Tag Archives: Deutschland

10 Mai – coming to a close…

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Today was our last time together – we spent the morning in worship & in our small groups – revisiting what it is that God has most impressed on all of us this week: individually, & for each other. We went around the circle & shared, then after each of us finished, we took time to pray for & confirm what happened this week – to ‘cement it’ in our lives while it is still fresh in our memories, before the tyranny of the urgent & the routine of the commonplace return to battling for attention.

To me, what stood out is the need to listen – to really discern what’s going on in the days & times we live in, then to respond appropriately. Most significantly, I have been encouraged multiple times that words carry weight – & somebody told me that something I’d said to them in August was still ‘ringing in their ears.” That the words we speak carry life – & that I have a responsibility & a gift to encourage – to impart courage. To build up, to strengthen, to give life. Reminds me of our studies in James 3 on the power of the tongue – this point was driven home time & time again.

I’m spending the rest of the evening with Alex & Linda – we ate dinner together (ciabatta bread & veggies) & sampled some of the New Clairvaux Petite Sirah. Later, we’re heading out for a night on the town…

9 Mai, Part Deux…

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This a.m. we had a prayer time – one of the student leaders (Dudi from Frankfurt) thought it would be a God idea for all of the core team (of which I’m a part) to do nothing tonight – but that all of the student leaders to bring a ‘gift’ – a song, a psalm, a scripture, a prayer, something, that would be done for the benefit & building up of everybody there. Church.

There were prayers in Romanian; a couple of original songs (one in English, one in Japanese;) a poem; a bible verse reading; a game; 15 minute relaxation; communion shared (with bread & wine & lots of community union) a funny story by one of the most intriguing people I’ve ever heard talk – a great Finn with a booming, sweet voice.

It was amazing. A great day.

Now it is 1:15 in the a.m. so Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its off to sleepy I go.

9 Mai – lifting

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Today we experienced a great lifting of the heaviness that I (& others) have been wrestling with for the last few days – it was obviously an opponent – the accompanying hopelessness, despair, & grief (w/o hope of an end) were telltale giveaways… as was the desire to separate & isolate ourselves & to pull away from relationship. My hosts had quite a time of it today – it even affected their puppy.

I spent the afternoon with Claudius, a dear friend from TPLF – coffee & a sunny day by the shores of the Main River… Truly, this is the life. All I was missing was the Bean & it would have been perfect.

I’m late to the next Round of Roundabout, so I’ll put a comma here & try to jump back in later –
Many blessings to you
Louie

8 Mai

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We spent the day in today talking on “What is church?” in the context of two small groups, & a large group discussion. The point of all the talking wasn’t to try & come up with one, spot on definition of what church is – but rather to move beyond the idea of church being a set of programs, methods, & meeting locations – one of the ideas that I liked the best was the picture of the church being an embassy in a foreign land – complete with ambassadors…

For lunch we had pizza – which in Frankfurt usually means a very thin crust accompanied by a compilation of all kinds of things that you never thought you’d see on a pizza – like Tuna. Still, I happened to find one pizza topped by Salamiwurst & another with green & red peppers – I folded each piece 3x & then shoveled in mass quantities.

We’re just ready to eat dinner (it’s 6 p.m.) followed by worship & a ‘wrap up’ talk by Geert from Holland.

Thank you for your prayers –
Louie

What is Church?

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Tomorrow a.m. (tonight for you at 12:35 in the a.m.) I will be facilitating a discussion on the topic: What is Church? The point isn’t to describe the institution so much as the mission – or the reason it exists.

The life context of the 25 attendees is radically different – in age, cultural background, country of origin, life experience, & perspective, so I’m expecting some interesting answers to the above question.

How would you answer it? If that’s not enough to get you blogging, then:

When you think “Church” what comes to mind? Why?

Talk amongst yerselves…

7 Mai…

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I slept well, & woke up a couple of times in the night to see what time it was… only to find that I still had several hours of sleep available to me. Alex & Linda are on the 5th floor & have an incredible view from their extra large window. A double espresso & a trip on the U7 later, I arrived at TPLF for our 1st meetings with the Roundabout team.

TPLF is going through a very difficult time right now, as they have lost their pastor, a dear friend of mine (& ours) for an indefinite period of time – as I approached the building, I was overwhelmed with waves of grief… almost like a wet blanket that weighed me down & made it hard to walk. I sobbed for a period of time (I don’t know how long,) then went upstairs to the top floor. The people that make up the Roundabout core team that were able to be here are myself, Sam & Mirjam, Dan & Joy, Petra, & Geert, & We met for about 3 hours, & had a great time catching up. We talked about Roundabout, our schedule, & also how we are working through/processing our own grief & life struggles. A couple of highlights – I got to see my god-daughter, Rebecca Grace, & to hold her – she is very light, & always has the beginnings of a grin on her face. Plus, she can touch her nose with her tongue! Not bad for a 7 month old… She came to me right off (which her mum says she doesn’t normally do,) & was content for quite a while…

My belly was growling, & at 1 p.m., we made our way over to the Bistro Sahin for Doener Kebaps & mineralwasser, which is water with some light carbonation. Very nice; just like I remembered.

Sam & I talked for about 2 hours – sitting outside of the Bistro, drinking a coffee @ the “Illy”, taking a walk around the White Tower (by the U of Frankfurt) – we talked about family, marriage, church, personal calling, Sabbath & “pacing” e.g. walking vs. running through life, & also about navigating difficulties, & maintaining/cultivating integrity. I really like the opportunity to talk – & to have interchange of ideas – it reminds me that regardless of where we come from that there are many, many things that we can relate to because we’re both Christ-followers. It makes me thankful that in Christ we really have a depth & breadth of relationship that is based on values that aren’t personality or culture.

I am also very, very thankful to be a part of Hillside; & that you, my church family, are behind me & believe in & support me, not only at home, but also in coming to Frankfurt. I am so proud to be able to represent you, & to be able to know that I’m loved & am prayed for. And that Hillside is Jesus’ church, & that we’re on the way – becoming who God has shaped us to be. I’m getting teary writing this as I see your faces & think about the wonderful people that you are, & how special you are to me. I am overwhelmed with love & appreciation for you. Thank you for saying “Yes” to God’s process for your life – for being brave, filled with faith, to hear God & to obey Him, both personally, & as a church family.

Between the hours of noon & 4 p.m. are the lowest times for me – it’s the wee hours of the morning at home (we’re 9 hours ahead) so my body is screaming out for me to “obey’ & go lay down. But I resist, & stand firm, & drink lots & lots of java, hoping & praying for the time in the afternoon, usually about 5:30 p.m., when my body realizes that anywhere I am, its time to get up…

Tonight we’ll be eating dinner with all of the Roundabout participants – there’s even a couple of people from Romania… maybe I’ll break out my incredible knowledge of the Romanian language, which allows me to say a few words: Please; thank you very much; you’re welcome; I don’t understand; apple pie; French fries; two hamburgers. (Let’s just say I spent a LOT of time at McDonald’s on my trip to Oradea, Romania.) We have worship & prayer, then will take about 2 hours to get to know a bit about each other – as we describe a bit of our life ‘story’ – or what brought us to this place at this time. Then its home to Alex & Linda’s for a cold German beer & watching episodes of The Office. Dwight K. Schrute is funny in any language.

Tears are very near the surface for me – I find myself blinking them back all the time now… sometimes tears just come out, & I don’t know why.

It’s 5:30, & I’m emerging from my pseudo-slumber – I’m going downstairs to the erde-geschloss (ground floor) to mingle with the people that are arriving – you know how I love to mingle ☺.

Thank you for your prayers – & I will update as soon as I can.
Tschüss!
Louie

Tuesday…

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3 legs of a trip – Reno to Denver (2 hours) to DC (2:45) to Frankfurt (7:30). The trip to Frankfurt was uneventful – I ended up in Economy plus on an aisle, with not one (1) but two (2) empty seats next to me. The Plus part of Economy Plus = about 7 more inches of foot/leg/knee room, which just might be the greatest thing ever on a long flight.

I ended up sleeping about 5 hours, though not consecutively, as I was woken up multiple times by someone in the vicinity who was passing gas like it was a sport, & they were the Olympic champion. Truly, whoever this was could give Brother, in travel mode, a run for his money.

Alex picked me up at the airport, & we dropped off my huge bag at his & Linda’s home. It was there that I met Jonathan, their 7 month old huge puppy – I thought he was going to eat me, but instead he just licked me & has taken to removing my socks from my room on occasion.

Alex, Jonathan & I went to a Vietnamese restaurant where I ate spicy duck (psych! on the spicy part – it was white bread spicy, meaning not at all,) then we went for a walk around Kurfuerstenplaetz & Leipziger Strasse – got home a minute ago to find that Alex has wi-fi. So, the good news is I have email access 1 or 2x a day.

I’m jet lagging, but good – & it’s taking all of my spidey-sense to stay awake. Pray for me; I’ll check in soon.

flying solo…

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This next week, 5 Mai, I will be flying solo – literally – to Frankfurt. Last year, the Bean & I were in Frankfurt 3 separate times – Maerz, August, & November, for a total of 31 days, if you include travel days, which really should count double for all the wear & tear on the body, mind, & psyche… & that’s not even mentioning the need for acquisition of unique travel supplies, all in containers of 4 ounces or less, support hose, & the smuggle-able french press & coffee stash.

It was too much for the Bean for many, many reasons – the emotional, physical, relational & financial toll was too great – she acquired a job in Januar, & starts a new schedule on the day I fly away…

So, I’ll be going on my own for 8 days – traveling solo is ok; I’ve done it quite a bit… it actually makes the choice of ‘where & what to eat/drink’ much easier. I just ask myself, “Self, what do you want to do?” And I usually answer, “Thanks for asking. I am hungry. And thirsty. And hungry.” And then it’s on… I don’t know why, but traveling brings out the snacker in me – I want to stop at every kiosk for a sample, to chow down & imbibe wherever possible. Wonder why that is?

This is a significant trip for me – I know it down in my guts… this will be a trip of resolution – I believe that my interactions & appointments, & calling to Europe will be becoming clarified. And resolved. Some of the nebulousness, the WHY’s will be cleared up. Or be clearer.

I also know that this will be relationally significant… there are several situations that will require a miracle to see healed. If you’re wondering what to pray for in this for me, pray for grace & peace in relationships. And reconciliation.

Finally, I am really looking forward to staying at the home of my friends Alex & Linda, & getting to spend a chunk of time with them. They are definitely one of my happy thoughts about this voyage, the one on which I am flying solo…

Strassbourg

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The Bean & I arrived in Frankfurt about an hour ahead of schedule – always fun to sit in the middle of the aisle, esp. when the persons directly in front & behind me were complaining about me to the flight attendant because, GASP! I had the air on & they could feel it. Perhaps because we’re packed in the plane like sardines, or because the guy in front of me had his seat so far back he might as well have been sitting in my lap. But, we slept for at least 4 hours, so 4 hours is better than no sleep. :)

We had a brief coffee with Johannes & Anja, then went to visit our friends (& hosts for the next 3 days,) Martin & Sandra. We stayed up late talking, & then crashed hard about 11 p.m.

We slept for about 12 hours (!)

Today, we’ve traveled to Strassbourg, France, to have a “relaxing day” in the city center, viewing old cathedrals, & reviewing the history of this city that has been at the crux of many land disputes between Germany & France – look up Alsace on Google & you’ll see what I’m talking about.

The streets we walked through had a strange blend of German architecture (like the buildings around the mayor’s office in Frankfurt) & what we saw in Zurich 2 years ago – we stopped for about an hour in the Cathedral of Strassbourg – a large, very ornate cathedral, longer than 2 football fields inside, wider than 1. It had a very hollow, almost eerie atmosphere inside, & for the most part, was completely empty except for a few, very few tourists. I sat in a row of the wooden chairs near the front of the church, & thought & prayed – thanking God that He hears our prayers, that we can pray directly to Him because of Jesus, & that He lives in us through the Holy Spirit. We had some talks about God living in us vs. living in a building, & what would motivate a people to build such a cathedral…

It’s cold (about 28-32 F) with intermittent rain, so we ducked into as many cafe’s as possible to have an espresso or cappuccino, before we once again braved the elements to walk the streets.

We hope to eat at McDonald’s tonight – a little taste of home. :)

Please pray for favor for us in our coming meetings, starting Sunday afternoon – we really feel the difference that your prayers make.

I’ll be blogging again soon!
Blessings to you

Louie & Joni