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The open door
Prolog
It was short before midnight. As every night I went in direction of that special pub. To be honest, normally I would not like to go at that time in a pub. And especially not in this one!
But I went there to do my job, naturally undercover. This normally was no place where people with my conviction went at night. A place, where crime and violence were always lurking in the background.
O.k, most of the guests came there for the mixture of hard rock music, alcohol and entertainment. And they were peaceful and relaxed.-
I could hear now already the loud bass music from inside. Now I were in front of it and looked through the big window. Not so many were inside. I saw Claudia behind the counter. Nice girl, but she took drugs presumely.
I took the three steps, opened the door and went inside. The typical smell of stale alcohol and cigarettes came into my nose. After some minutes I would not realisize it anymore.
"Hey Claudia, look! There comes the preacher! - Hahaha, ... a coffee for the preacher!"
It was Tom, a young and intelligent punk, who gave me that warm welcome. I went up to him: "Hello Tom! Everything o.k!" Claudia came, greeted with a smile and put a cup of coffee in front of me on the counter!"
***
Ten years ago I did not know anything about this pub and would never have thought spending there half of the night as "preacher". Ten years ago I had just become a christian and went normally at midnight into bed to be fresh for the next day.
So when I gave during the "Churchdays" my to Jesus Christus, I knew that it would presumely change my life. But I did not know which direction it would take.
I remember an elderly woman saying to me: " Ah,you are the young man coming to faith! Congratulation!" She shook my hand and gave me a big smile: " Faith is a big adventure.You will see!!"
So in hindsight I have to admit. That old lady was right: my years in faith should become a great adventure. Not always in a dramatic way, but more step by step.
I will try to share a little bit with you from my adventurous, but also lonely way as christian through time and space.
1.Part
"Me, a preacher?"
It was the first morning after these dramatic events during evangelic churchdays in 1985 ( you can read it in "The Lord will come soon!") , that had changed my life completly.
I made a tea as always in the morning and sat down at my favorite place, the kitchen table with the lovely outlook into landlord`s big garden with the many flowers, fruit trees and singing birds.
Nothing had changed outside. Life seemed to go on as usual, but inside my whole world had turned upside down. The first time in my life I felt a deep sense in my life. I had really found the living God!
I felt a thankfulness deep inside. What a big chance I had got from God to let me find Him. I never would have thought, that sense of life was to find there. "Everywhere else, but not I christian faith!" I would have thought some days ago.
It was really a big surprise for me to find again the God of my childhood. I had gone away from Him. Not as a big decision, more in a sneaking process. And then I had completly forgot HIm.
I took a deep breath from fresh air coming from outside into my kitchen. Yes. it would become a nice summer day. My first "normal" day as christian.
The five churchdays were the most extraordinary in my life. I would never forget them. But now the daily life had got me back. And I had to find my way through it - as christian.
I stood up from the table, went into my living room and got the bible. I went back, sat down again and started reading. After a few minutes I forgot the world around me.
*
When I had said farewell to Mike and Ulli at our last day during the "churchdays" , Mike had said to me: "Okay Heiner, you will be now on your own again. You have found Jesus and I am sure you will stay in faith.- " I nodded: "Yes, sure I will!"
After a short pause he added:" But you will need a commumity of brothers and sisters to stabilize you in your faith. I think the best will be, you keep yourself to the Jesus-house! Here you came to faith and here you already knew some people! - Good luck!"
So in the next weeks I followed this advice. Sometimes I walked there during the normal weekdays and made "helping hand" works or looked in the book store, reading a little bit. Very quickly I made there some new contacts.
At weekend I always joined into the "open assembly" on Saturday evening. Famous preachers from all over the world came there and it was absolutely interesting to listen to their experiences and teaching. I enjoyed it really very much.
Next morning was then the service for the Jesushouse community. Here preached most of the times preached most of the times.- After sercvice most of the time I went with the younger ones for lunch and spent the rest of the day with them.
So to be honest: I did not find friends among the younger ones, They were nice young people of both sexes and I enjoyed my time spending with them. I felt accepted and welcomed there and I did not feel my normal sunday loneliness during that time. Only in hindsight I can see, that I never really belonged to them!
***
Soon after coming to faith I felt an inner urge to tell others about my new faith. So as I had done before with the esoteric things.
I told it mainly to friends and my relatives, but especially to Jürgen. He played an essential part of my story and I was so relieved to see him still alive.
When he came at my home on that sunday returning from the churchdays, I naturally told him everything. And I was totally convinced, that he would understand and become also a christian.
But to my big surprise he only laughed at my experience:" So you forgot yourself for month in this silly esoteric things -and now you tell me you have become a christian!" He shook his head: "I really cannot believe!"
He only believed in evolution and:" There is nothing else! When you are dead, there will be nothing left of you than a little bit of dust! That`s all!"
I was really disappointed and doubled my efforts. "Why did he not believe me?" everything I had told him was so logical. A child could understand it.-
One afternoon he came to my flat to take with me a walk in a park. We had done often before and it was nothing extraordinary about it.
But this time it starts a heavy rain during we were still in my flat: "No good day for walking!" he meant.-
I took a gulp out of my teacup and said as insignificant as possible:"Why not?"
He looked surprisingly at me: " Why not? It is raining cats and dogs ,- and it will not stop the next hours. Look into the sky!"
He was right, it was absolutely dark outside!-
"Well, so let us pray, - and the sun will come out!"
He looked into my face for a proof, that I was joking. But I did not smile. "So you agree?" I asked." Let us pray and sun will come out !"
He looked again stunned into my face. Then he said slowly: "O.k! Pray if you like!"-
Now there was no way back! I really hoped god would do such a miracle and started to pray: " Lord, you see, that Jürgen has come to me. We want to talk a walk in the pak! -Lord for you is nothing impossible. So you can stop the rain and give us some sunshine. -Amen!"
*
"So, let`s go!" I said and stood up. Juergen laughed and got also on his feet. He walked to the window, looked outside and laughed again:" You really want to go?"
"Yes , sure!" I went to the door and opened it. He followed slowly and laughed again:" Haven`t you forgotten something?"
I looked puzzled into his face:" What do you mean?" He grinned and looked demonstratively in another direction. I followed his eyes and saw, what he meant:" It will be not needed, you will see!"
He laughed again and followed me outside. The umbrella remained untouched in my flat.
***
When we reached the park with its wonderful castle, it was still raining. But directly over the park the dark clouds had broken up and a blue-white sky was visible.
I am not whether I can describe it so clearly that you can imagine. But to me it seemed., that the whole town was under big dark clouds, only over the park it was a clear sky. So when we entered into the park, there were no rain drops anymore.-
I looked with a triumphantly, but also relieved smile at Juergen: "So are you convinced now?"
He seemed to be surprised:" Convinced of what?"
"Naturally that there is a god who effects miracles! Or is it raining anymore?"
He stopped and laughed:" Ah, now I understand! You mean your god has done it! Hahaha...!" When he had calmed down he added: "Naturally not! It is only coincidence. Nothing more!"
I didn`t trust my ears:" You really believe that this has happened by chance? Did you forget, that we have prayed for 15 minutes for this miracle?" I felt upset and helpless at the same time.
"It was n omiracle, only a coincidence!", he said decisively." Come on, let us take a walk!"
***
I was very disappointed, when we ended our walk. I had done everything to convince him having seen a miracle. But he insisted on his opinion, that it had happened only by chance.
It was the first time I began to understand, that bringing some to faith was not in my power. It is, as the bible tells us, a "work of god"!
So it was allright to tell someone about own experiences and argue well, but this was not enough. God had to do a miracle in the heart of the person.
This was a very precious lesson for me! Later I have seen people coming to faith, but it was at the end - after all my efforts - always a work of god!
From this time on my contact with Juergen more or less ended. This happened not by a clear decision, but through daily life. My ways and interests had got another direction!
***
As Mike and Ulli had adviced me, I hold myself very close to the Jesus-house. Here I had come to faith ad here with so many other believers I felt well.
One day I discovered in my personal biblestudies, that people after coming to faith had been baptized.
Thinking about this for two days I came into the Jesus-house and read an announcement:
" Baptism on next sunday. Please register!"
Normally I am very slowly with decisions. But here I registered myself spontaneously for the baptism. I felt, that it was the next step I had to do!
*
Saturday afternoon was in Jesus-house a seminar for the persons to be baptized and in the evening a long church service. It was already after midnight, when I came home. I felt tired ,exhausted and depressed.So I went directly to bed.
*
Perhaps after one hour I suddenly woke up and became immediately alert. I had the sure feeling, that someone was in my room.
I never have experienced such a feeling before. There I was laying with cloths eyes in a more or less dark room, but had the intensive feeling of the present of someone else.
"Who is it!" was the question in my mind, but I dared not to open my eyes or to move. I lay there like a dead man on my back.
Suddenly I felt a short touch at my forehead. Immediately an energy ran through my whole body and I was filled with a deep inner peace.
All this happened in one or two seconds.
My next impression was, that the visitor had gone. I opened my eyes without fear and everything was as always. No sign , that someone had been there. Only the deep inner peace proved it!
*
The next day started with another church service and in the afternoon were the baptism ceremony. An in the evening there took place a meal at someone`s home.
More than half of the day I had strong headaches, but it didn`t bother. The deep feeling of peace in my breast was still there and remembered me of the "visitor" in the night before.
***
After my baptism I got the information, that I now was allowed to become an official member of the Jesus-house.
Normally I would have preferred to remain only a friend of the Jesushouse. But my contact was already so intensively, that I decided to dare this step and become a member.
There existed the rule of giving the tenth part of your income to the community. For me this meant a sum of 90 DM. For a student like me with a small budget it was much money. But o.k, so were the rules.
The next possibilty to become member was in three days. So normally I am not a friend of quick steps, therefore I thought about postponing it for one month.
So I stood after lunch in my flat thinking about the pro and contras. For example I would have spared the 90 DM ,when waiting one month. Otherwise why waiting with something, what is already decided?
"Ah, I will make up my mind later" , I thought. And left my flat to ride to Jesus-house
*
When I passed with my bicycle the house of Michael, the esoteric, I suddenly got the idea to visit him for some minutes. I hadn`t seen him for a while and Jesus-house was not so urgently. So I ringed.
But he was in hurry and already for departure. He had something to do in town, what couldn`t be postponed. "But we can ride together into town, if you like!" he said. I agreed.
Then eveything happened very quickly. We had just started, when it suddenly began raining. We decided to take a wood path, so that we got some protection from the rain.
In the forest Michael perhaps wanted to demonstrate me, that ihe was the better "biker" . He forced the speed and I had difficulties to follow. him.
So the rain, the muddy path in the forest, wooden and stony obstacles became a risky matter. I had to take care not to fall, but otherwise I was to proud to let get him out of sight.
After a quarter of an hour hard riding and out of breath we reached the end of the forest . Michael stopped:" O.k " he said," I have to leave you now. Bye!"
Honestly spoken I was released. The rain had stopped and I rode on alone and very slowly. When I reached the Jesus-house and closed my bicycle, I suddenly missed my purse. I looked more intensively, but I couldn`t find it. Obviously I had lost it during our bicycle race in the forest.
"Oh,no" , I thought and tried to remember how much money had been inside. The day I had bought some food in a supermarket and had paid with a 100 Mark- note. "So there must have been 90 DM inside", I thought by myself. And in the same moment I became very quiet.
90 DM! This was exactly the sum I had to pay for my membership in Jesus-house. And hadn`t I had the thought to spare the 90 DM for a month. An now I had lost it. Suddenly I felt guilty. Had god punished me for my stinginess?
So I feeled a little bit humiliated, but it was o.k! I decided to accept the punishment and not to go back for searching the purse in the forest.
2 days later I became member of the Jesus-house and paid 90 DM from the rest of my money!
*
The days went on and I had to invest some of my time into my dissertation. I did it reluctantly, because I never had loved my studies and now everything had changed in my life.
Perhaps it had been a wrong decision to start that studies? And now god would lead me another way. "Why not?" I thought by myself.-
I do not want to say, that I provoked to fail with that dissertation. But at the end it happened. The professor was very angry with me, but I feeled ... relieved.
A door had been closed and now something new could start. So at least were my thoughts.
But it was clear, if I would inform my parents, they would stop their financial support. So what to do. Start working?
At that time preached on Saturday evening a very famous pastor in Jesus- house. So after the service I went to him and asked him for a prayer.
"What is your problem, brother?" he asked me. "Well, " I said " My studies are finished and I do not which way I should choose now. Shall I start a work or should I wait for something else. - Could you please ask the Lord for a hint or an advice of Hs will?"
What now happened took me really by surprise. He answered very definetly:"No,I will not ask the Lord!" I paused effectively for a moment. " Do you know why not?" I shook my head and waited for an explanation.
With an elanful gesture he opened the bible.:" Because it is already written, what you have to do. Please read! Verse 10"
I took the bible and read:
"if any would not work, neither should he eat!"
I gave back the bible to him and he closed it with a noisy sound:
"Well, has His will become clear now?"
I nodded:" Thanks, I have understood!" and i went away very thoughtfully
**
On monday morning I went to the jobcenter at the university. And got within 5 minutes a job for two weeks in a fabric in the harbour.
It was a very simple packing work, but the other elder workers were nice to me. One of them told me, that he did this job for more than 30 years.
In the afternoon of the second day the work became very boring to me. Every five minutes I looked to the big watch in front of us, but time did not want pass by.
Finally the the sound for work end came and I left very relieved the fabric.
*
In the evening I went to a prayer meeting, but I was in a bad mood. So afterwards Silke, the woman of the meeting leader came to me and asked me:"This is not your best day today, isn`t it?"
I told her about my work and boasted in front of her a little bit, that god had given me the work.
She shook slowly her head:" I do not think, that this work is from god!"
Now I became freally angry with her. She was a nice person, but how could she say this. "I have asked the preacher on saturday and and on monday I got immediately the job!" I justified myself.
"If it would be from god, you would be in a better mood. Please pray and ask god, whether it is really His will, that you do this job!"
I left the meeting very frustrated and at home I went immediately to bed.
**
Next morning I got up at five o`clock and was not in the best mood. Silke`s words from the evening before came in my mind:" Pray if this is the right work for you!"
So I humbled myself and prayed to god, that he should show me the right way. "Am I right there or not?" was my last words.
Suddenly I remembered, that there was no money left and five days till the end of the month. So I added:" Please, Lord, I also need some money till the end of the month. Amen!"
*
It was time to go now and I left home and drove with my bicycle in direction of the harbour. It was wet and slightly misty, but I had my yellow raincoat on and the road was well illuminated by streetlights.
It was at the middle of my right, that I passed a crossroad. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw a car rolling slowly forward. I wasn`t worried, because I was on the main road.
But to my surprise he rolled slowly on and on. In a kind of slow motion he crashed into my rear wheel, 10 centimeters behind my right leg.
***
Although it happened very slowly, it took me some seconds to realize what had happened. My first accident I ever had since riding a bicycle.
I got from my bike, looked at the demolished wheel and then I carried it to the streetside.
Meanwhile a middle-aged man had got out of the car and asked very scared and upset:" Sorry, I did not see. Are you o.k?" I was a little bit puzzled and said absentmindely :"Yes, I am o.k! Nothing has happened!"
But in my mind was the question:"Why happened this to me?"
The man asked me again:" Should I call the police?" I felt only disturbed in my thoughts and wanted to get rid of him:"No police! Everything is o.k!"
He came now directly up to me: "Do you want some money?" Now I became really a little bit annoyed:"No, I do not want money. As I said, everything is o.k!" But he insisted:" But your bicycle. You need a new rear wheel!"
This argument brought me back to my senses. The man was right, I would need some money to buy a new wheel:"O.k, give me 20 DM and everything is o.k.!" The man did not give:"20 DM is not enough. I give you 50 DM!" I insisted on the 20 DM and after another excusation the man got back in his car and drived away.
I sighed and looked again at my bicycle. It was impossible to ride on. The wheel was immovable. "Shit" I cursed . What was to do? Should I take a bus? I would surely be too late at work.
Suddenly a surprising thought came in my mind. Hadn`t I begged half an hour before for an answer? And hadn`t I begged him for money?
"Yes, that`s it! He has stopped me riding to work and gave me some money through that accident" I felt deep joy and relief rising up in my heart. And now I was sure. God had answered my prayer!
***
The next weeks I helped with others deliberately with renovation works in Jesus-house. It was a really good time with much coffee and cakes.
During that time I talked with Thomas, the leader of my prayer meeting about my future and he convinced me to give my examination work a new try. So the financial support of my parents went on.
For me the story with the famous preacher was a big lesson! He had been so self-assure about his bible-knowledge and had advised me wrongly.
And had believed him, because he was a "famous preacher" and had presumed, that his contact to "heaven" would be better than mine.
The error taught me, that I am responsible for my own decisions and should not blindly follow the advice of someone else., but had to take care of my way into an unknown future
****
Once I visited again Elke und Peter. ( You remember from "The Lord will come soon"?)They were very surprised, when I told them about my new faith. Peter was sceptical as he had been before about my esoteric dealings. But Elke listened with interest.
Again I slept on their sofa in their living room.
Next morning Peter went early to work and Elke and me took a long breakfast. "Ah, I do not go today into Uni," she said and I had the impression, that it suited her well.
Naturally I had told them about my terrible experiences ( "The Lord will come soon") with spiritism the evening before, but Elke had said nothing to it.
"Elke, what do you think about my story from yesterday evening?" She kept a moment silent. Then she said:" Do you think behind the contact with my dead uncle was also a deamon?"
"Sure!" I answered
***
This morning Elke understood, that we both had done very wrongly searching spiritual contact with dead relatives. And she decided to give it also up and we prayed together for forgiveness for that sin.-
Afterwards we read together a little bit in the bible and at midday I left her and rode home.
As she later told me had she become at that day also a christian
***
One morning at home I heard in radio, that there had been found some bones. And that the bones would have an age of circa 30 000 years, measured by a well-known and trustable procedure.
I do not know why, but this statement hit me in my mark. "30 000 year old bones. But according to the bible the world was only 7000 years. How could they find bones of an age of 30 000 years!"
And suddenly inside me started a heavy "battle"! Was the bible wrong? Was my faith wrong? Only a fata morgana? Had I been landed in a sect, as my parents presumed? Deep doubts drove me in the near of desperation.
I tried to memorize all, what had happened the last months. This couldn`t be all wrong. "But 30 000 old year old bones. And the bible says, God created the world 7 000 years ago!" What was right, what was wrong.
I bowed my head, folded my hands and :" Oh God, please help me! I do not know, what I should believe!"
There was no answer, but for a moment my clear mind came back. A pastor from Ghana came in my mind. He was since a year in Germany and came sometimes in Jesus-house .He had been very friendly with me. "Yes, I will visit him immediately and ask him about that bones and the bible."
5 minutes later I left my home.
*
The normal way to the pastor from Ghana would have been walking down to the busstop and ride to the neighbour district. But I took the the other direction through the small forest to a small way along some fields and meadows. Taking a walk would perhaps calm down my stirring nerves.
It was a sunny day in Octobre and the sun had not lost all its power. I walked slowly in an depressive mood and after a while I felt tired. I knew , that the path again would lead into a forest and that just at its border was a small bench. "There I will rest for a while", I thought by myself.
But when I came in the near of the forest, I saw an old couple sitting on "my" bench."Oh,no!" I thought by myself. "In this lonesome area!"
I was surprised and disappointed at the same time.
I just had prepared myself to pass by, when they suddenly stood up and walked away. It seemed to me, as if they had just got an order to leave that bench. So I sat down and and extended my legs.
Under different conditions this would have been a lovely place on a nice, sunny day. But I only felt empty and tired. It was now as if all my emotions had died. There also was no thoughts in my brain. Only empty silence!
*
While I was sitting there and staring into the space in front of me, I suddenly recognized five white clouds at the blue sky. They stood more or less in a row.
I do not know, why they had caught my attention. But after a while it seemed to me, that they had the shape of letters. It first seemed to me funny, but then I realized, that the five clouds could be read as a word.
On the blue sky was written through five clouds:
J e s u s
So the most astonishing fact at that moment was, that inside me was no emotional reaction. I looked cold and indifferent into the sky. "Was it reality? Could it really be possible? "
I took my glasses off and looked now again and very intensively at the clouds. There was no doubt. At the sky was written the name of the LOrd!
*
I observed the clouds for a while and asked myself, whether it could also be seen from another place. I do not know. But I think, that no one else will have seen it. It was a revelation only for me.
Naturally I understood the meaning immediately. It was the answer to my prayer. "There is no other name under the sky in which you shall be saved than the name of Jesus!" says the bible.
All my doubts were gone. I knew again and now for all times, that my decision had been right. God had given me in great innertroubles an very clear answer.
Suddenly came the story of Mose in my mind. When the angle appeared in the flaming thornbush, a voice told :" Put of your shoes. You are standing on holy ground!"
So I raised up from the bench, knelt down and thanked God for that revelation. After that I turned around and went without looking back on the way into the forest
***
I went to that pastor of Ghana and told him my "cloud miracle". He listened very carefully and said then :" Yes, this seemed to be a sign from God to strengthen your faith!"
And it did. From that time on I never doubted in the existence of God and that Jesus is the only way to Him.
"There is no other name under the heaven in which human being will have salvation"
(Acts 4,12)
And I had read that saving name in the sky,-under the heaven
When I later once "boasted" to Silke with an miracle, I had experienced., she said with a smile:" Yes, a weak faith needs miracles!"
I looked astonished at her, then I got it and smiled back:"You are right!"
***
Indeed my faith in the first two years and also later was accompanied by signs and wonders. Perhaps not always "visible" for others, but "visible" for me.
One day Klaus - Dieter, the Co-pastor from Jesushouse, came along and asked me :"Heiner, could you please hold the bible hour tonight? I cannot do it , because I have another schedule!"
I looked at him with unbelievabe astonishment:" No," I said," I cannot do this. I am only a one year old christian. That is impossible!"
To my big surprise he insisted on it:" I know you can! Anyway, time is too short and I will not find someone else." He smiled:" So you have no choice! You will grow with your task!" He saw my still sceptical face and added:" Your embarassment is god`s opportunity"!
I knew very well this proverb and after some moments of thinking I agreed: "O.K, I will do! Any special theme?" "No, do as you think! You can take any theme you want!"
Klaus-Dieter tapped encouragely on my back and then left me alone with my doubts. There were still some hours for preparation. I left Jesus-house and went home.
***
In the evening I returned to the Jesus-house and went into the tea-room, where the biblestudies normally took place. The room was filled with perhaps 20 persons. Most of them were elder ones.
But there was also a young man of my age, who was new. When he told me his name I remembered a newbie I had heard before. He was studying arts and his outfit was a little bit different from the other ones.
My bible lesson pssed by without any special events. Most of thec time I teached, asked questions and listened to the answers. It was a calm and good atmosphere. Swen, this was the name of the newbie, was very active and sometimes a little bit precoscious. But, o.k he was young in faith and enthusiastically!
At the end of the lesson I wanted to finish with the final prayer time "So is here someone whose request we can bring before the throne of god", I asked and looked around.
An old woman began to speak: " Yes I have a request. Today i have visited my physicians and they have told me, that I have cancer! Please would you pray for me?"
I looked at her for a moment and then I said:" Do xyou believe, that jesus can heal you?" "Yes," she said spontaneously and with a firm voice, " I believe, that he can heal me!"
I took a chair and put it in the middle of the room. Then I waved to her and said: "Please come and seat down here!" Immediatealy she came and sat down. Then I said to Sven:" Would you please come here and support my prayer?" He came also very quickly
To all the others I said:" Please support us from your place with prayer. We shall pray now for the healing of the cancer" I could feel an intensive tension filling the whole room. Swen and me put our hands on her head and shoulder and I started praying: "Dear, Lord you know what the physicians have said to our sister ...she has cancer... "
I felt during my prayer an intensive power around me:" The judgement of the physicians has not to be the last ...you are the Lord of death and life. From the seats I heard the middle-loud murmering voices of the others and also Sven beside me was praying. The whole was filled with praying voices.-
I intensified my voice and shouted out loudly:" In the name of Jesus. We proclaim the victory above the desease of our sister!" I felt like a rock in the breakers.
Suddenly I felt, that it was enough. I stopped praying and took my hands from the head and shoulder of the old woman. The murmuring of the others calmed down. I looked into the woman`s face and said with great inner convincing:"You are healed. Your faith has helped you!" These were the words jesus himself had once used after a healing.
Sven added:" Your sins are forgiven!" Also a Jesusword after a healing. The woman smiled:"Thank you very much. I believe it!"
Jesus
"Amen!" I said and started a song of faith: " There is victory, victory in the name of Jesus ...!" and the others joined joyfully in ....
***
I cannot say, what made me so sure of the healing that woman. From nowadays point of view it seems presumptously to me. Or was it a kind of inner "knowledge".,that encouraged me ?-
After the meeting Sven suggested to go into the Old town of Düsseldorf and drink a beer together. I was so stirred up through the events on this evening, that I immediately agreed.
When I came home at 3 o`clock in the morning, and exciting day was over. Sven and me had stayed for hours in several pubs and talked about faith and life. He seemed to be very intelligent and very passionated in his faith.
It was,- at least for me,- the beginning of an exciting friendship. In the next months we spent much time together and life became for a while really adventurous. Sven was an "all or nothing" character and brought a "new wind" into the Jesus-house community. I really admired him for that and also gave my best to move in that "new wind"!
***
So, you want to know, whether the old woman was healt or not? I will tell you next time!
***
I had almost forgotten that old lady, when Sven one day said to me:" Do you remember that old woman in your bible lesson?" I looked surprised and questioning at him.
He laughed: "She has written a letter to Gerhard ( - the pastor of the Jesushouse-) and has praised in high tones! That we are so strong in faith and so courageous!" I looked more puzzed at him.
"Yes, she went next day into the hospital for a medical research and the medicians could not find the cancer anymore! For them a big riddle!" He laughed again: " She told them , that Jesus has done it! I would have liked to see their faces!"
I nodded and we changed the subject
*
I was not really surprised to hear this, because I had this strong impression on that bible evening. But now I was a little bit astonished about myself. Why had I not questioned that lady by myself?
And what would have been, when she would have wrote a letter to the pastor and reported him, that there was a young man, who had told her, that she were healed. But the cancer would be still there.
Till that moment Sven told me about that later, I had not inveated any thought in such a doubtful reasoning.-
For a moment I thought, about a medical proof of cancer and the healing. But then I went on. Life was very exciting in this phase of my life.
***
Every Friday evening Jesushouse people went in the Old town for outside mission. They met at two or three places sang and praised God, some gave their witness coming to faith and sometimes Klaus - Dieter, our leader, preached the gospel.-
Surpassing People on search of relax and pleasure , often stayed and listened to these "strange Jesuspeople". And sometimes there came up good conversations, but also offensive and aggressive remarks.
This mission evening became a fixed appointment for me. I liked the atmosphere, when two different "worlds" met there. In church it was easy to believe and confess his faith, but here outside with thousands of people passing by it was not so easy to hold the ground.-
But we knew, that we were doing right! So many people get lost, because they do not believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was worth every effort to tell and convince them, if possible.
One of them, who came to faith through this mission evenings, was Sami. He was an Egyptian muslim and he had came into the Old Town to throw himself from one of the Rhine bridges.
"I was so desperated", he later told us." I had searched god for such a long time, but couldn`t find him. My life was boring and without any sense. I was decided to finish it!"
He went through the Old town in direction of the Rhine bridge, when he suddenly heard from far away a singing. " I do not know, why I went there. Perhaps because it was so strange to here some people singing at such a place.- Today I know, that it was god, who pulled me there "
And so he stood there for a while and listened to our worshipping. "Just in the moment, when I started to go to the bridge, a woman turned around and addressed me "
The woman was Eva, our "super" missionary. Presumely she will asked him:"Do you know Jesus?" or something like that. Sami sat down with her at a small wall in the near and after half an hour he had forgotten his suicide intentions." Eva convinced me, that I perhaps should give Jesus a chance! So why not! I had nothing to loose."
Two days later, he was convinced and he gave his life to Jesus. He married Eva and they both started a christian work with drug addicts and prostitutes in Duesseldorf.
I had also a profit from it. I changed my flat at the outskirts against Sami`s flat in the center of Duesseldorf.-
***
My new flat was smaller, but with much daylight inside. I liked it very much, especially because from I from my large I had a great overview of all backside flats and gardens. Just like a platform for a speech. Sometimes in the morning I took breakfast outside on that balcony. And In the night you could watch the stars.
It took me fifteen minutes by foot from there to the Rhine river and the Old Town and also fifteen minutes in the other direction to the Jesushouse. I was really satiesfied with this well-placed flat.
Now also the time had come to look for a place to carry out my practical year . It had just done successfully my diploma in Social Padagogics in my second attempt, but for graduation such a practical year in a social institution was needed.
Just two weeks before the time ran out, I suddenly found an offer at the black board in the university. So I made a telephon call and was invited for an application meeting in a youth center.
So I came there I recognized, that it laid just in the near of a former girl friend, I had loved very much. I took it as a good sign, and actually there no problems to get that job. Only 20 minutes by bicycle from my flat. From my former flat it would have been a ride of almost an hour. So everything worked out very well!
***
My work started at eleven o`clock in the morning till seven o`clock in the evening. A really good time for work, because normally I need some time to find into the new day.
After work I often rode with my bicycle into Jesushouse or met with someone. And normally I did not went to bed before midnight. A very intensive life at that time, but I was full of enthusiasm and good will.
My work was easy. The first three hours I could do on my own, before in afternoon the kids came in. Till 6´o clock in the evening I was occupied with them.
The work wasn`t not very interesting, because most of the time I was watching them holding the rules. Not very creative for someone so enthusiastic as me.-
So I started to tell here and there a little bit of faith and god, but I tried to do it in a normal, not a missionary way. And always then, when none of my fellow workers were present. I admit, it was a little bit cowardly.
So I remember one day, that a young asked me to help with her school works. She had to write an essay about origin of the world. "No problem", I said to her. "Write down: In the beginning god created heaven and earth ...!"
Later she went to someone else and asked for some help in English. She must have shown my dictate to him. So it created afterwards some trouble. She was corrected, that there would be no creation, only a evolution. And I was forbidden to tell the kids such a "nonsense"
***
With this small episode it became clear, that it would be not easy to talk at that place about faith. But I was at that time always at mission. And my work was there no exception. I only had to be careful!
So one morning I sat in the bureau and wrote a work conception for the university. This was part of my practical year.
My task was to describe the place, where I worked and to define my role at work. I started with following sentence: "First of all I am here a missionary, secondly a social worker!"
After half an hour I got a call and put the papers in a transparent foil on a desk. Later I would go on with it.
10 minutes later the second chief, a woman of perhaps thirty, came to me and said with a serious face. "We have to talk!"
I was surprised, but followed her into a room. There sat at a table the first chief, a woman of 35. She also looked very serious. She gave me a sign to sit down.
I was really astonished. What was going on. The first chief put my script on the table and said:" What do you mean with : First of all I am here a missionary?"
*
I was really shocked. But I decided to start a counterattack:" How could you dare to read my papers. They are private and you had no right to do so!"
It was obviously, that I kocked her at a wound point. The second chief admitted:" I had thought, that it were something official belonging to our work!"
"Come on!", I said, " at the top of the first sight is my name. You naturally read it and didn`t stop reading!" She said nothing. "O.k!" the first chief said:"Right or wrong, we have read it now. So what do you have to say about its content.
I took place on a chair and said:" Well , I am a christian and first of all I have to serve god! At all places and under all circumstances!"
We had then some discussion about it, where they naturally pointed out, that I had to do my social work there in the club. Therefore I would get my money, not for preaching the gospel or talking about religious things.
At last the first chief said: "O.k! End of discussion. You have to stop your missionary doings here and concentrate on your work .Otherwise this would be the end of your practical year . Do you understand?"
For a short moment I thought it over and then I nodded:"O.K, agreed! I will stop talking here in the club about faith!"
*
So the next month I kept more or less my promise. I did my daily work and was happy, when I could leave the club in the evening and live my original life. It was visiting Jesus-house, walking around with Sven or telling friends about the faith.
One of those friends were Anne and Dieter, a married couple with a five-year old boy. I knew them for some years and for a while I had went there daily.
Naturally I had told them about coming tofaith and to my surprise Dieter told me, that he also believed in God had been a member of a Baptist church in former times.
Anne was also surprised, but more in a sceptical way . She had made bad experiences on her work in an evangelic kindergarten with christians and argued against christian faith.
So when I came sometimes in the evening to them, we often sat in the living-room or in the kitchen and discussed and argued over hours about faith. Most of the time Dieter kept silent.
It may have gone 8 or 10 times that way, but one evening suddenly something went different. First Anne argued again hard against church, faith and god, but after 2 or 3 hours she suddenly became silent and more relaxed. And she started to ask questions.
This change in her mood was very surprising for me and I asked myself: "What is going on?"
At eleven o`clock Dieter went to bed and Anne and me remained in the living-room. She made a tea for us, candlelight and we talked very personally.
At midnight she stood up and went to a disc-player to make some music. And when she knelt there, I suddenly felt an inner voice speaking to me:" Ask her, if she wants become a christian!"
*
I had had to overcome some inner resistance, but then I had followed that "inner voice" and I had asked her. For a moment she seemed surprised and thoughtful. Then she said: " I know too less about faith!"
So this was not a no and therefore I went on:" Well, it is enough, that you want become a christian! That you believe in Jesus and in God. This is the only condition."
At last she agreed and we sat down for a prayer. And in this prayer she commited her life to Jesus.-
After that prayer we stayed silent and with closed eyes. Suddenly I had the impression, that I should say a prophetic word to Anne: "Anne", I said " Jesus says to you: I am the light on the mountain!"
I opened my eyes and she did also. I looked into an astonished face. She said: " When my eyes were closed, I have seen a landscape picture. It laid in the darkness, but I could see a big mountain. - Suddenly a bright light came from the top of the mountain and illuminated the whole area.-
So I asked myself about the origin of that light. And in that moment you said:
"Jesus says: I am the light on the mountain!""
We both were really touched. I said to her:" It looks, as if Jesus wants to give you a clear sign, that you have made the right decision!"
She nodded.
*
It had been late that night and therefore I slept on the sofa in the living-room.
Next morning I felt totally exhausted and I feared a little bit, that Anne could repent her decision of the night. But when she came out of the bedroom , she seemed to be in a good mood.
She told me smiling:"Do you know, what my first words to Dieter were? I looked at her questioning . "I said to him: Dieter, I am now a child of god!"
***
After seven month at my work I really felt bored. I did my job as good as I could, but without great interest. I felt a deep desire for missionary work, but not to watch and control kids for several hours a day.
So one morning I was alone in the club and sat outside in the sun. And my whole came into my mind. Something had to happen! And so I started praying loudly in front of the building.
May be I prayed for half an hour. I do not remember exactly, what I prayed, but presumely, that something should happen in and with the kids in the club.-
*
In the afternoon of the same day I sat in the cafeteria and selled drinks and "sweets" for the kids, when suddenly two young girls sat in front of me and started some small talk with me.
After a while one of the girls said to me:" You are a christian, right?" I looked surprised into her face and then I nodded:" Yes, sure!"
" So you think, that god can do miracles?" was her next question. "Naturally," I said, " he did miracles in the past and he does it know!"
They both giggled and left the room with their cokes.
*
Next day they came again into the cafeteria and they started as the day before a conversation with me. And again they asked me about miracles, god would do today.
This day I was "prepared" and I showed them the first side of a christian magazine. There were two big photos of a young 16 year-old girl visible.
On the first photo you saw her sitting in a wheelchair on stage inmidst a christian assembly. On the second photo the same girl was standing in front of the wheelchair with a cheerful faith, arms raised into the air.
In big lettern stood above the both photos:
"Healed through Jesus Christ!"
In the article beneath was told from christian evangelistic healing assembly in Czech Republic, where the paralysized girl rolled on the stage and the preacher had prayed for her.
And when he said to her:" In the name of Jesus. Raise up!" she got out of her wheelchair and walked onthe stage under tumultous cheering of the people watching that miracle.-
I was not sure, whether I really had impressed the both girls. But they seemed interested. And they asked me:"So why do you not pray with us here in the club?"
I shook reigningly my need: "No, it is not possible in the club. Normally I should not have talked with you both about this theme."
They both looked with surprise at me: "Why not?"
"Well", I answered, " the leaders have forbidden it!"
They both reacted with a mixture of unbelief and indignation: "Really? How could they do so! - They haven`t asked us if we want or not!"
I shrugged my shoulders:" I am bound to my promise. There is nothing I can do!"
Suddenly one of the girls said with an disarming smile: " But after work you can pray with us,or?"
***
This had been a big challenge and I had accepted it. So I made an agreement with both girls, that they should inform the other kids. And I promised,that I would come to the playground in the nearby park after work.
This message went like a brush fire through the club and in the next minutes several kids had come and asked, whether the meeting in the park would really took place. I confimed it!
So there were two hours till end of the work and I urgently hoped, that my chiefs would not hear about it. But this hope was in vain.
When I left the cafeteria and went down suddenly the chief came into my way. She stopped directly in front of me and asked in a seriusly tone:" What are these rumours about a prayer meeting in the park? Is that true?"
"Yes!" I said without hesitation, " but it is after work!
She looked severely into my face:" If you will go there, it will be the end of your work here. Be sure of that!"
I shrugged my shoulders:" If so,- it doesn`t matter! I have to be more obedient to god than to men!" I used the famous quote of Peter in front of the high priest, after they had forbidden the Apostles to talk about Jesus (Acts 5,29)
And with this words I passed her and went into another part of the club.
***
The end of the work came and I left the club. Dark clouds had come up and I looked a little bit worried into the sky. Would it start raining?
But this were not my only worries. What would expect me there in the park? Would the kids really come and how would they react, when I would talk about prayer to them.
I put such worries aside. This was not the time for doubting. I had taken the challenge and now I had to go through it. There was no alternative to it!-
When I reached at the playground, I was a little bit surprised. There were waiting a group of the elder kids. I knew them all, but most of them belonged to the other part of the club. The club was divided in a section for younger ( 8-13) and older (14-18) ones.
In the first moment I was really doubting, whether they were waiting for me, but then I saw one of the both girls of the cafeteria.
Obviously she had informed the others, because they all became immediately silent and looked curiously at me.
I greeted and put my bicycle aside. A young boy addressed me: " So you have come to pray with us?" I nodded:" Yes ,sure!"
"O.k, so how should we do it?" he asked. He looked around. Perhaps we can sit down there on the beams?" He showed with his hand to two sitting beams in the near.
"Yes", I said, " this is really a good idea!!
***
Soon after this almost all the youngsters sat on the beams and I was sitting on a moped in front of them. One of the guys had "lent" it to me, so that I would have a little bit more comfort.
I felt not comfortable in this situation. When I looked into the sky, I saw heavy dark clouds above us and every minute it could start "cats and dogs"! Some drops had already fallen.
So I kept my message short: " There is a god in heaven, who is listening to our prayers!" And to let it become practically:" So I think everyone of you has a personal wish in his life! When you tell it here openly, I will pray for it."
Some of them looked astonished and a little bit shy. At last the young leader said to me: "Well, my best friend of has great problems with his parents.I wish, that they will overcome these problems!"
I raised my brows:" Well, this is really a good wish! You beg for your best friend and not for yourself. I am sure, that god with listen to that prayer!"
Another guy said: " I need a small work to get some money for a moped!" I nodded:" Well, this is also a good wish.- Anyone else?" I looked around.
A girl said:" Yes, but I do not want say it here openly!" Others agreed
I smiled:"`Yes I understand!So you all should keep one wish in your heart, that you want to be fulfilled - O.k, lets stand up and pray!"- They raised up from the beams.
I closed my eyes, raised my arms into the sky and started praying loudly: "Dear Lord, you are looking down at us now and you know all our needs and wishes.- So I beg you now for all the young girls and guys here with their concrete wishes in their hearts. - Please give them an answer from heaven, so that they can see, that you a really a living and listening god! I am sure you will do!"
I put my arms down and opened slowly my eyes. They were still standing at their places with calm faces. There were a few moments of silence. Then the young leader said:" Well, should we say Amen?"
Some of them laughed. I laughed ,too:"Well, this is a good idea!" And so all of them said:"Amen!"
It was leader again, who said: "It is really a miracle, that it has not started raining. Look at the sky!"
He was right. The dark clouds stood threatening above us. But to my surprise in the west the sky had cleared up and the evening sun was shining from there. A phantantastic picture!
"Well," I said to them," in the bible is a verse:
Those who are sitting in darkness will see a great light.
So perhaps god has given his Amen to the prayer."
After this we chatted for some moments together and I told the leader, that this here would presumely cost me my job. He was astonished:" Really, why?" I told him the threat of my chief. "Well, we shall not agree with it and support you!"
Some minutes later I left them and it started raining!
***
The next day we went on a trip into a fun- and event park in the near of Duesseldorf. My chief avoided demonstratively the contact with me and I did myself the same way all over the day.
But when we came back in the evening and all got outof the bus, she suddenly stood in front of me: "So I have heard, that you were yesterday in the park with some kids of the club. Is it right?" "Yes," I said," that is correct!"
"Well " , she said," now is weekend, but on monday we shall have a meeting with you about that. I had warned you, now you will have to take the consequences!"
I smiled at her:" Well, we shall see!" and then I turned around and went to my bicycle.
*
Actually on monday I was invited into the bureau. When I entered, I saw to my big surprise sitting there - besides my both female chiefs- the youth leader of the town ( - the husband of the first chief - ) and my personal supervisor .-
And immediately I knew, that I wouldn`t have a chance. I greeted and said. " O.k, please let it be done shortly!"
And so it went. They let me the choice between signing off my job by myself or: "We shall do it. But that will become dirty, be sure of that!" These were the words of my first chiefs and the others kept silent in agreement.
"We shall not sign you off cause of the assembly in the park. We shall find other reasons. Your work was not so satisfying, that it will be difficult!" she added. "So it is your choice!" They all lookked at me.-
"Well ", I said after a short pause, " I agree!"
I could see, that they all relaxed a little bit and the hard faces became a little bit more friendly.
"Well," said the youth leader. "Please do not take it personally. It has nothing to do with you as person. - But we cannot accept, that you make missionary work among the kids! Although it was after work. It touches the work here in club"
The kindly words smoothed me a little bit, and besides he was really a fine man. More than once had asked myself , how it had come to the marriage with that "evil" woman. But this was not my business: "Thanks", I said, " I understand!"
"O.k", said my first chief, "please sign for the end of the month and take the rest of your vacation time." "And please, come next week in my bureau for the regularities", added her husband, the leader of the local youth office.
Ten minutes later I left the club for the last time. I felt absolutely eased: " I am free again!" I cheered in my mind and in my heart. My "bondage" was over!
***
It was really a relief to have left the club behind me. But this was only one side of the coin. On the side was the fact, that I had not finished my practical year and diploma was now without a state-registration. "Worthless" in professional view.
I had the possibility to repeat this practical year during a time of three years at another social institution. But the eight month in the "Club" wouldn`t count.They were lost. I would start from the beginning.-
It was not only the end of the practical year, which relieved me. It was the end of the whole study. I never had liked it. And I now hoped, that something completly new would start. And so I prayed one evening:
"Lord, please show me the way I should take!"
*
It was a few days later, when we meet one evening in Jesushouse to worship and praise the Lord.
This is not my strong side, but nevertheless I liked it. The English songs were easy to understand and we were supported by guitars.
So 20 - 25 people stood in a circle and the room was filled with cheerful singing and praising. I had my eyes closed, my arms raised towards the ceiling and was singing enthusiastically and a little bit self - forgotten, when suddenly someone said to me:"Broad way!"
It was so clear, that I opened immediately my eyes to see, who had addressed me. But to my surprise, the ones to my right and my left stood all there with closed eyes and singing. Obviously none of them had spoken to me.
I was irritated. "But I have heard it clearly", I thought by myself. Was it a word of God? A prophetic word?- But what was the sense of it ?
I remembered the bible verse: "Many people are going on the broad way, which ends in damnation. Struggle to go in through the narrow door to get the eternal life!"
Wanted god, that tell this as a prophetic word to the others. I was not sure!
At last I opened my bible and in a pause between to songs I started to read the verses loudly...
*
The next day I had to sign some papers in the youth office. When I came into the great building, where it was located besides other institutions, I looked the great information board at the wall for the correct floor.
It was a normal ,quick look. But a piece of paper that was fixed outside on the board glass, got my attention. There was written on it:
"We have moved into the Broad Way 84"
Immediately the word from the evening before came into my mind:"Broad way"! Was that tag on the glass board a hint for me. But if so , what was the meaning?
I looked a little bit closer. Who had moved into the Broad Way 84. It was the education office. An office, where you can get financial support for studying.
I was puzzled. I have just finished my studies and I had never some financial support by the state.
Suddenly bible schools came into my mind. Could it be, that I should go on a bible chool. Were there perhaps bible schools supported by the state. And if so ,wasn`t I too old for a financial support.
I really doubted, that this would work. Otherwise, it looked as a hint. "At least I should research it" I said to myself. And got into the elevator to get into the bureau of the youth office
*
Next day it was raining very strongly. I had intended to ride with my bike in the morning to that education bureau in "Broad way", but it seemed impossible. The rain didn`t stop.
I thought about riding through the rain, but couldn`t convince myself. "Okay", I said at last in a prayer. "When the rain will stop till 11 o`clock , I will ride!"
When I looked at 10.50 out of the window it was still raining and I prepared myself for staying at home. So at eleven o`clock I looked only for the last confirmation of my decision.
But when I looked out of the window, there was no raining anymore. First I couldn`t believe, but there was no doubt. The rain had stopped!
I felt, that I had got another big sign! Something was going on with this education office and this was the day to find it out.
I got my bag and left my flat.
*
I had not long to wait in education office. The secretary asked for my wishes me and I told here:"Please, could you tell me, whether bibleschool studies are financially supported by the state."
She searched for a while in some file folders and said then:" Well, there are two bible schools in germany, where studies can be financially supported by the state. There is one in Wolfenbüttel and one in Erzhausen!"
I was really surprised. Although I had got this big signs, I still couldn`t imagine, that the state would support the studies at a faith school. "Can support" she had said. But would they support me?
As if she had read my mind, she said:" Well, I can`t tell you, if we shall support you. But I can give you the papers. You fill it out and bring it back next week!"
I agreed and the gave me some papers.
When I had left the office, I really felt some joy. It didn`t seemed to be so hopeless, as I had presumed before. There was a chance. And when this chance came from God, I would be able to use it . No one could shut a door, god had opened!
***
Two days later I brought my outfilled papers into the office and got a friendly smile of the secretary:" Thanks! We shall look at it and you will here from us in the next weeks!"
I left with a feeling of relief the office. I had done all I could have done. Now the decision was in other hands. In God`s hand, although people would make the decision!
*
Some weeks later I got a letter by that office. When I opened it , there wasn`t inserted neither a confirmation nor a refutation. I was invited for a dialog!
Some days later I went there and sat at the other side of the table opposite to an elderly man. "Well", he said , " I am the leader of this office and have to find out, whether we can give you the financial support or not." He made a pause and I waited.
He took my papers and said: "Well, please tell me, why you didn`t finished your studies !" Then he leaned back in his chair.
And so I told him the story of my practical year in that youthclub and the prayer meeting at its end. "I would have fulfilled that year, but they stopped me uncorrectly."
Again there was a pause. He was thinking. Then he said:"And why do you go on with that practical year elsewhere?"
"For two reasons", I said, " first I would have to start it from the beginning and secondly I think, that I had chosen the wrong study. I will never become a good social pedagogics."
Again he started with thinking. Then he said: "O.k, I accept your reasons. We shall support financially your studies at a bible school for two years completly. The money for the third year will be lent and you have to pay it later."
I felt overwhelming relief and joy, but tried to keep my emotions down. I smiled and said: "Thank you very much!"
"Well," he said," you really had tremendous luck. You came just at the right moment. Normally there is given only financial support till the age of 27. After that there is normally no chance." Again he made a short pause
"But in the statutes is a little exception. When someone of exactly the age of thirty wants to change from his studies into something else and hasn`t got till that time no financial support by the state, we can give that help. If the person has good reasons for his change!"
He smiled:" So, young man, let me say it in simple words. You are now exactly at the beginning of your 30th year of life. 3 month earlier or six month later, you would not have got it. - And when you would have supported earlier by the state, - you couldn`t get it now."
"And when you have finished your practical year,- you couldn`t get it. Also when you would have interrupted that practical year on your own.- And forced you to leave. Therefore I can now confirm your application for financial support."
He got on his feet and strechted out his hand. I grasp it and said again: "Thank you very much!" He accompanied me to the door and said:"Good luck at the bible school!"
***
From that moment on I was sure, that god had opened a door for me to the bible school. And there was no time to waste contacting such a school. I decided asking at the pentecostal one!
A week later I got some registration papers with the demand to send them back as soon as possible.
One paper was a confirmation of the pastor of my church. When I got the signed paper back, he said to me: "Next week I have to travel to Frankfurt . The bible school is in the near of it. So if you want , we make a short side-trip to the bible school and you hand over your registration papers personally."
I smiled:" Thanks, this might be a good idea!"
***
Some days later we drove in the pastor`s car in direction of Frankfurt. We took there a small lunch and then we drove to the bibleschool.-
In the school bureau I handed my registration papers over to the secretary, when suddenly the door opened and a middle-aged man came in. Noticing my pastor he stopped and hesitated for a moment. Then he smiled and reached out his hand:" Gerhard, what are you doing here!"
So the man was "Brother Krüger" and the director of the bible school. When my pastor told him, that I had delivered my registration papers, he gave me a checking view:" Well ", he said," best we be you come with in my bureau and we talk about the matter.-"
So I went with him into his bureau and we sat down at a broad desk. I am in front of it and he naturally behind it.
"Well", he said, " why do you want to come here to this bible school?"
Continuation will follow
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