Northern Germany

This week we went to northern Germany to conduct 2 Couple Conferences.  Our first was in Berlin with 6 couples who serve at Centers in a 200 mile radius.  It was our first attempt at these mini conferences and it seemed to go really well.  The couples are all doing such great work at their Centers---some are relatively new missionaries and others are nearing the end of their service.  So we had some very valuable and interesting discussions about the success and challenges they face and we all learned a great deal.  We had training in the morning and one of the couples prepared a lovely German lunch and then we concluded with discussion in the afternoon.

We spent the next day doing some sight seeing before we had to leave for the next location.  Berlin has so much history and has made so many changes in MY lifetime.  I kept thinking of Pres. Uchtdorf and his stories as we visited the Berlin Wall (iron curtain), Checkpoint Charlie where all the stories of escapes originate, and the buildings that withstood the bombings.  We spent several hours at  the Checkpoint museum reading about the trials that went on during that period.  Such dark and dangerous days.

 Berlin Wall

 Border crossings

Where West Germans could sometimes go into East Berlin for visits.  Where Pres. Monson would have crossed.

Berlin is the capitol and is quite a beautiful city with many waterways and beautifully restored buildings and modern sections.  The church is quite strong in this part of Germany thanks to the brave and faithful few who endured behind the wall.

We then travelled to another city to do another conference with equally grand couples serving in Centers in the Hamburg region.  It was so great to get to know all 12 couples who are blessing the lives of so many YSAs in Northern Germany.  They are all so devoted....struggling to learn German and new customs but loving the young adults and their service for the Lord.  We have to continue to pinch ourselves to believe the incredible experiences and lovely people that we are blessed to enjoy on this mission.  Who would have "thunk".

Bro & Sis Fritsche are an example of a local couple who are still employed who have a Stake calling to serve at a Center.  We are encourageing more of this as it is impossible to get enough missionary couples .  They spoke just a little more English than we speak German so it was a bit of a challenge during training but we all laughed and used alot of sign language.  Bless their hearts!!