Week 6

I am now in the city of Nürnberg, a great cultural center of Germany. It was here that the Nürnberg laws were passed (they denied Jews citizenship and made it illegal for Jews and ''Germans'' to marry). It was also the sight of the Nürnberg Trials, when the leaders of the National Socialist Party had to answer for their ''War-Crimes''. Obviously a lot of history to take in, as well as the German cultural history of the region.

But, fitting the pattern, I will share one last story from Munich.
It was about seven thirty on Friday night and I decided to go for one last walk to the English Garden. I was going to have to get up early in the morning, so I was planning on getting to bed early as well. As I passed the familiar buildings of the Kaufstraße, I saw a man I recognized from previous walks through the city. This man, who wore a french beret and a neatly trimmed moustache, was standing on a flower bed with a crucifix on his chest and a poster in hand that held several different facts about the world (i.e. death rates, poverty, etc). He was talking with another man about God in German and then he met my eyes and asked ''Glauben auf Jesus?'' to which I replied ''Ja, natürlich!''
So began one of the best conversations I had ever had. The man wearing the french beret was named Roland (Yes, I know. Sorry folks, but a few of my friends just made a disappointing connection). The other Man was named Peter. Peter was an athiest that Roland had been trying to convert for 20 years! The three of us talked for a long time about God, life, Germany, and other various things. I found myself greatly encouraged by this older brother in Christ.
As we parted ways, Roland and I shook hands and, I think both of us feeling that this wasn't enough, embraced. Roland looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and said, ''I will see you again Sam! Either in Germany or in Heaven!'' I now find myself looking forward to either option.

As for Nürnberg, a good bit of the city had been destroyed in the bombing of WWII, but a large part of it has been reconstructed in neo-gothic architecture. I have also found that it seems to me a good blend of both Northern and Southern Germany. The people are friendly, as in Munich, but they are also industrious, as in the north.
I went to the German History Museum today and saw some pretty amazing things. Old Armor, Baroque pianoes, Mandolins from the 17th century and some pretty impressive Statuary. I'm writing you now, getting ready to go services this afternoon. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!
-Samwise Greenhill