Dave’s Blog

I took the slow train to Koln (Cologne) so I would have one hour to find the gate where Jula and Hanna Mae would meet me to continue on the smaller train. My train was 50 minutes late so I only had a short time to find them, but I did. We took that train to a stop where we walked for a while to get to the Koln Methodist church.

The Wesley Scouts were meeting there. They are a branch of the Boy Scouts in Germany run by the Methodist Church. There were about 6 leaders there setting things up for the meeting. I was to present for one hour of their 3 hour meeting. They also have songs, games, a craft and usually cook a meal. The meal might be outside or in the kitchen. This time a mother fixed the meal since they didn´t think they would have time to cook this day.

There were about 10 scouts there. They do a lot with knot tying so making unknots was different for them. They had a good time. We ate lasagna for the meal. Van Jollie, the pastor of the church came to pick up his two daughters Jula and Hanna Mae and myself and drove us to one of the members of the church were I was to stay for the night.

The Weber family have a very nice home in the suberbs between Koln and Dusseldorf. Margrit and Georg and I visited until the boys Max and Florian came home from playing with friends. Then we visited more and did strings. They were blown away by them. All four of them were very interested in learning everything that I would teach. Georg ended up taking a lot of pictures.

We had a nice meal of Curry turkey and rice with a couple of salads. Margrit is a great cook. We visited more and I showed some of my family pictures and then more strings. It was a fun and for me relaxing evening. The boys went to bed and we visited more. Georg travels a lot internationally and we talked of similarities we have seen.

The next morning they drove us into Koln to the chruch where I gave the children´s moment…actually about 5 minutes. Some of the congreagation told Van later that he should have had me for the whole service. People don´t know until they see the string ministry what it is all about.

After coffee I went with 6 youth which included Max and Florian Weber and Hanna Mae Jollie to their ´confirmation´class which meets every month for 2 years. We did strings, of course and then took a break for a spagetti dinner that Margarit had fixed for the kids. Back upstairs for more string. At two thirty we broke up and Van drove us to his home.

He lives out of town about 30 minutes. His home is near the creek where they found the first Neandrethal bones in Europe. There is a museum which is closed on Mondays when I would have time to see it. He has a home with a fireplace so we sat in front of the fire with a nice pot of herbal tea. I relaxed and Van and I visited. He is from the US and is living full time in Germany. He is part of the German Methodist Conference.

He fixed a meal of bread, cheeses, cold meats, jellies and three kinds of mustard. Carrots and orange pieces also filled out the meal. We waited for Gunter and his family to come. They were coming to pick me up and take me to their home for the next two nights. I met Gunter last zear…and also Van.

I took the train up to Hamburg on February 2 and was met by Beate. She was at a workshop that I did last year for youth workers and thought she would rember what I looked like. She did remember and as I was standing on the train platform trying to look like “the Stringman” she came running up to say she was sorry that she was a little late. No problem, it was good to have things start off well.

We drove to the home of Viola and Dirk. Viola was at the same workshop last year. We visited over a cup of tea and they showed me what they remembered. Wow. Viola remembered everything except one move for the porcupine and Beate remembered most. They had been workng with strings with their people. Maybe we can get a couple of “String Clubs” started.

Beate and I left there to go to the church where the meeting was to be held. The drive was treacherous. They were having the worst storm that the area had in years. They were even talking of stopping the busses. We got to the church and set up the room. Beate was expecting at least 20 youth leaders and pastors. We ended up with 7…including myself.

Viola’s husband Dirk came. He manages a house in an affluent part of town for youth. It is run by the YMCA and they really mean the Young Men’s CHRISTIAN Assosiation. He saw the usefulness of the strings in his work. Beate’s husband Michael also came and we had a good time. We also had Sabastian, a pastor with two churches in the Northern part of the city and the activities director from the church.

We talked about the usefullness of this activity, the stories behind some of the figures and learned a few new ones that they did not know. They will be passing on what they know. Beate said that every time the youth workers get together they pull out their strings and say, “OK, I forgot this or that”.

Went back to Viola and Dirk’s home for the night and the next morning Viola and I went over to Beate’s new house to have breakfast and visit. What a good time. I also checked my email. We remade a couple things they did not remember from the night before and then started to talk about when I come back next year.

I hadn’t planned that far in advance they they have plans for me to go further North and East in Germany. We also drove around to look at things. We spent quite a bit of time in a cemetary, a very large cemetary, with one area for American soldiers, British soldiers, German soldiers, and a big monument to those killed by the bombings. It was a beautiful and restful place. The people here visit the cemetary more and take individual care of their family plots.

We went to the city center and walked around. The large lake in the center of the city is frozen. Something that happens rarely. It was cold and slippery walking but felt so German. I saw where the Christmas markets are set up and we also went to the town hall, a massive building built in the old style. On to coffee and more visiting then picked up a bratwurst from a street vendor on the way to the railway station. Got there at 3:24…the time the train was to leave but it was 10 minutes late. Thank you God.

Carol met me in Frankfurt main train station and I led the way home. Bought my ticket for the subway and found the right level and stop. I can now get home by myself after the next trip. I still don’t understand the seating system on the train but if I am in a reserved seat someone will just ask me to move. I can do that.

Talked with Kevin and Carol about returning next year and it is fine with them. I guess I am an easy house guest. I have a key and can come and go at will. We also talked about numbers. In the US I can sometimes do programs for 600 children in a school in one day. Here my total number of participants could be less than that for the month. This is appropiate since I am training trainers and program leaders. I am leaving extra strings with them to take to their audiences. Numbers can be such a hinderence when you are trying to evaluate the effectiveness of a program.

Trying not to count bodies…

Dave

Last night Kevin made a good stirfry with one of the sausages, potatoes, mushrooms and all the rest. They have so many different flavors for their sausages. We visited for the evening. I am really enjoying the visiting time. I don’t get to spend a lot of time with people with good religious training and it is good to discuss some of the things. I am sharpening my witness.

Sunday morning we got ready and walked to the church. The pastor knew I was there and had prepared for me. I was to give the children’s time in the service. Pastor Hoffmann hsd someone to sit beside me to translate the service. He even provided the translator with a script of his sermon. Another man translated when I was working with the children. Of course, you are talking to the whole church under the guise of working with the children. But only the children got strings this time.

After this serivce I went downstairs to the New Hope United Methodist Church (English-speaking). Didn’t need a translator for that service. It was a small group and I gave the sermon time. We had a good time doing strings. One woman does some strings with Kevin when they are out presenting at a fair, street event or the like. They were glad to see some new things and stories. My job is just to pass it on. Not to keep it or just show but to teach at each event. It is good to give.

We came home and had lunch. We warmed up the schnitzel that I had from yesterday and cut it in half. There was enough to fill each of our buns. More good conversation. Since Kevin does the string ministry himself some, I can really bounce ideas off him and he can hone my story skills. What a treasure God has given me in this trip. There is no sitting around time, just learning time.

I did get a nap in and we will be eating a late supper. Carol is returning from Hamburg at 8:00 and we are planning on going to a Thai restaurant. It will be good to see Carol. She has such a spiritual peace that is catching.

We spent some time going over my schedule…as it is now…and added phone numbers to my cell phone. It is so good to know that if I am stuck somewhere without an English speaker near I can call someone and hand them the phone to talk to the person. It really gives me confidence to go off on these jaunts alone. (Well, not alone, God is with me.) Good to have a more direct contact sometimes.

Dave

I had a great day in Frankfurt. Was up to eat breakfast and have coffee and then Kevin Sekel, my host, and I went to the Methodist Chruch, Chrisguskirche. It is one of two United Methodist chruches in Frankfurt.

They have an Conversational English Class. I presented String Ministries, inc for the people there. We did a little tour of the area and came back and worked on my schedule. I did get a nap in.

On Saturday we went by train into the city to get me a cell phone. Kevin had to get it in his name because he has a mailing address. He did not have his passport so we came by train back to the appartment to get it and went back.

We then went to the main train station and waited for our number to come up to buy a rail pass for me. Kevin had told me the day before that I would not need to carry my passport…Well, he went to pay for the pass and they needed my passport. We went back by train to the appartment and got my passport. I now have a month long rail pass that I can use on 10 different days for any where in Germany

We then went to the Saturday Outdoor market. What a picture. Downtown Frankfurt in a couple inches of snow. About 30 degrees so it was brisk. We shopped and then got lunch at one of the outdoor stands. Kevin got a bratwurst on brot. He had to double it over on the bun and then had extra.

I orderded a schnitzel. It was the size of a dinner plate. On a brot, it looked huge. I ate half of the meat and non of the bread and we brought the rest home for another meal. Then we each got a glass of wine and stood in the snow and just enjoyed the company.

There were many seperate stands for meats, cheeses, honey, funnel cakes, wine, vegetables, fruits and flowers. What good sights and smells. It is just the way it ought to be.

We then got some batteries for my hearing aids and stopped at Penny Market, a grocery store near by. They had Magnum ice cream bars. I mentioned in my Mexico blog that I had those. Why don’t they have them in the US?

Any way,did a couple of more errands and then back to the appartment again to stay. Checked emails and tried to check on the weather back home. I understand Oklahoma is really getting hit. Glad I am here.

Dave

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

I just got word from the school and orphanage that I worked with in Haiti a couple of years ago. They had no major damage to any of their structures. Some of the relatives of people at the school were killed.

They said that with a very short time after the quake, There were a thousand or more people outside their gates looking for help. It must just be heartbreaking to see the needs there.

I can’t solve the problems of the world but I can pray for the people and do what I can.

Dave

I was at the school in Puerto Rico, Mexico and worked with about 75 kids. After that I went to lunch and back to the school and the clinic people and I went to the mother of El Presidenti’s home there in Puerto Rico. It was a beautiful place and we ate lunch on the patio under a palm frond covered area.

We went back to the clinic and I saw some secondary school age kids playing marbles. They did not take each others when they hit them…just playing for fun. I showed them a couple of string tricks and they were too cool to react, but you could see an eyebrow or eyelid raise just a little. I knew I had them caught.

I gave out a couple of strings to the most interested and the others watched as I taught them. One by one the others asked for a string. It is so much fun to give them something new to do.

I then worked with some of the people in line at the clinic and some of the adults and children that were hanging around. A group of mothers has so much fun with the strings. They laughed and laughed and I was able to make fun at them…even in Spanish. What a good time.

My Spanish is growing enough that I was able to translate for a few people working with the pharmasists. (pardon the spelling). They saw about 130 people that day. We closed the clinic and loaded everything for the trip back to San Carlos. A quick clean up and we were off to El Presidenti’s home for supper.

I started to rain and lightening while there. Then it really started to rain. The street turned into a river and the lights went out. Then they came on, then they went out again for a while. When they came on, Donna Marda, El Presidentie’s wife got out the bingo cards. They were pictures for non readers. (She gives lots of parties for the people in the area, especially for the children.)

The day before she gave a party for the children of the school in San Pedro for Three Kings Day. They had candy and games. She is really a caring person and tried to make our stay perfect. They want mission groups to return.

After the rain we walked back to our quarters. We tried to connect at the internet cafe but things took so long. One half hour and still connecting to the first site. We gave up and went back for devotions at the senior center.

Friday the construction people were finishing the casita and the clinic people returned to Puerta Rico. I stayed in San Carlos because I heard there was a secondary school there. I walked over to the elementary and ask about it. They told me it was straight down that street. When I asked how far away it was they said it was 5 minutes.

I started walking, and walking, and walking. Every once in a while I would ask someone if I was going in the right direction. It finally dawned on me that at the elementary they thought that I had a car. I continued walking and finally came to the school.

I explained to the director of the school, as best as I could, what I wanted to do with the kids. After he made sure it was free he had his assistant change schedules so I could see all the students, a couple classes at a time.

The school is grades 7, 8, and 9. There are kids from the whole area. To go to High School they have to go two hours to Victoria. The kids were great. Almost all knew we were in town and knew about the “String Man”. We laughed, clapped, and had a wonderful time.

There was a break at 10:30 for tortillias with beans. Then back to the classes. At about 1:30 I finished and they graciously gave me a ride back to the city center. The clinic people were coming back about 2 so we could all go to dedicate the casita or little house.

We all went to the edge of town where they had built the casita. 12 X 18, It was to house a family of 12. They cook outside and have a latriine but sleep in the casita. I felt so wasteful with my 4 bedroom home and only two people in it.

We then drove up to the local attraction, a waterfall. A tree had fallen over the road during the storm last night so we walked part of the way and parked. Most of the group forded the river and went rock hopping up to see the waterfall. I stayed with 3 or 4 others and just enjoyed the rapids and the tranquility of the place.

We then returned to clean up and go to El Presidenti”s home for a cookout in the garden. We all sat on the patio while 3 men cooked steak and chicken on the large grill. Beans were cooking in the fireplace and they had salsas, quesodillias and other things. What a treat. They really do appreciate what we are doing.

We thought we were going down there to serve and we were serves so royally. It was a great time. The only hitch was that one of the doctors got sick. Montazumas’ Revenge or something. She need a shot to settle her down and we packed up for the trip back. We were driving to Rio Bravo and spending the night, then driving on Sunday for Oklahoma.

Along the way they tried to get a flight for the doctor to the US but could not. We decided to stop at Rio Bravo at the clinic and give her introvenious liquids and medication and drive straight through. She had one bottle in the clinic and the set up one for while we were driving. (They used one of my strings to hold the bottle. They are handy for many things.)

We had a very safe trip home, no problem with customs and nice weather until we got close to Oklahoma. It was the middle of the night and fog set in. Deer were out and we were trying to make time to get the doctor home for proper treatment. God is good and kept us safe. We drove…with some stops for 22 hours and I arrived home at 7AM on Sunday.

It was a short trip but very meaningful. I think we accomplished all we wanted to do and more. I got to know some new people on the team and meet some great people in Mexico.
The Mexican doctor was really taken with strings and wants me to come down and do some workshops with people at Manos Huntos, (Hands Together).

The team was very gracious and paid my way to go because they thought the strings would add a lot to the trip. I think they did. I am so lucky to be used by God in this ministry.

Well, I am now packing to go to Germany next week. Thanks for reading this. Hope you realize that you can do something for people. I use a simple piece of string. Maybe you can call shut-ins, or take someone to the store. Maybe you can support a mission or work with prisoners. Whoever does for the least of these…

Dave

I went to Mexico with a group of people from Oklahoma. There were 18 of us and we were sponsored by the Methodist church of Walters, Oklahoma. We left on Sunday night the 10th and drove through the night to get to the border by about 2:00 in the afternoon. We made our border crossing and went to Rio Bravo to the Manos Huntos (Hands together)headquarters. We stayed in a church overnight and drove to San Carlos, about 4 hours south of there.

It is a community of about 1,500 people. It is one of the poorest regions in the Tamalupas state. We stayed in the community center…the senior citizens area. We were packed in but did have two bathrooms with hot water,,,a small tank. El Presidente for the region was behind much of this and we had his blessing. His wife was most helpful.

We had two doctors and a nurse and two pharmacists for a medical component of the trip and some workers to build a casita or little house. I went to work with the children. It was a chore to just learn the names of the other members as we were from a number of different churches. By the end of the trip I was pretty good with the names.

Our first night we were invited to the Presidenties home for supper. His living room sat all 25 of us including our translators, and the Mexican doctor and a pastor that is trying to start a church in the town. We had a typical Mexican meal and lots of sharing. It was very nice.

Wednesday morning the construction group went off with the Miastrs or construction boss and the clinic people started to set it up. I helped with that and the chief translator said that he would take me to the school later.

He did take me to the school which was just a couple of blocks away. He introduced me to the director and talked about what I did with strings and then he left. I was alone to practice my Spanish.

I worked with the 4th grade and did ok with my Spanish. We had a lot of fun. I then went to the other grades and was very succesful in getting my message across. I was amazed at how the tapes that I has listened to helped. The kids and teachers also helped correct some of my words.

I went back to the clinic for lunch and returned to work with the rest of the kids. After that I went to the clinic and did strings with some of the people waiting. What fun!. I also worked with the policemen who were around there in a group.

When the construction people came back the were commenting on how the kids came back from school and were showing everyone what they could do. This really does spread rapidly. Everyone was having a good time with the string games and tricks. Some of the adult men especially.

That night we went back to the el Presedentis home for a meal. We then went back for a devotional time and sleeping time. We were very tired but very happy.

Morning on Thursday was a simple breakfast and then sending the construction people off. The medical team and I loaded up and went off to Puerto Rico, a small village of about 500. After the clinic was set up in the community center, the Mexican Doctor took me over to the school and introduced me and I worked with the grades there. Grades 1 through 6 like in San Carlos.

More later.

Dave

I haven’t written for a while. Things have been quiet. I went to OKC for dinner with friends Nothing fancy, just conpanionship. On New Year’s Day I had friends over for our regular Friday night crowd. About 12 people. We had roast leg of wild boar. What a treat. It was baked on a bed of sauer kraut. Pork and sauer kraut are traditional for New Years for me. We had a great time fellowshipping and playing games. We raised about 20 dollars for the Pakistani school. Don’t say we were gambeling for it.

Things at the office are quiet. I signed some books one day. Brenda, a friend from Friday nights came over and counted out strings one day. I also tried to make some contacts with American Schools in Germany for February.

I am packing for a couple of trips. I am going to Nashville, TN for a spiritual group I am a part of for the weekend. I fly back on Sunday afternoon in OKC and drive to Lawton to pick up my bags. I then drive 25 miles to Walters where I meet up with a Volunteer In Mission team that is going to Mexico. We leave at Midnight on Sunday and drive to the border where we need to go through customs and get insurance for the trip. We will stay the night on the other side of the border and go on from there.

We will be going to San Carlos in Tamaulipas State. It is in the mountains of central Mexico. It is a village of about 1,500 people. We will be on a medical and construction mission. I, of course, will be doing strings whenever possible.

Dave

Today was a quiet day…until evening. It started to snow. Just a light snow with no wind. It was just beautiful. I thought that I would drive to OKC for a meeting but when I got about 15 miles away I decided to return home. No sense in taking chances. When I got home, my renter was stuck in front of the drive.

I got out of my car and a man was trying to push him. I said that I was not pushing so I steered while they pushed. Let’s go back a couple of days to when he lost reverse in his old used car. He can only go forward. They pushed him backwards until I thought I could get it to go forward. The street is snow covered with ruts. I drove it down to the end of the street where I could turn in a great big circle and came back to the house and parked on the down hill part of the street.

I have forgotten how hard it is to get started in life. My renter just got out of prison and is trying to start over. He bought a car and did not have money for license and plates. His first pay check went for license and the next one was for plates. He was driving it because he had to. He got caught one day before he got paid and bought plates. I had forgotten about days like that. They just don’t happen to me any more.

On Christmas day he got stuck and in walking to get gas…he had run out because he had so little money, he fell and lost his cell phone. Not a big loss but it had all his numbers in it. He searched for it but never found it. He had been using mine some since I have so many minutes.

Life for me is so settled and staid. I know my car will get me where I am going. I fill the tank from my credit card with no problem. My tires are good and get me through the snow. I dont have to worry about falling while I am walking to get gas to loose my cell phone.

I am so blest. I am so happy to have someone to remind me of how life used to be. It reminds me of when we were raising kids and trying to make ends meet. Having a car I couldn’t trust and repairs on the house that could not be made. Wow am I happy that I can help someone who needs the help. I can loan money to get repairs or gas and to me it is such a little thing.

He had bought some groceries with his stamps and tonight shared with me. He fixed fried catfish. It was really good. We had a quiet dinner with potatoes from Christmas, corn and a salad. It was a great evening. I think God was in the decision not to go to the city. Since I didn’t go, I was able to help him get his car running and parked ready for morning. I was able to have a wonderful meal fixed by a friend. What more can one ask for?

Dave