Hello Everyone!
After a great summer, I am finally in Berlin! My flight went very smooth with no complications, and the team has been taking care of us very well so far. We had a five-day orientation last week and have now started German classes this week. So much has happened so far, so get ready for a relatively long yet interesting update :)
ORIENTATION
After landing in Berlin and having a day of rest and exploring, we a started week-long team orientation. We stayed at the German equivalent of the YMCA, with bedrooms and conference rooms, as well as breakfast and lunch. We received excellent training and instruction all day from Sunday through Thursday from several of the ReachGlobal Berlin Staff. This covered Cultural intelligence, adjusting to Berlin, Berlin history, Bible studies, German culture, an overview of ReachGlobal Berlin and other ministries in town, and other logistics. I learned a ton and feel like a got a great grasp of the ministry and the team structure.
Here is an overview of our Key Results Areas for our two years:
Year 1:
- Study of German language up to B2 proficiency (about 70% of our time, required for full-time ministry).
- Weekly language partner
- Involvement in a local German church
- Relationship building/evangelism and ministry to classmates/others
- Service at a ministry location (1-2 afternoons a week)
- Instruction on spirituality and culture. (Thursdays)
- Independent study and homework
- Involvement in local events such as sports, clubs, or other activities
- Berlin team involvement (Check-ins, staff meetings, etc.)
Year 2:
During year two, we begin full-time ministry at our specified location. Further study of German is mostly independent. If year one goes well, it will set us up to be very effective during this second year in ministry.
BERLIN
I am really enjoying Berlin so far! It is a fascinating and complex city with so much going on. We were given a short tour our second day and have been traveling on the tram (baun) system all around town. Every part of town is like its own city with a different look and feel. It is definitely a diverse city! We celebrated German reunification day last Friday and tried some different delicious foods.
Robby, a fellow ReachGlobal staff member and I just moved in to an apartment in the Neukolln district that is being rented by a couple with ReachGlobal. It is possible that we will be at this flat long-term as subletters, which would be excellent!
It hasn’t been easy adjusting to the city and language; I have had a few embarrassments so far at the store and have gotten lost a few times. That is all part of learning thought I suppose.
I just found an amazing park not far from my flat, with trails, playgrounds, an outdoor theater, and a small zoo. I love it! It is perhaps my favorite place so far here in Berlin. It will be a great place to relax, exercise, read, or pray.
CLASS/RELATIONSHIPS
We have had three days of classes now and have already gotten to know quite a few people! On Monday a few of us had lunch after class with a girl from the Philippines named Angelica. We prayed for the meal and she asked what belief we were, so we explained that we were Christians and a bit about what that meant. She told us that she was Roman Catholic and wanted to know if we were as well. We didn’t get the opportunity to go much further, but it was a great start to a potential relationship!
On Tuesday, we had lunch and coffee with a guy named Aljan from Albania. We had a great time talking about our cultures and are going to hang out with him more on Friday. You can pray that we could connect well and have good conversations!
Last night my roommate Robby and I attended a poetry reading at a local English bookstore across the street from our flat. It was a splendid time! There were several fun people there that we got to talk and connect with from all over, and the poetry was interesting. We will definitely be going again!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Pray that we would continue to build relationships with classmates and others in town.
- Pray that we would know how to effectively share our faith and get involved in churches and ministries
- Pray that we could settle in well and be unified as a team.