Day 4- July 24, 2010

Breakfast of fresh bread and delicious fruit!
The morning once again came with worship. The German band played once again for us, teaching us another song in German that I tried my best to sing! The sermon this morning was given to us by Deacon Reto Naegelin.
He reminded us that too often we find those that look like us and enjoy the same things as us. Unfortunately with this way of living we are creating walls between those who are different. We are all guilty of this including myself. Naegelin reminded us that God has given us unity. Let us break those walls and bring unity to our churches and outside the doors in our everyday lives. In our lives we are living for Christ so he should be our standards, he is the one we should be copying, not always our friends and the society we live in.
Following worship we had our first legislative assembly. We started with the legislation that was reviewed in my Legislative Topic Group, Church and Society. We quickly learned even with a theme of unity we will not all agree on the issues brought forth. However, as members of The United Methodist Church we are given an opportunity to speak our mind and let our voice be heard. With legislation our unity comes as we walk out of the room talking and smiling and leaving our differences aside and continue to build relationships with all cultures. Throughout legislation we also stay united on the belief of respect for all. We are keeping track of who talks and making sure every culture and gender is given an equal opportunity.
Leaving legislation we had a box lunch once again and made our way to experience Berlin. Today, I traveled to a concentration camp, Sachenhausen. This was the first large concentration camp in Germany. What an experience to be a part of their history, unfortunately not much got preserved but just being there was a powerful experience. Sachenhausen can’t really be described in words but once I get back I will post pictures that will hopefully help tell of my journey there.
Following our tour we traveled to Evangelish-methodistische Kirche in Oranienburg. We heard the story of the church and the struggles of a congregation just 12 years early who were meeting in homes. There church ascended from heaven, or just had their building brought to their property by air. Most of their support came from the Methodist Church without them they would not be able to have a building to worship in and the resources to reach out to their community. Following stories they also lead us in a devotion, bringing unity once again across Berlin.
Our return tonight did not involve much relaxing, once we got back to the hotel we had time to grab our laptops and get downstairs for more legislation. Due to the fact we took more time than allotted this morning for legislation we came back this evening to finish 3 more pieces of legislation. It took three hours, we left the room tired, exhausted, and some were happy and others wished the outcome would have been different. But through prayer and knowing that God is here with us allowed us to head to bed in peace.
I ask that as we continue legislation again tomorrow you keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow is a new day filled with legislation, but also it will be our last night together where we will worship once more in unity and experience what each culture has brought to share.