Jewish Cemetary

Darkness and Light

Only 5 kilometers from Hurlach, there is a special graveyard. It is the place where Jews were buried after the Allies liberated Germany from the Nazi's.
Some of you may be familiar with the series, Band of Brothers. In one episode, American soldiers discovered concentration camp. This was the actual work camp located here.

After discovering the camp, the US major in charge asks one of the prisoners,  "What kind of camp is this?" The prisoner, through a translator, says "It is a place for undesirables." The translator is trying to clarify the meaning of the word. The major asks, "Do you mean criminals?" The prisoner says,  "No, no, not criminals, just doctors, musicians, scientists, professors...all Jews."

The scene that the soldiers have discovered is horrifying - men like skeletons stumble towards them into their arms around them. They weep. they relate how the Nazi guards fled only that morning taking time to try to kill as many prisoners as possible.

The cemetery was one of ten in the area where Jews were buried in mass graves after the war. Only a few headstones had named on them. The marker in the center pleaded remembrance and for peace for the world.

Our guide, Bernt, is man who is been on staff with YWAM for over 30 years. Smiling, he confessed he will turn 70 in February. He has traveled the world. Wherever he goes he meets Jewish people. He always takes the time to ask them to please forgive him and his people for the things that happened during World War 2. He has also busy did Israel many times and is familiar with the culture. as a follower of Jesus, he tries to bring reconciliation.

One thing we emphasized with the kids is that darkness is still very much in our world. there have been many wars since World War 2. It seems unbelievable that we can be a witness to such horror and still go on to fight more wars. As Bernt shared, in Rwanda they killed eight hundred thousand in only 4 months.

I think of a spiritual battle all around us. we would like our lives to be filled with green and sunshine and safety. But we are not home yet. Jesus said not be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good. I also have encouragement that he said in this world you have many troubles, but take heart, I have overcome the world!

Niko

"When I was your age, 16 or 17, I didn't walk with the Lord at all. I grew up in a Christian family but I didn't live that. I started to do drugs. In the beginning it was small stuff like marijuana. Later it got into Crystal meth. I had to finance this life so I began to deal drugs. I lost my apprenticeship twice.

While growing up, people put a label on me: I wasnt good enough, I wasn't athletic enough, I wasn't acceptable. Strangely the guys I did drugs with accepted me. I was good at selling drugs. Life got harder for me and I started to have problems. I was in trouble with the cops. I was depressed. I had problems with my friends. I had psychological problems. Everything was being destroyed in my life. I was really addicted to drugs.

I realized I totally destroyed my life and I was only 21. I really just came to a desperate place. I heard a voice say Nikolai, I can help you. I can change your life. You need to come to me. I just ignored this. I thought it was from the drugs, but it wouldn't go away. This voice was telling me "I can get you out." I got down on my knees and said, "God, if you are real, change my life."

At this point in my life I only knew drug dealers. I didn't have any good contacts. I didn't have much contact with my parents. It was pretty hard for me to "jump off the train" and get some good influences.

I prayed and a few weeks later my mom called me and said "Niko. I have a friend in Israel. You can go there and work there and get some distance." It was totally weird and crazy. My mom had no idea of my prayer. I told nobody.

If she asked me a few weeks earlier I would have said No way, all my friend lived here. I got to go to Israel. I got great teaching and counseling from the guy I lived with. He shared great scriptures with me. I began to recover.

I received a letter about my case and they closed the case which never happens. I learned through looking back that the devil tried to put a wrong image on me. He tried to maker me believe I an unworthy, not good enough. Since I surrendered my life, He had given me gifts I didn't even know about like speaking in front of a group. I went on a discipleship training school and worked as a youth pastor for two years and then came back to YWAM. There have been challenges since I came here but as a Christian I have had no regrets serving God. I mean, I have nothing basically, but God provides. How many people get to live in a castle?

Thursday Night Worship Gathering

Stephanie - 1 Samuel 17
-Your Giant

Stephanie had been in Germany 6 years serving with YWAM. She teaches in their Bible school. She shared with us :

Who is your Goliath? Who or what makes you paralyzed with fear? Is something holding you back? Keeping you from going deeper?

It starts with confession. It starts with you. We can hold each other back because we fear.

What keeps you from obeying and showing God's glory?

What lies are the enemies yelling at you? "You're not good enough." "You aren't strong enough." "You are a horrible leader." "You aren't doing enough."
By yourself you are not strong enough.

God had a specific word for you. Listen to Him. Write it down. Reflect on what He has already used you to do.

Stephanie and her husband had a dream to teach all over Europe. They have already visited many countries presenting an interactive Bible seminar called "The Story." As she encounters difficulties in ministry, David's story reminds her that God is bigger than her problems and He wants to use her for His glory!

Pruning!

Ironically, after our morning devotion on abiding in the Vine and His pruning I found myself - pruning!
Emily continues to be on paint duty!

"He is My Identity"

Carmen is a 26-year old German girl from the Black Forest area of Germany. Here at Hurlach she served as Synergy director (house administration) as well as wearing other hats. She directs us every day on what jobs we do at the castle. She's at our meeting to tell how she came to faith.

"I grew up in a Christian family. I knew since I was a little kid that God loved me but I didn't understand he wanted a personal relationship with me. God was somewhere out there but I didn't care. I started to drink. It isn't a problem in Germany to get alcohol so my friends and I would go to parties and just have fun.

When I was 16, one of my friends committed suicide. That really made me think about what happens after we die. What is the reason for me to be on this earth? It was a hard time because I lost my friend and also because I was partly blaming myself for her death. Why didn't I do something about keeping her from committing suicide? I started to realize that God did care about me and had answers for my questions.It was then I realized He is still there for me. I started to speak with him and go to church. I also got to go on a mission to South America and figured out God really wanted to use me. I did my discipleship training here at Hurlach.

In the past I already felt I was not good enough and I had to be better than other people to be noticed or seen. It was kind of my identity. During my training we had a speaker come and he didn't know any of us. He came right up to me and stood in front of me. He told me stop working so hard and start just being with God. I was surprised - like, who is this guy? But it hit me like if I don't work, who am I? It was the beginning of realizing He is my identity. It is in His presence I am fulfilled.

I got a picture in my mind which is how God was speaking to me. He went with me into a cellar and there was a lot of treasures. He tolds me that this treasure is not the real treasure. I wondered what does this mean. He took me by the hands and led me up into a garden. There was a swing. We were playing. It was quiet and it was just Jesus and me. He spoke to me: this is the real treasure, to be with me. I think it is this way for everyone. He has also a plan for you. Two years ago I couldn't imagine how God would be using me. Oftrn we think we don't have anything to give but God has so much more."

Sunset in Hurlach

We walked along a rolling field, taking in the homes - neat as a pin yards, flower boxes and whimsical bird houses, climbing vines and inviting trails. Frau Gleason (our American Landry project director - she teaches German online) beckoned us to come up a hill to a fenced in area enclosing a peaceful chapel and small graveyard. The graves were green and layered with flowers and new soil. On one grave were three names. Two died in 1945, a 26-year old mother and 5-year old child - obviously as a result of the war. The other name was an older woman, born in 1879 died in 1962. Most likely this was the mother and grandmother of the two killed in the war. Our imagination was spurred wondering about the untold story.

Frau Gleason explained to us that German people suffered untold torture and indignation at the hands of the liberators who took out their hatred of the Nazis on the people of Germany. It was a time of much hardship and desperation.

God had another surprise for us - just as we rounded the corner of the chapel a man was exiting with a key. He generously opened the door for us and gave us a tour. We got to see the inside with many paintings and sculptures and symbols of faith. He even ventured to ring the bell for us! It was a special unplanned moment to file away in our memories of this trip.