Auschwitz trip with Mr and Mrs Kluge

Review

I looked forward to our planned trip to Poland this year with some trepidation. Eighteen people had signed up, and I had absolutely no energy leading up to it. Due to a viral illness that left me feeling incredibly weak, I could hardly imagine being even halfway fit by the time we set off. But our God is faithful!!! Day by day, I felt a little better, and so early on Ascension Day we were able to set off again for Poland in two minibuses. As always, the highway was crowded, and we couldn’t avoid traffic jams this year either. Nevertheless, we arrived safely at our hotel in the early afternoon. After a short break, we set out on our first little exploratory tour to Oswiecim, where we visited the last remaining synagogue (out of 20!) and enjoyed a nice cup of coffee in the sunshine at a nearby café. In the evening, we had our first get-together. As always, we were a diverse group of all ages. Everyone had the chance to share their motivations and also their fears regarding our trip.

The next morning, we began with worship and a devotional. We reflected on Psalm 22. Afterward, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. Following a delicious hotel breakfast, we met with Jacek, our Polish guide, who would lead us through the day. He began his tour in Oswiecim and told us about Jewish life before the war. Then we continued on to Birkenau, the infamous and vast extermination camp. Stunned by this industry of death, we stood before the barracks, the ramp, and the gas chambers and heard the story of Shlomo, a Jew from Greece who, as part of the Sonderkommando, was responsible for closing the doors behind the people in the gas chamber. He could never forget the horrific screams and the prayers of those people.

After a short break, we continued on to the Auschwitz main camp. In various buildings, we saw pictures, reports, and objects that served as reminders of the unimaginable horror. Unfortunately, there was hardly any time to pause, because an incredible number of groups from all over the world were in the camp with us. On the one hand, this great interest is a good thing; on the other hand, it all feels a bit like a disturbing form of mass tourism.

Physically and emotionally exhausted, we arrived at our hotel in the late afternoon. Now we needed a break first and foremost. In the evening, we deliberately celebrated the beginning of Shabbat to remind ourselves that God has not forgotten His people. We sang, prayed, ate, drank, and united ourselves with the Jews celebrating Shabbat all over the world. We shared our experiences and impressions of the day and, in the end, entrusted everything we had experienced to God’s care.

The next day we headed to Krakow. The Old Synagogue, the Jewish Quarter, the former ghetto, and the Galicia Museum were on the itinerary. So we were following in the footsteps of Jewish life before the war. Despite the lousy weather and the synagogue being unexpectedly closed, it was a wonderful time filled with joy and good fellowship. We ended the day at a restaurant in the Jewish Market.

On Sunday, our journey took us to the Fountain of Tears, a unique work by artist Rick Winecke. He and his wife Dafna welcomed us warmly. He impressively portrays Jesus’ identification with his people by depicting a fictional dialogue between Jesus on the cross and a Holocaust survivor. At the end, we asked Rick many questions, which he gladly answered in detail. After a brief time of worship, we said our goodbyes to visit the former Jewish ramp. That is where the transports of Jews arrived in cattle cars before the tracks were later extended all the way to the camp. After a final time of sharing and prayer, we set out on the long journey home, filled and grateful—though, of course, not without encountering traffic.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank our Lord for once again giving us such a blessed, fulfilling, and protected journey!

Kerstin Kluge