after katharina dropped me off monday morning.. and we had our long goodbyes... i walked not so confident to the onramp for the autobahn. it was rather heavy to have some time with God before i waited for a ride. so i did just that.
i am always amazed at how much He loves us. we do stupid things.. are impatient... look to ourselves... and yet He desires us more than we desire our greatest wants.
i looked at my watch... 08.27... then stuck my thumb out for every auto that droved by me. maybe 7 minutes later a car pulled over and stated that he was driving to augsburg and i could come with when i wanted. i responded.. das geht... and climbed in with my backpack full of clothes and things for a two weeks of living comfortable.
we spoke and then had a drive through our destination and he dropped me off at a gas station on a sketchy street on the way to the autobahn, direction münchen.
the street is know for the rvs on the side and prostitutes.
so as i made my way a couple kilometers to the autobahn along this road of empty feelings.. i prayed. i prayed for the people seeking and the people handing out. i prayed for the families and for the hope and faithfulness that they all needed. i prayed because i know that God hears us.
i approached the onramp and decided that this would not be the greatest place to hitch... but stuck the thumb out and hoped for His will.
maybe 13 minutes... or less, a car with to younger guys picked me up. they were on the way to münchen and were thrilled to take me with. we spoke the whole time and really enjoyed the ride. after maybe an hour, the driver left me and the other passenger in münchen near public transport. the lad and myself took a bus to the s-bahn then he left me in the direction for the main train station. i searched the possibilities and found a spot where i could stand on an onramp and thrill more onlookers waiting for the person God had planned.
these two blessed me extremely and i pray that God will bless them with a thousand and ten times the amount they blessed me. thank You God for hearing plea.
as i rode the u-bahn, i ended up speaking with a man from bangledesh. i asked if he came out of india and he corrected me. then asked where i was from... after telling him usa.. he switched to english and seemed rather excited. i told him what i was doing in india and he asked if i was a christian. i said yes.. then he asked with a slight smile and a bit of pride what i believed and told people... i told him that i believe that Jesus died for our sins that we come have a relationship with God and be with Him... and that i desire to show them Him in real ways and love them that they could see who Jesus is.
he said.. the second one is right.. but not the first.
then went on telling be about how he cannot and will not believe in anything without proof.
as he told me all this, there was a dark skin woman standing close by with a baby. and as i told him that our relationship with God is based from faith and belief. that though we can't see Him.. it is evident that He is real... and i said... looking around... how could all this be without God. how is this not proof.... the lady shook her head as to say like a southern black woman... MmmHmmm. that's right. preach it brother. (she didn't say anything.. but i could imagine it very clearly)
he refused to listen and continued on about how without proof.. it cannot exist. he was convinced that without proof... it is completely foolish to believe.
we walked away after out stop and i could tell that a response or any truth at all was not what He was seeking.. merely to speak out why he didn't believe as if to say that he was in a stuggle, knew the truth.. and didn't want to be wrong just yet.
may he know the truth and be set free!
i walked to the autobahn and can truthfully say that it was hot. the distance was not so bad.. but as i waited for the ride... i could have gotten a sunburn through my clothes. thankfully i didn't.
a man picked me up and we chatted. he was a blessing of a man. we spoke about a few cities and he eventually left me at a rest area by a burgerking. i sat on a stone, ate some bread i had with then spent more time with God. shortly after, a car pulled in front of me and the door opened. it was the same man that had dropped me off. he told me that he didn't like at all where he had left me and wanted to take me further.
what for a blessing. his heart was shown for what it really is. compassionate, merciful and full of love. he told me that he had some boys of his own and couldn't imagine leaving them at the last stop... it wasn't what he had thought it was. so he took me further to the next reststop and left me with a handshake and blessings.
part 2
this was the reststop that shaped the next several hours of this trip back to berlin.
i met a couple young guys from poland and spoke with them for some time. they spoke about how people don't need money but relationships.... how friend back in poland thought they were crazy for hitching and that they were glad that they still meet people like me.. out on the road living and not just saving.
we walked towards the onramp together then saw two more people with a sign for berlin. i thought... great. how well we both get rides to berlin.
the polanders went back to the gas station and continued their strategy of asking people versus waiting with a thumb. i walked to the onramp and used the way i favored for asking people i don't know to trust me and take me with....
eventually i got bored of waiting and walked back too. after asking a couple of people and not finding anyone more, i walked to a table and sat in the sun light. i had the feeling that i should speak with the two hitchers wanting to go to berlin... but had no desire to. however, i did eventually.
i stated the obvious at first in german that they were going to berlin. they asked if i spoke english and asked where i was going. then we asked each other where we came from. they told me lithuania and i told them america.. then we told each other good luck and maybe we'll see each other later.
i waited a stones throw away in curiosity whether they would get a ride or not... judging that if they didn't... i would probably not either. after some time, they grabbed their bags and walked across the parking lot with a hustle. it was obvious that they were not staying any longer but instead would enjoy a ride to another location. it gave me joy and i knew that God would take care of me too.
as a few cars drove pass, i took note of whether or not i would see my lithuanian companions and eventually when i did, the car pulled towards me and the one of the hitchers said that i could ride with if i wanted to go to dresden.
my reply was casual but with hidden joy.. joy that i was going to be much further to berlin and would maybe make it there that evening. ha.
when we arrived at the next restarea, we decided to split, thinking it would be a better idea. after and hour and a half of standing by the onramp... i noticed the only lithuanians i knew in the whole world walking with a lack of stamina towards me. we decided to try together.
me, the young man and young woman enjoyed waiting together as we tried different ideas to getting a ride at least to dresden thinking that we could get a ride to berlin easier from there. we tried it all... signs... dancing... smoke grenades... (actually no smoke grenades... and we probably didn't really try it all either.. but it sure felt that way.)
we decided to walk back to the gas station and ask people. here is where i was completely stoked on deutsch.
it is not the first time, but seemingly the most important or useful time i translated.. or asked on behalf of us all for rides. it is weird speaking a language that others don't understand. in one way it is neat and i like it... but in the other.. i wish that they could enjoy knowing what is being said too.... thankfully we all spoke english when speaking with each other.
after some time... and trust me, it was some time... we found two gentlemen who said they were could drop us off in dresden. they had two cars and i rode with the second. he comes from poland and is named andreas (andrew). we spoke about quite a bit in the amount of time we had.
i told him why i am in germany and live in berlin and going now to berlin... about katharina in south germany and how we met. about my day and how we were both in münchen in the morning. then he told me that he sells cars, can't speak german, had a family and that they are the most important thing in his life. then i showed him a picture of my katharina and he showed me pictures of his family. the ride with him was greatly enjoyable...
then we both noticed that the car with the others seemed to miss the turn for dresden. we questioned each other how it could have happened then he called his friend.
after a confusing conversation in polish, we pulled into the next restarea with the others and i thought....
na toll.
part 3
it was already dark by now.. and this reststop had semis and toilets.
that's it.
we said thanks and thought over our situation.
dark. nobody driving. totally wrong direction. no food.
we found a way to a bridge and crossed the autobahn then asked three different people for a ride. the first one didn't want to take us, the second was scared and drove off before he really knew what was going on.. and the last was a small car with already three people.
we were left with a bunch of polish truck drivers and mosquitoes.
so we decided to walk to seemingly civilized area across a field. we walked through an industrial area to a smaller dorf like setting.. then started talking about where we were going to sleep. we were all tired, hungry and wanting some sort of something that would shine a bit of light and hope into our situation.
what turned out to be really good though, was the conversations during this time. in fact, the conversations with every ride that i had had. all of them wanted to know why my german was so good... what i was doing in germany and why i was hitchen. with these two, they wanted to know what i do with ywam, what i believe exactly and so on...
later, they pointed out two people outside a house and asked me to talk with them.. asking where a döner is or maybe some civilization. (german blessing to the rescue).
these two people ended up taking us back to the reststop with the gas station was. it was such a blessing. there we had water, food and people.
we ate a little food, i drank water, and then we searched the field where we spend the night.
i wore my jacket, used my backpack for a pillow and a t-shirt for a blanket and surprisingly enjoyed a good 6-7 hours of sleep. i was most of all thankful that i wasn't alone.
the next morning... after realizing that i just slept in a field and am still on the way to berlin, i enjoyed to time with God, brushed my teeth and suggested to the others that we start off soon and maybe we can get a ride with the poeple leaving the hotel.
we waited but went back to the gas station instead. after a short time, we were blessed with a couple who took us to dresden. there we found the main train station, an asian market and an internet café.. all which played important roles in getting us somewhere.
at the asian market, we bought a little food to fill in for a lack of breakfast. at the internet café, we found where we would wait for a ride. and at the train station, we accidentally found the exact tram that took us to the location we previously found on the internet.
as we arrived, we took advantage of the lidl market and bought bread, water and chocolate. then asked someone where the onramp is. he gave the directions for someone who was driving and we decided to try for a short cut.
as we walked, the girl kept asking about the directions and if this shortcut would really work out. then she admitted that it is extremely hard for her to just walk and not know where and how things will work out. i thought over it and realized that i am wearing completely different shoes then her and that i rather enjoyed finding out how God would work things out. (He does deserve all the glory for the grace that has been given to me throughout my life). then we talked a little about the differences between catholics and christians. the girl broke in and asked how it was even important whether mary was holy or Jesus was and that it didn't apply to our lives now.
pretty heavy.
unfortunately i didn't know how to respond in the moment and we quickly changed the subject to the joy that we were on the right path for the autobahn.
Lord, please show here the truth and importance of Jesus!
we got to the heated onramp and waited. it is crazy how God gave me joy and hope even though the others seemed rather indifferent and talked as if they didn't believe we would ever get to berlin. after telling them they should cover their waters from the sun.. we decided split again.
within a few minutes... a car stopped and the others got in with total excitment. at this time i was unsure if they had anymore room.. but then they drove towards me (like last time) and i saw the empty seat waiting for me. (thank You God)!
it was our ride to berlin. the ride we had waited for for 24 hours. and everything that we had gone through was completely worth it in my book.
as we sat in the car to berlin, the couple we were riding with asked us if we wanted to go swimming on the way. so, was stopped in spreewald and enjoyed a dip in the lake where i discovered that the chocolate i bought was now soup.
after, we enjoyed a pleasant but warm ride the rest of the way to berlin. afterwards, i walked with my two new friends to where they would meet their friend.. but not without buying some icecream in celebration of the accomplishment God had blessed us with. we were in berlin.
Father, this was quite the two days and full of blessings. all of the people you brought along my path.. the grace you showed me through them.. and allowing me to be able to bless them...
i can't thank You enough. may all You desire to accomplish through this be done. for the people i met, and for those who read this.
may we represent You well. with boldness. love. and truth.
thank You Jesus that it does matter.
You matter. they matter.
VL
israel
eventually i got bored of waiting and walked back too. after asking a couple of people and not finding anyone more, i walked to a table and sat in the sun light. i had the feeling that i should speak with the two hitchers wanting to go to berlin... but had no desire to. however, i did eventually.
i stated the obvious at first in german that they were going to berlin. they asked if i spoke english and asked where i was going. then we asked each other where we came from. they told me lithuania and i told them america.. then we told each other good luck and maybe we'll see each other later.
i waited a stones throw away in curiosity whether they would get a ride or not... judging that if they didn't... i would probably not either. after some time, they grabbed their bags and walked across the parking lot with a hustle. it was obvious that they were not staying any longer but instead would enjoy a ride to another location. it gave me joy and i knew that God would take care of me too.
as a few cars drove pass, i took note of whether or not i would see my lithuanian companions and eventually when i did, the car pulled towards me and the one of the hitchers said that i could ride with if i wanted to go to dresden.
my reply was casual but with hidden joy.. joy that i was going to be much further to berlin and would maybe make it there that evening. ha.
when we arrived at the next restarea, we decided to split, thinking it would be a better idea. after and hour and a half of standing by the onramp... i noticed the only lithuanians i knew in the whole world walking with a lack of stamina towards me. we decided to try together.
me, the young man and young woman enjoyed waiting together as we tried different ideas to getting a ride at least to dresden thinking that we could get a ride to berlin easier from there. we tried it all... signs... dancing... smoke grenades... (actually no smoke grenades... and we probably didn't really try it all either.. but it sure felt that way.)
we decided to walk back to the gas station and ask people. here is where i was completely stoked on deutsch.
it is not the first time, but seemingly the most important or useful time i translated.. or asked on behalf of us all for rides. it is weird speaking a language that others don't understand. in one way it is neat and i like it... but in the other.. i wish that they could enjoy knowing what is being said too.... thankfully we all spoke english when speaking with each other.
after some time... and trust me, it was some time... we found two gentlemen who said they were could drop us off in dresden. they had two cars and i rode with the second. he comes from poland and is named andreas (andrew). we spoke about quite a bit in the amount of time we had.
i told him why i am in germany and live in berlin and going now to berlin... about katharina in south germany and how we met. about my day and how we were both in münchen in the morning. then he told me that he sells cars, can't speak german, had a family and that they are the most important thing in his life. then i showed him a picture of my katharina and he showed me pictures of his family. the ride with him was greatly enjoyable...
then we both noticed that the car with the others seemed to miss the turn for dresden. we questioned each other how it could have happened then he called his friend.
after a confusing conversation in polish, we pulled into the next restarea with the others and i thought....
na toll.
part 3
it was already dark by now.. and this reststop had semis and toilets.
that's it.
we said thanks and thought over our situation.
dark. nobody driving. totally wrong direction. no food.
we found a way to a bridge and crossed the autobahn then asked three different people for a ride. the first one didn't want to take us, the second was scared and drove off before he really knew what was going on.. and the last was a small car with already three people.
we were left with a bunch of polish truck drivers and mosquitoes.
so we decided to walk to seemingly civilized area across a field. we walked through an industrial area to a smaller dorf like setting.. then started talking about where we were going to sleep. we were all tired, hungry and wanting some sort of something that would shine a bit of light and hope into our situation.
what turned out to be really good though, was the conversations during this time. in fact, the conversations with every ride that i had had. all of them wanted to know why my german was so good... what i was doing in germany and why i was hitchen. with these two, they wanted to know what i do with ywam, what i believe exactly and so on...
later, they pointed out two people outside a house and asked me to talk with them.. asking where a döner is or maybe some civilization. (german blessing to the rescue).
these two people ended up taking us back to the reststop with the gas station was. it was such a blessing. there we had water, food and people.
we ate a little food, i drank water, and then we searched the field where we spend the night.
i wore my jacket, used my backpack for a pillow and a t-shirt for a blanket and surprisingly enjoyed a good 6-7 hours of sleep. i was most of all thankful that i wasn't alone.
the next morning... after realizing that i just slept in a field and am still on the way to berlin, i enjoyed to time with God, brushed my teeth and suggested to the others that we start off soon and maybe we can get a ride with the poeple leaving the hotel.
we waited but went back to the gas station instead. after a short time, we were blessed with a couple who took us to dresden. there we found the main train station, an asian market and an internet café.. all which played important roles in getting us somewhere.
at the asian market, we bought a little food to fill in for a lack of breakfast. at the internet café, we found where we would wait for a ride. and at the train station, we accidentally found the exact tram that took us to the location we previously found on the internet.
as we arrived, we took advantage of the lidl market and bought bread, water and chocolate. then asked someone where the onramp is. he gave the directions for someone who was driving and we decided to try for a short cut.
as we walked, the girl kept asking about the directions and if this shortcut would really work out. then she admitted that it is extremely hard for her to just walk and not know where and how things will work out. i thought over it and realized that i am wearing completely different shoes then her and that i rather enjoyed finding out how God would work things out. (He does deserve all the glory for the grace that has been given to me throughout my life). then we talked a little about the differences between catholics and christians. the girl broke in and asked how it was even important whether mary was holy or Jesus was and that it didn't apply to our lives now.
pretty heavy.
unfortunately i didn't know how to respond in the moment and we quickly changed the subject to the joy that we were on the right path for the autobahn.
Lord, please show here the truth and importance of Jesus!
we got to the heated onramp and waited. it is crazy how God gave me joy and hope even though the others seemed rather indifferent and talked as if they didn't believe we would ever get to berlin. after telling them they should cover their waters from the sun.. we decided split again.
within a few minutes... a car stopped and the others got in with total excitment. at this time i was unsure if they had anymore room.. but then they drove towards me (like last time) and i saw the empty seat waiting for me. (thank You God)!
it was our ride to berlin. the ride we had waited for for 24 hours. and everything that we had gone through was completely worth it in my book.
as we sat in the car to berlin, the couple we were riding with asked us if we wanted to go swimming on the way. so, was stopped in spreewald and enjoyed a dip in the lake where i discovered that the chocolate i bought was now soup.
after, we enjoyed a pleasant but warm ride the rest of the way to berlin. afterwards, i walked with my two new friends to where they would meet their friend.. but not without buying some icecream in celebration of the accomplishment God had blessed us with. we were in berlin.
Father, this was quite the two days and full of blessings. all of the people you brought along my path.. the grace you showed me through them.. and allowing me to be able to bless them...
i can't thank You enough. may all You desire to accomplish through this be done. for the people i met, and for those who read this.
may we represent You well. with boldness. love. and truth.
thank You Jesus that it does matter.
You matter. they matter.
VL
israel
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