Sunday, July 17

After a great night of sleep, Lisa and were treated to a wonderful breakfast   at our host’s home. Rolls and croissants delivered to the house by the neighborhood baker, fresh honey, preserves, cheeses, salmon, sausages, hard boiled eggs, coffee and juice. It was delicious. The meals are much slower and relaxed here. The conversation around the table is as appetizing as the food. We felt welcomed and made comfortable by our hosts.

We noticed that napkins are not a common item on the table so you have to be careful with your food. Everyone is seated before the meal begins. “Good Appetite” is offered as a blessing on the meal.

We then took a tour of the wall built over 1000 years ago between Germany and Denmark. This is right next door to our host family’s home.

The wall was built at the narrowest land area from the east to the west between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. There are rivers and low marshy areas. There is a museum there in Dannewerk with stories of the wall and the battles between the Danes and Germans. The current boarder was determined by an election – the people chose which country they wanted to be in.

We spent time with Oliver’s grandparents then went to a Viking festival in the neighboring town.

We visited the family’s church. As with most German families, our hosts attend church on Christmas and Easter, baptisms and confirmations. The regular Sunday attendance is about 3% of the membership.

Their church is an old stone church surrounded by a cemetery. It is the oldest Christian church in Germany – originally built in 890 AD. The missionary went there to convert the Vikings.

A trip to the Baltic Seashore for dinner rounded off the day.

Tomorrow we head to Hamburg and meet up with our friends from our sister congregations as well as others in our group arriving from the US.

Step One has been wonderful.  We look forward to step two.

Peace,