What a Christmas week we had!
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| Bob's "hospital office." |
The week began with Bob in the hospital for three days. The kidney stone episode in November carried over into December. The stone sent him to the hospital for three days then, (November 12-14), but the stone became lodged in the urethra, causing the left kidney to swell. Because of the location, a "lithotripsy" was not possible, so a "Double J" stint was put in place between the kidney and bladder to allow the kidney to function properly. The return visit in December was scheduled to check the position of the stone, and remove it if possible.
The stint was removed (no, we will not share any of the PAINFUL details!) on Monday, a lithotripsy was done on Tuesday, and Bob was released on Wednesday, December 19.
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| Hospital Caroling |
On Friday, December 21 a group of us from the church went Christmas caroling at the hospital where Bob had been a patient a few days earlier. We had a delightful time singing on 7 different floors of the hospital, as well as the women's care ward, and the main entrance. On one floor in particular, three elderly women were very demonstrative of their gratitude, applauding and thanking us. One of the women shared that she was 100 years old!
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| At Weihnachtsmarkt |
On Saturday, a small group of us went to Darmstadt's downtown area to the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market). We held a prayer walk around the downtown area, praying that the true meaning of the season would not be missed by the hundreds of people who were celebrating there.
International churches tend to see sharp declines in attendance during holiday seasons, as students and ex-patriots travel home or to vacation destinations during their free times. That being said, those of us who remained in Darmstadt had a wonderful time of worship on Sunday, followed by a fellowship meal in the church dining center. Everyone brought favorite foods reflecting their homelands, which is always a special treat.
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| Christmas Sunday Communion |
On Christmas eve the church building we rent was being used by the host congregation, so we held a very special meal at the home of Eric and Natalka's. Natalka was an amazing hostess, preparing goose, beef, potatoes, beets, salads and desserts. Carol prepared her famous coffee punch. After a great meal with 20 people from all over the world, we sang Christmas carols (we had selections of song in English, German, Spanish, Arabic and French!).
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| Kevin Lighting an Advent Candle |
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| Christmas Eve Gathering |
On Christmas morning, we had a wonderful Christmas worship service, with a music drama, Christmas carols and a service that included dramatic readings from Christmas characters reflecting on the first Christmas morning. It was a great time! In the afternoon, a bunch of us gathered at Mike and Paula's for a day filled with wonderful food, games, a "white elephant" gift exchange, great conversations, and we capped off the day watching "The Nativity Story." Several people from our church family commented that it was the best Christmas celebration they had had in years, and some said it was their best ever!
On Thursday after Christmas we were invited by the Kirchhoff's for dinner. Herr Kirchhoff had been Bob's roommate during the November hospital stay. We had a delightful dinner with them filled with German/English conversation. We are excited to welcome them to church one Sunday soon!
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| Christmas Sunday Fellowship Feast |
Then on Friday we welcomed our friend, Angie from Spain for a 5 day visit. We met Angie in some of our training over the last few years, and it was great to have her with us. We visited Frankfurt, the "Wall Street" of Europe, and Mainz, where we went to the Gutenberg Museum to check out the history of printing, learn about Gutenberg's impact on the world (He was named Time Magazine's "Man of the Millennium" in 2000), and see how his printing press impacted the kingdom of God - in printing Bibles and pamphlets during the Reformation.
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| In Frankfurt's "Altstadt" |
We spent a beautiful, sunny day in Baden-Baden, where we attended their Weihnachtsmarkt, one of the few that goes past Christmas. And of course we spent a day visiting the gardens, palace, museums and sights around Darmstadt. It was great. We also enjoyed New Year's Eve (or "Sylvester", as the Germans call it), in Darmstadt. New Years in Germany is amazing - thousands of fireworks are sent skyward by hundreds of people filling the streets and lots around the city - it is a real treat!
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| Bob at the Gutenberg Press in Mainz |
We trust and pray that you enjoyed a blessing-filled Christmas filled with the joy of knowing and experiencing the reason for the season - the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
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| Skating in Baden Baden |
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