Fine Scottish Weather

I just wanted to update the people who regularily check in on me. I am currently in Edinburgh, Scotland. I got a cheap flight on Ryanair and have been moseying around the middle of the lowlands for the last two days. I have successfully tracked down the once-upon-a-time locales of two great-grandparents and had a morning stroll throught the Old and New courses at St. Andrews. I was suprised at the level of access that people are allowed. Turns out that as long as you don't bother the players you can come and go as you please. I also got to walk the beach that is featured in the opening scene in "Chariots of Fire". The rain was yesterday, the wind is here today; its hold on to your hat weather. I plan to ride a tour bus and try and stay out of the wind this afternoon. I have a bunch of pictures
and here is one from the East Sands very early this morning. More soon.

Spring in Prague, Czech Republic

More Bridge
Originally uploaded by djmuller33.

This is a view of the Charles Bridge. Its very old, the city itself dates back to the 800's. Well, not the city, but something of Prague is that old. Statues line the bridge which is closed to vehicle traffic, but its wide open to pedlars and painters trying to sell you there things. 15 years have passed since this city was firmly in the grip of Communism and now it hums with Capitalism and tourists. It was a great trip, I recommend it to anyone.

The Denkmal

The Denkmal
Originally uploaded by djmuller33.

I finally rode the 15 tram out far enough to walk around the War Memorial. Its a very impressive pile of stone. What I find really impressive is the huge pond in front. I always think about the games that you could play there. Just imagine 20 sheets of curling at once. Or playing hockey with about 100 people! I don't think Leipzigers see it that way, too bad.

Full Power to the 5 year plan

Full Power to the 5 year plan
Originally uploaded by djmuller33.

I used to laugh at the idea of the five year plan. We have those in Canada too... its called waiting for the next election. I see this sign on the side of this building at the train stop in Bad Lausig. The other day in the way to Area-Wide singing in Chemnitz I finally remebered to snap a picture. Little reminders of the past are everywhere. This was before the snow storm that almost storm stayed everyone in Chemnitz, because we couldn't get the cars over the hill to get out of town. That was until somebody had to get out and push. I think I might just buy a set of snowchains and carry them in my backpack. There's a plan that might be worth something??

A big thank you

tha_you21
Originally uploaded by djmuller33.

I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me, supported me financially or just through a kind word has made this trip possible.
God continues to do more than I ask and He is the one doing the work here. I just get to watch as He shows how He is working on people's lives. I recommend to anyone to get involved in doing "mission" work and a front row seat to watch God.

MokkaFlip Cafe

Picture 018
Originally uploaded by djmuller33.

This is my office. It has internet and coffee. Basically all I need to communicate with people. Plus they can come and have coffee whenever they like. Best of all I don't have to "cook the books" here. They have an accountant for that all I pay for is the coffee. Now I am off to make supper for 9 people, a little more than I am used to. This trip has taught me to be flexible and thats a good thing.

The Handel statue on the Market

The Handel statue on the Market
Originally uploaded by djmuller33.

Here is Handel, the very same man who wrote "the Messiah". He was born here in Halle. Now three hundred years after he lived, a large statue stands on the market place. On Friday, I went with Dwayne to visit with Guenter, another native son. He took us on a tour of the HandelHaus. Every year the city hosts a Handel Festival.

The straight goods

I have been thinking about how to tell you what I have been doing here without violating anybody's privacy. I think for that reason I can't post any pictures of people or tell you their real names. I hope that's ok.
I have been meeting with about 6 people on a regular basis. Most of the people that I meet with are students. At the moment they have a semester break and so very often they are out of town, or have gone home to visit their folks.
Most of my meetings with people have been about 30 minutes to 2 hours in length. Often I meet people at a cafe and we sit and talk. But there have also been occaisions where I have gone on a tour of the city or even gone ice skating; talking as we go round and round the rink.
Lots of the people are very good at speaking English, they have been former contacts through the LST program. For this reason, I haven't used the LST material as much as I have simply asked open questions and asked about their thoughts on what they had experienced. I find that this straight forward approach has a few advantages. Primarily, I make it clear that I am interested in sharing about God with them and thankfully that works. Its really made me think if we've gone about sharing God with people the right way. Of course, its only been 7 weeks.
More anonymous stories to come...

Bach Statue

Bach Statue
Originally uploaded by djmuller33.

Here I am at the statue of J.S. Bach. The church behind me is a great place to tour and get a feeling for the environment in which he did some of his greatest works. We hope that a chorus that is coming here from the states can use this facility for their performance.