August 13, 2005
Dear Friends in Christ,
Forty-four years ago today (1961) the Berlin Wall was erected.
It made visible a division that had stamped the city (and the
country) since the end of World War II, but of course it did more
than that. It made a final and seemingly permanent statement about
the “division” of post-war Europe, and it was, in
some sense, a logo for the reality of the Cold War. That “war,”
which dictated the world’s self-understanding until 1989,
is now pretty much “history,” and Berlin argues today
about what to do with the left-over pieces of the wall! They’re
selling for about 5,000 Euros each, more if you want some real
good graffiti or art. Hmmm.
Fifteen years ago I arrived in Berlin to begin what I imagined
to be a three-year venture as a mission co-worker. My first weeks
in this vibrant and newly unified city were punctuated by many
“happenings.” First off, the wall was being torn down
quite rapidly, the new and freely elected Parliament of East Germany
voted for unification with West Germany, subway lines closed for
years were being opened again, streets that had dead-ended at
the wall were being re-connected, and East Germans were at last
able to go to any corner of the world! Today the newspaper reports
that “Wall Way” will be completed soon, so we’ll
be able to walk or ride a bike the length of the 1500-kilometer
wall that divided the city and surrounded the western sector of
the city. Signs will give information about life in the divided
city and the divided country. Interesting.
The research project I’m now beginning is a kind of journey
along a “way” as well. Its signposts are interviews
with Christians from the former GDR (German Democratic Republic,
or East Germany). What was their life like and how did encounters
with American Christians affect their faith, worldview, understanding
of Church? Why did they participate and invite Americans into
their homes and congregations? As I go about collecting data from
these fine folk, I marvel and quietly even revel in how faithful
God was in those years and is to this day. My research is in its
beginning stages, but my first interviews with people from the
east, as well as a big pile of western documentation (now in my
office), attest to a rather incredible and unique ministry in
a time now viewed as “history.” As I walk along this
“way” and learn about people’s memories and
recollections and feelings, I am aware of the gift it
is to listen and be part of their reflection and memory sharing.
Soon I will have enough material to begin initial analysis. |
