So even though today is Thursday I'll tell you about Wednesday (Mittwoch) too. Why? Because we have been so busy no one has any time!
Wednesday was our field trip day with all the campers and all of the staff. We left Droyßig at 9:30am by bus and headed to Zeitz. While there we toured one of the oldest Catholic Churches there. Housed in this church are the tombs (doms) of the first duke and his family. We then went to the subterranean system of the city. We walked where people sought shelter during the wars. We were at times 80 feet underground.
An inspection of the underworld leads us first into ton-like Gewölbe bricked with natural stone, which present themselves in different extents: in width and height up to three meters and more, in the length of approximately four dis to 30 meters! The rundbogen Gewölbe follow the actual courses driven in new red sandstone. It run either in the same ground level as „the Vortonnen " or, very many more frequently, over stairs to further floors down there or up.
In order to use the underground well, without endangering by weakening the stability of the buildings over it, one put on course distances broadly and not over two meters highly usually not many more than one meter. In addition they run often all over in up to three floors among themselves.
In work probably for many decades the old Zeitzer in the weak light of Öllatternen has the courses with hammers, Schlegeln and Pickeln into the new red sandstone gehauen. Numerous in an isolated manner from each other creative course plants during the Second World War for air protection purposes as well as provided with electrical light, protective doors were originally interconnected to that and partly with seat opportunities.
Even in earlier times of distress one used the course plants probably than slip angles. The main motive for the creation of the Tonnengewölbe and courses was however a completely different one. Certainly it was connected with the nutrition and the earning facilities of humans in the Middle Ages. At that time was missing an important food, which is to be hardly still excluded for us today: the potato. It became of the Spaniards only in the middle 16. Jh. from Peru to Europe memo-brought and common itself here only gradually. Since 1717 one began it in Saxonia to cultivate to which Zeitz until 1815 belonged, and since 1738 in Prussia. Differently than today for it the beer played a nearly irreplaceable role. It was not only people beverage, but basic food and basis of numerous courts, like the famous beer soup.
In other cities of east Thuringia and west Saxonia there is likewise low cellar, which is comparable after age, plant and purpose with those in our city. The Zeitzer of Gangsysteme is singular and unforgettable nevertheless regarding extent, expansion, preservation condition and aesthetic effect.
After our time underground we spent time above ground doing a little shopping. Instead of riding the bus back, we hiked through the woods and fileds on a beautiful trail. It was about 7 kilometers (do the math).
Today, Thursday, is my birthday (Lisa) and it started out so well. All of the staff and campers greeted me outside of the dining hall singing and then handed me a t-shirt that everyone had signed. My friend, Peter, and his daughter, Finja, drove 4 hours from their home near Aschaffenburg to surprise me. I got to spend the afternoon with them and it was wonderful.
At camp it was a "regular" day with English lessons, sports, memory verses and 'etwas mehr'. Our verse today is John 14:6. If you don't have it memorized I think you should look it up. Since Tuesday 9 German campers have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. God is doing a mighty work here and it's pretty awesome to be a part of it.
Our W PA campers are awesome! All of them are participating and contributing in ways that would make their families proud. Allison wins the biggest high five today though because she spent most of the afternoon in the kitchen cleaning and helping to prep dinner. She rocks! Ian helped organize ultimate frisbee and the campers loved it. That boy sure can drink pop! Kelli is great with the young kids who are here with their parents, she has so much energy. Eric is still the man of the hour for the tea he makes and his composure in all situations is a great example for others. Jill has such insight when it comes to the scripture and also works hard when she has kitchen duty. Yong and I are so pleased with this group, you just have no idea.
It's hard to believe we'll be moving on to the church community in Rodewisch in just a few days. Can't wait to see what God has in store there.
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