Sunday, June 30, 2013

Days 22, 23, 24 & 25

Monday, June 24th

Having a relaxing morning reading the paper

Our main activity on this day was a meeting with the Sullivans and the interns about what we would be doing this week. There were 4 schools and one volunteer program that we were originally scheduled to visit this week, but one school cancelled because several of the teachers were sick there. We talked about what to expect at the schools and what we would do when we got there. Tuesday was the day it was going to get really busy, so Monday we tried to enjoy the free time to rest before it got really busy.

Tuesday, June 25th
This is the first school we visited. It was a middle school and we had a very large group of students from different classes who met in this room. First we got to introduce ourselves to all of them and then we split into smaller groups and got to talk to a few students at a time. We asked them questions and they asked us questions if they were interested in hearing about what our lives are like in the U.S. Then we invited them to a Baseball party that we are hosting in a park on Saturday. Afterwards, we will have a BBQ too.

As usual, Heidi quickly made friends with people
This is at the second school-6th grade. Here is Mark and Meagan talking with some students there.

Jon, Karen and Heidi (in there somewhere) had a very large group to talk to. I think a lot of the students wanted to talk to Jon. :)

After the schools and a nap time, Heidi and Larry were reading books

The door to the left of the Indian restaurant is where you get in to the Let's Start Talking Center- the windows at the very top are where the rooms are.

After the English Bible Group (Clint spoke) we had birthday cake for Allison's birthday!



Wednesday, June 26th

We had another school on this day at a vocational school so most of the students were anywhere from 16- 20-something years old. The ones I talked to said they were studying to be salesmen and women. They all worked at different retail type stores. We split into several groups again and switched around to talk to different students a couple of times. It was very good talking with them and again we invited them to our Baseball game and BBQ. I think out of all the students we have talked to, many were interested in coming. I am curious to see how many show up!

In front of the vocational school- there is also another school that meets in this building as well

Talking after we were done at the school

This is kind of typical of how school building look here. They are very big and old buildings. Very cool architecture!

Looking sleepy in the van

After sweating and being hot the first few days we were in Leipzig, we are back to wearing pants and jackets. It's gotten cool again! The weather likes to always keep us on our toes.


On our way to volunteer at the Geyserhaus

The boys are ready!

The Geyserhaus: This is kind of like an after school program. We played games with them and then we showed them how to make burritos and brownies. We had a lot of fun with them and then several of them played basketball and then a little soccer. They seemed to really enjoy our company. We also invited them to our Baseball game. I think some of them will come too.

Trying the guacamole

Cutting the tomatoes, onions and lettuce

Cutting olives

The spread looks good!

Karen and Corbin

Digging in!

Watching basketball
Basketball

Mark and Corbin playing

Heidi playing soccer with the kids
Thursday, June 27th

We had a morning devotional at the center with the Abercrombies, Sullivans and all the interns. It was good to have that time of worship and singing praises. We also talked about what everyone's plans were for the day.

After the meeting, since we had some free time, Larry showed us around downtown a little bit.

Nikolaikirche/St. Nicholas Church- it became well known in 1989 when peaceful demonstrations started here against communist rule.


Nikolaischule- Richard Wagner's former school as well as other well known people

This pillar is a reminder of the demonstrations in 1989



Part of the Leipzig University built to resemble a church that was torn down in this place in the GDR


Random little memorial to Michael Jackson



Cannon balls from the 30 Years War
Part of the old city wall
We found Darth Vader made out of legos at Karstadt, a department store

Playing at Karstadt


St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach was a music director and he is buried there.
This building is beautiful. You wouldn't think it was a bank.
Little cutie

This turned out so cute!! Taken outside the St. Thomas Church


Bach Museum
Outside St. Thomas Church


Inside St. Thomas Church


Bach's tomb



One of the oldest coffee houses in Europe
On our tour of Leipzig- the kids have seen enough. :)





City Hall