Alles gut aus Berlin (All good from Berlin)

I’m a day behind (we arrived in Erfurt yesterday), but we’ve had a fun filled entry into Germany. The Lenzs and the Spokane Dennings train-ed and airplane-d from Italy up to Berlin, Germany. One delay on the tarmac later (and girls that were more patient than their dad), we made it in one piece.

We spent our first day in Berlin at the Zoo. We’ve been trying to break up the museums, churches, and travel. Both girls have been absolute troopers. While we wandered through the animals, my parents began their journey across the pond. As they arrived, we had a fabulous first dinner (in stages because my parents’ flight got slightly delayed). We then were officially off to the races.

With a crew of nine we had a walking tour of Berlin. We got to have a professor from the local university be our tour guide. What a gift. Estibaliz was amazing! We walked through the Brandenberg gate, by an old section the Berlin Wall, near the Reichstag, saw the site of Hitler’s bunker, and walked through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

The memorial was particularly moving. Estibaliz shared that the architect has shared very little about the intent of the design. The display is meant to be open for interpretation depending on the individual. It certainly does have an impact. The tall columns and sloped paths are disorienting. We were warned not to let go of your child’s hand because it’s easy to get lost. While there were quite a few people also there, the experience walking through was very isolating. Of course, up for interpretation, but incredibly impactful.

The next day we trained down to Wittenberg and went to worship at the Town Church where Luther served as pastor. During worship, I noticed one of the pastors with a sleeping child on his shoulder during the end of the service. After worship, I spoke with Pastor Fabian. About my age, it was fun to hear his path toward ordination, the current vision and direction for ministry in the congregation, and life as a pastor. We caught the other key Luther sites in Wittenberg including the site of the door where the 95 these were posted before heading back to our hotel.

Yesterday, we said farewell to the Lenzs and begin our travel south in Germany and doing a mini-Reformation tour with my parents. More to come! All (as in all nine of us) had a great time in Berlin.