I feel incredibly guilty for taking so long to post this set of photographs. I mean, come on, my first trip to Germany & it takes you around two weeks to tell all your friends about it?
Come on Keilah.
In my own defense, however, I was incredibly busy these past weeks. The work here at the AMI Center has been nonstop. As soon as we hit Israeli ground from Germany there was work to do. Actually, just getting out of the airport was work. You see, I got held back by border control for about 5 hours. I got lumped along with a few Russians, Ukrainians and Asians in a waiting room while we heard a rather rude woman raise her voice enough to permeate behind the closed door.
So I dozed behind a book & tried to not lose it.
When I finally spoke to someone, the rude lady was gone & thanks be to God she was replaced by someone less rude but just as intimidating. I explained my lawful intentions & situation to her & praise God they let me through. I was beginning to make plans in my head after waiting so long what I would have to do if they would send me back home. I was exhausted by the time I got out but I totally understood how shady my passport must have been to border control. We are living in dangerous times...and in the middle east. They can't be too careful!
Anyways, I apologize again for starting off with an unfortunate event. Now about Germany.
It's beautiful & it's gorgeous. I must be honest & say that I had mixed feelings about being in this country. Throughout my childhood, my parents taught my sisters & I about Israel & the plight of the Jews. The Holocaust being a main point. We watched the movies, read the books, went to museums, heard eye witness accounts from survivors, the whole deal. So driving through open fields & little towns, I could not help but imagine the Jews who hid in basements, forests, anywhere just to survive the Nazis. At the same time, who was I to judge? The rest of the world is, after all, guilty of complicity; excluding nations who whole-heartedly welcomed Jewish refugees of course.
Coming back to the future, our destination was in a place called Zavelstein. The little town is tucked away in Southern Germany. It is among the tall trees of the Black Forest. I honestly never had heard of it till now but I was explained to that this is supposedly where the Germanic people came out from. They also were not kidding about naming it black because it is just that. It is so thick with trees and brush that you cannot see far into it. I have also never seen such a thing till now. It was right out of an eery Grimm fairytale.
As much as I wish I had gone to explore, I actually went to help out at an conference. Not that I minded, it was so interesting to meet people, strangers, from all over the world just waiting to hug you, to thank you & look so happy to see you. I spoke English with a French woman, Spanish with German & Brazilian men. I met so many extraordinary people who really love God & are loyal to Israel, Shlomo & the work that he does. The conference had a schedule full of lectures about Israel & the Jews from all over the world. It was so fascinating. If that wasn't enough, the place we stayed at was gorgeous & cozy.
Everyone who registered stayed at the same place where the meetings took place. Haus Felsengrund has a fascinating history. In broken English, a lady explained to me that in the 1950s, a well educated lady had a vision to open a center where people, mostly working in ministry, could come & recharge through rest, quiet & fellowship. She was very pro-Israel I was told. Since then, the place has only grown & improved from leader to leader. They were able to purchase more land & build more buildings.
Please look at the photos & if you want more, check out my Instagram. Who knows, maybe we can go together next February!
What's next? UKRAINE AND POLAND!! (fingers crossed)
K
