Home!

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Todd Biermann

Our trip to Peru was wonderful … filled with blessings from the Lord.  The new relationships will surely last a lifetime. The gifts left behind will certainly continue to bear the fruit of new and stronger relationships in God’s way.  The sites and sounds are committed to pleasant places in my memory.  The time with Heather was fantastic.  Still … it’s good to be home.

Home is where we daily draw on the sustaining power of God’s promises as we study His Word and pray to Him faithfully.  Home is where our love grows through daily nourishment on God’s love.  This is the reason we travel to Peru and everywhere else we go.  We go to build up strong homes filled with the love of Jesus.  Yes, it’s great to have a foreign “expert” come and share some new insights that intrigue and excite.  But, even better, is to be led to God’s endless blessings that can be received in the Christian home every day.  Our prayer is that our new friends in Peru will continue to drink in the water of life that comes only through the Word and love of Jesus.  Our prayer is that those who are receiving such love in Peru will share that love with everyone they meet and lead to a multiplying of marriages and relationships in God’s way.  Our prayer is that the same will happen in our home and the homes of faithful Christians throughout the world.  May HOME be the first place each day where we are growing in the joy of life in God’s way as we feast on the gifts of Jesus.

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Peru R&R

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Todd Biermann

It’s now Tuesday 8-11-2015 and all our official work in Peru is through.  However, we continue to have great opportunities to teach about life in God’s way.

Yesterday we took a train to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.
20150810_081541We had nice conversations that showed our love in life.

Then, at Machu Picchu, with our guide and other bus riders, we had great conversations about family life in God’s way.

Heather and Jung, Our Guide

Heather and Jung, Our Guide

They were eager to ask questions about what we teach as we walked and enjoyed the awesome sites.

Today we took a walking tour of Cusco.  The market place was awesome with all of its beautiful colors and wonderful tastes and smells.

Colorful Corn

Colorful Corn

Of course, there were a few smells and sites that weren’t so great, but that was okay.

NOT for Dinner

NOT for Dinner

Our guide was a wonderful woman who had great conversations with us. She, too, was eager to learn about what we do for our ministry and had many great questions. Again, we had great interactions that glorify God and showed us the beauty of God’s people and world.  What a joy to see life in God’s Way in action.

Tomorrow we begin our 24 hours of walking, taxis, planes and driving that will take us home.  It’s been an awesome trip filled with blessings from the Lord.  While we will be sad to leave the people of Peru, we’re also excited to share all of our stories with our family … at home and at church … when we return to Michigan.  We thank God for His many blessings on this trip. We especially pray that many more will now be growing in life in his way.

 

Thanking God!

Thanking God!

 

 

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Lima Seminar

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Todd Biermann

It’s Sunday morning in Lima, Peru.   We slept great in the home of Rev. Herb Burch, who’s actually in the States now.  We were exhausted last night from our seminar.  The seminar went great with eight eager couples and a few other single people attending.

Lima Seminar

Lima Seminar

They were so receptive and eager to interact. They had many great questions that showed they were absorbing the material we were sharing with them. We also had many good one on one conversations all through the day. It was clear that God had set this up for us to have many good contacts with people here in Lima. We were very pleased with the conversations with our host team, especially.

Dinner with Team

Dinner with Team

The three young men who have been guiding us around the city had many questions about their own life with God.  Our talks together were very fruitful.

Today we will fly to Cusco and then tomorrow we will take the train to Machu Picchu.  We’re very excited for that.

Missing you and praying for all of you!

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In Lima Peru

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Todd Biermann
Main Square of Lima

Main Square of Lima

We made it safely to Lima yesterday and were picked up by our hosts, “the 2 Daniels” from the Lutheran mission here.

Heather, D & D

Heather, D & D

We enjoyed some great traditional food at a local restaurant called Tanta (“bread” in the old native language).

Heather's Traditional Lunch

Heather’s Traditional Lunch

We then took a tour of the San Francisco Cathedral and monastery.

Cathedral of San Francisco in Lima

Cathedral of San Francisco in Lima

It was very interesting but kind of creepy to walk among all the bones in the catacombs. Enjoy working among the living much better. Speaking of which, we will be leading our next seminar this afternoon to couples in this area. We’re excited to meet the people here and share God’s gifts for marriage with them.

Tomorrow we will fly to Cusco in the mountains and Monday we’ll take the train to Machu Picchu.

Enjoying life in God’s way to the fullest!

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Great Seminar in Arequipa

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Todd Biermann

Our seminar in Arequipa went very well yesterday.  We had over 40 couples in attendance. They were very receptive and eager to learn more of what God has to teach about marriage and relationships in God’s Way. We really enjoyed meeting all the wonderful people here. They were very warm and welcoming. It was great to see that God’s love is drawing the family of Christ together throughout the world. They were so gracious, they gave both Heather and me an alpaca wool  warm winter hat with an attached scarf.  They’re a beautiful gift that we’ll be eager to wear back home in Michigan.

B

Arequipa Seminar

Arequipa Seminar

y the power of the Spirit marriages and relationships will grow closer to the Lord Jesus. And, through their love, many more will learn of Jesus’ love for them and join us in salvation in heaven. Join us in thanking the Lord for these blessings and that He will continue to bless our time here in Peru.

Today we will be visiting sites in Arequipa. Tomorrow we return to Lima where we will lead another seminar. Thank you for your prayers and support. God bless.

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Arequipa Presentation Today

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Todd Biermann

We arrived safely in Peru and are now in Arequipa. Our first night’s sleep here was very nice in our lovely hotel.

Today we will be presenting our marriage seminar to at least 40 couples. They are so excited to hear what we will be giving to them from God’s Word. Our hosts here are wonderful and are taking great care of us. Veruzka is the primary leader and she is doing great in organizing. She is so excited and has all the details worked out well. We are very excited to present today to these eager couples. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated as we deliver God’s gifts. We pray that all the couples will be touched by God’s love personally and will be filled to overflowing with love for each other. Pray also that they will be inspired to share God’s gifts of love, forgiveness and life in His way with everyone they meet. May God, in His mighty power, change this whole country and all of the world that many more will know Jesus, His love and His Way.

Thanks again and God bless you all.

By the way, the picture is out of the door of our very nice hotel room. It’s beautiful here!

Hotel Casona Solar in Arequipa

Hotel Casona Solar in Arequipa

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On Our Way …

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Todd Biermann

1438608015913-1216616602Heather and I made it to Detroit Airport on our way to our marriage seminars in Peru.  Seems the Devil doesn’t want us to go.  Had storms last night that knocked out power for 4 hours and threatened to flood our basement.   Fortunately the phone alarm worked and the back up sump pump kept the flood in check.  God answered prayers.

Now, off to Ft. Lauderdale and next flight.  More later.

God is in control and He is good!

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To Peru

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Todd Biermann
Photo by Dave Austria

Photo by Dave Austria

On Monday, August 3, Heather and I will be traveling to Peru, South America to lead a couple of seminars on marriage and life in God’s way.  We’ll be presenting the material to groups of couples in Arequipa and Lima.  We’re working with local representatives of Lutheran Hour Ministries.  This will be our fifth trip to Latin America to lead such seminars.  Our first two trips were to Guatemala in 2008 and 2009.  Next, we were in Paraguay in 2012, then in Panama in 2014.  Each time we were warmly welcomed by couples eager to hear what God teaches.  They hungrily devoured everything we gave them.  It was so evident that God’s Word is effective to bring healing, guidance, hope and joy to relationships in any place and at any level of “success” in marriage to that point.  God is the master designer and His way is perfect.  We may (and WILL) fail at following His way, but we rejoice in His free forgiveness for Jesus’ sake.  Enjoying the perfect love of our Bridegroom, Jesus, we then go back to loving our spouse and everyone else in our lives with the kind of love we’ve received from Him.  Our experience has shown that this approach works in any country with any language.

I entreat your prayers for our trip to Peru … for safety and health, courage and faithfulness, effectiveness and joy.  We pray that we’ll leave behind a blessing that will multiply for millions … literally!  We’ve seen the multiplied benefit from our past trips to Latin America.  In fact, our trips to Guatemala were received with such joy that we’ve been invited to share our material (first time and “check-up”) there again in 2016.  Join us in asking Jesus to use us to share HIS love with the people of Peru.  In spite of us, may His joyous way of love and life become a source of healing, comfort, guidance and joy for all!

Note that I will try to post updates to this blog during our trip (technology permitting).  For certain, I’ll have reports to share on our return.  THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

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Incomplete

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Todd Biermann

For the past week, our family has been incomplete.  Our son, Micah, has been spending time with relatives in Nebraska.  He’ll be gone for another week.  This has definitely left a hole in our family.  Yes, I know this is good preparation for the day when both our children will “launch” from home to face the world on their own.  We’re praying they’ll do that someday, following the path God has in store for them according to His perfect plan.  Yes, we know that’s the plan, but it’s still not easy.

Nobody said following God’s plan would be easy.  Acting in love is NOT going to be easy.  Doing what’s best according to God’s will is often against what we want … what feels good.  But, God’s way IS always best in the big picture.  This is true in ALL of life.  Not only is Micah’s absence a good lesson in preparation for his future launch from home, it’s also a good lesson on taking the higher path with God.  When you go God’s way, it’s ALWAYS the best way.

Photo by Mike Allyn

Photo by Mike Allyn

We may say this time in Neberaska is for Micah’s sake, but it’s also a good learning time for Heather, Hannah and me.  Maybe it can be a good reminder for you, too.  Following God’s lead isn’t always easy.  It can often leave us feeling incomplete.  That’s part of the lesson.  Apart from God, we are ALWAYS incomplete.  But, as we walk in His way and draw closer to Him, we become more complete in the way that really matters.  It will train us for the day when we’ll receive PERFECT completion in Jesus’ presence in heaven.  And THAT is the point of every step we take and every lesson we learn as we continue to live life in God’s way.

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A Joyful Family Reunion

Posted on July 12, 2015 by Todd Biermann

This past week my family joined with my dad, my two brothers and their families for a mini family reunion for a couple of days.  It really was a very enjoyable time.  Note that I say “enjoyable” rather than “fun” or “happy” or “relaxing.”  Not that those latter descriptors weren’t true, but the better term to describe the time was enjoyable.

Biermann Family Reunion

Biermann Family Reunion

Whenever you get that many people together, including family members (sometimes ESPECIALLY family members), you’re going to have a variety of personalities, interests, opinions and points of view.  That being said, it’s not always easy to make decisions about where to stay, what to eat, what to do, when to leave, etc.  All of these details can become a bit stressful at times.  Add to that the disruption caused by unfamiliar surroundings, food and sleep and you have a formula that can add up to conflict, frustration and not so much fun at times.

STILL, such gatherings are important!  It’s important to build the bonds of love between family members.  These bonds are based on deeper things like self-sacrifice, unconditional commitment and spiritual unity.  These bonds are there to provide us the support we need for a life-time and the unity that lasts for eternity … things that go beyond temporary fun or passing pleasure.  These bonds of love reflect God’s intent for all our relationships as taught by the love Jesus has for us.  They yield enduring comfort, peace, hope and JOY!

You may bemoan those times you have to go to another family reunion.  You may complain about how little fun you’ll have.  Get over it!  Family relationships are more than that.  They’re about the enduring things that really matter.  Time with family in the flesh is a way for Jesus to touch us with His love as other family members who “get it” pass along His love to us.  It’s also a time for us to model and share Jesus’ love with all our family, esp. those who don’t “get it” when we talk about or show the love of Jesus.  By the Spirit’s power, we just never know how we might change a life forever, even through a brief family reunion.

So, even though your reunions may not be completely happy or fun, may they always be JOYFUL as they’re a living opportunity to love and live in God’s way.

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