The last two pictures are at the conference. The first is a quick shot of the kids at worship. Taylor Finley is throwing gang signs, but assures me that they were for a Christian gang. The second picture is the stage at the conference. Very impressive.
Worship was amazing tonight as Rev. Aaron George from Grenada shared the Word tonight. The kids enjoyed having him speak in English and hearing a German translator. Many of them have never seen anything like that before and even though it was a little distracting they got his message and enjoyed the experience. The worship band was from Great Britain and did a great job leading and had a really good sound for those of you music types. There are 6,300 participants at this years BWA and there are representatives from 89 different countries. Heavenly is the best way to sum it up for you. Lots of people, lots of languages and just one GOD. Wow.
Words really can't describe the opening ceremony. The leaders walked the entire audience through the church's role in Germany's history starting with Martin Luther. It brought us through the ages and then the entire building went black and all you heard were the boot steps of the gestapo. It was so moving. Then came the images. The German Baptists feel deeply responsible for not stepping up and keeping Hitler out of office and for what happened to the Jews. I was crying my eyes out. Then they went to the wall and heartache of a divided nation. That too was gut wrenching. Finally, the celebrated the wall being torn down with live footage and I can bet that most of the kids had never seen video from that historic day. It was very powerful.
Then the worship band played through a song as the MC read off the list of names of all of the countries present. I was filled with great pride as they read off our country and yet felt very small in the scheme of things. I could see it on the kids faces, they were blown away at that moment. Sharon was crying. Barbara was crying, and the youth minister was sobbing like a baby. Wow.
I can't wait for tomorrow. It guarantees to be an extremely long day physically so I am going to bed now. It is 12:40 am in Germany. I'm tired.
2 comments:
Wow! I wish I could have been there for the opening. That sounds so awesome-something you will never forget.
Thanks once again for all of the pictures in Berlin.
We keep on praying for y'sll.
Enjoy tomorrow!
Bridget H.
I am sitting here with chills as I read of the exciting day y'all have had. The worship time sounds like a life changing experience. What an awesome God we have.
Prayers from The Blair's
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