Live and learn. Last week they said Zelensky was the traffic diversion and today it was Biden? I had a wonderful time with new friends but have not yet navigated nite-time buses. My goal is to be in before sundown when traveling abroad. Oops! The details would bore you but the schedule said next bus at 7:12 but there were a bunch of people waiting when I got off the train at 7:14 to catch the X11 bus. That meant the 7:32 would arrive and save me a walk in the darkened neighborhood. No such luck. then the 7:52 did not arrive nor the 8:12 but it did come at 8:14. I was surly but tried not to show it. At a distance I may not show my age but the only creepy moment was a car that came up to the curb where I stood, paused, then drove off – thank goodness for wrinkles? A little about men. I have not seen the leering habit that some American men have. I’ve mostly seen indifference, not respect. Remember that Berlin is a melting pot so many customs are blended. Fairly consistently men will step in front of you to get on a train or bus. It is not meant as disrespect (although when women cut me off it is unexpected and irritating). I have not had any clashes except with the women at the bakery counter in the market near the train. She makes me order in German or she won’t wait on me – really. After another German “lesson” this morning I wasn’t even hungry. I had intended to eat a sweet but a lady begging at the door needed it more than me. Shopping is different. There are no Walmart’s, Fred Meyers, or CostCo’s but only local small-medium markets. People stop every few days and get what they need for a few days. On Sunday, only churches and restaurants are open. Sunday has historically been my day to meal plan, shop, and organize. Nothing like that happening when staying in a boarding house. It was a wonderful dinner of lasagne with some ministry leaders and left-overs. I won’t report on all of the personal talk. I’m excited for tomorrow’s prayer walk. I’ll return to Brandenburg Gate by train then walk to the Holocaust Memorial. The official name is, ‘The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe’. There are 2711 concrete steles which can be encircled. Beneath the memorial is an information center which documents the crimes of the Nazi era in themed rooms. The memorial was opened in 2005. That is a long time to admit the sins of the Nazi’s and honor those broken by this tragic era in history. If there is time, then I will visit the Soviet War Memorial. This week seemed more productive than the first week at the library which is a good thing. I am not earning brownie points, or favor, or salvation. God loves and accepts me so why do I like to serve? God made me this way? Is He preparing good works for everyone reading this? I think the only thing God asks of me is to see people. We cannot love people who we can not see – even a crabby baker lady.
