This is the  beginning of a week of cellebration called Fasching.  The band plays in front of the Rathaus which is like the City Hall.

Don't be scared, this is just a mask worn by all the men in a social club representing Friedingen

Meet the Narrenpolizei (FOOL'S POLICE) 
He is guarding the Rathause but he will soon be overtaken by the villagers

The Hexenmeister is dressed in royal clothes as the leader of the club and the entire celebration.  He is about to go in the Rathaus and close it down because the people are displeased with the taxes. 

Now take a break from Fasching, back to Church to meet dear Gabi Luxemberg who loves the Church deeply and serves as a ward missionary.  She often has tears in her eyes from the pain she feels that her family is not active.

We are all about to go out and convert the world.  

It is Finden Tag (Finding Day) where we break up in pairs and go dooring (tracking) all day long.  What a great group - how could anyone resist learning about the Church with a group like this.

Samuel on the left was a refugee from Sierra Leone Africa and Baeta from Poland.  They both found the Church and then found each other and married.  They are a super strong striking couple  often found  serving, unasked, for example here they are washing dishes from our lunch meal on Finden Tag.

On the left is Julian, one of  four sons of the Stemmer family. Like so many of the teenagers, he became inactive and chose a worldly life style for several years but still had a spark of a testimony.  His parents arranged for him to go live with the missionary and his family who converted Julian's father many years ago and is now living in Provo.  Julian was blown away by the strength of the youth and has changed his ways.  He is preparing to serve a mission.  VERY EXCITING!

WHO COULD RESIST JOINING THE CHURCH WITH THESE GLOWING SISTER MISSIONARIES!!! 
 THE ONE ON THE LEFT IS GERMAN AND HER COMPANION IS FROM COLORADO.  

BACK TO FASCHING WHERE WE WATCHED THE PARADE FROM OUR WINDOW MARCHING BY.

 

This is the Fasching Friedingen band announcing the closing of the Rathaus.  It is a weeklong activities in our village

Thobias, is on the right.  He is now up to his 60th teaching meetings with the missionaries.  He is afraid of losing his family and friends if he joins the Church

 

The parade has ended and we are gathered around our rug having a Gospel discussion with the Zimmerman family Thobias and Eva Honz who all came to our home for dinner after Church. We served them a Mexican "Make Your Own, Enchiladas".  They did not even try the refried beans or guacamole.    Let's just say this was a new experience  for them and an experiment for me -  I have lots of food left over.