There are always baby strollers on the trains/busses along with those shopping carts that older ladies use. That requires a lot of shuffling at each stop as people hop on and off. (This might be a long one so skip if your day is busy.) There were two young dads with the cutest babies and they played so sweetly with them. Another had a tiny one strapped on under a jacket with mom sitting by, probably needing a rest. Then a fourth was crossing the street with a larger baby in a pack on front. Many bikes traverse the streets, ridden by dad, with a little one safely strapped in. I would say that German men really love their babies. And about the shopping carts – there is no age limit. You see them everywhere pulled along by adults of every age. It is the go-to for those short shopping trips when most people are using busses instead of cars. Also – have only noticed one Tesla but many Volkswagens and a few BMW’s in Berlin. Prague, really just their national car the Skoda. Along with the travel today there were so many interesting people in the library. It was fun. I am getting into a routine of the things that need to be done and was told I have a good work ethic. I know that has been an asset all of my life. Thank you Dad for your example and Colorado farmer heritage. Because you don’t really know where I am and don’t know these people I can sometimes use real names. David came in to meet with a Korean pastor-guy (don’t know the spelling of his name). They have both been serving in Berlin for about a decade. David lived in Vancouver, CANADA, and knows the churches in the Seattle area quite well. We knew some of the same people and that is always fun. They left for lunch and returned with Korean dumplings – yum. Just hearing their ministry conversation and love for the Lord was inspiring. The Korean man stayed to use the piano room while I was working on the library inventory in the same room. He invited two Christians who don’t know each other to come for coffee, fellowship, and worship by singing together (I hummed harmony but hope no one noticed). There are many Turkish families in the area so I think one man who came was from that part of the world and the other was born in Israel. A Korean, Arab, and Jew, were praising the Lord together. It was beautiful. Korean guy even blew the shofar. During the day others came and went, some to schedule using the library for events and some neighbors wanting a coffee. There are also several older gentleman who just love coming and chatting. There is a Baptist church across the street and I asked if the pastors there ever come in for resources and got an affirmative. Where else in this country (other than churches or seminaries) can others/non-believers resource Christian books in German AND English? No place. It is a passive ministry in that people have to come through the door. Today an Arab and Jew were invited and now they know the library. There are apartments above. This is like a shop on the street and families live up top. I do not know the entire story but the day ended with a woman in tears on the street, weeping that her father had committed suicide. She is now taking care of her grieving mother. She, herself is a mother and does holistic ‘healings’, claimed not to be religious but is in such a tough spot. People gathered and the leaders here ministered to her. What does that mean? There was listening, tissues, offers of help, reminders to call the librarians (that are more than librarians) – face it – it’s a bit of a cover story on some days! A Turkish young lady who visits often saw all of this. She looked uncomfortable but is learning that Christians care. It was a rush to close everything down and this weekend the time change begins and I’m concerned about travel alone in the dark but that is why I brought a flashlight! Lastly, and unrelated, earrings and piercings. There was a petite lady with a baby in stroller on the last bus back to the boarding house. In German she said ‘You look very beautiful’ which I did not comprehend so she switched to English. I have not heard that in a long time, especially at the end of a busy day but I wore my only skirt which is uncharacteristicly colorful. I had noticed a brace on her leg and she moved quite slowly on exiting the same stop. As we chatted the bus driver closed the door. It must have looked like we were insincere about exiting but then the younger lady told me she is paralyzed. What a struggle to get a buggy off the bus with only one working leg. I’ll never forget her. People have their burdens…Two very old men were on the train with the longest earrings I had ever seen on men and they didn’t match. There is this thought that as we age we think less about what others think but I’ve got to tell you – very old men look ridiculous to me in very long earrings. A final note – I see more face piercings on the ridiculous youth in America than here. Ministry happened today and I am so happy. Morning views below. I’m told this is unusually great weather for which I am grateful after early monsoons in Prague. Keep it up!
