“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor 3:6). Yesterday I took the train back to Hamburg from Dresden. A young woman was the only other passenger in the six-seat compartment. About 15 minutes away from Berlin, I wanted a cup of coffee. For some reason, I felt like buying two. Thanking me profusely for the steaming cup, the lady shared that she sells life insurance. I told her that I was a pastor. “I don’t believe in God,” she noted, “but I do think there is some Higher Power.” “You know, we have something in common,” I offered. “We both provide care for others. But who provides spiritual care for *you*?” “Well, no one really… but I do have Carlos, my French bulldog.” She proudly showed me a picture of a black and white bulldog sporting a red bandana. I laughed and asked a bit later, “Do you wish to go to heaven when you die?” She peered at the pale winter landscape rushing past. “I’ve always wondered about that…” “You love animals,” I offered. “Jesus says that there will be a Last Judgment.” “I actually believe that,” she replied. “On that Day He will raise all the dead and separate us into two groups: the people who believed in Him on earth He calls ‘sheep’ and those who rejected Him, ‘goats’” [Mt 25:32-33]. By that point, we were pulling into Berlin Main Station where she said she had to change trains. I had to hurry… “You are one of His sheep if you believe that you are a sinner…” She grinned: “I’m a sinner. That’s for sure!” “…and that He died for your sins.” When I said that, she burst into a big smile. Rising from the blue-patterned seat, she said, “I’m so sorry we can’t talk more, but I’m thrilled we had this conversation..” “God bless you!” I said. “And look to Christ—not just at Christians. Sadly, there are some bad ones who will only distract you from Him.” A few seconds later there was a rap on the window and there she was on the platform, waving. Let us pray that our Lord will connect her with an “Apollos” who will water the little seed that He planted over a cup of coffee on the train between Dresden and Berlin.
The Tiews in Germany 