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First just a quick biographical sketch to both Layne and myself.

Robert Miner, born 1953 in Texas, USA, second son of four to Eugene and Betty Miner. My father was a petroleum geologist, specialized in international exploration. My mother a teacher of foreign languages. I suppose I've inherited a mixture of both.

It was my father's profession which brought us as a family to Hamburg, Germany, where all four sons entered the local school on a "sink or swim" basis. This move proved to be essential in opening us to an international and trans-Atlantic culture.

My adolescent years were stormy, to say the least. I was attempting to live in consequence to my belief that God did not exist and subsequently there was no good or evil. This belief system shipwrecked on the rocks of reality when I first met convinced and convincing disciples of Jesus Christ. With the age of twenty and after a period of inner turmoil I consecrated my life and energy to "knowing Christ and making Him known."

My further path led via Austria (Innsbruck and Vienna), Switzerland (Basel), France (Strasbourg and Montpellier) and Germany, bringing my family and myself to our present "adopted home" here in the Arab Middle East.

I consider my first introduction to (and appreciation for) the Arab culture and peoples came with my first visit to my parents in Benghazi, Libya. Through further training, mostly in participating in a young and growing church in Innsbruck, my focus became directed to serving Christ and His people, preferably where the challenge was the greatest. As a family we've been now for ten years in the Arab Middle East, where I serve with the "Program for Theological Education by Extension" (PTEE) as Academic Director.

Now to the better half: 

Layne, born of the first of two daughters of Marvin and Joanne Bird in California, USA, had a relatively quiet and settled childhood. She studied hard and relaxed well, which was reflected in her grades.

Her "international awakening" began with an exchange program of her university, where she specialized in speech therapy. During this "semester abroad" in Salzburg, Austria, she came to know and love the culture and people of Mozart's city. She was also actively involved in a local evangelical church.

After completing her studies in the USA and visiting her parents, who had in the meantime moved to the coast of southern Spain, Layne was contacted by the church and invited to return for a few months to help with the youth and student work.

Her "few months" became several years and it was here that we met and married in 1980. Since then we have grown in a wealth of experiences and personal relationship through several countries.

By the His grace, and after a very meaningful waiting period, God granted us children. Starting in 1984, and continuing regularly every two years, he has given us David, Daniel, Lydia, Rachelle, and Micha; each precious in his/her own special way.

For contemporary news please see the collection of our regular e-mail newsletters "Miner Flash". You can subscribe by writing to "Miner Flash" and including "subscribe" in the subject line.

Updated: 11/07/07

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