Dave’s Blog

I arrived in Frankfurt, Germany this morning about 9:15. I will be staying with the Methodist missionaries, Kevin and Carol Seckel. They are in Berlin right now and told me that a man in a silver Mercedes…aren’t they all?…with a license plate FBK 334 would be outside the airport when I got there. He would take me to their appartment and give me the key. It all worked out just as it was written.

Uwe met me and took me for coffee and some food at his church which is quite near the appartment. This is the church that Kevin has the English service at. It was quite a busy place. They had fruit out front in the snow to give away and were fixing a meal for about 150 people to come in and eat lunch. These are people from all walks of life, not just the poor. They want people to talk and laugh together. They also have a small clothing room where they ask for a small donation just to give people dignity.

Tomorrow they have an English speaking class and I think that I will be presenting at it. I have no idea where else I will be going on this trip. Kevin and Carol are setting it up. I was here last year and presented at a few places that want me back . I also presented at a youth workers conference and those people want me at their chruches.

Uwe brought me to the appartment where Anabella the cat was waiting. I unpacked and gave her some yougert…her special treat. I have been very lazy. Just napping, working on the computer and lounging around.

Yesterday, I talked with Lynna, Randy and a couple of other people. My school bookings in the States are off about 95%. Schools just do not have money for extras. They are using their book fair and PTA money for paper. Since I do make some of my money from product sales, we decided that I would offer to come to a school free. The school would need to pay for 1,000 strings which they would give out one to each student and sell the rest to the kids. They would pay for the cost of the strings that way. They would also promote that I do have books and videos if anyone cares to buy.

The school can’t afford any programs but the kids still need artistic outlets. I can do this part and still make some money. Some is better than none and my mission trips mandate that I help finance them. My living expenses go on at home whether I am there or not. We will start this at places that I can drive to and from in a day. I think that it will be a program where I am helping a school and not getting hurt myself. The school would not loose any money with this program. This will not apply to summer programs at libraries since my sales at those events are minimal.

Let’s hope that people see this as a win - win proposal.

Dave