FREEDOM FESTIVAL: 20 years of freedom
My new coat is soaked through. My hair mattes in a wet clump
at my shoulders, and I’m really wishing I’d made a better shoe
selection. Why
did socks not seem like a wise decision in 35-degree weather? But as the crowds
start to scatter and I exit the Berlin Subway, my eyes soak in the celebration
and the focus on my own discomfort dissolves. I’m standing directly in front of
the Brandenburg gate. It’s illuminated beautifully and the square is so full of
excitement that I know looking back on photos will never fully capture the
experience. The smell of spiced wine and sausage overwhelms your senses, and as
the primary-colored umbrellas trot along, they temporarily block your view from
the various ages and nationalities flooding the square. It’s the 20-year celebration
of the Berlin wall coming down, and the enthusiasm is contagious.
at my shoulders, and I’m really wishing I’d made a better shoe
selection. Whydid socks not seem like a wise decision in 35-degree weather? But as the crowds
start to scatter and I exit the Berlin Subway, my eyes soak in the celebration
and the focus on my own discomfort dissolves. I’m standing directly in front of
the Brandenburg gate. It’s illuminated beautifully and the square is so full of
excitement that I know looking back on photos will never fully capture the
experience. The smell of spiced wine and sausage overwhelms your senses, and as
the primary-colored umbrellas trot along, they temporarily block your view from
the various ages and nationalities flooding the square. It’s the 20-year celebration
of the Berlin wall coming down, and the enthusiasm is contagious.
One woman in particular catches my eye. She’s hunched over
and shuffles through the crowds clutching an umbrella in one hand and her cane
in the other. Periodically glancing at her son, she mumbles something in
German and let’s out a hearty laugh before wiping her brow with her sleeve and
continuing on. Soon she’ll find herself as wet as I am, but she doesn’t seem to
mind. I suspect this celebration represents something more personal and
wonderful to her than I could ever imagine, and it doesn’t appear as if she’ll
let a little cold and inconvenient rain get in her way. After all, she’s walked
through worse.
and shuffles through the crowds clutching an umbrella in one hand and her cane
in the other. Periodically glancing at her son, she mumbles something in
German and let’s out a hearty laugh before wiping her brow with her sleeve and
continuing on. Soon she’ll find herself as wet as I am, but she doesn’t seem to
mind. I suspect this celebration represents something more personal and
wonderful to her than I could ever imagine, and it doesn’t appear as if she’ll
let a little cold and inconvenient rain get in her way. After all, she’s walked
through worse.
Men and women of all ages fill Pariser Platz and cause mymind to race in 100 different directions. My team of 10 has been in Berlin for
3 weeks now, trembling our way through holocaust museums, concentration camps,
and paths where the Berlin Wall once stood, overwhelmed by the struggles that
have plagued this country for so long. As we toured Oranienburg
Concentration Camp, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would have had the strength
to endure such hardship. Regardless, I currently find myself surrounded by thousands of people who
had family willing to endure and those who were willing to endure themselves.
It makes me want to be a fighter. It makes me want to push through hardship with a smile on my face and a song in my heart just because I know that I serve the Most High God, The King of Kings, and the Alpha and Omega. It reminds me that sacrifice occurs with nothing in return. So, I sacrificed nothing to come on this journey. I just obeyed. It makes me see how hard certain people fought for freedom, and how much harder I should be pulling and praying for it considering this freedom is eternal.
So, as my mind shifts back to the festival, I watch the giant dominos begin to topple over. Cheers rise up from the crowd and I watch a country unified. I’m
inspired by their willingness to laugh again. I’m challenged by their
perseverance, and I’m grateful the young people recognize how blessed they are
to have this day to celebrate. I pray I remember this moment and let it challenge me in the future. May it remind me of the beauty of freedom and how Christ alone releases the captives.
inspired by their willingness to laugh again. I’m challenged by their
perseverance, and I’m grateful the young people recognize how blessed they are
to have this day to celebrate. I pray I remember this moment and let it challenge me in the future. May it remind me of the beauty of freedom and how Christ alone releases the captives.
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Below is a video that I made of our month in Berlin. There are hardly words to express how phenomenal and freeing it was. Our contacts were such blessings and became family. It was the perfect ending to an amazing year!!! Enjoy.
