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.
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