Inspirations from Kerstin Hack

Tag: Miracles

The Resurrection of a Dream – In Progress!

Latest on the shipTwo years – in April 2014 – ago I posted this:

“Each year in preparation for Easter, I ask the Lord if there is anything I should abstain from for Lent. This year the answer that I heard in my heart after prayer came to me as a surprise: Abstain from doubting.

Not doubting Him. Not doubting His goodness towards me – in spite of obvious challenges I was facing. And in spite of disappointments and broken dreams, the challenge was: Do not allow yourself the ‘luxury’ of doubt. Doubt is an easy way out. When you doubt you do not need to dare. Dare to trust. Dare to try new things.

And boy do I need courage. For 12 years I dreamt about having a space where I could host people: (young) people who would want to learn with me and from me, who would like to stay for a few days or weeks to learn, be mentored, and share life. Twice it looked as though the dream would come true, and twice it crashed again, painfully, violently. I cried. I couldn’t understand God. Wasn’t it His dream after all?!

In the last month the dream surfaced again, but not in the form of a flat that was big enough for living, hosting, and holding seminars, but in the form of a SHIP. It is simply cheaper to buy and renovate a ship than to buy a flat and so much more fun. I found a great ship on Ebay (!!!) – an old GDR army ship/torpedo boat that was later turned into a holiday ship. I bought it, I will renovate it and make it a place for sharing life, and most likely I will name it “Heart of Berlin.”

I am really excited about this project. It will have a seminar/coaching room, guest rooms for hosting up to four people, and a place for me to work and live. Looking forward to creating a space for disciples, learners, nomads, and people who want to grow.

Update April 2014Whilst renovating.

The last two years were years of tears, toil, and miracles. The outer skin of the ship is renovated. All the rust inside and outside is removed. The ship is insulated and has floors in some rooms and many new windows.

I experienced times of frustration when things were not moving as fast as I had hoped. I have seen miracles of provision, miracles of help through people and finances coming at the right time. I cried a lot, both with frustration and joy! One of the greatest moments was when one of the professional helpers decided to start following Jesus as a result of spending a few days on the ship with us.

Now it looks as if we are moving towards the finishing line and that there are only a few months of work ahead:

  • Putting in floors and walls
  • Putting in electricity
  • Putting in bathrooms
  • Putting in new doors and windows
  • Finishing painting outside

Do you want to share the dream?

The vision is to create a space where those who need orientation can find a place to rest, reflect, be restored, and receive professional help in Berlin, the capital of Germany where lots of young people are searching for answers. You can be part of the dream. You can make it possible in three ways: prayer, giving, and practical help.

– Prayer
I know how much can go wrong in any project, but I also know that the opposite can happen: things going incredibly smoothly, God’s favor on all sides, deadlines met. So I really do appreciate prayer for wisdom and God’s favor and blessing… and yes, I don’t mind a word of encouragement now and then. I write updates about once per month; let me know if you would like to receive them.

– Gifts and loans
My friends and I work as much as we can on the ship, but to pay for the rest of the materials and the professional work, I still need about 50,000 Euros ($60,000). This is far more than I can earn as an author or publisher in a few months, and I also have to pay back loans that people have given me. I am incredibly thankful for every small or big gift or loan. The easiest way to donate is by using my paypal: Info     @     down-to-earth.de (leave out those blanks – I just put them there to avoid spam).

– Practical help

To finish the work on the ship, I do need a lot of practical help – both from people who know what they are doing like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, ship builders, and from anybody with two hands – everybody can scratch off rust and paint a ship. So if you’re up for a working holiday on the outskirts of Berlin or know of people who are, let me know.  This is also great for teams of volunteers: I have had several teams come and work on the ship for a few days, and they moved the project forward a lot!

Just contact me if you want to know more!Kerstin Hack

 

 

 

My Ship, Pirates and Ransom

image_1366702828532965YES – this was the idea

To finish the steel works and to have a safe and secure ship! And a beautiful one, too. And we did it. The steel works are finished and the ship now is safe and more beautiful than ever. I am happy!

OH NO – that was NOT the idea

It is normal in building that in the end costs are higher than planned. I had planned for a few thousand Euro of extra costs. Two days ago I was told that I have to pay 20.000+ Euro more –  in additon to what I had already paid. This is partly doe to the long and cold winter that delayed a lot of work and made it much more expensive (extra heating etc.) – and due to the flood we had that cost us a lot.I had not expected a sum as large as that. I am unhappy!

Ship held hostage 

What is really bad: If I do not pay the money or at least a large downpayment in the next days the dry dock owners will hold the ship hostage until I pay. That means that we cannot continue to work on it. YIKES.

Piratenschiff

So I need a miracle

I need a huge miracle…or a thousand small ones. This blog inspires a lot of people. I figured out: If each person who reads this Blog contributes 10 Dollar or Euro to my paypal account (info(aaaaaaaaaaaaatyttt)down-to-earth.de) I can make it.

May10 $ or € too much for you – that´s fine. Maybe you can help with 1 Dollar or a few cents. That is great too. Maybe someone else can take on a bigger part so that we all together can pay the ransom money and keep the project going It is not about a ship – it is about creating a space where people can find help and orientiation.

And yes…feel free to tell your friends about it! Maybe they want to join in, too. And your God. Ask him for one big miracle. Or a Thousand smaller ones. 

And yes – you are welcome to spend your holiday on board – and help us paint, repair and turn this ship into a place that will be a haven for many people.

Please comment if you want to be a part of making this dream reality!

© 2024 Heart of Berlin

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑