While the world we live in is indeed large with its billions of people living in almost two hundred countries on six continents and many islands, it can at the same time seem much smaller or closer at times.Shortly after moving to Germany, we were contacted by Elder Gary Stephens.He and his wife are currently serving in the office of the Berlin Germany Mission.Elder Stephens served in Indonesia in 1974-5.While not companions, we lived in the same house in Semarang, he in his last transfer and I in my first in Indonesia.My companion at the time, Elder Zobell, was in the same group with Elder Stephens, who were among the first missionaries to receive language training at the MTC in Hawaii before going to Indonesia.
Years later, I (Russell) came in to contact with Elder Stephens again at Jessica’s wedding reception. Gary had been in a bishopric with my son-in-law’s father. We talked then again around/during the time Eileen and I were called to Indonesia to serve as humanitarian missionaries in 2012. Elder Stephens and his wife likewise served as humanitarian missionaries in Indonesia a few years ago just after the Covid pandemic. Unfortunately, they had to alternate between serving in Malaysia and Indonesia because of visa challenges. Visa issues in Indonesia have been a recurring subject for Christian missionaries for over 50 years.
The Whit Sunday/Monday holiday celebrating Pentecost (Germany has several religious holidays in May), provided us an opportunity to visit Berlin with another missionary couple from Frankfurt (Elder and Sister Muelleck), and to meet with Elder and Sister Stephens at church today. It is great to see those you served with in your youth still firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ and continuing to serve missions.
Elder and Sister Healy with Elder and Sister Stephens in Berlin.
Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, the summer palace of King Frederick the Great
Beautiful columbines in the Sannsouci Gardens
Berlin Cathedral is a magnificent basilaca which was built in 2 years. It serves the Protestant community.
This fountain in front of the Cathedral is not usually green. We are not sure if it was a prank, or why it is green.
Beautiful stained glass windows in the Berlin Cathedral.
You can rent these Trabani cars to drive around Berlin.
The courtyard near the Opera House. The amphitheater showing behind us was where they had an outdoor concert later in the evening. It was called Opera for All. This is also the site of the infamous book burnings by the Nazis.
In order to be in the courtyard to see the opera you either needed to sit on the ground or bring your own char. We sat on some benches in the street and were able to still hear the opera fairly well.
The medical missionary who recently came down with Ebola in the DRC was evacuated to this Charite hospital in Berlin not far from our hotel. Vaccines for cholera, and TB were developed here.
These Trabant cars can be rented to take a drive around Berlin.
The Healys and the Muellecks in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
Plaque near Brandenburg Gate memorializing the visit from Ronald Reagan on June 12, 1987 challenging Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall. Reagan stated "Mr Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall! The Berlin Wall fell on November 9th, 1989.
Every week I (Eileen) think I have walked the most steps of my life. Once again I improved my record of steps in one day. Thankfully with a shot in my foot and knee on Monday I didn't hurt too bad this week.
A short clip from the Opera for all in the plaza of the Opera House in BerlinWe saw this choir from William and Mary college sightseeing in Potsdam. They invited us to their concert in Berlin which we went to Saturday night. The missionaries were all surprised to hear the melody to one of our sacrament songs sung to German lyrics (different from the sacrament song). It is Sechs Leader, op 59 no 1, 3-6 by Felix Mendelssohn
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