I met Fred*

Hi,

today I met Fred. As I was writing, I was wondering what he was doing. So today was the day to find out I thought. He still looked very tired and sad. I told him, what I was thinking. He did not comment on that, but started to ask me questions on what I was doing. So I told him. New Job, Family, my journey with Jesus etc…

Then he told me. He told me his journey and I was simply perplex to find out, that he was solidly integrated in the empire. Wow! I never thougt that. He was very strong on his biblical standpoints and the everything was has to grounded in the word of God, etc…

The thing that confused me was not that much his standpoint, but the way he expressed or showed me his convictions was rather disappointing. He behaved like a guy from the spiritual elite. It was not really possible to connect with him. I felt, that I was in one of his boxes and not able to jump out.

Well, I thought this was a god thing and it maybe was. But I do not really understand what happend. After a hour or so, we said goodbye. He was very bussy…

*Personal data changed

Goodbye

Hi,

Last night I was sitting with Jim* in the “Weinerei” We had a fine Meal and some good Wine. A lot of really nice people where there. Everyone seemed to be in a good mude. A lot of laughter, a lot of “deep conversation” was going on. Friends met, lovers where cuddling on a couch. Aaah, just the right environment to relax from an intense Weekend.

While we were talking a man came into the resaurant. He walked from table to table, offering one of these “Newspapers” made by homeless people. As I could see it, no one bought an issue. I did not buy one either. Our table was the last one before he left the restaurant. He opened the door, turned around and said quite gentle “goodbye” into the restaurant -not to a person directly- and rushed away.

I was sitting there wondering, when this man had his last meaningful conversation. Everyone just nodded (including us) their heads when he was approaching a table.

It is a hard job to sell something that the most people buy, if at all, out of charity. You must feel worthless when you are dependent on someones charity. (I know it is good that these people can actually DO something with their talents and time etc. there is value behind projects like these).

There is a lot of information exchange and information flow in Babylon. But to it seems like there is little dialogue between people. How can we overcome the deadlocked channels of information flow which exclude so many people? I have no answer to that. I simple think that it is really odd when a person says goodbye that no one hears that, and that the person himself is not expecting a respectful answer.

*All personal data changed!

Unexpected encounter

Hi,

I came from a meeting the other day with a potential client. It was a good meeting. We discussed problems on a very high level (hugh). Happy as I was I wandered through my city. We had a fine meal over lunch and so I was looking for some fruit. I passed one of these fruit shops, where they offer you fresh-pressed juice, fruit-salad and all that stuff. So I decided to by an apple and paid. It was just then, that I realised that the guy behind the desk is Fred*. He looked really tired. No, somehow empty and sad. He did not identify me, so I asked him: “Hey you are Fred!?” I am Marcus! He looked at me and then it dawned on him. Then silence for a moment!

I came to know Fred around 10 years ago. We worked together at a youth camp. He was so on fire for Jesus, so full of energy and passion. We met one more time and discussed all the stuff on revival etc… then we lost sight of each other. Years later, he contacted me. Meanwhile he was living in Berlin. He wanted to meet but it did not work out. We lost contact again. Now I meet him again. In his job environment. Surrounded by empty bottles, fruit and a lot of dishes he had to clean in the kitchen.

No energy, no passion but empty eyes, sadness and with a deep sigh he said: “Hey, I have to tell you my story”. “lets meet next week”. Sure, I said. We exchanged mobile numbers. We said goodbye and I left.

As I was walking to the station I saw a lot of people, a lot of emptiness and a lot of sadness.

And I was wondering whether all these people have someone they can turn to and say: “Hey, I have to tell you my story!”

Have a good night.

Marcus

*All personal data changed!