Dave’s Blog

What a great time I had last evening. Barbara Schiecker, the office manager at the Bishops office invited me to do a program for her church’s youth group. Kevin and Carol took me and we arrived about 7:15. The youth were not all there yet so we had a tour of the church. A very nice facility that is running out of space. A nice change from some of the small churches that I have been working with.

Before we started I showed three girls how to do the Hammock so they could do the Cross. Barbara introduced me and then I got started. They all understood enough English so we did not have to translate. That doubled the time I had with them. There werer 15 high school youth and they were bright and had a good knowlege of the bible. It is great when an audience can really understand the underlying message that I am giving. At the end I gave each one of them a second string so they could share with a friend.

Barbara and her husband Helmut invited us to their home for potato salad and sausages. She had done a variety of sausages for us to try. What a fun sampleing party. The potato salad was the summer one that she makes. Not with vinigar and bacon but with mayonaise and apples in it. Very good. We then looked at pictures of their trip in the Western US. A nice but late evening.

I am going to pack today since I leave in the morning for home.

Dave

I went back to the International School in Wiesbaden to do the classes that I did not do the first time. I did three classes to thank Lisa and Jon for their hospitality when I first got here. They have two boys at the school. Well, we had so much fun that the school hired me to come back and do the rest of the kids.

Boy were they wired. They knew what to expect and were READY. I did two fifth grade classes in the library then the others were in classrooms. I understand there were some wall-eyed fits from brothers or sisters that did not see me last time. “It’s not fair” was what the parents heard. One family had to make strings for the other kids.

At noon one third grader politely tried to find me. I was in the teachers lounge eating and he waited till I went back to the library and then asked me very nicely if I would teach him something else. He was in the first day’s group and wanted more. I taught him the Hammock and he was delighted. Since he had been working with his string for 4 weeks he was easy to teach.

Kevin drove me to the school and Lisa picked me up with her kids and drove me into Frankfurt to the Carol’s office. I came home on the train with her and Kevin picked us up at the train station. We are doing a youth group later this evening. I really do enjoy working with school groups where everyone is the same age. I had a good time.

Dave

Kevin came from Frankfurt and Carol came back so we could experince Fasching. We started walking to see the prade in Dusseldorf. Not know where it was we walked for quite a ways then ask someone. We left out luggage at the guest room to pick up later. Drizzle was the weather for the day. We saw many people in costumes walking around, some who were started on the beer already. Finally found the parade route but it had not started.

We walked along the route to the various stands looking for coffee. They laughed and tried to sell us something stronger. We finally found a Starbucks store open and got coffee there. Out time was getting short to catch the train so we started back to the Methodist chruch. One main street over we saw a number of floats being driven to the staging area. One was a large paper mache rendition of Obama calling for change. (We later saw it on CNN.)

We mad it to the train station with our luggage in time for our train. It was very crowded with people in a variety of costumes getting off the trains. What a change from the usually reserved Germans. Lots of singing, laughing, drinking and generally just having a jolly good time.

Took the train to Cologne where the station was even more crowded. We elbowed our way through to where we could check luggage and stood in line about 20 minutes only to discover that the place was full. Worked out how to take it with us we exited the station directly onto the grounds of the Cathedral. What a breathtaking sight. The parade route was right there and stands were set up. Groups were dressed alike and more revalry. We walked around the Cathedral but it was closed. I had been inside in 1957. Since it was started in the 1200’s i’m sure it has not changed much. The scaffolding is now on the other tower.

We walked away from the prade to the river. Shops and stands were set up for all the partiers. I really enjoyed seeing the costumes. Unlike halloween in the US, the costumes were fun and wholesome. Some were a little racey but none of the bloodthirsty or grotesque stuff I see at home. I was busy snapping pictures and laughing.

We found a Thai restaurant and I had beer from Dusseldorf and crispy duck with vegatables. The best I have ever had. We were upstairs at a window where we could watch all the action. What fun. We walked back and cought sight of a bit of the parade but we saw the best in just the fun and laughter around us. The Cathedral was overshadowing all and it was quite an experience.

Took the train home along the Rhein river and saw a number of castles. Also saw some small town parades along the route. Came home to a soft seat, German open faced sandwiches and watched a couple of old reruns of The Vical of Dibbley.

Nice weekend but very busy. Three churches in one day, Each in a different language can make one tired.

Dave

The next morning Jane brought me eggs, toast and water for my instant coffee. There was fruit in the room. I was doing two services in that building at 9:30 and 11:00. Carol told me to go through that door and straight till I came to the spiral stairway and go down to the sancuary. I went through that door and through a couple of rooms and came to a dead end. The door ahead of me was locked, so I retraced my path to go back to my room. “That door” was locked also from the other side. I was trapped between.

Probably 20 minutes of pounding brought someone from the church side to unlock the door so I could get out. I found out later that “That Door” was not locked. It was purposefully hard to open as a fire escape. If you were frightened enough you would turn the handle and pull hard enough for it to open. Some people think in different ways than I.

Went down to take part in the German service. The lay leader was there to help me as Van Jollie, the pastor, was on vacation. There were no children and about 15 older Germans. We laughed a lot and a couple of them wanted to play “cat’s cradle” with me. I gave the sermon time and we had good participation from most. One man showed me he had a broken hand and could not do the things. I think he was happy for the excuse.

After that service came the English speaking service. there were 11 or 12 including Van Jollie and his two teenage daughters. He wanted to see what this was all about so took time from vacation to come. A nice couple took me out to lunch at Subway. A nice change. David also said that they would walk back with me and make sure that Jane was going to the afternoon service. If not, they would walk me to the train station and make sure I had a ticket and was headed toward the right train.

Jane was feeling better and said a driver would be there to pick us up at 1:30. He was and we went to the site of the service. The Ghannian church used to meet in the Methodist building but the people complained about the noise. They do good music with drums and keyboard as well as a good speaker system. They also out grew the space so rent another church. There were about 25 people in a Bible study when we got there.

The group grew to about 50 and I found out later there were about 30 kids in another part. Jane speaks English but is soft spoken and has a Ghannian accent and I had touble understanding her in the sancuary. I did figure out that I was to do the kids first. After part of the singing and readings I was sent to the kids.

There were some very young ones at one side of the room and oldre kids on the other side. I decided it would be best to work with the older ones and they could teach the younger ones later. It worked fairly well that way. Of course, the adults working with the younger ones were right in the middle trying to learn also. One of the adults translated my English into German for the kids. Some of the teens and older children did a great job. We worked together for about an hour then the leader asked if I was about done because the kids were hungry. Hint, hint.

I went back to the chruch service but they were in the middle of the service and I couldn’t sort out the sounds in the room even though it was in English. It was the middle of the sermon so I went back with the kids. They were having cake and juice and I taught the “cross” to some of the teens. Jane came and got me to do 15 minutes with the adults.

That turned into more like 30 minutes because they really got into it. She translated my English into Twee. Interesting how the kids are growing up with German as the primary language. Anyway, we had a great time and the adults wanted to all do the figures. Jane wanted me to teach the one with a “Testamony” so they could use it with their friends. We went over it again. What an energitic group. So different from the German church in the am.

Jane ask if I wanted to go anywhere after the service. It was now about 5:30. No 1 hour service for them. I said that I did want to have some supper so she said that Michel the driver would take me some place to eat and pick her up later. What did I want? Did I like Chinese? Sure? We went to the Chinese restaurant and Michel asked if I wanted to go or to eat there. I said to eat there. Before I could order he got a call from Jane to pick her up. He said he would be back to pick me up.

I didn’t know if he meant immediately or later. Should I get my order to go or not? I decided to eat there and if necessary I could get them to box it up. I had great shrimp eggrolls. I could point to them and guessed at the meat dish. It was close to what I expected. I ate and waited. Then I paid for my food and went out side and waited. He finally came and I got back to the guest room about 8:00.

Dave

We went into Frankfurt to go to the market. Kevin and I went one time before. It was raining lightly and not very crowded. It is so interesting to see a shop of just cheeses or another of just apples, many kinds of apples and apple products. One shop sells only lamb.

We had lunch of bratwurst on a roll and came home to pack for the weekend. At 2:45 Kevin drove he and I down to the Methodist church here in Friedrichsdorf to meet with the Wesley Boy Scouts. There were about 20 boys (and girls), six adults and two teens helping them. They did an o;ening exercise with songs and then broke into two groups. Each week they do something constructive. This week they were cooking a meal.

I worked with half the group for 45 minutes and then the other half. We had a very good time with the figures. I taught each group different things so they can work with each other. That way they know twice as many figures than if I taught the all the same.

Carol met us at the chruch and Kevin took Carol and I to the train station to leave for Dusseldorf. We changed in Frankfurt and got in about 8:00. Carol walked me to the Methodist church where I was staying in the guest room and then left for to go back to the train station for another city.

I met Jane, the missionary from Ghanna who works with the Channian chruch there. She was hurting with a hip problem and not sure that she was going to the church the next day. Van had left the directions on how to get there from the train station. Of course, I had no idea how to get back to the train station or how to get a ticket out of the machine. More about that later. I did pray hard for her recovery.

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After a nice quiet day yesterday while Kevin and Carol were still in the Alps at a training session for US Military chaplins I fixed dinner for them. They were tired and happy to have something prepared. We caught up on all the news and then turned in.

Today Carol went to the office and Kevin and I drove to Saalburg where there are the ruins of a Roman Garrison from 83 CE to 260 CE. Much of the garrison has been restored and is very interesting. The bath house only has the old foundations but they have a nice model of it. It is something that any sport center would be proud of having.

The museum had many relics that have been found in the area. I was amazed to see wood working tools very much like those in the workshop of my grandfather. Planes especially looked like what is used today. Shoes were another amazing thing to me. When the soldiers had shoes with cleats on the bottom they could out run and out manover the enemy who was bare footed. Pottery from Italy, Spain and France were evident also. What a great transportation system they had to get those things to the frontier.

This was part of a wall and frotifications built all the way across Germany. They were over run in 260 and soon things fell into ruin. They were restored in the 1870’s by Kaiser Willhelm, the same man that started WWI.

We then went to Bod Hamburg or the baths of Hamburg to the castle there. There is one remaining tower of the old castle and city gates but the rest of the castle is like a great manor home with living quarters, a church, stables and much more. We saw how they modernized it step by step as new things came into exististance. Fireplaces with chimneys were added. Flush toilets were added as well as a bathing tub. There was a place to make phone calls.

We then walked around the town for a little and I admired the old buildings. Things are so clean and orderly. Shops where items are so artistictly displayed. It was a real pleasure to just walk around. I even resisted buying chocolate in the shop dedicated to it. I did enjoy the aroma.

Home now trying to figure out what to eat for supper. Did I mention what we had for lunch? No? Well, we didn’t. We had coffee and a pastry at the garrison and then got busy and now it is too late. We will wait for supper.

Not starving to death, Dave.

I slept in and went to the store to buy flowers for Irmtraud to thank her for the great meal. Dietrich was picking me up about noon to take me back to their house for lunch. They ask if I had something that I liked and I suggested Spaetzel, the home made noodles. I am not a big potato fan.

We had a nice beef broth over little slices of crepes. Then a salad and spaetzel and beef tips in a great rich sauce. Good conversation about the perils of second languages, translators and the like. Coffee and tortes finished a wonderful meal.

We were going to walk in the town but got into conversation and just stayed and talked. What a nice time. They are a great family. Dietrich’s English is surperb and Irmtraud can understand most everything and get her point across.

Dietrich took me back to the appartment where I was to stand outside for someone to pick me up to take me to work with the Girl Scouts. A young man came across the street and stood in front of me and stared. I said I was David Titus and he just looked. I said I was the “String Man’ and he lit up and said Yah, Yah, I vas looking for you.

We drove to the next town and went into a chruch. We were on the third floor, a garret room that looked exactly like a Scout Room should look. Martin and Em were the youth leaders and there were 4 girls. We did strings for a while and I ask if there was an opening exercise. They said yes and did a little bit and then we did strings for the rest of the hour and a half. We ended with a circle and a song.

Martin brought me home and I fixed supper. I had purchased bratwurst at the store because I knew how to say “one bratwurst” in German. Some of the things looked good but I didn’t know how to get the amount I wanted. No problem. If I were here longer I would work it out.

I then picked up on the book I am reading. It is quite a book. Not the kind you read straight through. I need to stop and digest parts and let it settle and then read more. The Shack by Wm. Paul Young really makes me think.

Thanks God for a good day.
Dave

The kids were doing all kids were doing all kinds of string figures at breakfast. More good advertising. The pastors group had a worship service and I sat in on it then got my bags to go to Hamburg. I had a taxi to take me to the train station. I found the gate right away and waited. It was cold and windy in Hannover. The train came in on time and I boarded.

Krista, the pastor for the International Church in Hamburg was at a different gate than the one that I came in on. I waited and then found a pay phone and called her cell. She came over to my gate. Modern inventions are great. We took the Underground train and walked to the port where we had a great fish dinner on the warf…inside of course.

We then came to her home where I will be staying the night. She is in a parsonage. The living room was set up for choir practice. 6 chairs around the baby grand piano. So much room for one. Many of the pastors have kids and this place is used for many meetings and gatherings so it is appropiate but not very typically German.

I joined the choir…just for this Sunday, and after we had banana nut bread and orange slices and tea. Then we went across the street to the ice cream shop and had a sundae. Niklas is 11 and in the choir with his mother. I taught him a couple of string figures and he had fun with them.

Appeltree Rodden, another member of the choir went with us. He is a brain researcher and was amazed at how this string stuff fits into what he is working with. He was really positive about the benifits of this activity in learning. We had a good time over our ice cream.

Came back to the parsonage and visited, looked at pictures of our various mission trips and now I am winding down with a little BBC news.

Dave

My room here is nice. Twin beds and a sink. Toilet down the hall in one direction and shower the other direction. Shaved and showered and went down for breakfast. The dining room has big windows looking out at the river. It is snowing and very beautiful. Breakfast of hard rolls, pimento loaf and salami and 3 kinds of cheeses. They also have dry cereal and juice and GÖÖD CÖFFEE.

Gunther gave me his computer to use to check email and write my blog. I had a good time writing and remembering what happened. It goes so fast. At lunch some of the people wanted to be reminded of some of figures. They had a nice worship service after lunch with singing and a devotional about David and Goliath.i reminded them that David used a string.

There is a group of 5th or 6th graders here with 4 sponsors and their music teacher. They sang at a festival in Hannover r. I asked if they would like a string program in the evening and they said yes. We had 15 kids and their sponsors for an hour. They had a great time and were a great advertisement for the pastors as they left their meeting and saw the kids sitting around helping everyone else.

Dave

I got everything together for the trip and we started walking to the train station. On the way we stopped at the Methodist Church in town to meet the pastor Clemens. He was very excited about the strings and wants me to do a program for the Scouts that meet in the church. He also has a couple of youth that he wants trained in strings so I am doing a Saturday training and then a program for the Scouts. He is also going to try to arrange a couple of meals at homes of people in his congregation.

We had time so we stopped for coffee and a pastry then went on to the station. Carol and I took the train to Frankfurt and she got me on the train to Hannover. A very nice train with electronic signs over each seat to show which ones were open. I went to the dining car for a piece of cheese cake…since lunch would be late today of course.

Arrived in Hannover on time and I got off the train and right at the head of the stairs was Gunther holding up a sign with my name on it. We walked through the station to get a local train and had to transfer once to get to where we were staying. We walked a long way to get here and it was past lunch time. The cook had an extra schnitzle and made me a sandwich with rye bread and some cukecumbers and tomatoes.

This is a children and youth conference of all the workers in North Germany. There are 15 of us. I sat in the rest of the afternoon meeting and Gunther translated for me. After supper I gave a program on strings. Gunther already knows a couple of things and has a book put out by the Lutheran church in Germany on string stories. I did now know that it exsisted. The figures are not too comples but they have some things about using different color strings for some things and some other guidelines. Öf course it is in German so I am guessing on a lot of it.

I had given out strings at the afternoon break and a couple of people did some things. One man sat through the rest of the time wrapping the string around his fingers again and again and again. I took him aside at supper and taught him a couple of figures where you wrap the string around the fingers and then they are released like magic. He loved them and did them the rest of the day.

Anyway, I gave a training session and they loved it. They all understand English so I was not translated. One man needed a little translation but not much. They all got very involved and after the program was free time and so we kept doing string. Things are a little different here. They had cases of coke and carbonated water during the day and then for the evening they had a case of beer. It is Germany. I didn’t have one. Too close to bedtime and taking my medication.

Dave