Twenty-plus years ago, AGWM missionary to Germany, Elizabeth Mittelstaedt was experiencing unrelenting pain from a botched dental treatment.  Doctors could do nothing to repair the damaged nerve in her jaw.  In her despair, she cried out to God, wondering how she could go on that way.

The Lord impressed upon her that many German women were also in pain, though of a different kind, and led her to found a Christian magazine that would give them hope.  Thus, Lydia was born.  Articles appealing to every age, from the young to the elderly, appear in each issue..  Every issue also contains a form explaining the plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ's payment for their sin.  Many have returned these forms to report that they have accepted the Lord.

Circulation has grown to over 100,000 in the German language.  Over 2,200 complimentary issues are placed in doctor's offices in Germany. Lydia is also published in Eastern European languages - Hungarian, Romanian and Serbia.  These issues are free, financed by the German Lydia.

Testimonies (even from men) received in the Lydia office attest to the effectiveness of the magazine.  After 20 years, mothers who first read Lydia are now introducing it to their daughters.

Elizabeth's husband,  Ditmar,  is  the  business manager for the quarterly 94-page publication which is also distributed to Germany's newsstands.