Traveling by Train

22 Oct. 22; 9:50 am 

My journey to Slovakia has officially begun. As planned, I had gotten to the station with 45 minutes to get a coffee and find my platform. I hated rushing. Ironically, despite my getting to the platform with ten minutes to departure, I was at the wrong end of the train. So, that rush I had thought to avoid found me rushing my luggage to the other side. With two minutes until the doors closed I figured I’d rather be in the wrong car but at least on the train. And the Lord blessed me as I struggled to get my heavy, extra-large suitcase on board. A man came up behind me and offered to help. Then I was stuck in a crowd of people passing through the cars and decided to just wait at the end until it cleared. But this was fortunate as I was able to locate the car number. 262. I had definitely gotten on the wrong car …but at least I had gotten on the right train! 

Though I dreaded having to steer my three suitcases through the passenger cars, I was still excited for the trip! Eight hours of scenic views in First Class seating with WiFi and a dining car. This was something I’d only ever seen in the movies, and I couldn’t help my smirk as I considered how interesting lunch would turn out if Bond happened to be in the dining car. (The last film I saw him in, he got into a fight in the dining car.) I highly doubted it get that exciting in there, though. I was so relieved when I realized the car I was supposed to get into was just one over, and another lost passenger (American of course) was trying to find his seat and offered to help me get my suitcases through. Another angel to help me with my luggage. At least I was able to help him figure out his car and seat in return. God always provided help loading, unloading, and getting my luggage through. In most cases people were kind an helpful, no matter what the country or culture. It saddens me when I consider how many people were judged based on their nationality rather than their character. 

This thought led me to remember the young Russian woman I encountered that same morning while standing in line at Pret. I knew that, with the war escalation between Russia and Ukraine, she was undoubtedly feeling the condemnation of the world. I mentioned as much, and she admitted it and also that her father was half Ukrainian and half Russian, so her family was very torn over what was happening. I knew it wasn’t a political conversation, and I was meant to speak life and encouragement to her. So, I gave her my love and support and told her that God loved her no matter what, and that she didn’t have to accept the condemnation but hold onto God’s love. We both almost cried and hugged. What a site for the other people waiting in line! But I loved these random encounters! 

No matter where I go, English or app or nothing but gestures, I loved meeting and blessing people. I just hope that wherever I go, the Kingdom of Heaven will shine through me. 

22 Oct 2022; 3:56 pm 

About 40 min from leaving Berlin, two ladies came into the car trying to find their seats. Like me, they had boarded the wrong car and had to pass through numerous cars to find theirs. Fortunately, one of them asked the other what car they were in, and I responded 263, which was their car! They even sat down just one set of seats further from me. Obviously, American’s, I made a few wise cracks about us, American’s, maintaining the stereotype. After a laugh, we all just settled into our trip. But after about an hour, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to talk to them. 

The chance to test them came after many passengers got off at the next stop, leaving the seats across from them open. I asked if they were on holiday, and a conversation began which resulted in my relocating to one of the empty seats. D and M were both Christian’s and from Wisconsin, and we began sharing stories about our faith and all that God is doing. I was delighted when D shared how there has been a transition in the air since COVID. A lot of people in the States are talking about the Lord and seeking Him. I was very delighted to here this, and most of the conversation covered almost every topic in missions from persecuted Christian’s to ending Bible Poverty and street ministry, and how I became a missionary. M was intrigued about my mother once I mentioned that she had been a prayer warrior, and I alwasy love sharing about my mother's faith.

Before they got off at their next step in Prague, I was able to pray over them and bless them. In turn, M shared about her being Catholic and that she had made several roseries to bring on the trip to give out. I was delighted to receive one and expressed how I had been wanting one for a while. I choose the red (blood of Christ) and encouraged her to be sure to give those out. (I'm certain she will have more opportunities. 

They have my website info, along with other information I had given them about missions, and I think I will hear from them again one day. But even more importantly, I know that I exercised my anointing as a Levite again, speaking life and blessing others along my journey. And it was confirmed when the words I received were confirmed to be correct. 

How blessed am I to be allowed to do this, to be anointed to speak Life and blessings over others. How precious is my God for trusting me this way. 

22 Oct 2022; 5:05 pm 

Recap of the journey.

I had orignally been very excited about this train journey because I was able to afford First Class, but it didn't prove to be all that it was promised. And ...well .... Life can be very amusing sometimes. 

1. First Class is suppose to have wifi, and it doesn't. (I would have finished my newsletter last night and sent it if I had known.) 
2. It also advertised snacks and drinks delivered to your seat. A guy walked through with bottled water one time over four hours into the trip.
3. There is no hand soap or sink water to wash you hands in any toilet.(I checked checked few.) 

And NOW about the dinning car experience. 

First time I got to the dinning car, it's packed full and one guy said he'd been waiting an hour to place his order. So, I left. Second time I went was after the stop in Prague. A lot pf people had just gotten off, so I figured it'd be empty. It was. But I saw the workers were cleaning and I indicated I wanted to sit. The guy waiter indicated that I couldn't until the train took off again. (At least that's what I understood.) After getting back to my seat, the train stated off, but I didn't feel like walking back to the dining car, so I ate some of my snacks. 

After a while, I'm bored and sleepy, have three more hours before I get to the resort. I'm thinking I better eat. I go back to the car and see the guy waiter again. I go to pass him, but he stops me. I pull out my translation app cause I can't understand what he's saying. It translates "I like your hair." 🙄 But me being nice me, I just thank him. But instead of letting me go, he starts more talking. I realize he's flirting with me. (I just want to eat.) Eventually the translation app says "Do you want to have s-x with me?" I'm thinking it was an accident but respond "Oh, no, no, no." He looked shocked and concerned. And asked if it was something bad, and apologised when I said yes. (We will give him the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes translation apps don't translate correctly. ) 

BUT ....After ALL THAT, I go to sit and he asks if I want a cappuccino. I just want to eat, but whatever. Sure. I go to sit while he makes it, but he wants me to stay. I the end, I could tell he expected me to take it back to my regular seat. I guess he thought I was just there to get s coffee to go. (Sigh) I'm done. I just ate the waffles I had for a snack and drank the cappuccino. I don't know what happened, (besides some obvious communication issuses) but I can hopefully grab a bite to eat at the station when I get there in the next 1.5 hrs. 😭 At least I'm not starving. ...Next time I get a wrap at the first station just I case. 

At least ONE THING was true from the advertisement. The seats aren't as crowded! 😁 I walked by those Second Class cars. They looked worse than economy flying. 😳 Besides, I only paid €73,00, my luggage is all by my seat, and no customs, flight luggage limit, etc. And I saved $200 USD going this way. 

Next time (and I know there will be), I bring food and more hand sanitizer with me and get all my online stuff finished before the trip. Still enjoying a comfortable window seat, beautiful scenic views, and got some writing done. I also met two American ladies who are Christians, and we spent time sharing stories, ministry info, and encouraging each other. 

It still all beats Economy flying hands down! 

So yes. Some things were not what I was expecting, but the Lord has still made this an enjoyable trip with lovely people ...with the a question mark over the guy waiter..... We'll hopefully avoid those stories again. 🤣🤣🤣 

22 Oct. 22; 6:54 pm 

My interesting trip turned rather eventful upon time to switch trains in Bratislava. 

I found that my train would leave from Platform 3, and I was on Platform 1. Upon not finding an elevator I turned to ask an elderly man (through translate app) to confirm if I was reading the board correctly. He confirmed, but then he got anxious and wasn’t letting me leave. I eventually realized that he was drunk (it really wasn’t the usual obvious signs), and just began my decent down the stairs with the two small suitcases and back again for the third. The man continuing to try and tell me that I needed money to board the train. (I already had my ticket.) A lady was kind enough to help me get my luggage up ...just in time to see the train doors close and begin its departure. 

I had 10 min for the next train, and in a classic twist of fate, three minutes to departure (and my wondering where the train was) the sign changed platform numbers from 3 to 4. This time I found an elevator, but once again got there just in time to see it leave. The next train would not leave for 40min, and I remorsefully left a voice message for my school staff that I wouldn’t be in Senkvice as quickly as we had hoped. But I made it to the ever still train, waiting patiently at Platform 5, and boarded it even though it was excessively empty. A couple of youth eventually boarded the ghost train, making me feel more confident about entering it, and took the opportunity to ask if there was a place to get food and drink at the station. The directed me, and I was blessed that I had enough euros in cash to purchase a water and sandwich. (Everything is so cheap in Europe, and so fresh!)

So, once again, the Lord provided me a way, the food, and a peaceful final leg. Yes. I will be getting there over an hour later than originally hoped, but the staff are being ever so gracious. After all, anyone who travels experiences this on occasion. 

As for me, I'm just so glad I wanted to come a day early! 😂 When I arrive in Senkvice, a staff member will be there with a car to take me to the center. Therefore, I conclude today's events with this thought:

No matter what happens, we can choose how we respond to it.