Ch… ch… changes!

If you haven’t heard WE MADE IT TO GERMANY! God worked some real miracles and taught us some tough lessons, but we made just in time to be a part of orientation. Since we’ve arrived, we’ve learned a lot from our host family and other BFA veterans.  There are some changes we’re going to love and some that are going to be tough. Some of the challenges…

WATER – Germans use a lot less water than we do. 15 minute showers? Long hot baths? We’ll have to break some of those habits. There isn’t a water shortage, it’s just expensive! Conservation is a necessity. Europeans are also much more environmentally aware.  In fact, I found these figures online.  The average American home produces 54,600 lbs. of carbon per year while the average German home creates only 27,700 lbs…. wait, POUNDS? That’s another challenge.

WEIGHTS and MEASURES – remember learning in elementary math about the logical, well thought out metric system? Bye bye cups, gallons, inches, etc. Time to catch up with the rest of the planet!  Something tells me our favorite recipes aren’t going to taste the same.  A gallon is about the same as a liter anyway, right?! So maybe gas prices in Germany aren’t so bad after all. I bought diesel yesterday for only $1.15!… a liter! You do the math while I walk to the store.

ELECTRICITY – Have you ever tried to hook up a garden hose up to a fire hydrant? OK. Maybe it’s not that bad switching to 220 volt electric wiring and outlets.  There are power adapters, but that curling iron is only gonna last so long trying to hold off the extra voltage. One couple said that their alarm clock, coffee maker, and hair dryer got zapped and ruined. We’re glad the Bose speaker system and the Keurig coffee maker didn’t come along!

DON’T LITTER – One thing you won’t find on German television is the 30 second public service announcements (PSAs) to “Fight Dirty” or “Put Litter In Its Place”.  Why not?  Because for the most part people DON’T LITTER!  I’m sure there are Germans who do let a piece of trash or two get away, but they are the exception.  I don’t miss stepping in discarded clumps of used chewing tobacco or chasing empty 44 oz. Styrofoam Sonic cups across my yard though. We have yet to set out our trash and drop off our recyclables. That will be fun. Gulp.

Yeah.  These are lighthearted, simple little examples from everyday life.  Things ARE different.  We are far away… strangers in a foreign land.  But we are not alone. Our support team is lifting us up in prayer. Our friends and families are sending us love across the miles.  Our Heavenly Father has already gone ahead and prepared a way.  The Holy Spirit has given us power to be Christ’s witnesses “to the ends of the earth.”  Even with all the changes, it’s gonna be alright.