German state constitutions require children to attend public schools. Parents who don't comply face punishment ranging from fines to prison time. Germany's highest appellate court ruled in November 2007 that, in severe cases, social services officials could remove children from their parents' care. The idea is that homeschooling might lead to the emergence of separate, or parallel, societies that would not share the same vision of the German state.

"Missionary families are being forced to withdraw from Germany; parents are being imprisoned and heavily fined; children are forcefully taken from their homes; and families are being compelled to seek political asylum in other countries, including the United States. It's been uncomfortable for the German homeschoolers for years. Now the government has cracked down on homeschoolers, enforcing a law that has been on the books dating back to the Hitler era. People are frightened. More than 100 Christian families have already left Germany," Liedle said.

"Our mission team will be meeting with hundreds of German students and with the directors of Christian schools. We will be discussing practical ways to make it possible for Christians to educate their children according to their conscience, through umbrella schools and other alternatives. We will also be meeting with home educators in various settings, including speaking and performing at a home education conference in The Netherlands," Liedle explained.

The mission team will also be hand carrying resolutions and endorsements, from both the Georgia state government as well as the United States Federal government, to the German state and federal officials. The Georgia House of Representatives recently adopted House Resolution 850, which calls on the Federal Republic of Germany to recognize the rights of parents to homeschool their children.

"We are honored to have the personal attention and counsel of the leading attorneys from the Home School Legal Defense Association who deal with these legal issues in Germany. They are deeply committed Christians who are strongly encouraging us that our efforts are making an impact in this situation, and that they are directed at the heart of the matter. We share the belief that our work will have a positive effect in bringing real help to our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, and foster the fundamental freedoms within these nations that are at risk of losing them. By hand delivering the resolutions and endorsements, we are offering something tangible," Liedle said.

The Highländlers, comprised of homeschooled students and graduates, is an experienced semi-professional group of folk dancers, keeping alive the history and culture of the Bavarian and Scottish traditions.

"Throughout history, public speaking and performance have proven to be powerful means of swaying public opinion – a key that opens doors for the sharing of faith, obedience, and responsibility to God," Liedle said.

The Highländlers, with its eight dance members representing First Baptist Church in Perry, Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, and Beth Yeshua Church in Macon, are scheduled to perform at several unique and historic events in Germany.

"Our intent is to encourage Germany's Christian homeschoolers. We're going to help the salt and the light of that country be able to stay there," Liedle said.

The mission team's estimated costs are $50, 000. If you would like to help support the Highländler's outreach to Germany, contact Tina Liedle at tinaliedle@gmail.com. For more information, go to HomeschoolEurope.com.