hope for today and tomorrow! Thank you for being our friends, may God richly bless you. The Walkers in Gupf