Space and Scope for Dreaming

We long for freedom where our truest being
Is given hope and courage to unfold. 
              (Your Love, O God)

   
The sanctuary. 


                 

Sunday Morning....and everyone worshipped with my host Rev. Frank. In the above picture his wife, Birgit handled the English translation of the sermon.

          
Rev. Kerstin (blue shirt) is a youth leader and especially works with the German church in their outreach to immigrants and refugees. Their intent is not conversion of refugees but the notion that all of God's children must have dignity and acceptance in modern Germany.
Here she sings with two Syrian immigrants and the church keyboardist.
I must say....it was really good.

                              
Here are a few of our early arriving Young Ambassadors and family members. 
The service was in German and English. Much of it contained familiar elements to the Americans...prayers, scriptures, hymns, special music. 
Rev. Frank read from the 5th Book of Moses for one of the scriptures.
Test question: what is THAT?

                        
Lisa, Amber, James, Trevor and Michael.

The was fellowship in the downstairs fellowship rooms with everyone having coffee and snacks. I don't recall the name of the Syrian sweet which was served but it was Mozzarella with a coconut type topping ....butter.....sugar water. Bake! Eat. And one of our kids detected cinnamon.
Anyway.....if any of your Syrian friends offer you a mozzarella based thing to eat. Take them up on the offer!

                              
Megan and Christie asked Andreas and I some questions about the sermon and salvation and covenant. (Don't all teens ask those questions?)


Foosball time in their Youth Rooms with Trevor, James, Gracie and Simon.


                   
Lena and Lo ponder their previous day's journey.

                            

Everyone sat for awhile as the entire YAP group took stock of our first week and planned for the next week.  Chad, Emma and Fred.  The only thing missing was American Root Beer. (An inside joke...Amy and Lisa will get it.)



I've got one word for you......E-Bike. OMG....they are fabulous. Don't know what I am talking about? Probably not. Google them.....they have transformed the way I think about motorized bicycles. If you were thinking that they'd make a great birthday gift for a minister....also think $3000. 
Frank and Birgit's friends biked over for the afternoon and yours truly tried out the wheels. We had a wonderful time. The hospitality of everyone has been overwhelming.

And in the evening, the Leadership Team (which makes it sound like Angela Merkel dropped by) met at the home of Rev. Andreas and his wife Martja (hmm...spelling?) for discussions about the coming week and the years ahead. And of course there was a big meal which was so good. Dessert was a delicate .... Sharon described as a German strawberry shortcake. We eagerly took big helpings and then I said...."I should have taken a picture of it, it was so perfect!"
Sharon pointed to the remainder...which still looked pretty good!

                          

Peace,   Bob

                      




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