A good name, a ransom and the ship is released !!!

„A good name is more valuable than great wealth, and kindness is better than silver and gold“

it says in the Bible - Proverbs 22:1. I have known this sentence for a long time, but I have really understood it more deeply in the last few days.

The shipyard wanted the full amount that was still outstanding before they would let my ship be towed. That's their right - and understandable: many people have such poor payment behaviour that they often have to run after their money for months - or not receive it at all.

However, it was important to me to get the ship back to its berth this week so that visitors to the Kirchentag who are interested in the ship project can visit it.

What to do? Talk to each other. I asked the shipyard owner to launch the ship, even if I could „only“ pay 15,000 euros this week. At first, he didn't want to go for it. Then he asked me what security I had to offer. I couldn't think of much at first. Then I said:

„The greatest security I can offer you is my name. Many people know me and trust me - I can't afford not to pay bills.“

He then agreed to my request. I was very touched by that. A good name is worth something. Many people allow themselves to have a bad name. They think it doesn't matter if they don't pay bills, falsify work or don't keep promises. But when push comes to shove, a good name is worth more than money. Absolutely.

Beate Nordstrand has also experienced this. In her Live - lighter blog vouched for my project in her own name. And wrote to me:

Hello Kerstin, someone just wrote to me: „I read about Kerstin on your blog, I'm going to get involved financially, I'm relying on you completely because I don't know her“. Now I'm happy for you and myself at the same time.

Her name is - quite obviously - also worth a lot. And I'm delighted that she supports me with her name.

So: The ship comes free today!

Now I've scraped together everything I could muster:

• The account is overdrawn to the limit
• Some customers paid invoices on time - which also helped
• Friends have granted loans
• And so far, over 2780 euros in gifts have been collected for the „ransom box“.

I was able to transfer the 15,000 euros. I have promised the shipyard the remaining 7000+ by 17 May. I still need support for this. You can find out how you can help in the previous contribution read.

Of course, I have to actually find the money to keep my word, otherwise the shipyard has the right to take the ship back into custody until I have paid everything.

Launching

I'm going to Hamburg early today, 2 May, with Karl, the boat builder. By the time you read this, we'll be slipping the boat at around 10.30 a.m., i.e. launching it back into the water from the boatyard.

The prerequisite for this is that the water level is high enough for the boat to glide easily into the water. We will then tow it back to the berth.

It will remain there until we have largely completed the rough renovation work and the interior work. The more people help, the quicker it will be finished. Then it will go to Berlin.

And will become what it is meant to be: A place where people can find inspiration and help.