Life on the Streets, in the Mountains, and the City

While Meridith enjoyed a few leisurely days in the Black Forest, I experienced life in the busy city of Zurich, Switzerland. My friend Cady, also a native of Frontier - we used to ride the same bus to school - is a couple months into her new life as an OM missionary. In total, she will be there two years. She picked me up at the Zurich Main Station. My Canadian flag made me easy for her to spot. Then she graciously let me tag along with her for the next couple of days.

First of all, we went through some of the old town and then sat by the Zurichsee where the swans are grimy because of the water. They swim around, begging for food, and stealing it from smaller birds. I think one wanted to bite me or something. Then Cady took me to the part of town where they do a lot of their ministry. We stopped by Chrichtehusli (not sure on spelling, it means Christ's house) where people come off the street for a good meal and fellowship and just to be warm. I had the privilege of meeting Pingu, a half American man who believes himself to be an angel. He was entertaining to say the least. We wandered down Langstrasse where I learned the locations of many drug dealers and the favorite corners of the prostitutes. It's definitely different from home, and by God's help, Cady has done an awesome job adjusting and handling any challenges that come her way.

Then her roommate prepared raclette for supper. I've seriously eaten so well for so many days.

The next day was fairly busy. I got to listen to a German devotion, graciously translated for our English ears. Later, we helped at a spaghetti meal for some boys. They are all from immigrant families, middle eastern, full of life. There were only three boys there, but were still rambunctious and well, they're boys. It was fun. Cady was doing research on drugs so we went back to Christ's House where some addicts told her about the depth of their addictions, the different substances, and the cost. It is hard to see people like that. They are so lovable and genuine, and yet so full of vice. I thank God for places like that where God's love can be given out in such tangible ways.

That night after the much anticipated meal of squash soup - which Cady is going to learn to make and then teach me - we went to a prayer meeting at a German church that is actually in Cady's building. We split into two groups. One stayed in the church to pray and the other split off in pairs and targetted prayer in specific areas and places. We chose Open Heart, a ministry of the Salvation Army which OM helps with on Saturdays. So we walked down Langstrasse, under the bridge to a humble looking building which emanates God's love. It was great to pray with Cady and get her newfound insight in what to pray for those ministries. We had to back at the church at 8:40 so started walking back.

We were at the drug dealer corner when we ran into Brother Leonard with his few days of facial hair growth. Dressed in his long brown robe with a knit sweater overtop for warmth and a wooden rosary on his face, he ministers to the people on the street. He sometimes works at Christ's House, where we'd met him previously that day. He introduced us to Johannes, a young man who wants to be rehabilitated and kick his habit. Johannes' mom is a believer and is praying for him. But he needs more support. So if you're reading this, pray for a Swiss man named Johannes.

Since we were already running late, we headed right for the church. But then we looked across the street. A man was reclining on the sidewalk, in the middle of everyone's way. His hand was on his head and when he took it away, we could see blood drip off his hand and pour out from his head. People kept walking around him, not giving him a second look. Cady immediately remembered the McGee and Me cartoon about the Good Samaritan, for it truly was like that story. The man needed help and no one wanted to bother. By the time we crossed the street, a nice lady - presumably a prostitute - was there to help him as well. The three of us hoisted him to his drunken feet and eventually got him to sit down. His glasses were broken and one lens completely missing. He was dressed rather nicely and stylishly - for Europe. No cab driver would take him because of the blood. We were careful to not touch the blood either, due to the risk of AIDS and other diseases. We grabbed tissue and water to clean him up. The woman took the tissue and blotted his head gently. She didn't speak English and Cady's German is still in its baby stage. But then we realized he could speak English. He couldn't tell us where he lived and yet seemed convinced that we should go home with him. He couldn't remember what had happened and denied drinking, even though he reaked of it. The woman gave him twenty francs for a cab and left. We didn't know what to do.

Cady went back to see if Brother Leonard was still around. Instead, she found Johannes and a friend of his. The friend called the police and they disappeared, not wanting to make contact with the cops themselves. A couple of Cady's team members came by on bikes, frantically looking for us, afraid that something had happened. Soon the police came and we had to leave.

When Cady was off looking for Leonard, the man kept saying we were fantastic, asking why Cady was so fantastic. I told him it's because she loves Jesus. We talked a little about God. I just hope that somehow in his drunken stupor, he will remember something. So this nameless man could use your prayers too.

Friday, I wanted Cady to be free to get some research done and I wanted to see a little more of Switzerland's beautiful mountains so I hopped a train to Lucerne, also spelled Luzerne. I think Mark Twain took a vacation there once or twice. He got mentioned a few times in their brochures. I enjoyed a fifty minute boat ride on Lake Luzerne, with the mountains all around and the pretty houses on the hills, in the midst of autumn's trees. In spite of the clouds, I could see in the distance, the snow capped peaks and my heart longed to be up in them myself. The next time I am in Switzerland, it will be all about the mountains, I tell you. Strangely enough, the lake reminded me of Taiwan, of Sun Moon Lake where swimming is only permitted once a year. Someone once told me that lake looked a little like Switzerland, and he was right, only Taiwan could never be as magnificent as Switzerland.

Then I took a cogwheel train up to the top of Mt. Rigi where I beheld the mountains to the south of me. The green valley to the north was nice, but it could not compare to the rugged beauty to the other side. I could have stayed there forever, had it not been cold or raining, but it was both so I made my way back down via the train and then a cable car and then back on the boat.

Luzerne itself is a nice city with pretty painted buildings, a couple old covered bridges, a lion carved out of rock. It feels like a very Swiss place. The prices, indeed, are very Swiss.

I spent a final evening with Cady. We had kebabs, and then after running to Johannes and his friend Freddy, we went to Open Heart, the Salvation Army ministry. We left before the devotional. There was no one there to translate. I felt so blessed for the opportunity to see Cady and her ministry. All of you who support her financially and in prayer should be encouraged by her. Cady, thanks so much. I'm so excited for what God has done already in you and through you and I know there is so much more to come. You really encouraged me in our time together.

Then I went on a train. A night train for Paris. More than anywhere else in the world, I have always longed to go to Paris. As a kid, my mom filled my head with stories from her high school trip and I've never forgotten. The Arc D'Triumphe, the Champs Elysees, the Louvre . . . these things have had almost mythical status in my head. It seemed so surreal to actually know I would wake up the next morning in Paris.

Actually I woke up before Paris thanks to three loud African women who burst into my compartment at 4:30 and made themselves comfortable by making me move over. Then they left and came back and talked some more. I prayed really hard for them to be quiet because I am not gracious when I awake and wanted to bite off their heads. Finally, they shut up.

I jumped on the metro and my heart kept leaping as I saw the stops for places I have always loved and never seen. There had been some mess up with our hostel and Mer ended up staying somewhere else and sent me a confusing email about it. So I went to our original hostel, not knowing where she was staying. It was not yet open and I sat on the curb with all my stuff. I sat on the side that didn't have water flowing down the gutter. Then it was open and the guy wasn't too helpful so I sat there reading Mer's Little Women until she came.

We walked down the street, looking for a place for Mer to buy tennis tickets, when I got my first glimpse of Notre Dame. I left her and went by myself to the Ille de Cite, fighting back tears at the realization that I AM IN PARIS! There stood the church with all its gargoyles, just like in the cartoon but no Quasimodo. The inside wasn't as interesting as I had hoped, but it was still great and felt like a church, not a circus.

And then we did the best thing ever for my first day here. We went to the Louvre. I was so happy to see the cheesy glass pyramid entry. I couldn't contain my joy. Soon after, I saw her, the Mona Lisa. I saw works by Botticelli, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Da Vinci, Delacroix, Michelangelo . .. . I was so overwhelmed. And even though the Louvre lets the Musee D'Orsay house all the impressionists and the post-impressionists, a few were there and I spent time gazing at the work of Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Monet, Sisley . . . I had my picture taken with the Code of Hammurabi. I was so tired at the end of the day and there were still more things I could have liked to have seen.

And Mom, I tried to call you to share my joy with you. But for some reason, the Sprint card doesn't work over here. . .

So life is so good. We have a place to stay and so much to look forward to. Mer goes to see some big tennis matches tomorrow. It would have been cool to go with her to something she enjoys so much. But I am in Paris and I don't think I could sit still that long when there is so much I want to see. Maybe tomorrow I will spend time with Picasso and then Rodin. Unfortunately tomorrow is free day at Musee D'Orsay so it will be a madhouse. The impressionists will have to wait.