From the beautiful Moron, Switzerland

This morning was beautiful! But I knew that I didn't want to have to say goodbye again... but more of the sappy stuff later...

We actually got to sleep in a little while, as our 9:30 meeting time was much later than usual, pretty nice for a change! The morning's service was wonderful! Everything was translated for us, which was nice, and we sung a few songs in German too! During the beginning of the service, Matt spoke a bit on what it means to be a Christian in America, and talked about how really being a Christian is something bigger than geographical location... He and I had been discussing this earlier on the bus... about how Peter's experience with Cornelius in Acts 10 and Galations 3:28 have really begun to take a new meaning... but yeah, more of that later...

Anyways, following the service there was a meal for all of us, which was good to share with one another! More fantastic fellowship with persons from other cultures... I thought especially on pentecost it was special to work with the language barrier... but maybe that's just the PK in me... ;)

After lunch, we had to say our goodbyes, not only to our wonderful hosts in Ettenheim, but to our friends from Espelkamp, Tabea, Tabea, Leo, and Tobias, who drove all the way down to see us again! I will miss everyone in Ettenheim and hope to return again someday! But it was even harder to say goodbye to our "groupies" for a second time... Many lasting friendships have been built in Germany...

Then it was a 2 and a half, turned into 3, turned into 4 hour bus ride to Moron, Switzerland... :) Between the border crossing and a little bit of bus trouble (fixed!), it took a little longer than normal... But the scenery was beautiful! I can't wait to go to Wengen on Tuesday!!!

We arrived in Moron, a regular stop for the European Chorale, around 5 and after a short rehersal were served a fabulous meal (of which I ate way to much of course...) consisting of salad, rice, a sweet curry (mom, gotta get the recipe), and then strawberries, rhubarb, and creme puffs for dessert! The concert was packed! Over 250 people had to have been there in the sanctuary, which was crazy because there weren't near that many houses around! It was once again very well recieved... so much in fact that we recieved not one, but two calls for an encore! Then it was once again off to host families for the night...

Matt and I (go figure, I guess they weren't thinking clearly when they made that pairing haha) are staying with Pierre Burkholder and his family... It has been a great night! This is a French speaking household as Pierre met his wife in Hati while on MCC, their two children were also born there. We shared some fabulous cheese that is so good it has to be scraped a certain way to fully enjoy it... I cannot remember the french name, but the translation is quite literally, "head of the monk," and to quote matt, "It melted in my mouth."

But now it's time for bed... but I guess a few reflections before hand:

Like I said, in my devotions I have been thinking a lot lately about how relationships across cultures, borders, and boundries are not only good, but necessary for worldwide community... I used to think that simply making connections and trying to understand was enough, but I've learned that it is much more than this... Don't worry, there's no sermon coming, but I would encourage you to take a look at Acts 10 and Galations 3:28... What does it mean for you? Matt challenged the congregation this morning that there was no German or American, Choir Member or Audience, Host or Guest... Where are the boundaries? As I look around, I'm saddened to see how easily they are recognizeable... Keep making those relationships that cross boundries, for the stronger our ties are, the weaker the things that seperate us... That's the real message of Pentecost I think...

Anyways, food for thought... maybe too much like a sermon, I blame dad... or thank him :)


Blessings,
John

(Oh, and since Matt is making fun of the content of my posts, I have a special addition: May 23rd, my beard and chest hair are still far superior to Matt's weak sauce attempt at manhood... :P )