Hello all It's been a long time since I wrote anything on this blog, but I thought I would come back and write a few things down that may or may not be of some interest and to say that I will be using this space as a general blog if I can keep up the organisation, as some of you may know I am back and have been for about 7 weeks (with a week spent back in Berlin), in that time a number of major things have happened firstly I have pulled out of my university and have made plans to head back to Berlin for approximately 6 months to attend language school, followed by a degree in Biblical and Intercultural Studies at All Nations Collage in Hertfordshire, (well that is at least what I hope) I will head up there in a couple of weeks to check it out and see whether it is the right thing for me. The next thing for me to do Is get a job which excites and scares me, so prayers for all the above would be very very appreciated.
Also as some of you know I have in the past been involved with the organising of weekends away for the men in there 20's (18-30 somethings's) to have the opportunity to have community and seek God together, now in the last few months myself and a couple of others have been talking about where we feel this can go. We have seen a real need to not just have lovely times together but to take all that we have and turn it to some form of action, the outworking of this is still being formulated but please pray that we get what ever it is right and that we do what is on Gods heart.
Thanks for reading if you got this far, and thank you so so much for all your support through out my time in Berlin I know that I could not have done all that I did without the support I received in prayer.
Nathanael
A few side things, myself and Kevin (Boyle) are putting together the basic plans for a weeks mission trip to Berlin in early/mid december and so if anyone is interested please let me know (as I said 'basic plans' so we still need to confirm allot of things).
6. Oktober 2009
2. August 2009
Again A Long Overdue Update
Thurs 16th cont.. After outreach in Boxi we went to Potsdamer Platz to see a performance run by 'Summer 2 Go' which is a summer program run in association with YWAM (I think!) and it was really great. It had young people from all over the world doing dance, drama, beatboxing, music, worship and a mixture of the previous.
Fri 17th: The strangest weather I have seen in a long time started off 31 degrees and humid, then windy as anything and then the biggest thunder storm, which was quite worrying as we had handed out of many flyers for the open air show that night! But in the end all was well. Radiant concert was really good sound had its issues and so they were very late starting but was a good evening.
Sat 18th: Alexander Platz was cancelled as we spent the day cleaning the house in preparation for Chris Liu (Gabe's friend from Taiwan) who was coming on the monday for 3 and a bit weeks before he and Gabe would go back to Taiwan.
Sun 19th: Mauer Park Church was a little different to day as we had a Dance team with us called M18 who were made up of people from Brazil, Finland, Norway, Vietnam, The Philippines, Canada and Germany. So we did a shorter time of worship at the beginning before they did there thing (Brazilian Music with samba, Hip Hop dance and Mime) and very similar to the YWAM teams we worked with after each section there was a testimony or Gospel shared. Lunch was had in a small Thai restaurant near our house called Koy (which Brad Pitt has eaten in fact!). After lunch we meet up with M18 again and similar to mauer without the worship at Boxi. The then as they had in the morning spread out and started chatting to people. In the evening I had an interesting encounter I was walking home from the tram stop (about 20 mins walk) when I meet this man who asked me for a light which I didn't have so we walked together, I was able to share the Gospel with him which was good but the slightly scary not at the time really but just after was half way along our walk he say something like "I'm 40 year old and gay and you are the kind of guy that charms me" which as I said at the time I was not worried about but looking back after he left it was really sketchy!
Mon 20th: Chris Liu, so was a relatively chilled day, went to ostkreuz in the evening to support M18 but they were not on for too long because a police car came and circled the park and thought that we may have been to loud for the area.
Tue 21st: Bart and Chris' site seeing day we started at Alexander Platz, went to the Berliner Dome, Humbolt University, Brandenberg Gate, Reichstag, Jewish memorial and Potsdamer Platz. Carolyn of the South Africa team was coming over for dinner and we had a BBQ in the park.
Wed 22nd: Day off, and Bart leaves. It was sad to see him go I really enjoyed his time here. Not much else to talk about...
Thurs 23rd: Outreach in Boxi was fun we hung out and played songs for a couple of hours. Radiant were playing in Sage Club that night and we had managed to get on the guest list so we headed there for the evening. It was a bit of a nightmare to begin with because Radiant's guest list didn't arrive until 10:20 so there was allot of waiting around outside but we eventually got in.
Fri 24th: No idea what we did on this day if it come back to me I will update.
Sat 25th: Outreach at Bahnhof Zoo. Meet for the first time a Ukrainian missionary called Tanya whom Bug and Bre had meet the day before in Alex who had been doing evangelism completely on her own. We hung around and worshiped, passed out tracks and Bug preached. We were not there for too long because the Burn was that day (24 hours of worship which had been running since 10 the evening before).
Sun 26th: Mauer Park Church was again different, this time because of a Latin Festival so we had to move from our normal spot, but it was still a good time. After Church we shared a picnic together and headed home. I spent the afternoon chilling and hanging out with Bug and Bre.
Mon 27th, Tues 28th and Wed 29th: All days off because Christian (who leads Leopold Platz) was on vacation with his family. So again not much to report. Went to Berlin Guggenheim which was fun not very big and Artist on show wasn't particularly interesting for me.
Thurs 30th: Outreach in Boxi, we all didn't really feel like doing anything today, but felt like we should so we headed down to Boxi with the aim of just sitting on a bench sing a few worship songs and pray a bit for an hour or so, but when we got there we had only been sitting down for a few minutes when Louis appeared on the other side of the park waving his arms at us to come over to him. Bug and Bre went and sat with him and the man he was with whist Tanya and myself sat on another bench and carried on praying and worshiping. When Bug and Bre came back they informed us that they had prayed for the guy Louis was with and he had said that he didn't believe in God but that he felt something very real when they prayed for him and that he really appreciated their prayer. Then a guy called Alex that we know walked up and started talking to us and we had an amazing conversation with him and Tanya sung him a song in Russian, Then a guy we have never meet before with crazy hair came over and we had a really long conversation with him about his life and again we were able to share the Gospel and pray with him.
Fri 31st: Gabe D's going away party, we went to a beach and hung out and partied all day, the plan was originally to stay over night but the police arrived around 11.30 and told us otherwise, a memory that will stay with me forever is Chris Liu charging in clapping his hand and shouting before realizing there were 10 police men with flash lights pointing at him, and then asking them 'who are you, you guys are nice'.
Sat 1st August: Because of Gabe D's party we lay in, tidied the house before heading out for an afternoon of fun and German learning.
Sun 2nd: (Today) Mauer Park Church soon, rest of the day is a mystery.....
My only real pice of big news is that there is a date set for my return to the UK which is August 18th, which is actually really scary it feel like I am going to something completely new even though it is home. Thanks so much for your support peace Friends.
Nathanael
Fri 17th: The strangest weather I have seen in a long time started off 31 degrees and humid, then windy as anything and then the biggest thunder storm, which was quite worrying as we had handed out of many flyers for the open air show that night! But in the end all was well. Radiant concert was really good sound had its issues and so they were very late starting but was a good evening.
Sat 18th: Alexander Platz was cancelled as we spent the day cleaning the house in preparation for Chris Liu (Gabe's friend from Taiwan) who was coming on the monday for 3 and a bit weeks before he and Gabe would go back to Taiwan.
Sun 19th: Mauer Park Church was a little different to day as we had a Dance team with us called M18 who were made up of people from Brazil, Finland, Norway, Vietnam, The Philippines, Canada and Germany. So we did a shorter time of worship at the beginning before they did there thing (Brazilian Music with samba, Hip Hop dance and Mime) and very similar to the YWAM teams we worked with after each section there was a testimony or Gospel shared. Lunch was had in a small Thai restaurant near our house called Koy (which Brad Pitt has eaten in fact!). After lunch we meet up with M18 again and similar to mauer without the worship at Boxi. The then as they had in the morning spread out and started chatting to people. In the evening I had an interesting encounter I was walking home from the tram stop (about 20 mins walk) when I meet this man who asked me for a light which I didn't have so we walked together, I was able to share the Gospel with him which was good but the slightly scary not at the time really but just after was half way along our walk he say something like "I'm 40 year old and gay and you are the kind of guy that charms me" which as I said at the time I was not worried about but looking back after he left it was really sketchy!
Mon 20th: Chris Liu, so was a relatively chilled day, went to ostkreuz in the evening to support M18 but they were not on for too long because a police car came and circled the park and thought that we may have been to loud for the area.
Tue 21st: Bart and Chris' site seeing day we started at Alexander Platz, went to the Berliner Dome, Humbolt University, Brandenberg Gate, Reichstag, Jewish memorial and Potsdamer Platz. Carolyn of the South Africa team was coming over for dinner and we had a BBQ in the park.
Wed 22nd: Day off, and Bart leaves. It was sad to see him go I really enjoyed his time here. Not much else to talk about...
Thurs 23rd: Outreach in Boxi was fun we hung out and played songs for a couple of hours. Radiant were playing in Sage Club that night and we had managed to get on the guest list so we headed there for the evening. It was a bit of a nightmare to begin with because Radiant's guest list didn't arrive until 10:20 so there was allot of waiting around outside but we eventually got in.
Fri 24th: No idea what we did on this day if it come back to me I will update.
Sat 25th: Outreach at Bahnhof Zoo. Meet for the first time a Ukrainian missionary called Tanya whom Bug and Bre had meet the day before in Alex who had been doing evangelism completely on her own. We hung around and worshiped, passed out tracks and Bug preached. We were not there for too long because the Burn was that day (24 hours of worship which had been running since 10 the evening before).
Sun 26th: Mauer Park Church was again different, this time because of a Latin Festival so we had to move from our normal spot, but it was still a good time. After Church we shared a picnic together and headed home. I spent the afternoon chilling and hanging out with Bug and Bre.
Mon 27th, Tues 28th and Wed 29th: All days off because Christian (who leads Leopold Platz) was on vacation with his family. So again not much to report. Went to Berlin Guggenheim which was fun not very big and Artist on show wasn't particularly interesting for me.
Thurs 30th: Outreach in Boxi, we all didn't really feel like doing anything today, but felt like we should so we headed down to Boxi with the aim of just sitting on a bench sing a few worship songs and pray a bit for an hour or so, but when we got there we had only been sitting down for a few minutes when Louis appeared on the other side of the park waving his arms at us to come over to him. Bug and Bre went and sat with him and the man he was with whist Tanya and myself sat on another bench and carried on praying and worshiping. When Bug and Bre came back they informed us that they had prayed for the guy Louis was with and he had said that he didn't believe in God but that he felt something very real when they prayed for him and that he really appreciated their prayer. Then a guy called Alex that we know walked up and started talking to us and we had an amazing conversation with him and Tanya sung him a song in Russian, Then a guy we have never meet before with crazy hair came over and we had a really long conversation with him about his life and again we were able to share the Gospel and pray with him.
Fri 31st: Gabe D's going away party, we went to a beach and hung out and partied all day, the plan was originally to stay over night but the police arrived around 11.30 and told us otherwise, a memory that will stay with me forever is Chris Liu charging in clapping his hand and shouting before realizing there were 10 police men with flash lights pointing at him, and then asking them 'who are you, you guys are nice'.
Sat 1st August: Because of Gabe D's party we lay in, tidied the house before heading out for an afternoon of fun and German learning.
Sun 2nd: (Today) Mauer Park Church soon, rest of the day is a mystery.....
My only real pice of big news is that there is a date set for my return to the UK which is August 18th, which is actually really scary it feel like I am going to something completely new even though it is home. Thanks so much for your support peace Friends.
Nathanael
10. Juli 2009
A Long Overdue Update
Sorry for the long gap between this blog post and the last, I knew my organization would fail at some point.
Tues 30th June cont... : Glorious weather and free time, went to local park with speaker listened to tunes and played frisbee. Later on it poured with rain which if anything made the whole experience better, as we just continued in the rain.
Wed 1st & Thurs 2nd July: These again were days off so not much happened, allot of resting and chilled activities were the name of the game.
Fri 3rd July : Went to Boxi and spoke to a few of our friends nothing to exciting to share. In the evening Thilo invited us to a BBQ in the park for his work which we of course excepted, food was a little dodge but conversation was awesome. Shared with one guy about why I was in Berlin but did not really open door for full conversation (which I felt a little disappointed at) but then got speaking to another guy (Yan/Jan I think?) and was able to share about Jesus with him, talked for about 20/30 mins, invited him to Church which he did not object to, so prayer for him would be very much appreciated and also that myself and Thilo would be proactive in following that up.
Sat 4th July: Independence Day!!!! went to my first 4th of July celebration. BBQ, American type snacks and a 'how well do you know American' quiz which I failed quite spectacularly at. That went on till 9ish which meant there was enough time to hold a small Texas Hold'em Party at our house!
Sun 5th July: Mauer Park Church was awesome there was only 7 of us there, but it was one of the best services. A large group of people were sitting around listening and clapping at the end of each song, the Gospel was preached and Testimonies were shared.
Lunch was shared together back at our house, before I went to the German speaking Church (which has just named itself so hopefully will have a name for next time). In the evening Gabe, Anna and Myself went to the local park.
Mon 6th July: A new week, a new schedule - Monday Free, Tuesday Leopold Platz, Wednesday Free, Thursday Boxhaganer Platz, Friday Tragwerk, Saturday Alexander Platz and Sunday Mauer Park. So being Monday we had a free day, went out in the morning for breakfast before heading back to do some shopping with the Droptiny Massive. In the evening a group of us went to the park with the speaker and frisbee to celebrate Esif's (Steve) Birthday.
Tues 7th: Leopold Platz, we headed over to a Cafe in Wedding (where we had church with the YWAM teams in May) to pray and worship before going out. When in the Platz we hung out chatted and worship (very similar to Boxhahaner). Some good conversations went on but because it was a very new ministry for me it felt very hard to get as involved as I had hoped.
Wed 8th: Free, went out for some lunch before a small bit of retail shopping. (Bought a nice shirt from H&M which Bart then bought a week later in England!). In the evening Gabe called to say he and some of the South Africans were playing a concert at what will become the South Africans Church Plant. It was to finish a missions week they had been doing around the city.
Thur 9th: Boxi, chilled out played music, prayed and worshiped, I meet a guy who had been at the opening night of the Artist for Christ exhibition and was able to talk and pray with him.
Fri 10th: Gabe and I were invited to a end of school celebration at Benni's (Tragwerk) School. Hung out there for a couple of hours before Texas Hold'em at ours, then onto Tragwerk. At Tragwerk we meet a YWAM team from Texas that we would be working with for 1 day, a really intense group (in a good way).
Sat 11th: Alexander Platz, had an amazing time, there was a family festival going on in the centre of the Platz (which had some amazing performers) so we headed round to the fountain where there were a group of Dancers, suddenly one of the Dancers grabbed a microphone and started preaching the Gospel we stayed and listened before heading round to the clock so as that part of the Platz was being covered. Texans had a drama that was so so good, with fully choreographed fights and really powerful, testimonies were given, gospel was preached, worship was sung and conversations had. To top this day off as we were about to pray and thank God for the work that had gone on a Nigerian man and a German came over they were both Christians and they prayed with us (its so hard to put down how amazing this moment was).
Sun 12th: Mauer Park Church, service was one of the hardest we have done, lots of things just kept going wrong about 4 guitar strings broke, microphone died for 5 mins and a few other factors made it a hard time but we fought through.
That afternoon we went to Wittenburg (where Martin Luther lived, taught, preached ect...) had allot of fun doing some sight seeing:
some tourist things:
and some modeling:
Mon 13th and Tue 14th: Both days were free, because my younger brother Bart flew out on the Tues to spend a week with us, we went to Alexander Platz on Tuesday with two YWAM leaders from Montana to play music and chill we played in 3 different locations before calling it a day and chilling out for the rest of the day.
Wed 15th: Bugs Birthday! a fun filled day. Went swimming in the afternoon, followed by a meal at a Thai restaurant.
Thurs 16th: Today, we have 2 task for today first we are handing out flyers for a concert that is happening tomorrow evening and second outreach in Boxhaganer. The evening holds many possibilities who know what fun we might end up with...
Thanks for your support,
Nathanael
Tues 30th June cont... : Glorious weather and free time, went to local park with speaker listened to tunes and played frisbee. Later on it poured with rain which if anything made the whole experience better, as we just continued in the rain.
Wed 1st & Thurs 2nd July: These again were days off so not much happened, allot of resting and chilled activities were the name of the game.
Fri 3rd July : Went to Boxi and spoke to a few of our friends nothing to exciting to share. In the evening Thilo invited us to a BBQ in the park for his work which we of course excepted, food was a little dodge but conversation was awesome. Shared with one guy about why I was in Berlin but did not really open door for full conversation (which I felt a little disappointed at) but then got speaking to another guy (Yan/Jan I think?) and was able to share about Jesus with him, talked for about 20/30 mins, invited him to Church which he did not object to, so prayer for him would be very much appreciated and also that myself and Thilo would be proactive in following that up.
Sat 4th July: Independence Day!!!! went to my first 4th of July celebration. BBQ, American type snacks and a 'how well do you know American' quiz which I failed quite spectacularly at. That went on till 9ish which meant there was enough time to hold a small Texas Hold'em Party at our house!
Sun 5th July: Mauer Park Church was awesome there was only 7 of us there, but it was one of the best services. A large group of people were sitting around listening and clapping at the end of each song, the Gospel was preached and Testimonies were shared.
Lunch was shared together back at our house, before I went to the German speaking Church (which has just named itself so hopefully will have a name for next time). In the evening Gabe, Anna and Myself went to the local park.
Mon 6th July: A new week, a new schedule - Monday Free, Tuesday Leopold Platz, Wednesday Free, Thursday Boxhaganer Platz, Friday Tragwerk, Saturday Alexander Platz and Sunday Mauer Park. So being Monday we had a free day, went out in the morning for breakfast before heading back to do some shopping with the Droptiny Massive. In the evening a group of us went to the park with the speaker and frisbee to celebrate Esif's (Steve) Birthday.
Tues 7th: Leopold Platz, we headed over to a Cafe in Wedding (where we had church with the YWAM teams in May) to pray and worship before going out. When in the Platz we hung out chatted and worship (very similar to Boxhahaner). Some good conversations went on but because it was a very new ministry for me it felt very hard to get as involved as I had hoped.
Wed 8th: Free, went out for some lunch before a small bit of retail shopping. (Bought a nice shirt from H&M which Bart then bought a week later in England!). In the evening Gabe called to say he and some of the South Africans were playing a concert at what will become the South Africans Church Plant. It was to finish a missions week they had been doing around the city.
Thur 9th: Boxi, chilled out played music, prayed and worshiped, I meet a guy who had been at the opening night of the Artist for Christ exhibition and was able to talk and pray with him.
Fri 10th: Gabe and I were invited to a end of school celebration at Benni's (Tragwerk) School. Hung out there for a couple of hours before Texas Hold'em at ours, then onto Tragwerk. At Tragwerk we meet a YWAM team from Texas that we would be working with for 1 day, a really intense group (in a good way).
Sat 11th: Alexander Platz, had an amazing time, there was a family festival going on in the centre of the Platz (which had some amazing performers) so we headed round to the fountain where there were a group of Dancers, suddenly one of the Dancers grabbed a microphone and started preaching the Gospel we stayed and listened before heading round to the clock so as that part of the Platz was being covered. Texans had a drama that was so so good, with fully choreographed fights and really powerful, testimonies were given, gospel was preached, worship was sung and conversations had. To top this day off as we were about to pray and thank God for the work that had gone on a Nigerian man and a German came over they were both Christians and they prayed with us (its so hard to put down how amazing this moment was).
Sun 12th: Mauer Park Church, service was one of the hardest we have done, lots of things just kept going wrong about 4 guitar strings broke, microphone died for 5 mins and a few other factors made it a hard time but we fought through.
That afternoon we went to Wittenburg (where Martin Luther lived, taught, preached ect...) had allot of fun doing some sight seeing:
some tourist things:
and some modeling:
Mon 13th and Tue 14th: Both days were free, because my younger brother Bart flew out on the Tues to spend a week with us, we went to Alexander Platz on Tuesday with two YWAM leaders from Montana to play music and chill we played in 3 different locations before calling it a day and chilling out for the rest of the day.
Wed 15th: Bugs Birthday! a fun filled day. Went swimming in the afternoon, followed by a meal at a Thai restaurant.
Thurs 16th: Today, we have 2 task for today first we are handing out flyers for a concert that is happening tomorrow evening and second outreach in Boxhaganer. The evening holds many possibilities who know what fun we might end up with...
Thanks for your support,
Nathanael
29. Juni 2009
Stories of a City
Sat 20th June: At the moment I can not remember what happened on this day but if I remember I will edit!
Sun 21st: Mauer Park Church service, we had to hold it in a slightly different location to normal, this was because our usual location was being turned into a stage as part of a music festival (Fete De La Musique) happening all over Berlin. Despite that we had an amazing time together and we even made the local news! I was also able to talk with a guy who can over to change his baby. After Church we had an extended family lunch at our Indian restaurant (3 Droptiny's, 3 Teschendorf's, 1 Sohn and a Jones). That afternoon I went again to the German Church and played drums again. In the Evening we headed back to Mauer Park for the Fete De La Musique watched a couple of bands got soaked before heading home via Alexander Platz for Hot Chocolate.
Mon 22nd: This was our down day Bre and Kim had a meal with a group from Texas who we will be working with for the next week or so, Gabe had a band practice for sunday morning so I spent alot of time on my own playing guitar and singing to myself which was actually allot of fun.
Tue 23rd: Day 1 with the Texan Team, we meet at Alexander Platz and did outreach for about an hour, before me and Gabe went to Youth Church for the last service with the Berlin DTS students before their outreach to Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Wed 24th: Outreach on Wilmersdorfer Stasse, again only for about an hour, but had a really awesome conversation with a guy who had woken up 2 years ago to see the face of Jesus, he did not except that Jesus was the only way to God but we had the opportunity to pray with him. From there we went to Spandau to join the Josue Gemeinde and be apart of there worship service on the street, again we were not there for to long, as Israel (Berlin DTS student) was coming too our house for a goodbye meal.
Thurs 25th: This was an amazing day we spent the whole day in an area of Ku'Damm with the Texans doing there dance, sharing testimonies, worshiping, with our signs about Jesus/free hugs/free prayer ect... About an hour in it felt that we really needed to proclaim the Gospel. I felt like I should do it and so with Bre as my translator I shared. After Bre went over to a man who had been standing there listening the whole time I shared, when she came back she informed us that he had some background with church and knowing who Jesus was but had never committed to it, but had done so there on the street! (multiple finger snaps and clapping is required at this point). That day '2 The Streets' recorded not just its first salvation story, but also its second. In the evening after a meal out with the Texans I went for a long walk through the city.
Fri 26th: Meet the Texans at Boxi and hung out doing there dance, worshiping, handing out teas and biscuits and sharing testimonies. Again I was able to share the Gospel, this time I tag teamed with Gabe sharing his testimony which is the ideal testimony for Boxhagener, the park was not amazingly full but I know alot of seeds were planted. Our evening was 2 church services the first in Alexander Platz, where we had a big sound system and worshiped, danced and shared testimonies. One amazing thing about it was we were setting the system up and Thilo just happened to walk through Alexander Platz and ended up joint worship leading with Cedric (Valley Creek Church - Texas), then from this we went to Tragwerk (youth church).
Sat 27th: We were given the morning off because there was a grill in the Mauer Park that evening as kind of the big social event that we had been inviting people to all week that we had meet and had good conversations with and so it was Kim, Gabe and my responsibility to get the grills, food and blankets to Mauer for the event. Which turned out to be allot more tricky than we could have possible imagined, I wont go into detail but basically a combination of trolleys breaking and other such things made it a difficult time. I was not able to stay for to much of the grill itself because I had tickets to see Kings Of Leon at O2 World that evening so I headed off to that, Which was an awesome show. My favorite part being we they sung and old southern hymn with the lines '...I'm gonna sell my soul to Jesus Christ...' '...Can't get enough of that Holy Ghost...' and '...Nothing in this world will separate me from Him...'
Sun 28th: Church service in Mauer Park, only about 8 of us, but a quality time together. We had lunch at an Thai place as church, before heading home to veg. (watched Once and the first half of Transformers). In evening went for a walk
Mon 29th: Day the last with the Texans, morning was chilled for me because Kim, Bre and Gabe went to visa office to renew there visas, so started writing this blog but got very distracted. Also Oasis Gave me a deadline of Today (Tue 30th) to let them know if I want to take the place on the Youth Work and Ministry Course for September 09 or differ for a year. I can now say that I am definitely going to University this September. Outreach for the day was at Alexander Platz, we worshiped, shared testimonies and danced, after the Texans Prayed for us which was a real encouragement then we said our many goodbyes and took lots of photos before parting ways and heading home.
Tue 30th: Today! Have no plans made yet other than tidy room and possible go out later.
Thanks for all you support, it means so much to me.
Nathanael
Sun 21st: Mauer Park Church service, we had to hold it in a slightly different location to normal, this was because our usual location was being turned into a stage as part of a music festival (Fete De La Musique) happening all over Berlin. Despite that we had an amazing time together and we even made the local news! I was also able to talk with a guy who can over to change his baby. After Church we had an extended family lunch at our Indian restaurant (3 Droptiny's, 3 Teschendorf's, 1 Sohn and a Jones). That afternoon I went again to the German Church and played drums again. In the Evening we headed back to Mauer Park for the Fete De La Musique watched a couple of bands got soaked before heading home via Alexander Platz for Hot Chocolate.
Mon 22nd: This was our down day Bre and Kim had a meal with a group from Texas who we will be working with for the next week or so, Gabe had a band practice for sunday morning so I spent alot of time on my own playing guitar and singing to myself which was actually allot of fun.
Tue 23rd: Day 1 with the Texan Team, we meet at Alexander Platz and did outreach for about an hour, before me and Gabe went to Youth Church for the last service with the Berlin DTS students before their outreach to Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Wed 24th: Outreach on Wilmersdorfer Stasse, again only for about an hour, but had a really awesome conversation with a guy who had woken up 2 years ago to see the face of Jesus, he did not except that Jesus was the only way to God but we had the opportunity to pray with him. From there we went to Spandau to join the Josue Gemeinde and be apart of there worship service on the street, again we were not there for to long, as Israel (Berlin DTS student) was coming too our house for a goodbye meal.
Thurs 25th: This was an amazing day we spent the whole day in an area of Ku'Damm with the Texans doing there dance, sharing testimonies, worshiping, with our signs about Jesus/free hugs/free prayer ect... About an hour in it felt that we really needed to proclaim the Gospel. I felt like I should do it and so with Bre as my translator I shared. After Bre went over to a man who had been standing there listening the whole time I shared, when she came back she informed us that he had some background with church and knowing who Jesus was but had never committed to it, but had done so there on the street! (multiple finger snaps and clapping is required at this point). That day '2 The Streets' recorded not just its first salvation story, but also its second. In the evening after a meal out with the Texans I went for a long walk through the city.
Fri 26th: Meet the Texans at Boxi and hung out doing there dance, worshiping, handing out teas and biscuits and sharing testimonies. Again I was able to share the Gospel, this time I tag teamed with Gabe sharing his testimony which is the ideal testimony for Boxhagener, the park was not amazingly full but I know alot of seeds were planted. Our evening was 2 church services the first in Alexander Platz, where we had a big sound system and worshiped, danced and shared testimonies. One amazing thing about it was we were setting the system up and Thilo just happened to walk through Alexander Platz and ended up joint worship leading with Cedric (Valley Creek Church - Texas), then from this we went to Tragwerk (youth church).
Sat 27th: We were given the morning off because there was a grill in the Mauer Park that evening as kind of the big social event that we had been inviting people to all week that we had meet and had good conversations with and so it was Kim, Gabe and my responsibility to get the grills, food and blankets to Mauer for the event. Which turned out to be allot more tricky than we could have possible imagined, I wont go into detail but basically a combination of trolleys breaking and other such things made it a difficult time. I was not able to stay for to much of the grill itself because I had tickets to see Kings Of Leon at O2 World that evening so I headed off to that, Which was an awesome show. My favorite part being we they sung and old southern hymn with the lines '...I'm gonna sell my soul to Jesus Christ...' '...Can't get enough of that Holy Ghost...' and '...Nothing in this world will separate me from Him...'
Sun 28th: Church service in Mauer Park, only about 8 of us, but a quality time together. We had lunch at an Thai place as church, before heading home to veg. (watched Once and the first half of Transformers). In evening went for a walk
Mon 29th: Day the last with the Texans, morning was chilled for me because Kim, Bre and Gabe went to visa office to renew there visas, so started writing this blog but got very distracted. Also Oasis Gave me a deadline of Today (Tue 30th) to let them know if I want to take the place on the Youth Work and Ministry Course for September 09 or differ for a year. I can now say that I am definitely going to University this September. Outreach for the day was at Alexander Platz, we worshiped, shared testimonies and danced, after the Texans Prayed for us which was a real encouragement then we said our many goodbyes and took lots of photos before parting ways and heading home.
Tue 30th: Today! Have no plans made yet other than tidy room and possible go out later.
Thanks for all you support, it means so much to me.
Nathanael
25. Juni 2009
Brief Point for Prayer
I am a little worried about money at the moment so would really appreciate your prayers for that.
Nathanael
Nathanael
20. Juni 2009
19. Juni 2009
News from Berlin
Friday 12th June: I have now been in Berlin a month, how time has flown. We spent the day in Potsdam (Droptiny massive minus Gabe). We did some touristy things during the day and in the evening we went to see Vinzent (Thilo's band) play a gig, which was allot of fun only downside was sound tech was not very good so could not hear Thilo that well.
Sat 13th: This was a very typical chilled Saturday, the excitement only starting in the evening, with practice for Sunday morning and again Texas Hold'em.
Sun 14th: Mauer Park Church in the morning, followed by a brief visit to the market. In the afternoon we went to a small German church which was interesting, all good just could not understand allot as was in German (but I did get to play drums). After the service I went for dinner with the church before heading back home to get ready for our last night out with the Homestead team.
Mon 15th: YWAM over, but a band from California arrived to work with us for the week (very, very good musicians). The first thing we did was to have lunch with them just to get know them before heading to Boxhaganer with them. It was a really chilled atmosphere lots of people came to sit and listen to the music, a few funny incidences but probable all you had to be there moments.
Tue 16th: Went with the band to Alexander Platz, again just hung out played music, handing out tracks and trying to have conversations. Had dinner together before heading to Mauer Park to hang out and play music.
Wed 17th: In the morning I finally got round to getting a German phone (+4916099652155). The afternoon was spent playing music and free hugs, it took a while to find a spot to do it because there were student strikes but we eventually settled at Hackescher Markt. In the evening I went out to dinner followed by bowling.
Thurs 18th: Went for a bike tour around Potsdam was really chilled and beautiful, in the evening watched a film.
Fri 19th: (Today) Just got up got no real plans until church this evening but who knows....
My main prayer request is fairly big, when you get a phone in this country you need ID even for pay as you go and in the process I have kinda misplaces my passport, sure its in the house so not amazingly worried about it.
Thanks for all the support you have given me in prayer.
Nathanael
Sat 13th: This was a very typical chilled Saturday, the excitement only starting in the evening, with practice for Sunday morning and again Texas Hold'em.
Sun 14th: Mauer Park Church in the morning, followed by a brief visit to the market. In the afternoon we went to a small German church which was interesting, all good just could not understand allot as was in German (but I did get to play drums). After the service I went for dinner with the church before heading back home to get ready for our last night out with the Homestead team.
Mon 15th: YWAM over, but a band from California arrived to work with us for the week (very, very good musicians). The first thing we did was to have lunch with them just to get know them before heading to Boxhaganer with them. It was a really chilled atmosphere lots of people came to sit and listen to the music, a few funny incidences but probable all you had to be there moments.
Tue 16th: Went with the band to Alexander Platz, again just hung out played music, handing out tracks and trying to have conversations. Had dinner together before heading to Mauer Park to hang out and play music.
Wed 17th: In the morning I finally got round to getting a German phone (+4916099652155). The afternoon was spent playing music and free hugs, it took a while to find a spot to do it because there were student strikes but we eventually settled at Hackescher Markt. In the evening I went out to dinner followed by bowling.
Thurs 18th: Went for a bike tour around Potsdam was really chilled and beautiful, in the evening watched a film.
Fri 19th: (Today) Just got up got no real plans until church this evening but who knows....
My main prayer request is fairly big, when you get a phone in this country you need ID even for pay as you go and in the process I have kinda misplaces my passport, sure its in the house so not amazingly worried about it.
Thanks for all the support you have given me in prayer.
Nathanael
13. Juni 2009
Misc.
This is just a real quick one it not a full update it's just something that really encouraged me. Yesterday evening we (Kim, Bre and myself) went to the house of a pastor from South Africa he and a his team of about 20 are here in Berlin to plant a church and they ask us (the Droptiny clan) to come to their meeting to share what it is we do, how we keep going, share testimonies etc... We meet worshiped, shared, hand a tea break and then they prayed for us. Out of the prayers words were spoken for and over us, at first it was for us as a team, then for Kim and Bre. At this point I was kind of feeling a little left out but at the same time was thinking '...well, I am only here on a short term basic, and these guys are here for longer, so they are probable focusing on praying for them...' then suddenly the words can, in there numbers. I have them all written down they could not have been more encouraging and on the mark if I wrote them myself. At the moment I am still working some things through as a result of them so I shall not write them here for now but I just wanted to let you guys know just because I have been so encouraged by them.
Peace
Nathanael
Peace
Nathanael
11. Juni 2009
Another Week Of Fun In Berlin
Fri 5th: As with most Fridays it had a quiet beginning, in the evening Gabe and I went to see Fink in concert, following this we went to the end of a birthday party and then back to ours for 'The Yes Man' good times
Sat 6th: Again because of the weather we didn't really get to do to much other than prayer walk Boxhaganer, (we prayer walked the park once a day for 6 days starting Thursday 4th and then on the 7th day we would march around seven times (3 in prayer, 3 listening and 1 making a lot of noise) similar to what Joshua and the Israelites did around Jericho). In the evening we went to Steve and Patrick’s (two of our neighbors (one of which became a Christian the week before) to play n64).
Sun 7th: The plan was to have church in the Mauer Park, but the rain came down hard. So we made plans to meet the YWAM teams at 3 or 4 to worship. I went out to brunch, and then meet up with the teams at the Ring Bahn (Train that circles central Berlin) and we worship on the train traveling round Berlin. Once we had done a complete circuit of the city we chilled for a few hours in the park near the YWAM base and played football with some kids before heading back to the YWAM base for some food and evening worship. After we went out with the YWAM teams as it was Derby’s last night that they could go out we went to a club and danced the night away. (Only 1 downside to the day we forgot the prayer walk Boxi).
Mon 8th: Morning normal food shop and went to post office to get package from Parents full of cards and presents for my birthday! Then it was to Boxi with the Berlin DTS. We felt it was right to go and chill, worship, hand out cookies to anyone who wanted one and just see what happened, there were some amazing breakthrough especially with a guy (Stewart who had been really against the work we had been doing for the best part of a year and had been really aggressive in the past) he came over to us and talked with Kim for a long while, and we were able to give him a Bible on Wednesday. I didn't feel as though personally God did anything mad through me but it was so so encouraging to see him move around me. In the evening as it had been a few days since our last game we played Texas Hold'em!
Tue 9th: Rain! Went to Alexander Platz for some tea as the days ministry had been called off, bumped into some YWAMers giving out free hugs, walked through the city saw some touristy things before heading home for some pasting action. Covered the street with images of Jesus. Got back and realized at 11pm we had forgotten the prayer walk, so went back prayer walked and then hung out in a bar for a while.
Wed 10th: Day 7 of the Joshua prayer walk. Meet the YWAMers at Boxi and prayer walked it 3 times in prayer, 3 times listening to God and 1 time screaming Jesus and banging saucepans, once we had done that we went again and chilled in the park. In the evening we went to a Jeremy Camp and David Crowder Concert, it was an awesome time of worship. Meet David Crowder after, which was a treat!
Thurs 11th: (today) Raining so hard right about now, please pray for some good weather, day so not to much planned we have a meeting with some South Africans who are planting a church to share our vision and other things.
As I said prayer for the weather would be nice, prayer for Isa would be so nice we seem to take 2 steps forward and then 4 steps back at the moment and prayer for Stewart that he would read the Bible we gave him.
Thanks for all you do
Nathanael
Sat 6th: Again because of the weather we didn't really get to do to much other than prayer walk Boxhaganer, (we prayer walked the park once a day for 6 days starting Thursday 4th and then on the 7th day we would march around seven times (3 in prayer, 3 listening and 1 making a lot of noise) similar to what Joshua and the Israelites did around Jericho). In the evening we went to Steve and Patrick’s (two of our neighbors (one of which became a Christian the week before) to play n64).
Sun 7th: The plan was to have church in the Mauer Park, but the rain came down hard. So we made plans to meet the YWAM teams at 3 or 4 to worship. I went out to brunch, and then meet up with the teams at the Ring Bahn (Train that circles central Berlin) and we worship on the train traveling round Berlin. Once we had done a complete circuit of the city we chilled for a few hours in the park near the YWAM base and played football with some kids before heading back to the YWAM base for some food and evening worship. After we went out with the YWAM teams as it was Derby’s last night that they could go out we went to a club and danced the night away. (Only 1 downside to the day we forgot the prayer walk Boxi).
Mon 8th: Morning normal food shop and went to post office to get package from Parents full of cards and presents for my birthday! Then it was to Boxi with the Berlin DTS. We felt it was right to go and chill, worship, hand out cookies to anyone who wanted one and just see what happened, there were some amazing breakthrough especially with a guy (Stewart who had been really against the work we had been doing for the best part of a year and had been really aggressive in the past) he came over to us and talked with Kim for a long while, and we were able to give him a Bible on Wednesday. I didn't feel as though personally God did anything mad through me but it was so so encouraging to see him move around me. In the evening as it had been a few days since our last game we played Texas Hold'em!
Tue 9th: Rain! Went to Alexander Platz for some tea as the days ministry had been called off, bumped into some YWAMers giving out free hugs, walked through the city saw some touristy things before heading home for some pasting action. Covered the street with images of Jesus. Got back and realized at 11pm we had forgotten the prayer walk, so went back prayer walked and then hung out in a bar for a while.
Wed 10th: Day 7 of the Joshua prayer walk. Meet the YWAMers at Boxi and prayer walked it 3 times in prayer, 3 times listening to God and 1 time screaming Jesus and banging saucepans, once we had done that we went again and chilled in the park. In the evening we went to a Jeremy Camp and David Crowder Concert, it was an awesome time of worship. Meet David Crowder after, which was a treat!
Thurs 11th: (today) Raining so hard right about now, please pray for some good weather, day so not to much planned we have a meeting with some South Africans who are planting a church to share our vision and other things.
As I said prayer for the weather would be nice, prayer for Isa would be so nice we seem to take 2 steps forward and then 4 steps back at the moment and prayer for Stewart that he would read the Bible we gave him.
Thanks for all you do
Nathanael
4. Juni 2009
Week The 3rd
Sat 30th: Birthday Party for me! I kind of knew something was happening in the evening but just was not sure what or who. The evening began with dinner at the Indian restaurant down the road from us with the Droptiny's, Thilo and Heidi. During the meal Bre 'had to go and get her phone'. After we went back home and went to room to find lots of party food laid out, followed by about 15 people appearing from pretty much no where! We hung around for about an hour-ish before heading of to a club in my chariot!
Sun 31st: Did not get into bed until 5.30 so all of Sunday morning was spent in the land of nod. We did how ever have to go to Alexander Platz for 2pm to pick up Teresa (friend of Gabe's). In the evening we went to the African Jesus Miracle Harvest Church for a mutli-cultured worship service for Pentecost.
Mon 1st: Went for our Monday morning food shop but ever shop was closed because of Pentecost which annoyed me a lot, only because Berlin is so anti-Christian yet take ever single Christian holiday they can. In the afternoon we went with the Berlin DTS students to the station to hold up our free hugs/free prayer/Jesus Revolution signs. It was a really fun time lots of hugs were given, lots of conversation were had, the only down was because it was a public holiday there were not as many people.
Tue 2nd: Alexander Platz with YWAMers, we chose a different spot than the previous 2 weeks. I had an amazing time. I was holding a free hug sign and gave out sooooo many hugs and had loads of conversation with Berliners and Tourist. When it all came to an end Anna T and I popped to H&M to pick up a shirt for the evening. It was the Swedish teams last night and so there was a semi formal with talent show at the YWAM house. In the talent show I did a couple of on the spot 'Chuck Norris Jokes' with a guy called Josiah to fill the time whilst they set up, and Thilo and I played a couple of songs (Use somebody - Kings of Leon & Apologies - One republic). The evening was finished off as usual with a round of Texas Hold'em!
Wed 3rd: In the Morning we did the food shop that never happened on Monday, then Boxhaganer with YWAM. It was raining all morning so there were not too many people in Park but I managed to see Isa, had a really awesome time with him. My biggest prayer request at the moment would be for him. He is every time we meet getting closer and closer to knowing Jesus so please, please, please pray for him. That evening we went out dancing as it was Teresa's last night in Berlin.
Thurs 4th: (today) day off, watched first half of 'Finger of God' with Kim and then wrote this. Plans to go to the Cinema this evening, other than that not much on...
Thanks for your support in prayer.
Peace
Nathanael
Sun 31st: Did not get into bed until 5.30 so all of Sunday morning was spent in the land of nod. We did how ever have to go to Alexander Platz for 2pm to pick up Teresa (friend of Gabe's). In the evening we went to the African Jesus Miracle Harvest Church for a mutli-cultured worship service for Pentecost.
Mon 1st: Went for our Monday morning food shop but ever shop was closed because of Pentecost which annoyed me a lot, only because Berlin is so anti-Christian yet take ever single Christian holiday they can. In the afternoon we went with the Berlin DTS students to the station to hold up our free hugs/free prayer/Jesus Revolution signs. It was a really fun time lots of hugs were given, lots of conversation were had, the only down was because it was a public holiday there were not as many people.
Tue 2nd: Alexander Platz with YWAMers, we chose a different spot than the previous 2 weeks. I had an amazing time. I was holding a free hug sign and gave out sooooo many hugs and had loads of conversation with Berliners and Tourist. When it all came to an end Anna T and I popped to H&M to pick up a shirt for the evening. It was the Swedish teams last night and so there was a semi formal with talent show at the YWAM house. In the talent show I did a couple of on the spot 'Chuck Norris Jokes' with a guy called Josiah to fill the time whilst they set up, and Thilo and I played a couple of songs (Use somebody - Kings of Leon & Apologies - One republic). The evening was finished off as usual with a round of Texas Hold'em!
Wed 3rd: In the Morning we did the food shop that never happened on Monday, then Boxhaganer with YWAM. It was raining all morning so there were not too many people in Park but I managed to see Isa, had a really awesome time with him. My biggest prayer request at the moment would be for him. He is every time we meet getting closer and closer to knowing Jesus so please, please, please pray for him. That evening we went out dancing as it was Teresa's last night in Berlin.
Thurs 4th: (today) day off, watched first half of 'Finger of God' with Kim and then wrote this. Plans to go to the Cinema this evening, other than that not much on...
Thanks for your support in prayer.
Peace
Nathanael
29. Mai 2009
I'm 21 Years Young
Week 2 in Berlin.
Fri 22nd: Like the Friday before was a chilled to start, as we did not have anything on till youth church in evening. Was a really quiet service, had the Swedish YWAM team lead the service through. After the service we went to an 18th birthday party of one of the young people from youth church. We spent most of the evening in his living room playing again Texas Hold'em. I was also given an opportunity to hear a woman called Jenny's testimony, which was really inspiring. Gabe was also able to share the gospel with one of the young people. Afterwards we got a cab home and half watched a film.
Sat 23rd: I woke up and felt called to go into Boxhagener to speak to Isa, which I arranged to do and invited him along to church in Mower Park which he accepted. The rest of the day was spent together with Kim, Bre, Gabe, Thilo, Anna D, Heidi, Steve and Patrick. We had a BBQ in the park and hung out together. In the evening true to form we played Texas Hold'em with a group of friends that I won!
Sun 24th: Unfortunately Isa did not come to church with us, but service was a really great time together, we has the Homestead, Derby and Swedish Teams this time so we had a bigger presence in the park, plus there was another American outreach team in the park so they came and worshiped with us. In the evening we went to a service that was held at a church based in an old Turkish restaurant. (First time I have ever worshiped from behind a bar!) It was also the first time we meet the Swiss YWAMers
Mon 25th: Berlin DTS day, went to Boxhagener with free hugs/free prayer/Jesus signs which was so effective the original plan was to go to Boxy to see some of the friends we have there like Isa and then to head to train station with our signs but God changed all that and we did not even get that far. Hard to explain in word how it all happened but we ended up on a street corner with Louise (a Venaswalen man from Boxy) him, Israel and Erik had free hug signs and they got loads and behind them was Markus and Irina with Jesus Revolution type signs and behind them was Bre, Kim and myself with free prayer signs. So as people walked by they got the love (hug), then the reason for the love (Jesus) and then the option to receive the love (pray). That evening was spent in with Bre and Heidi as Gabe had gone to band practice.
Tue 26th: In the morning I went with Kim to print some flyers, before we went to Alexander Platz with the Swiss team plus a few extras, we hit Alexander Platz with our free hugs and prayer signs but it was not amazingly successful as it rained like crazy. Gabe and I left early as my ticket ran out slightly before the end of the planned time and we were briefly able to share with a guy at the station. In the evening we went pasting images of Jesus around our area with the YWAMers.
Wed 27th: Our YWAM duty was cancelled as there was an event in the evening called Burn which was lead by a group from Texas about worship and prayer evangelism (a bit like 24-7 prayer but all worship) it was so so so amazing, to start we had a crazy time of worship (involving dancing!) reminded me of the freedom I experienced at Soul Survivor. Then a short talk about what they do and why they do it. Really exiting stuff too much to go into followed by a response that was intense. God moved in some mighty ways, again cannot put down but trust it was immense. From that we head home and got back at exactly mid-night (my birthday)
Thurs 28th: My Birthday, waffles for breakfast! Then onto the second part of Burn, worship on the street we were a little late and because of rain people had already decided to call it a day but Thilo just started to worship the clouds parted and we worship for about 2 hours in the centre of Berlin with all the YWAMers. Following this a small group of us head back to the park near us after some food, had some drinks and through a ball around till about 7.45ish. We then went back to ours for yet another game of Texas Hold'em until about 10. Then Gabe, Thilo, Anna T and Me went to a club that was closed! So walked along the East Side Gallery (part of the Berlin Wall) to another club had a bit of a dance and then walked home.
Fri 29th: (today) got up late as was shattered from last night. Have no plans other than youth church and whatever happens after is mystery.
Again thanks for your support, it means the world to me, there is so much more I wish I could write down to show you how much God is doing but I just do not possess the vocabulary to do so, God is good and every day he gives me something new and exciting it totally mind blowing.
Peace
Nathanael
Fri 22nd: Like the Friday before was a chilled to start, as we did not have anything on till youth church in evening. Was a really quiet service, had the Swedish YWAM team lead the service through. After the service we went to an 18th birthday party of one of the young people from youth church. We spent most of the evening in his living room playing again Texas Hold'em. I was also given an opportunity to hear a woman called Jenny's testimony, which was really inspiring. Gabe was also able to share the gospel with one of the young people. Afterwards we got a cab home and half watched a film.
Sat 23rd: I woke up and felt called to go into Boxhagener to speak to Isa, which I arranged to do and invited him along to church in Mower Park which he accepted. The rest of the day was spent together with Kim, Bre, Gabe, Thilo, Anna D, Heidi, Steve and Patrick. We had a BBQ in the park and hung out together. In the evening true to form we played Texas Hold'em with a group of friends that I won!
Sun 24th: Unfortunately Isa did not come to church with us, but service was a really great time together, we has the Homestead, Derby and Swedish Teams this time so we had a bigger presence in the park, plus there was another American outreach team in the park so they came and worshiped with us. In the evening we went to a service that was held at a church based in an old Turkish restaurant. (First time I have ever worshiped from behind a bar!) It was also the first time we meet the Swiss YWAMers
Mon 25th: Berlin DTS day, went to Boxhagener with free hugs/free prayer/Jesus signs which was so effective the original plan was to go to Boxy to see some of the friends we have there like Isa and then to head to train station with our signs but God changed all that and we did not even get that far. Hard to explain in word how it all happened but we ended up on a street corner with Louise (a Venaswalen man from Boxy) him, Israel and Erik had free hug signs and they got loads and behind them was Markus and Irina with Jesus Revolution type signs and behind them was Bre, Kim and myself with free prayer signs. So as people walked by they got the love (hug), then the reason for the love (Jesus) and then the option to receive the love (pray). That evening was spent in with Bre and Heidi as Gabe had gone to band practice.
Tue 26th: In the morning I went with Kim to print some flyers, before we went to Alexander Platz with the Swiss team plus a few extras, we hit Alexander Platz with our free hugs and prayer signs but it was not amazingly successful as it rained like crazy. Gabe and I left early as my ticket ran out slightly before the end of the planned time and we were briefly able to share with a guy at the station. In the evening we went pasting images of Jesus around our area with the YWAMers.
Wed 27th: Our YWAM duty was cancelled as there was an event in the evening called Burn which was lead by a group from Texas about worship and prayer evangelism (a bit like 24-7 prayer but all worship) it was so so so amazing, to start we had a crazy time of worship (involving dancing!) reminded me of the freedom I experienced at Soul Survivor. Then a short talk about what they do and why they do it. Really exiting stuff too much to go into followed by a response that was intense. God moved in some mighty ways, again cannot put down but trust it was immense. From that we head home and got back at exactly mid-night (my birthday)
Thurs 28th: My Birthday, waffles for breakfast! Then onto the second part of Burn, worship on the street we were a little late and because of rain people had already decided to call it a day but Thilo just started to worship the clouds parted and we worship for about 2 hours in the centre of Berlin with all the YWAMers. Following this a small group of us head back to the park near us after some food, had some drinks and through a ball around till about 7.45ish. We then went back to ours for yet another game of Texas Hold'em until about 10. Then Gabe, Thilo, Anna T and Me went to a club that was closed! So walked along the East Side Gallery (part of the Berlin Wall) to another club had a bit of a dance and then walked home.
Fri 29th: (today) got up late as was shattered from last night. Have no plans other than youth church and whatever happens after is mystery.
Again thanks for your support, it means the world to me, there is so much more I wish I could write down to show you how much God is doing but I just do not possess the vocabulary to do so, God is good and every day he gives me something new and exciting it totally mind blowing.
Peace
Nathanael
19. Mai 2009
The Long Overdue Update
Right I am finally putting down what has been going on in my first week and a bit in Berlin.
Wed 13th: Really chilled, not much went down although Gabe and I went out in the evening to a park to meet a couple of friends, one of which we were able to share a bit with about Jesus and also in hanging around talking prevented them from going to a club and picking up loose women.
Thurs 14th: Meet the YWAM teams from Derby and Sweden, cooked them lunch followed by a session lead by the different Christian group working in Berlin sharing about there hearts for Berlin and what they believe God is wanting to do through their ministries. That evening we went to a concert with Thilo (friend we made on the Artists For Christ mission), he got both me and Gabe in for free as he was working for the headlining band, again Gabe and I were given an opening to share about Jesus with a close friend of Thilo's which we jumped at even if it meant missing the first half of the headlining act.
Fri 15th: Again quite relaxed and we had nothing really on until youth church in the evening at this we met the YWAMers from Homestead, who lead the service through. After the service we were invited to the birthday party of Thilo's cousin which turned out to be another chance to share about Jesus. I had gone outside in the hope of avoiding a dancing game and meet a guy who was doing the same and was able to share with him why I was in Berlin and about Gods love. Following this we went to a pool club with Thilo, both his sisters and a couple of their friends.
Sat 16th: Like Friday was a slow start with our only thing on being a practice for Sunday morning service and a Texas Hold'em match in the evening at the house of one of the guys from youth church. True to the last 3 days God gave another chance to share with some guys.
Sun 17th: Started with a Church service in one of the parks, followed by a garbage pickup, in the evening we went to the youth church building for a service which was the first time all the YWAM teams plus the Berlin DTS (Discipleship Training School) were together and we had an awesome time of worship together.
Mon 18th: We went treasure hunting with the Berlin DTS students, didn't see any mad stuff personally on that day but ended up in a practice studio with 2 of the guys from the park jamming and building relations with them. 1 of them Esau had a leg brace and we were able to pray for him. My evening was spent playing pool with Gabe. 2 rounds American which he won, 2 rounds English which I won and a round of English/American which I won!
Tue 19th: Street evangelism with the Homestead and Sweden YWAMers in Alexander Platz. The day was filled with dramas from the Homestead team and hanging about talking with people. It was a really positive start to the street ministry will be doing in Alexander Platz for the next few weeks. Videos of the dramas will be filmed and put up next week. That evening was spent with the Droptiny massive playing Texas Hold'em.
Wed 20th: Probable the Best day so far. Plan for the day was to go with the Swedish team and a select few of the Homestead team to Boxhagener Platz to chill and talk to people. The awesome thing for me was to meet Esau again, pray with him and then go for a walk round the park without his leg brace! In the evening we again played Texas Hold'em, but at about 1.30ish in the morning myself and Gabe went out to off license, and on the way back we meet a group of punks and had one of the most if not the most intense conversation I have ever had about Jesus. What was even more amazing was that the original punk we meet had good English but lacked the big word he wanted to use so keep grabbing more people to translate for him. All in all we were able to share the Gospel with 8 punks over a period of about 2 hours.
Thurs 21st: (Today) has been really laid back as we have had buckets of rain. Not sure what this evening holds for us but knowing God he has something for us.
Hope all my ramblings made sense, thanks for you prayers they are so valuable to me and I know I could not be doing this without your support.
Peace
Nathanael
Wed 13th: Really chilled, not much went down although Gabe and I went out in the evening to a park to meet a couple of friends, one of which we were able to share a bit with about Jesus and also in hanging around talking prevented them from going to a club and picking up loose women.
Thurs 14th: Meet the YWAM teams from Derby and Sweden, cooked them lunch followed by a session lead by the different Christian group working in Berlin sharing about there hearts for Berlin and what they believe God is wanting to do through their ministries. That evening we went to a concert with Thilo (friend we made on the Artists For Christ mission), he got both me and Gabe in for free as he was working for the headlining band, again Gabe and I were given an opening to share about Jesus with a close friend of Thilo's which we jumped at even if it meant missing the first half of the headlining act.
Fri 15th: Again quite relaxed and we had nothing really on until youth church in the evening at this we met the YWAMers from Homestead, who lead the service through. After the service we were invited to the birthday party of Thilo's cousin which turned out to be another chance to share about Jesus. I had gone outside in the hope of avoiding a dancing game and meet a guy who was doing the same and was able to share with him why I was in Berlin and about Gods love. Following this we went to a pool club with Thilo, both his sisters and a couple of their friends.
Sat 16th: Like Friday was a slow start with our only thing on being a practice for Sunday morning service and a Texas Hold'em match in the evening at the house of one of the guys from youth church. True to the last 3 days God gave another chance to share with some guys.
Sun 17th: Started with a Church service in one of the parks, followed by a garbage pickup, in the evening we went to the youth church building for a service which was the first time all the YWAM teams plus the Berlin DTS (Discipleship Training School) were together and we had an awesome time of worship together.
Mon 18th: We went treasure hunting with the Berlin DTS students, didn't see any mad stuff personally on that day but ended up in a practice studio with 2 of the guys from the park jamming and building relations with them. 1 of them Esau had a leg brace and we were able to pray for him. My evening was spent playing pool with Gabe. 2 rounds American which he won, 2 rounds English which I won and a round of English/American which I won!
Tue 19th: Street evangelism with the Homestead and Sweden YWAMers in Alexander Platz. The day was filled with dramas from the Homestead team and hanging about talking with people. It was a really positive start to the street ministry will be doing in Alexander Platz for the next few weeks. Videos of the dramas will be filmed and put up next week. That evening was spent with the Droptiny massive playing Texas Hold'em.
Wed 20th: Probable the Best day so far. Plan for the day was to go with the Swedish team and a select few of the Homestead team to Boxhagener Platz to chill and talk to people. The awesome thing for me was to meet Esau again, pray with him and then go for a walk round the park without his leg brace! In the evening we again played Texas Hold'em, but at about 1.30ish in the morning myself and Gabe went out to off license, and on the way back we meet a group of punks and had one of the most if not the most intense conversation I have ever had about Jesus. What was even more amazing was that the original punk we meet had good English but lacked the big word he wanted to use so keep grabbing more people to translate for him. All in all we were able to share the Gospel with 8 punks over a period of about 2 hours.
Thurs 21st: (Today) has been really laid back as we have had buckets of rain. Not sure what this evening holds for us but knowing God he has something for us.
Hope all my ramblings made sense, thanks for you prayers they are so valuable to me and I know I could not be doing this without your support.
Peace
Nathanael
18. Mai 2009
Brief Update... More To Come
Just quickly will update this later on today, sorry for the lack of information internet has been denied to me for the last 3 days and still is not mine to use. Want to tell of all that has happened so far but have limited time at the present moment, but be assured I will write them all down for you to hear.
Today I am leading the YWAM Berlin team in treasure hunting so your prayer for that would be so awesome.
Oh I have also got mild sunburn so prayer for a quick recovery would be ace.
Right really have to go will try and give a full update this evening.
Peace
Nathanael
Today I am leading the YWAM Berlin team in treasure hunting so your prayer for that would be so awesome.
Oh I have also got mild sunburn so prayer for a quick recovery would be ace.
Right really have to go will try and give a full update this evening.
Peace
Nathanael
13. Mai 2009
Im Here Baby!
Not got to much to say other than I'm here safely. Had a rough night last night did not get to bed until 2:00am as had to help brother with music A Level work, so very tired today. Flight was good, ears didn't pop which is a first for Easyjet! It's all still very unreal for me but it also feels very natural which can't be a bad thing.
Today will be very chilled which is a blessing so all the fun starts tomorrow, we have 2 YWAM for England to work with for the next month which is pretty awesome news. The other piec of information I found out today is there will be an open air service happening this sunday in Mower Park, which will be such a witness as its normally packed out on sundays with flea market and karaoke! Prayer for that service will be greatly appreciated, as well as prayer for the relations between both myself, the Droptiny Massive and the YWAMers.
Peace
Nathanael
9. Mai 2009
Update the 1st
This is a short note to tell you of all the joys I have experienced these last few days. For the past 4 days I have suffered with a stomach virus which is the least pleasant thing I have ever had to live with. So prayer that it clears up sooner rather than later will be greatly appreciated.
I also received news today that May is going to be an incredibly busy month in Berlin which fills me with excitement but at the same time I am filled with a massive amount of fear. I am still fully trusting that this is the right thing and that God is sending me but your pra
yers would be so valuable especially at this time as I sit and wait.
Finally I have been given the opportunity to speak at church tomorrow about what I will be doing with my time in Berlin, and at this time I have no clue as to what I will say as I am not really 100% sure what I will be doing myself, other than working alongside Kim, Bre and Gabe. So again your prayers that I will say the right things tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your prayers so far, I could not be doing any of this without them.
Peace
Nathanael
4. Mai 2009
This is really happening
Ok so in 9 days time I will fly on a 1 way ticket to Berlin, most likely for 7 weeks but I am up for God saying otherwise. Please pray for me in all this as it is all very new for me, never been away from home for this length of time, never been away on my own, never had a birthday away from home etc...
I will be living and working alongside 3 Americans Kim, Bre and Gabe
From Left: Bre and Kim
Gabe
They are 3 of the most welcoming people I have ever meet and for the last 2 weeks I have been greatly encouraged through their hospitality and wisdom.
Unfortunately, at this time I can not give much more information as all the fine details are still to be worked out. One thing I would really appreciate prayer for is in the next week I need to sort out various commitments already in my diary, mainly the music rota for Purley.
Thank you for your support, it is so valuable to me,
peace
Nathanael
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