Around a Table

Saturday brought the most around-Berlin travel we've done so far. We started the day at the Tabakspeicher* helping decorate for KIBA. We saw the space transformed from a school cafeteria into a palace.

And it was so much fun to work alongside fellow KIBA-ers in preparation for our young guests.

When we were finished we headed "home" for a quick rest and were ready to meet Dave at 3:00 for our first Berlin train ride.

The boys waited anxiously as the adults made final preparations for the trip.

You know, little things like purchasing tickets. Lucky for us Dave has an über train pass so one adult and all three big kids traveled for free. Vielen Dank, Dave!

When will the train arrive, Mercy?



Can you see it yet, Evie?

On our way to the first train station, we passed from East Berlin to West Berlin and crossed this spot in the sidewalk where the Berlin wall formerly stood. It's amazing to think about how freely we moved from one side to the other, nearly missing the plaque on the ground and the line of bricks running across the road.

This is me standing in East Berlin and West Berlin at the same time. Years ago, I've been told, the difference between the east side and the west side was dramatic, even after the wall came down. Today, I couldn't tell you what the difference is.

Watching people in the city is a fun way to learn about the culture. As we walked toward the home of Mike Edwards, the Berlin City Team Leader, we passed by these gentlemen, so immersed in their conversation that they were seemingly unaware of the bustling city around them. I can only imagine the amazing stories they have to share. {Doesn't it seem like they should have a chess board between them?}

Evie plodded along happily with her daddy as we made our way to Mike's. Most of us had never met Mike, but had heard a lot about him and his work in the city. As we talked, we learned about Mike's strategy for reaching the city with the gospel by knowing and loving and serving and living in community with {sounds like disciple-making} all parts of the city.

Before we came, we were told how diverse Berlin is. After spending a couple days in Pankow, we weren't convinced. We see more ethnic diversity in our suburban neighborhood back home than we've seen here. When we asked about it the response we got was, "that's because you're in Pankow." We learned that Berlin is made up of small boroughs called kiez-es. Each kiez has it's own personality and identity and ethnic make up. So as you walk through the city, you can see how each kiez is different from the ones next to it. It's a good reminder of God's creativity and His love of variety.

After leaving Mike's house, we had the privilege of meeting with John and Gayle Butrin who have a hospitality ministry called Matthew's Table. Several years ago, they came to Berlin with the intention of starting a church plant {John is a former pastor} but God had other plans for them. Now they love and serve their community by getting to know and love their neighbors and anyone that God puts in their path. They begin with an invitation to dinner {or breakfast or a concert or anything else to get them around the table} but that is just the beginning of the discipling they do. They take an active interest in the lives of the friends they make through Matthew's Table and rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal ways for them to show God's love to each of them on an ongoing business.

It was amazing to listen to the stories about how God has used them to bring people closer to God. And, just like at home, we witnessed what can happen around a table when people get together to share a meal: they end up sharing their lives as well.

After a ride on the train and the tram, then climbing the 87 steps to our apartment we said goodnight and got ready for our first Sunday in Berlin.

*For those of you who can interpret Tabak Speicher - I'll explain later...