2008-08-08 Friday night
Happy Birthday, Dave!
It's been a long week. I think I was tired for much of it because I was about to be under the weather. Spent time sick Thursday, but recovered quickly, and was able to work at home for half the day anyway.
Berlin was so much fun - so fulfilling. We're having guests over tomorrow, and will be going through some of the pics if asked. Sherry is getting them printed now. Christopher and Stephanie are back in Columbus. There's a scheduled Berlin Team meeting Saturday. Unfortunately, we had scheduled our guests tomorrow some time back, and will be unable to attend.
I've been trying to get into the habit of "spinning." This means peddling fast with light resistance over a long period of time. I'm hoping this will get me into better shape. I need it.
Keep praying for Berlin!
posted at: 19:56 | path: | permanent link to this entry
Latest Update from Kezi:
These past few days have been GREAT! I love it here, and I really hope I can come back next year. We have finished with the painting, soffetes, and were almost finished with the deck. I'm glad that we'll be able to get done all that we came for.
Yesterday we had the night off, so we went out for dinner to a Chinese buffet. It was very good. After dinner, we headed down to the beach. It was AMAZING! There was a strong wind, and a cool breeze. We were able to wade out to a sandbar. It was so much fun -- an experience I will never forget. That night we had group time on the beach as we watched the sun set. It was breathtaking. I'm so happy James encouraged us so strongly to come.
Tomorrow is our last day here. I'm sad to go, but glad to come home. We'll be heading to the beach again on our way to Alabama. I can't wait.
Scott, the owner of the house was having problems. He wasn't able to take care of himself, and his family had been stuggling with him for months to go to a hospital. Finally, two days ago, he was admitted after the neighbors lost patence. His Mom came over to thank us for our work on his home. It was amazing hearing their story. I'm just glad that Scott is being taken care of.
Well, I can't wait to see everyone again. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
posted at: 21:17 | path: | permanent link to this entry
From Caris:
We worked really hard today and got rained out twice! Of course we are hard workers and returned every time. Some of the groups decided not to work today because of the rain.
We got the floor on the deck today, and tomorrow we are going to work on either the rail or the steps. I think it's the steps next. It's just me and one other person who are working on it so I get to do a lot. Kezi was stories up in scafolding putting on the souffets.
posted at: 21:17 | path: | permanent link to this entry
News from Mississippi...From Kezi
(Both Kezi and caris have been using POWER TOOLS by the way)
FROM KEZI:
Today I built a deck!! I also got to use the table saws. It was alot of fun. Me and Matt Jacobs are working on it.
We went to the beach for a little while today. It was nice. We also ate out at a chinese place.
posted at: 18:41 | path: | permanent link to this entry
From Caris:
It was nice today. Not nearly as hot as yesterday. It also drizzled on
us a couple times.
I am helping to cut boards for the souffet. I am not sure how to spell that. We are also building a deck. Guess what!! I got saw dust in my eye today!! Surprised? And guess what I forgot. Sunglasses and my saline solution.
posted at: 18:41 | path: | permanent link to this entry
Caris and Kezi are in Mississippi on a missions work trip repairing Katrina damage. Their most recent letter is below:
Hey everyone!
It's the end of the first day here at the church, and it's HOT!!!!! We're at "Scott's" house this week. His home was destroyed by the hurricane, and even today it is still flooded. We started putting on siding, digging ditches, and painting right away. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.
Our cabin/bunkhouse is (thankfully) air conditioned. If not we'd be sleeping in a 100 degree room...literally. I'm realizing today how dehydrated I am...James is pumping water into me.
The church has no janitorial staff, so every day, each group has a different job. Today we had to clean up the grounds, tomorrow we'll have kitchen duty, next day bathroom duty, etc. That was a surprise, but definitely not a problem.
This week we'll be studying 1 John. We'll be having group time every night. If you want to see how things are going, then just go to http://www.npcpsalm23.blogspot.com/ and James will keep you updated.
Well, I can't wait to see everyone again!
posted at: 20:03 | path: | permanent link to this entry
Back in Ohio.
We're very tired. Will write more later! Thanks for your prayers. Please write me - let me know that you were following along, so I can give you a more personal update.
posted at: 19:46 | path: | permanent link to this entry
2008-07-27 Sunday
Beautiful worship service in the Christian school in which we held our English classes. Some students attended. We were able to enjoy the preaching of the new German pastor, who is due to come in September.
I love Berlin. Well, that's partially correct. I love the people of Berlin. We have been received with warmth in a postmodern culture. This was unexpected. I look forward to writing my students, and building long term relationships with them. Sherry feels the same, and invited one family to visit when they come to the States someday.
Well, we're checked in on our flights, and ready to show up at the airport for our flight home. In less than 24 hours we will be on our way. Hard to believe the two weeks is already over.
Pray for a safe, pleasant flight. We love you and miss you. See you soon!
posted at: 09:28 | path: | permanent link to this entry
2008-07-25
Today was the last day of formal instruction in English Camp. We gave T-Shirts to our students - shirts we brought in from America. The students value these gifts. It was a joy to give them.
We also completed our review of the English our students learned over the previous four days. My students did quite well. I plan to correspond with both of them in the future.
The full-time Berlin staff said this was one of the best English Camps they have had. That was encouraging. Perhaps next year we will be able to participate again. It has been a busy, yet worthwhile trip.
Tomorrow we will spend more time with the students in a family festival day. The parents and grandparents of the students will come. It will be good to meet them.
Please pray that the Family Time will go well Saturday. Pray that our students will come (Saturday is an optional day for Camp, and many of the students may want to go to the summer garden cottages owned by their families).
While this trip has been exciting, and filled with miracles, I look forward to being back home.
posted at: 03:21 | path: | permanent link to this entry
2008-07-24
Another wonderful day teaching English and working with our students. Things are picking up. Please continue to pray for our students. I exchanged email addresses with the young men I teach. Barak Obama is in town tonight. Sherry and I had hoped to see him speak in Berlin, but it looks like we will rest our feet instead.
Please continue to pray for stamina. Most team members are very tired and worn out.
posted at: 10:56 | path: | permanent link to this entry
2008-07-22
It's the second day of English Camp. Today we worked on adjectives and antonyms, whereas yesterday we worked on simple past tense/present tense. My students did okay on the past tense-present tense from Monday, but did much better with the adjectives and antonyms. The only struggle is knowing the meaning of words; their grammar is good.
Sherry's students are all being challenged. One is better than the other two (she tutors three students while I tutor two).
In this culture, building a relationship with the students is very important, and Sherry's students have begun to share German words with her. This is a big step. So, she is finding success.
Prayer requests:
Please pray that the English tutors can build good relationships with the students, so learning can be more efficient. Pray that those relationships can lead to spiritual conversations, and perhaps longer term correspondance. Pray that Sherry and I (and the other tutors) have the necessary stamina. And praise, praise, praise - because that's what we're ALL here for - to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
posted at: 15:39 | path: | permanent link to this entry
2008-07-23
It's the third day of English Camp. Today we worked on prepositions and the concepts of "could," "would" and "should." My two ninth graders like to goof off a bit, and I'm no help in stopping them. Yesterday we made paper airplanes as part of class. Today we made molds of our ears using Playdoh. We have fun, but we also get work done. I give them additional work because they are ninth graders.
Sherry's three students are very sweet girls. They are hitting it off pretty well with Sherry. None of the five students we tutor have traditional mom-and-dad type families. Broken families are fairly typical in Berlin, where anything goes. Marriage seems to be the exception, not the rule.
Prayer requests:
Please pray that all the students continue to be excited about English Camp. Pray for stamina - and my right leg/ankle. It has been cranky with all the walking, but today I was playing catch with one of my students (with a football - how American!), and overdid it with my recently repaired achilles. Pray for the families of our students. The kids are all so wonderful. We want to have a positive impact in their lives - not just teach English. There have been wonderful conversations that go beyond just speaking English.
posted at: 15:39 | path: | permanent link to this entry
2008-07-17
The Thai food was wonderful, but not nearly as hot as I wanted it to be. As our group of 7-8 enjoyed out meal, two separate Berliners came up to talk with us. The first one brought us a slip of paper with the verse, "Cast all your cares upon him because he cares for you." It was written in German, so we had to give it the one of the Family Center workers, who translated it. The second man asked us if we believe in Jesus and said he needs to come back to Christ again. He was given a card with information about the Family Center so he could come in later. It was very encouraging.
We then took a long walk through the Berlin neighborhood the English Camp students are coming from. It was a prayer walk, in which we prayed for God to bless those living in this wonderful neighborhood. In the middle of it all is a fountain - called the Fertility Fountain. It is literally an alter to Baal. One corner of the Fountain depicts a mother taking her child to sacrifice on the alter to Baal. The fountain is currently cordoned off for renovation. Still, the message of the need Berliners have to fill that spiritual void was clear.
From there we continued to walk and pray until we arrived at an Ice Cream stand in the neighborhood, and from there we went to a large neighborhood park to join the other club leaders and tutors and pray together as a large team for each other and the students scheduled for Monday.
2008-07-18
Friday was a big day for everyone. Morning was spent preparing our English classes and getting ready for club activities. I will be involved in two skits. Sherry will be involved with the Baking club, I think. This will be a lot of work, but clearly very rewarding. Sherry is working with three 6-7 grade girls. I have two ninth grade boys - neither with very good English skills. Thank goodness my German is coming back a little - looks like I'll need it.
At the end of the day we went on a trip to visit the Berlin Wall Memorial. It was much more emotional for me than I expected it to be. It is such a miracle that the wall is down. Perhaps I will write about it later, but the whole thing is still to vivid in my mind to write about now.
Please pray for the students coming Monday - especially the three girls Sherry is working with and the two boys I will work with. Pray for this city.
2008-07-19
Today we went to Wittenberg. Sherry and I spent a lot of time in the Melancthon museum and the Luther museum. Fascinating stuff - to walk where Luther once walked and see the churches he preached in. He is buried inside the castle church where he preached often. I was an amazing day.
My brother and fellow STM Dr. Mark Cripe surprised Sherry and I with an anniversary gift we did not expect today. It was a jug of Luther beer, and a bottle of Luther's special brew. I'm debating whether to bring it home inact, or drink it here and just bring home the jug and bottle! It was a special gift. Sherry and I wanted to return to Berlin for our 25th anniversary year. Our actual 25th aniversary was December 18th. It was a wonderful rememberance, and so unexpected. Mark and Katie have been a joy to spend time with.
We ended the evening at an Italian restaurant down the street from our hotel with new friends from all over the country - Florida, Indiana and South Carolina. We had pizza and great conversation. It's been a wonderful preparation week. Now the hard work begins. Sunday we go to the Lukas Gemainda (Luke Church), and Monday tutoring begins. Please be in prayer for us as we begin the week of tutoring. Much love from Berlin - Dan and Sherry.
posted at: 15:28 | path: | permanent link to this entry
2008-07-17
We are completing a day of culture training – things to do and don't do. For instance, if a student does well, it's okay to give them a thumbs-up. But if you give them the "okay" sign, and your hand is turned the wrong way, it's a vulgar insult. So, we have to be careful to give the right kind of encouragement!
Sherry and I will work as tutors – Sherry with younger kids and me with older kids. Sherry plans to work with the Baking club in the afternoons, and while I wanted to work with music or the newspaper, but there were so many volunteers there I decided to work with the karate club. Hopefully I won't break anything!!! Actually, it will all be quite safe. I won't have to perform any karate moves.
Prayer Requests
Please be in prayer that the team is sensitive to cultural differences, and that we don't offend anyone. Please pray for team leaders – leaders of clubs and of the Berlin mission. Please pray for the health of a team member who is not feeling so well.
Tonight we go out to eat. I'm aiming for the Thai restaurant where there is wonderful hot food. Sherry will probably aim for less hot.
We love you all.
posted at: 03:14 | path: | permanent link to this entry
7-16-2008
Here we are at camp! We're getting to know lots of new friends - fellow tutors from Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana - all of the US. It looks like English Camp is larger this year than ever - both in terms of registrants and tutors. God is doing a wonderful work in this part of Berlin, and we were briefed on that this evening. We're looking forward to our role as tutors.
Our room is on the first floor of a nearby hotel, but it is a long walk. Pray that Dan's pain in walking is bearable after his achilles injury. His ankle is quite swollen. Pray that the tutors bond together as a team. Pray that we learn much in training.
As a special request, please be in prayer for our home church, as one of our key families is going through a terrible trials involving medical problems and a death in the family. Our Senior pastor, who planned to stay through the entire English Camp was called home to minister to that family and the rest of our fellowship. Please pray for our fellowship, as we grieve together with this family, and as we come together to support this family in love.
Jet lag update: Sherry made it though better than me. Tonight we both sleep for the first tome since leaving Columbus!
posted at: 05:08 | path: | permanent link to this entry
2008-07-16, during the flight to Berlin.
We've just passed Iceland on our way over Dublin and then over London. What an amazing flight. We left Newark at 6 or 7. I watched the sun begin to set, but it never did. On the right side of the plane the world went dark. But the sun continued to peak over the top of the world the entire trip. By the time it was midnight in Columbus, the light of the sun began to shine again on the right side of the plane. I expected morning to dawn quickly, but instead we flew along the edge of the sunrise all the way to England.
Pray that we will be wakeful today. We never really slept. I'm sure we will have much to do, and Sherry, in particular, will wrestle with tiredness. I look forward to reporting the supernatural strength tho Lord will give her today.
posted at: 05:08 | path: | permanent link to this entry
Well, the Berlin trip is about to begin. At 9:30 Sherry and I are leaving for the Huntington Bank offices in downtown Columbus to exchange dollars for Euros. We should get to the airport before 11:00. The flight is at 1:00.
Please be praying for the kids that we will tutor in Berlin. Keep the team members in prayer as well - there will be about 30 of us from all over the country. Pray for my Mom as she cares for the kids at home. Mostly, pray that God be glorified - that His sovereign will be done.
There is some question as to whether I will be able to log in to keep this blog updated. I'm not sure what access I will have to the Internet. You'll know soon - by the 16th, probably. However, if this is the last post in this blog, it's because I was unable to hook up. You can probably get updates about English Camp at Chris Elmerick's blog at http://www.elmericks.blogspot.com/.
Off we go!
Dan & Sherry
posted at: 05:08 | path: | permanent link to this entry