Berlin, Germany

Posted by Dan and Carole McClelland

Wow, it is hard to believe that 2 weeks ago is when we arrived to Berlin, Germany, when we worshipped God in the train station and He provided a place to stay.  We have developed so many lasting friendships in the last two weeks! 

On January 2nd, we stayed with and served with YWAM Berlin until last night.  The first day, one of the staff at the base led us on a prayer walk around Berlin.  We prayed all over Berlin at many tourstist spots.  It was a completely new way to visit a new city and it was awesome to have the chance to pray in the city we have been praying for since we knew we were going to Berlin.  We had the opportunity to serve in three specific ministries here: dance workshop, Teen challenge and ministry in a park.  Dan and I did not do the dance workshop as there are other people who have a heart for dancing but we did go to Teen Challange and ministry at the park. 

Two other staff members, a married couple, named Micheal and Shayln have a heart for a specific park in Berlin.  It is a dark part of town and the park is known for drug dealers.  We went to the park three times in two weeks to prayer for the park and give out free coffee and tea to the people in the park, delevoping relationships for the YWAM base.  Dan with three other team memebes had the opportunity to give coffee and tea to 10 to 15 drug dealers.  At the start of the day, many were hiding in the brushes and very suspucious that we were cops.  By the end of the day and as our group was leaving the park, they were oout in the open waving bye to us.  It was an amazing example of God' favor.  As Dan shared about his experience, he said that they were so open and friendly and had good conversations with them about thier beliefs about God.  We went back again and invited the people we met to a 'Taste of Costa Rica' party we hosted on Thursday night in Berlin.  Two people we met at the park came, one a drug dealer named Lucky and one a person hanging out in the park named Simon.  We got to pray for Lucky as he left and a memeber of our team had the opportunity to led Simon to Christ after our party. 

This past Tuesday night, Dan and I went to Teen Challenge, which is a ministry that serves food to the homeless everyday in Berlin.  As we were preparing the meal,  we learned there was a man who was Deaf that worked there named Helmi!  I ended up talking with him for the whole night and interpret for the meeting and songs sung by our group.  He signed in German Sign Langauge and me in American Sign Language but we were able to communicate through gestures and were able to understand each other no problem.  I learned many German signs!  It was so fun!He was an amazing encouragement to me as he loved Jesus and knew the Bible soooooo well.  For the whole night, he shared about his life, family and passion for Isreal and heart for Jews.  We exchanged emails and plan to stay friends.  It was a divine appointment from God.