GERMAN ADVENTURE – Day 9

            Yesterday was bright sun and in the 80’s – today is cloudy and very cool, as Bob said, “Like the end of October in Minnesota.”  Those reading this who were with us five years ago will know exactly what kind of weather we are experiencing today!  So we will try to find something indoors to look at – should be no problem!

            For two mornings in a row, we’ve had breakfast with Bob and a gentleman from Australia.  He has to be in his mid-60s, and has brought a group of 4 aborigine men over here for a festival they are having in Wittenberg.  On Saturday afternoon they will do a presentation of native songs and dances.  The problem is, they have been here for almost two weeks with nothing to do!  He is so worried that they will get in trouble.  His concern is that there is alcohol around, and the aborigines will do almost anything to get alcohol, and then the will do almost anything!  He’s been very interesting to talk to about the differences between Australia, Germany, and the USA.

            Part 2 – After looking at the rain and chilly temperature outside, we decided to look for an “indoor” place to go this morning.  We went to the Lutherhaus – the former Augustinian monastery where Martin and Katie lived after they were married.  As a WEM pastor, we have free admission.  Bob recommended, and it sounded good, that we spend a couple hours at a time there, rather than trying to see it all in one day.  One could really spend more than a whole day there, if you want to read all the signs and everything.  So we spent two hours there this morning – fascinating stuff!  Makes me want to go home and read Luther a whole lot more – which I may do when we get there.

            One of the things we could now see, which was being excavated the last time we were here, is Luther’s bathroom-latrine-outhouse!  A one-holer because he was a respected person – most other latrines  had more than one hole! 

            Part 3 – We did a little work and a little resting after we got back from the Lutherhaus, then headed for St. Mary’s, the Stadkirche.  I wanted to take lots of pictures inside, which I was able to do.  Also got to meet Kirchenmeister Bernard Naumann.  As close as I can figure out, a kirchenmeister is not a custodian, but the man who controls the scheduling in the church, has the keys, unlocks and locks the doors when necessary, etc.  He promised that next week he would take me up to the balcony of the church so I can at least look at the organ.  Can’t wait! 

            We had 7 people attend the devotion this afternoon.  One of them was a former (I think) LCMS pastor, but I think he is now ELCA.  Don’t even know if he is still a pastor – might be retired or something.    He graduated from St. Louis in 1970, two years before I did.  He’s going to be at the Stammtisch tonight, so I have to get some more information.  I’ll finish this after we get back.

            Part 4 – Had a lovely evening at the Stammtisch.  The food was wonderful, the beer was good, and the company was interesting.  It started out rather slow, with only a few people, but more drifted in as time went along.  There were 4 Americans who are German teachers in the USA, who were here for a couple weeks of study.  In the land of small worlds…  One of the gals is from Norwood-Young America, which is where my mom grew up.  When I asked her where she was from, she kept insisting that her home town was too small for anyone to hear of.  Finally she said NYA and my eyes got big.  She said “You’ve heard of it?”  And I said “Yes.  My mother grew up there.  I’ve been there many times.”  After talking a bit more, she said she actually goes to church at Emmanuel in Hamburg.  I said “Pastor Andrix?” and her eyes got big.  “You know him?”  I said “Yes, he was a classmate of mine at the seminary, and I gave his wife her first organ lessons.”  Then we also came up with the name of Gerry Thomas, who was from Hamburg and teaches at Mayer Lutheran High School – and I told her that Gerry was my high school roommate.  You could hear the music playing!  “It’s a small world…”

            We’re not sure exactly how this happened, but the restaurant brought out a rather large dessert and set it in front of Dea.  It had big sparklers and virtually two Roman candles that shot sparks everywhere.  We figured it must be because tomorrow is her birthday, but I didn’t tell anyone that, and we still don’t know who set this up.  It was quite a surprise, unless….      Half an hour later, they brought out another one for a couple sitting in a corner of the restaurant.  We wonder if they put it in front of the wrong lady?!?!?  Anyway, it brought about much laughter. 

            Most of the teachers and a couple others left early, because Germany was playing Nigeria in women’s “football” [translate soccer] tonight, and they wanted to see the game.  We stayed about 2 ½ hours, then decided to call it quits.  Devotions again tomorrow afternoon, and then there is an organ recital at the Stadtkirche.  Really excited to hear that.  Hope all is well with all of you.