Summer and dreams

Summer has finally come to Berlin. I love the sun, the flowers, the warm air, the mood of people outside. Summer traditionally is the most busy time for publishing as lots of stuff should get finished before Franfurt book fair. Graphics, proofreading and printing all take their - so the writing part needs to be finished by August if one wants to avoid pressure and stress in autumn. So I am writing, writing, writing - but also taking time to be with friends, Jesus, myself and to just lie in the sun.
By the way. In the last 2 years or so I have produced 34 mini-books on faith and life (self-help books) and 11 small books...they are all doing well and people love and buy them and read them and give them away as gifts. 4 of them have now been published in Dutch and one in Japanese! But I am still looking for an English language publisher for them. You can find the whole collection (in German - sorry) on my web page....

Empty buildings

Empty buildings have their own charm. Especially if it looks like the new museum in Berlin, which shows clearly the traces of history and combines it with clear and modern architecture.

Due to its opening there was a change concert ... concert musicians, dancers and audience moved from room to room. Beautiful, amazing, sunny, invigorating, joyful experience ... just a wonderful experience with very many facets.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Sunday, March 08, 2009 @ 22:27

Pretty cool - Antwerp in Berlin

The first part of the experiment has worked well. I have gone to one of my favorite cafes in the early afternoon - or more precisely I cycled, which is currently easier than walking. Next to it was a lingerie, which I have visited afterwards. I came into conversation with the shop owner. I had not written that on the list, but it definitely belongs to the Antwerp feeling: talking to shop owners and employees.
The lady I spoke with was great, extroverted and open: "You are wearing the most charming hat this week !"... We talked about work and coaching ... and she had such a great business idea for me that I am absolutely jubilant while cycling home ... the idea is so obvious, practical and feasible and what is ... it totally fits me ... I will tell you, however, only if I've actually implemented it ... but that will be soon ...

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 @ 17:52

Gifts

On the way home, I had a lot of beautiful extras: At the airport there was a massage chair and foot massage device to try out ... I have enjoyed for so long until the boarding call came. In the plane there was a four-seat row free - I could lie down. I have not slept much anyway, because the people around me talked intensively. But it was better than sitting. And in Amsterdam I was greeted by a flame-red sky morning and by a man, whom I met in Berlin times and who was still able to remember (hm. .. I couldn´t) and also straight returned from the USA.
In Berlin, I heard the first, as two airport employees were talking: "I have two sweaters on. You, too?" "Yes!" Because I just missed the bus I once again waited ten and twenty minutes in the cold winter sun ... and found it really beautiful.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 19:43

Climbing, restrictions and joy

Yesterday I was for the first time in my life in a climbing hall - with a small group of people and a very good instructor. After the experience of Bollywood dancing (coordination beyond my abilities), I had success when climbing and Jan, the coach said I had talent and a good feeling for this. That is really me. At the end I´ve even climbed - totally sweaty - a Route 5 (quite challenging for absolute beginners). My hands are still red and rough, but it probably hast to be like that ....
A few times I thought about a scene from The Shack in which Jesus wants to catch a trout and can not catch it. The main character asks him why he does not simply snap his fingers and uses his divine force power to let the trout bounce into his hands. Jesus replied: "Sure, I could do that, but then where would be the fun. It is precisely the restrictions that makes life rich." I found that this is a tremendously exciting idea ...

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, November 28 2008 @ 09:18

Interculturally prayer for Germany

There are many Christians of non-German origin who live here and who care about our country. That is why we - Gemeinsam für Berlin(Together for Berlin) - organized an intercultural Prayer for our country on 3 October. About six hours of singing and praying with Christians from probably two dozen different nations. We prayed together for social, spiritual and social concerns that affect our country. A detailed report with pictures is on the Trans-Forum blog. My favorite: the small, Tamil worshipers in nappies on the arms of his father, giving everything!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Sunday, October 05, 2008 @ 18:23

Church- the place of meeting

Recently I read a report about an American congregation which holds church services at the car park. The pastor stands at the entrance of the church, preaching into a microphone. The members of the congregation listen to the service in their cars in the car park via radio frequencies. After the church service, you briefly get out of the car and shake hands with the others. Only for receiving the Holy Communinon you actually have to go to church.
At first I thought: "How wacky!" and "typical American". Then I asked myself whether this really is so much different of our worship, as we sit together in chairs or benches. Often this is the case: Most sit side by side, but do not talk with each other, but listen to what is said from the front. During the worship takes place in most communities we rarely encounter each other, even if we are not separated by a tin wall, but "only" by silence. Meeting and communication is done mostly before or afterwards. If so, you can actually sit in the car, right?
The Vineyard communities are doing fairly well in Berlin. They go to the people, talk with them and offer them prayer and experience that people can encounter God. Current stories can be found on the Vineyard blog.


Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Thursday, August 28 2008 @ 10:39

Age difference

Today I spent the day with two very (age) different ladies. In the morning I gave a coaching for a woman who proved to be the post-war generation. I think it helped her to get her own feelings on the track and get closer to a solution.
The rest of the day I kept an eye on the three-month-old Anna so that her mother could visit her seriously ill father in the Berlin Charité clinic. Between the two "ladies" were probably around 60 years. These were two very different meetings, but the needs of the two were similar: interest, careful attention, sensing what might be good for them. I've enjoyed with both.
Now I am going to take care about the "lady" in my skin and who has got the same needs. I think the first is to get something to eat and to drink.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, 23rd August 2008 @ 18:53

Model

Today a group of tourists Berlin asked me whether they could take a picture of me driving on my Phantom recumbent bicycle. Sure they could. Now I am a model for the photo - nice, although they were much more interested in my vehicle rather than in my person!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, 9th August 2008 @ 20:21

Afghanistan

I am pretty tired. I have got sore muscles and therefore I have not slept so well. This morning I finished reading the book "A thousand splendid sun" - a very moving book about two women`s fates in Afghanistan. The author Khaled Hossein interweaves masterfully personal destinies and the tragic history of Afghanistan.
When I was in Afghanistan in 2003, I was moved by the unbroken courage of the Afghans, despite of all the blows of fate, wars, drought and hunger to start again. The people I met there were strong and courageous and have not lost the smile in the eyes - not even the old man, who has been locked with dozens of other people in a container by the Taliban - without water and food. As days later someone could open the container, he was the only survivor. Now, he is rebuilding his village and supports returning refugee families. I will never forget his warm, loving eyes that showed his gratitude for the restoration of the ancient, destroyed Karazees [channels] during the war, which supplied his village with water. [An aid organization helped the villagers in the reconstruction by giving them materials and devices].
I can not forget Afghanistan and its people. I am currently working together with Shelter Now, an organization that is doing fantastic work there for decades. We are trying to establish a fundraising campaign. My idea: many people still have old DM or pfennigs at home, which they cannot use any more. By collecting and changing this money, new planting of fruit trees could be financed for example. Millions of trees withered in the drought years or have been chopped by the Taliban. We just think of the organizational details of the action - we are going to do it in any case.


Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, 9th August @ 11:05