Tim Lenz, Director of Youth and Family Ministry
After many months of planning and anxiously waiting for what seemed like an
eternity only six months ago, our pilgrimage to Germany has now come and gone.
I will forever remember and cherish the friends, experiences, and knowledge
I obtained from our eight day tour through Germany. In my first journey to Europe
I had the opportunity of learning the ins and outs of not only helping to lead
a group abroad, but a group of teenagers abroad.
bserving this trip and Pr. Moore’s leadership from the co-pilot’s seat allowed me to make important discoveries about leading the youth on future trips both home and abroad. For instance, allowing some of the students to purchase replica rifles at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations gift shop in Leipzig may lead to complications with airport security.
Another meaningful part of the trip was getting to know a youth director from a foreign country and obviously different culture. When I first met Susann Finsterbusch it seemed as if she faced different problems and challenges in her work, but after having many conversations with her, I discovered that we both share many of the same concerns, objectives, and goals in our vocations. I greatly look forward to Susann’s possible visit in the fall to Houston where we will continue to both learn and grow professionally from one another.
I believe the trip as a whole was very successful and meaningful in many ways, but I think the relationships formed throughout the trip will leave the most lasting impression. Many of the youth developed fuller relationships with the adult leaders involved, as well as strengthening previous friendships with each other. The youth also were very quick to make friends and form meaningful connections with the youth from St. Thomas Church during the several encounters we had during the week. I look forward to hosting and preparing for the St. Thomas youth when they visit Houston and Christ the King Lutheran Church in the spring of next year.
Adrienne Winston
It’s almost impossible to summarize in just a few short sentences how
amazing our experience in Germany really was. The trip was a great blend of
fellowship and learning, fun and new opportunities. Visiting the places where
our faith tradition was formed was truly incredible. Staying with the host families
in Leipzig allowed us to have the chance to experience family life in Germany
first-hand and we definitely look forward to welcoming the youth from the St.
Thomas Church to Houston next year.
Isaac Graham
I think that being able to interact with the youth was my favorite part. I think
that I made a lot of new friends that will last a long time.
Heather Scruggs
This trip was definitely one that I will not soon forget! I made new friends,
saw lots of beautiful places, tried new foods, learned a little bit of a new
language, and was introduced to an entirely different way of life. The experience
we had in Germany was amazing and unique, because we got to experience German
life & culture in a way that most tourists do not. I really hope all of
the youth we met are able to come down to Houston next year! I would really
like to show them what life is like in America now that they’ve shown
us life in Germany.
Cindi Scruggs
I was apprehensive about the trip on many levels before leaving Houston, and
it turned out to be a wonderful trip I will always cherish. Not only were we
able to learn first hand about the history of the region, but we were able to
experience it from a bit of an insider view. We managed to hit some tourist
spots and some not so tourist spots as well. The very best memories will be
of the families we met there and the friendships that have now been forged.
Email is already flying back and forth from Houston to Leipzig on a daily basis
from the children and some of the adults too!
Andrew Winston
The most memorable part of the Germany trip was seeing all the historic churches.
It was cool to see all the stained glass windows and detailed stone and wood
work. Another great experience for me was getting to walk in the footsteps of
Martin Luther while in the monastery in Wittenberg.
Matthew Winston
The neatest part of the trip for me was interacting with youth from a different
country. It was cool to learn how similar we really are even though we come
from a different culture. It was also very interesting to learn firsthand in
Germany about the beginnings of the Lutheran faith. And of course it was cool
to go to the Porsche factory.
Nathaniel Winston
There are many things that I will remember about going to Germany. I had a most
enjoyable time learning more about the start of the Lutheran Church by going
and seeing the places where Luther lived and worked in Wittenberg and then where
he was held by friends in the Wartburg Castle. I also had a wonderful time with
the family that I stayed with in Leipzig and with the Youth Group from the St.
Thomas Church.
Andrea Salas
I think that one of the best parts of the trip to Germany, besides going around
and seeing all the different sights, was definitely being able to get together
and mingle with all the German youth and be one great big group of people. It
was so much fun being able to experience a foreign country with the guidance
of youth who are just sharing a part of their lives rather than just leading
a bunch of tourists around. Their casual enthusiasm for their home was very
refreshing. I wish that every trip I took to a foreign country could be that
way, where we weren’t going all over the place and then collapsing half-mindless
from exhaustion into a semi-uncomfortable bed at a youth hostel or in a room
you have to share with a two-year-old (long story, ask me later). This time
we actually got to stay out late a couple of times and experience some of the
night-life, to a certain degree without people getting cranky.
Tim Winston
When I first heard from Tim Lenz that our youth group might be going to Germany
a couple of thoughts first came to mind. Where? When? How much? And most importantly,
how do I sign up? I knew that this was the first opportunity for the Luther
League to go abroad, let alone to Germany! After lots of planning and work we
were finally going. It was an awesome trip from the moment we landed in Berlin,
(although many were exhausted from the lack of sleep from being so excited)
to the time we left for the airport at 2:30 a.m. on our last day. It was amazing
to see the many historical sites and buildings from which the Lutheran Church
and faith was founded as well as seeing the many sites in German and world history.
The hospitality we received from our sister church’s youth and families
in Leipzig was amazing to say the least. I think we all took back something
more from this trip than just pictures. I’m looking forward to the St.
Thomas youth’s visit to Texas next year, and hope that we can do this
for many years to come.
Kristin West
I am glad I was able to be a part of the Germany youth trip to visit the roots
of my religion. Bonding with the German youth was fun even though the language
was not the barrier I had trouble breaking. I treasure the friendships I have
made and am looking forward to some of the German youth from St. Thomas Church
visiting in the spring of 2008.