Impressions of the "Kieler Woche"
Impressions of the „Kieler Woche“
We stood in little groups in a distance of about hundred meters from each other in the pedestrian area in Kiel. People walked up and down and our shining blue T-shirts with print “Gott tut’s” (God is at work) caught the attention of the entertaining seeking mass. Each group held one or more signs which should make people think or provoke them to do so. On my sign it said: “Who or what is Golgatha (Hebrew word for calvary, used in the German bible)?” and there were three options given: 1. Toothpaste, 2. Location of the crucifixion of Christ and 3. Swedish Word for Goal scorer.
Many people stopped and thought about it. One elderly lady couldn’t believe that I asked this question seriously until a group of people stopped right beside her, discussing loudly whether Golgatha was a Swedish word or a toothpaste brand. Again and again we had the opportunity to offer people the book which has the right answer: a New Testament.
Michel
We had a sign which said: I believe in what my right neighbour believes in. I stood on the left side of the person with the sign, so I was not the right neighbour. Some young people talked to us about that.
Some young men came to us and talked to us. They had the opinion that being a Christian means that everybody thinks the same and believes in a book which all have to follow. We had the opportunity to listen. May God bless them.
Daniel
Thomas could not imagine that God really does something, when somebody prays. I shared with him, how HE has worked in my life.
Then he told me his story – a sad story of sickness, unemployment and public humiliation.
Most of the time I have just listened and he was so grateful for that.
At the end of the conversation I gave him a bible, which he happily took and promised, to pray for him. I believe I saw some tears in his eyes.
Kristin
One day I was standing with a group who held the signs: “I believe in what my right neighbour believes in. “A punk came up to me who had interpreted the signs as being a political statement and said: “I am not “right!”. I asked him, what his political position was and he said that he was politically on the very left wing. I offered him to stand in the row on the very left side. He laughed and asked what he would get for that. I offered him one of those Volxbibeln (Interpretation of the Bible in teenage language) if he would be willing to trade it against something he thought was worth it. He was searching his pockets and he finally came up with two flyers: “Against Nazis!” and a fist breaking the swastika. Now it was my turn to laugh and we traded our “treasures”. As we said good-bye he confirmed that he will definitely read this book.
Michel
Having lived in T urkey for a couple of years it was not a new situation for meto get in trouble with the city officials and police while sharing the gospel. But I was quite surprised when a lady wearing a uniform came up to me, saying: “We do not want you here. Please clear this place.” I asked her what the problem was. There were other people doing all kind of little artistic things which was no problem, but she insisted that our signs and actions would not fall into the category of “art or street performance” and therefore we would have to have permission. I tried not to provoke a big discussion but she suspected we were working for a “cult”. When I said that we worked together with the protestant state church she just wiped that away with the comment: “I am not going to discuss this with you.” I didn’t want to argue with her so we left, but I was quite surprised to experience this kind of opposition in a country like Germany.
Michel
This was my first time with Operation Mobilization. The training time and seminars was very beneficial for me. We went to the mission boat “Elida” and stayed there talking to people. Even being in my 60’s I really enjoyed that loud and attention getting music because it needed to be.
Lydia
On Wedne sday I was asking the people to take the survey what they liked about Kiel and the festival. The survey ends with “Do you Think ‘God works’ (imprint on our T-Shirts)?”. One young man shared that he did not believe in God – never had. We talked about creation and he said perhaps there was a God but how could he allow wars and disasters. We talked about that being “man” choice and finally he agreed. He said he drank and smoked and I probably believe he was going to hell because of it but he believed when he was dead that was it. There was nothing more. Then he told me his dream was to play American football and I told him that ability like that was from God. We also talked that it was hard to know or trust in a God you didn’t know and he agreed – he had never been in a church. Anyway, I finally told him I had an easy to read book about God and he said he would like to read it. We traded (for a bus ticket). Now he has a Bible and a way to God.
We also had five Teenagers who came twice to talk to a German volunteer. They finally traded for five bibles.
Diane
We held the sign reading “I believe what my right neighbour believes in.”
One man approached me saying: “I believe in the centre of all things” I asked: “What is this centre for you?” He replied it was the universe, love… I mentioned that love actually has a name. “You don’t mean to say Jesus Christ now, do you?” “Well, He gave His life out of His love. Would you please think about that?”
Susanne
An elderly man approached our group with the signs about the right neighbour.
He was confused: “What is this about?”
“It is about what you believe in”
“I believe in nothing. I find it awful that I was even born. Life doesn’t make sense, just look at the many wars going on. But the few days I have left I hope I’ll make it.
“Maybe God has more days in store for you than you think now”
“God? I don’t believe in him. But good for you, he seems to give peace and joy into your life.
“How do you know?”
“I can see this in you.
“Thank you. I really hope that you will find the same. If you look out for the truth, you’ll find it!”
Susanne
A group of young people stands in front of me.
“Do you understand the meaning of these signs?”
“No, what is this?”
“Well, it is about what you believe in.”
“ Me? Nothing. Oh, you mean something with God and such. Who are you anyway? Some sort of cult?”
“No, we are working together with the Evangelical Alliance in Kiel.
“ Oh, really? I am a Catholic. According to my boss at work I would need to put you on a stake (smiles). Did Jesus not say that he came to bring fights not peace?”
“Well, yes, but he meant that in a different way. But here I could give you a book where you can read more about Jesus and what he said. Interested?”
The girl who had talked to me traded the New Testament with a bottle breech and promised to read.
Susanne
The Trading-the-Bible-for-something was funny: we came home with an air-pump, a ball pen and a flower pot with cactuses. In 90% of the time people showed friendly reactions. And on top of it the sky was blue and the sun shining.
Iris
After some time of prayer walking our group met 3 younger people and talked to them for 1,5h. We listened and I was sad to realize how little they knew about what God could do in their lives to give them true fulfilment.
Jonathan
I very much enjoyed Sabine who provided a place to sleep, treated me royally and spent time with me talking, eating and showing me Kiel.
Susan
One day as I was holding a sign about I believe what the one on my right believes a man walked up and told me thee was no one standing to my right. He was thinking of his right. We came to talk about what he believed in and he started to share about a hard life. He said he is now a Christian looking for Christian fellowship. I gave him a “Gott tut’s” flyer and pointed out the contact information. Please pray for him.
Susan
One lady started a conversation by asking me how I had hope. I told her that my hope was in the Lord Jesus Christ. She opened up saying she had a hard time because her doctors had told her she wouldn’t live very long. I expressed love to her and promised to pray for her. Please join me in this, that she will fully trust in the Lord.
Susan
Usually when I am involved in an activity I am at the front of the line and in charge of something. But even though I had a few good conversations during our “Gott tut’s” campaign, the biggest blessing came when I was on the sidelines. At our last active day I was standing some distance from our group of signs with an umbrella, waiting for rain, praying for the group. Every time I looked up it seemed there was another conversation going on. It was so encouraging to see prayer really working, that I felt my spirit rise with joy. I enjoyed my time on the sidelines, praying and singing praise songs, watching God work through a quiet heart.
Aubrie
Josh (in the bin), Hilk e and I talked to a youngster (13-15 years old) who was really wondering about what to think about God. When we tried to trade a “Volxbibel”, he had nothing to offer in return. He then picked up a stone from the ground and said: “With this stone I give my sin to you” WOW
Bennet
One man approached Dave and I saying: “I have a problem with the faith”. After a short while his statement changed somewhat to “I have a problem with my faith”. Upon asking why that was the case he opened up and shared some things from his life. We asked for permission to pray for him and took him in our midst, lifting him up to the Lord in prayer. He hugged both of us and had tears in his eyes afterwards. His name is Hartmut and I learned later that Michel met him, too and was able to give a bible.
Bennet
After talking to one man for a long time I found it difficult to communicate to him that there is a personal relationship possible with Jesus. He had a quite distorted view of Christianity, mostly because of his brother who seemed to be a rather legalistic Christian. When I shared from my heart about what Jesus is for me he listened attentively, saying: “I can see in your eyes that you are really excited about what you have experienced with God”.
Bennet
A short while later Hartmaut approached me and we talked along time together. He confessed to me that he wanted to committ suicide. His story moved me very much and I confessed to him, that I do not want to give him a superficial answer. But I offered him to talk to the one who had often helped me in my life. He said: “You talk about God?” I said yes and he shared that God has often helped him in his depressive times as well. I prayed for him and he wept and hugged me as he would never let me go again.
Michel
I was doing the survey on the street and Michel told me to move to another spot. I met a 16 year old girl. After talking to her for about 25 minutes, she wanted to be forgiven for her sins. I had her say the sinners’ prayer and she accepted Christ right there on the street. I gave her a Bible and prayed for her. It was really exciting.
Jim
I talked to another guy on the street through the Festival survey. I listened a lot. He had much to say. He believed when he died his body went into the Baltic Sea (Jim, maybe he was talking about funeral arrangements where a body is buried in the Baltic Sea?). He believed when his dog died that his dogs’ soul lived through him. He had many strange beliefs but when I was done talking to him he received a Bible. I felt that he would do more researching. He has a Christian friend at work, I hope I was able to deliver the word of God to his heart even more. Hopefully his Christian friend can also continue to influence him.
Jim
As I was walking down the street and felt I should pray for two guys so I walked behind them with Hilke in front of me. They were sandwiched. The guy then accidently hit me with his cigarette butt on my hand, said sorry then talked about the sign I was walking with. They spoke German so Hilke talked to them for another 7 minutes and planted some seeds.
Jim
Yesterday I started doing my survey and wasn’t getting the same reactions as the day before. Everyone was brief with me and not willing to open up. I felt evil spirits in this place and expressed that to God. He guided me move. I asked him where to go. And my next spot was very good I was getting open hearts and minds here and was able to talk about the gospel.
Jim
After doing the skit Tuesday night near the Elida a full rainbow appeared in the sky with the sun directly in the middle of it. There were no rain clouds and it hadn’t just rained. There were just clouds and sun. I felt it was Got smiling down on us. I believe he was pleased and wanted to express his love and gratitude.
Jim
I got to talk to one lady who believed in God and heard of things in the Bible, but hadn’t really accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour. I shared the Gospel and truth with her. Although I couldn’t get her to accept him right there on the street, I know she was very close, like step 6 on her way to 7 which is being saved. I was able to give her a Bible in exchange for a picture of her baby sister. I therefore gave her a picture of my two daughters; she was very touched and held them to her heart. Hopefully, she saw Gods love through me.
Jim
Hartmut: “I have problems with my faith” he shared how sometimes he is close to God, but now he is not. Bennet and I prayed for him and he hugged us. He had tears in his eyes when he left…. Later he met Michel.
Dave
This was a conversation where my part was listening! This man shared a lot about his life and how sad it was now as he was an unemployed interpreter. He said at the end that he was a Christian, too.
Jonathan
One young mother was arguing with me on a rather theoretical level. She didn’t deny the existence of Jesus but thought he was merely one out of a lot of religious leaders.
She promised me at the end to read in the Bible.
Jonathan
This man was grumbling as a reaction towards our activities. As I walked a bit alongside him to talk to him about this there was no way I could say a word. He was going on criticising this campaign and denied God’s existence. In the end he took a brochure.
Jonathan
A free journalist had fallen away from his faith and had left the church a long while ago. He had been angry with one pastor who had defrauded donated money. Now he was working for the society and welcomed every Christian and person doing so, too. We took time to explain to each other our point of view and after some time I suggested to pray for him. This was when he said his eyes were hurting so much from the burning sun that they were watery…
He even missed a business meeting to be able to continue our talk.
Jonathan
One hour I had a young Muslim explain to me his faith – but I, too got time to share my faith. While he tried to convince me with arguments about Islam I tried to say why I was so excited about my relationship with Jesus. Our talk was friendly from both sides. When I said that I would like to know his name (“Sidi”?)in order to be able to pray for him, he, too wanted to know my name. I urged him to ask God for revelation and to seek for the truth. He asked me to make this my prayer as well which I gladly promised.
Jonathan