Loving Berlin

There he is. Just another man standing in front of one of the countless grocery stores and the innumerable kiosks and Döner shops. Just part of the scenery, receding into the façade of Berlin. Just another face, another life that we pass by each day. And yet one wonders: what’s going on behind that face? What kind of life is that of just standing there all day, alcohol in hand? What choices were made, what circumstances pushed this man to just stand, drink, and sell smuggled cigarettes? One wonders; I wonder!

He seems to be a faithful representation of the inner struggle of Berlin, making visible what goes on beyond many closed doors and shut windows. Solitude, idleness, hopelessness, and alcohol. It’s a particular characteristic of these old Soviet style buildings, that although painted yellow and bright, they appear grey, a scenery that seems to underscore the alienation from life, hope, others, and God. But why care? Don’t people pass us by everyday? They are just somebody, anybody! I have my own problems to deal with.

And then there’s Peter, who lives alone with his mom. He is 12 years old; a 6th grader. His mom comes home from work at 10PM. He spends his afternoons in front of his TV. Don’t even bother consulting the TV guide! He knows what’s playing on his favorite channels and at what times. It’s all planned out, and yet, after meeting us once he comes to hang out at the church construction site in the afternoon. As I start talking to him, I notice that he does funny things – he’s is always on the move. He tells me that he has twitches he cannot control: “They are annoying, but I have learned to live with them.” Oh well, after all it’s the inside that counts, not the outside, right? The answer: “Yeah, I guess.”

Why care? The answer is simple. Because God does. Because when I see that man in front of that store, I can’t help but see Jesus standing there with him in the cold. Because when I look into the eyes of that stranger passing me by, I cannot help but feel that Jesus is looking into those same eyes with all the care of the world. Because when I see Peter twitch and twist, I see Jesus twisting and twitching with him.

And yet, what would happen, if instead of just praying for these people, I would pray that God would give me enough love to stand with that man, to look at those eyes the way He does, or to twist and shake with Peter? It is my prayer that God would grant me enough love to live life with others, rather than in front of others, and to give everything to them, rather than just providing an example

by Rafael Duerksen

Rafael is a TREK participant from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is currently serving in Berlin, Germany where he is doing construction on the new church building and reaching out to the community.