Week 3

Sunday, May 31:
Went into Amsterdam. The city has an interesting mix of culture and rivers that flow throughout the city. We walked to the Anne Frank house and visited the Van Gogh museum.

Netherlands Favorite:
Lisa: rivers running through the city
Denise: the boat captain of "Out of the Blue"

June 1:
Travel to Germany on a holiday. Took some extra time but we made it.

June 2::
Visited Sachsenhausen Camp. One of the first concentration camps. As one of the tour guides explained to her group, it was her hope that visitors there would not let such a thing take place again, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through the minds of people at the time. I was also challenged and reminded of the verses in Philipians to always consider the needs of others above our own.
Our next stops were all parts of the history of the Berlin Wall. I think today made us both want to watch the History Channel. There are so many things I've forgotten from my history classes.


June 3:
Travel to Fussen, Germany, then on to Camp Brunnen, our favorite camping spot thus far.
Camping in the different cities has been a great way to meet people and see things we wouldn't normally encounter. Here we have had the pleasure of making friends with Katarina, who works in the campstore, and Bonnie, the beagle, whose family is always gracious in letting us pet their puppy.
The campsite is located between Schwangau and Fussen beside Lake Forggensee with a view of the Castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.
Happy Birthday Patricia!

June 4:
Visited the town of Schwangau and bought groceries. We've been eating lots of sandwiches and oatmeal while traveling on a budget. I've learned to be careful when sending Lisa for snacks, she might show up with ricecakes. No worries, we have eaten well. We have a jetboil that boils water within a minute. We have had coffee, tea, made spaghetti with veggies, and boiled eggs.

June 5:
Visited the Castles. Both were very extravagent but we liked Hohenschwangau the best.
Happy Birthday Dale!

June 6:

Walked the footpath to Fussen. Took the rest of the day to relax.

Reflections: Our verse for the first month of travel is Philippians 1:6 "He who has begun a good work in you will continue it until the day of Christ" This seemed appropriate as Lisa and I are both in transition from one stage of life to another. She from college and searching for what is next. Myself from nine years of ministry in Cleveland and moving to Maine. God has proven faithful in the past and we are both confident of His guidance in the future.
For me the past month has been a whirlwind of emotion. Saying goodbye to nine years and looking forward to an incredible adventure. Seeing God answer the prayers of a family when Dennis and Patricia received their referral from China. However, at the same time two people very dear to me, Gary(campus minister) and Sheila (my mentor), lost their children, Megan and Samuel, to cancer. Two seperate familes which suffered an incredible loss but both families still trusting that God loves them and is continuing His work in them even throughout tragedy.