My tummy is upset and not much sleep. I’ve never Ubered in Berlin. From an urban spot (with my tree) only four minutes to pickup! So happy. Finally over the bug and fit to finish. I was so relieved that I over-tipped the driver. As I exit the vehicle the Berlin Central Train Station does not look right. The driver had dropped me at the back end with different landmarks. There is a Starbucks, better than machine coffee, but too expensive for me, especially after over-tipping. I like being early with so much at stake today. A petite acai bowl is all my timid tummy can handle but wishing it was a medium. I’m drinking machine coffee in, maybe, the only quiet corner in the entire place. Soon the crowds will force the Burger King to open its kiosk. Any friends I made here in 1978 I had lost track of, and except for a short list, this is a Berlin repeat. I’ve been trying to not discuss graffiti but it bothers me in these ancient places – ancient by US standards. Why even graffiti the trash cans which are orange and hung above ground? As you exit the library you see nasty words on the trash can that are hard to miss. I was warned off by a local who may be numb to the ugliness, but as an American (out to solve problems that are not even mine), I proudly lifted my sponge and did a bit of improving. How could that get me into trouble? Well, I did a bit of other stuff in Berlin and am happy to return to team Prague for 33 more sleeps. On this second round in Berlin, God has been working on my character and helping me evaluate ministry expectations as I travel to different settings. I think having “fresh” eyes can be beneficial. On the other hand, if something has worked for years it is either a success or something else. I like doing things right and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That is why we invite Holy Spirit to come and help. A ministry has nothing to offer if not saturated by the spark of prayer. I’m overwhelmed as God takes me out of my comfort zone. Pam’s opinions rear their ugly head or can be a blessing to some. Quoting a ministry letter I just received from a worker in the Middle East, “God has chosen to trust us, even though He knows we will make mistakes, to accomplish His purpose, and through His Word He gives us instructions on how to do it, with a clean heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith”. …”but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.[b] This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed”. – 2 Corinthians 4:7b – 9 The Voice
Views from the train.
