Saturday, August 02, 2008
LEIPZIG TRIP!
First of all I want to thank everyone who made this trip possible for us from the bottom of my heart!! I cannot even begin to describe how amazing and life-changing this experience has been!!
Today we explored some of the most important historic places in all of Germany. I still cannot believe that I am actually here, seeing these famous places where so much happened. One of these places is the square where Adolf Hitler burned all the books...
And the Brandenburg Gate. 
Another place we learned more about was Checkpoint Charlie. This part of the tour holds special meaning to me because my Granddad was a part of the U.S. Army that came through Germany. The Checkpoint Charlie Museum had disturbing images and moving stories of the people who tried to escape from East Germany.
And of course we could not come to Berlin without seeing the famous Berlin Wall. It is unbelievable that a government would do such a horrible thing to its people. Families and friends were separated literally over night. The people on the East side of the wall lived in constant fear of being arrested. They had no freedom of speech, especially against the government. There is no wonder there was such rejoicing when the terrible wall came crashing down in 1989. (I was alive then! This happened in my lifetime!) 
This evening we continued to participate in the conference where the worship was taken into the center square of the city of Leipzig. The hope was to involve the whole city in the festivities. The whole square was overflowing with people of every nationality and background. Music and dancing is the common language. In the middle of several of the songs a giant Congo line broke out. In the midst of the fun, I know God was smiling down on His children and His heart was glad of the bonds that were being made between His children and Himself. All glory be to God!
First of all I want to thank everyone who made this trip possible for us from the bottom of my heart!! I cannot even begin to describe how amazing and life-changing this experience has been!!
Today we explored some of the most important historic places in all of Germany. I still cannot believe that I am actually here, seeing these famous places where so much happened. One of these places is the square where Adolf Hitler burned all the books...
And the Brandenburg Gate. 
Another place we learned more about was Checkpoint Charlie. This part of the tour holds special meaning to me because my Granddad was a part of the U.S. Army that came through Germany. The Checkpoint Charlie Museum had disturbing images and moving stories of the people who tried to escape from East Germany.
And of course we could not come to Berlin without seeing the famous Berlin Wall. It is unbelievable that a government would do such a horrible thing to its people. Families and friends were separated literally over night. The people on the East side of the wall lived in constant fear of being arrested. They had no freedom of speech, especially against the government. There is no wonder there was such rejoicing when the terrible wall came crashing down in 1989. (I was alive then! This happened in my lifetime!) 
On a completely different note, we had the great honor of singing in the actual church where Martin Luther put up his 95 theses that began the Protestant Reformation. Out of Martin Luther's convictions came the very doctrines we hold to be the basis of our faith. I am humbled when I know that I have stood and raised my voice in praise to God in the very place where God used a mere man to fight for His children's right to have a personal relationship with Him. We no longer need a priest to go to God for us. We are directly linked to our Heavenly Father. Praise be to God!
This evening we continued to participate in the conference where the worship was taken into the center square of the city of Leipzig. The hope was to involve the whole city in the festivities. The whole square was overflowing with people of every nationality and background. Music and dancing is the common language. In the middle of several of the songs a giant Congo line broke out. In the midst of the fun, I know God was smiling down on His children and His heart was glad of the bonds that were being made between His children and Himself. All glory be to God!
Hey Mom, Papa, and Cameron! I love you!!
Valerie Barnett
Valerie Barnett
# posted by roy @ 5:50 PM 
