Smiling faces, lively music, friendly greetings, happy demeanors, nods of acknowledgment on the street,  courtesy on public transport, all descriptive of one country.  Few smiles, little music, businesslike greetings, solemn demeanors, no acknowledgment on the streets, no courtesy on public transportation, all descriptive of a second country.  Both countries have gone through times of dictatorial rule and have had to recover from that terror. 

Country number one saw it's dictator die by his own hand in 1944.  Rising to power in the early 1930's and finally becoming it's dictator in 1939,  Hitler lead Germany into one of the most awful chapters of modern world history. Country number two saw the iron fist of communism descend on their country at the same time that Hitler's rule in Germany was ending.  For the next 60 years, the communist dictated what could and couldn't be done.  Two generations of Lithuanians grew up and lived under the domination of the Soviet Union. Even the houses and apartments were drab concert monoliths.  Two countries in contrast.

I first visited Germany over 3 decades ago.  WWII had ended only 24 years earlier and most of the generation that fought and lived through that war were still alive.  I arrived at that time as a member of the USAF.  Germany was already a member of NATO and we were there for a NATO exercise.  There was plenty of time to visit the country and we made trips to Munich and to Frankfurt.  As I recall that long ago visit I recall many of the same traits then that I see today in Lithuania.  Germany veterans, and there were many, cast suspicious looks at these US military men walking their streets.  There was often a respectful greeting in a pub or restaurant but seldom a really friendly greeting. The fear that gripped the country under Hitler and the devastation of the war was still in the minds of the people.. but it was receding.

My visit to Germany two weeks ago showed a country far different than the one I visited in 1968.  The 2007 Germany I saw was alive with people and music.  The streets were crowded and most smiled and nodded hello.  The pace was slower and the people more inquisitive and interested in you.  The memories of the awful time past were no longer recorded on the faces of people but rather remembered with gold plaques built into the sidewalks in front of homes and businesses where Jews were taken away by the Nazis.  If you look carefully at the picture below you can even see the names of some who were taken,  in all likelihood, to die.

What a stark reminder on the streets of Freiburg of that awful time.  A paraphrase of Shakespeare says: "time heals all wounds".  Perhaps these plaques in the street give testimony to that.  The names, at one time, fresh and stark are now faded under the footprints of time - still visible but more and more difficult to read and remember.  God has blessed these wonderful people and many have come to know Jesus through these past 60 years.  Continue to pray for more to find and know the way.  One person helping that to happen is Sarah Hayden.  You can read about Sarah in an earlier blog.

My third visit to Lithuania two weeks ago showed a country coming alive.  It has only been 14 years since independence returned to this very proud people with one of the richest histories in all of Europe.  The University of Vilnius began in 1579 and continues to teach young people from all over Europe today.  Vilnius, Lithuania's capital city, is thriving.  It's population is now around 600,000 people and it continues to grow.  Colorful buildings are now going up all over the city.  Apartments are in high demand and fill, even before completion.

The people of Vilnius are only in the middle of the first generation to have freedom.  There are no plaques on the streets because the scars are still in the hearts and minds of the people.  The cloud of oppression is lifting but still hanging over the people of this wonderful country.  The desire is there to build a new Lithuania and the effort shows.  The old city, which is home to many of the tourists who come to Lithuania, now resembles the streets of Freiburg in many ways.  The new city is focused on this new venture called independence.  Over the last 3 years I have seen subtle changes in the people and as you get to know them you find them to be people with wonderful hearts.  I have come to love Lithuania and the people of this Baltic country.  I am inspired by their determination to change the direction the country was headed on for 60 years and make it a model of independent spirit and government.  There is still a long was to go but I believe they will get it done.  It took Germany 60 years after Hitler to get where they are today.  46 years from now you will see a far different Lithuania.. one of smiles, happy music, friendly nods and that "cloud of oppression" only a distant memory. 

Please continue to pray for the people of Lithuania.  For over 60 years no one could tell of the love of Christ.  Now only a few (in comparison) know Jesus as their Lord.  I am thrilled that our church is committed to the task of sharing Christ with these wonderful people.  New buildings, new apartments, new stores, growing populations, new membership in the European Union are all wonderful steps but nothing is more important than a new heart in Christ.  It is that hope that brings Pastor Herb Lange back to Lithuania as our District Resource Pastor.  Herb joins Rev. John Campbell, who heads our ministry in Lithuania and his wife, Rev. Bonnie Campbell, who serves as pastor of our Vilnius church.  These dedicated servants of God join the other Lithuanian pastors in reaching out to this diverse and growing country.  May God give us the means to reach AND may may He continue to bless the people of Lithuania.  I am already looking forward to my return in 2008.