The summer activities for the children were few this year… summer vacation only lasts 6 weeks and during that time most of the families pack up and leave town. So the number of children in town combined with the overwhelming details involved in getting the new rooms furnished and ready for the fall led to less events. But the ones we had were fun.
We enjoyed one outing to a sand sculpture display. The best in their field, carved intricate artworks from highly compacted sand. They were amazing structures, but the children found it much more fun to go the area where they could build their own. We dug and shaped and ate ice cream and smeared on sun cream. It was a great afternoon. Another time we enjoyed the zoo, and another family outing was to a middle ages festival.
The end of the summer event was overnight camping in the garden from one of our church members. Fourteen children from age 2-1/2 to 10 gathered in the early evening to erect tents, set-out sleeping bags and enjoy a grilled supper with their parents. We roasted marshmallows over a small fire and had the evening vespers. Matthi, five years old, had nailed together wood to make crosses for our devotions and for the worship time in the morning. It was his own idea, his father said. Then the children began going to bed… and then again going to bed… and again. It was finally well after eleven before the last ones were finally settled in. Nine of the youngest ones slept in my large tent, borrowed from my former scouting troop. The older four boys were supposed to settle down in the two man tents. The father of the house had his own tent set-up on the other side of the garden. My two man tent never got fully built. The missing cords and pegs came from my tent set to finish the others.
Numerous trips to brush teeth, go the bathroom and see what the other tents were doing finally trickled down. One of the more precocious 7year old girls started telling scarey stories and talking about snakes (which almost don't exist in Germany). The two almost 4 year old girls decided it was better to sleep in the house with mom. (Good choice… I got to take their place in the big tent.) The five year old boy who got a big frightened by the stories before I could head them off, went in the house with his little sister. Two minutes later he was back. I was sure he had forgotten a stuffed animal… but his words were surprising and touching… with a big grin he said, " I forgot… I only have to pray!" After that he crawled back in his sleeping bag and he was fine.
As the night got cold, I spent the time raising my stiff body and precariously balancing over small snoring, whistling, mumbling bodies, to stuff them back into sleeping bags and cover them with blankets. They were like caterpillars, constantly escaping their cocoons. I comforted the teary nightmare (same child who told the stories), and shushed the waking and restless ones. With no sleep in sight, in the deep hours of the night I had time to be deeply moved by Matthi's remembering to pray. How many times have I been filled with anxiety or worry or fear because I forgot that all I had to do was pray?
It still felt that way when the boys in the two man tents began complaining and laughing loudly at 6:15. The dew had worked its way into their tents and they were soaked to the skin. It was very satisfying to them that the entire camp was awake at 6:30.The boys went in the house to take warm showers and change into dry clothes. The children quickly flung off their pyjamas, dressed and began playing in the garden. We slowly got breakfast ready and planned a neighborhood hike to make up for the unplanned extra hour before the worship service. We found belongings, rolled bags, and enjoyed the cool, clear morning. The children were in amazingly good condition. I looked my age. Everything was right with the world. The pastor arrived along with many parents and we gathered on the terrace to sing and pray and have a sermon.
By 11:00 it was over, the house was in order, the tents packed in my car and the children sorted out and carried off. It was a wonderful time. I will not mention the (few) later in the day meltdowns and tantrums.
after midnight with baked apples
and prayer. I loved being with this family who have come to mean so much to me. Especially with Friedemann, now 26, freshly graduated from seminary and getting married on the 4th and 12th of January. That's right! here you get married at the state office, then for believer's there is a church wedding, too. I will be there to celebrate both. Friedemann and I met when he was sixteen and he has been one of my dearest friends and co-workers in Luke's church. Christmas morning was breakfast with the Stoddards, then a family day together. The second day of Christmas I spent with the Matlacks, (our team leader) and his sister's family. Tammie pulled out pictures of the first Christmas I spent in Berlin, and it was with them as well. Two days later I celebrated Hanne's 44th birthday at the cafe in the church we planted in Friedrichshain where it all began, again until 2 AM. Then came Silvester (New Year's Eve). The Stoddards and Ben, a colleague, came to dinner, then later a new friend from the church plant. Two year old Emma loved the snacks best and took a handful home for later. At 11 PM we walked to Elizabeth's apartment under the roof top, six floors up. We climbed a ladder to the flat roof and watched fireworks explode around us in the air until well after midnight. Here fireworks are legal and there are incredible displays. From the rooftop we had 
carriages,
pulling sleds and enjoying the day. I took some pictures and then went home singing praises to the Lord. What a joy it is to have the friends I have found here and to see how God has so enriched my life through them in the last ten years. I wish I could be a twin and be in both places, Berlin and home. I would love to have both my worlds and families next door to each other; to hug you all and share the hours. I send you these pictures, with lots of love and prayers of thanksgiving and blessing for you in the new year.
