Visiting Struemplers

This last weekend we were in Germany visiting family. This was the first time all the Struempler family had been together all at the same time for about 12 years. It was also the first time that I had met Almut's older brother, Gerhard and his family. We were together to celebrate the confirmation of Almut's younger brother, Benny.

Let me introduce you to the family. Far right and far left are Almut's parents, Reinhard and Ursula. They are retired, but busy caring for their youngest child, Benjamin (wearing the bow tie).

Wearing the green top is Tina and behind her is her husband Thomas. They are working in East Germany in Prenzlau. Tina is a teacher and Thomas is an electronic engineer. They are also working with a church in Prenzlau to help the many socially disadvantaged people that live there. Prenzlau is called the saddest town in Germany, partly because of the very high rate of unemloyment there.

In the back row, second and third from the right are Gerhard and Gaby. Gerhard is a Protestant Pastor in France and Gaby runs a fair trade business selling environmentally friendly cleaning products. In the front are their three children.