Shipbuilding is like a marathon

When there's a marathon in Berlin, I'm often there. Not as a runner, but on the sidelines. To cheer on those who are running. In my former parish, we often sang on a traffic island - to encourage the runners. I live near the 20th kilometre - and during the marathon I try to spot those who seem a little tired and weak, make eye contact, wave, smile and cheer them on. Andre stands on the sidelines and hands the runners water. This emotional and practical support is essential. Especially on the really tough sections. A little further on - around the 28th kilometre - the course goes uphill - well, as uphill as it can go in Berlin. The finish is still a long way off. So is the energy. And the climb takes a long time. Support is particularly important here.

I experience shipbuilding like a marathon

For over 12 years, I have been dreaming of a place where I could offer people support for shorter and longer periods of time. The actual realisation began in November 2011. The search for a ship (thanks to eBay) and a competent shipbuilder (thank heavens - I couldn't have thought of anything better than Karl Kinsky, let alone found one). Testing phase. Then, in April 2012, the purchase and the start of the renovation work.

The first 11 months - around 60% of the total distance - are behind me. We have achieved a lot. The basic refurbishment should be finished in March. Then „only“ the interior work remains. Nevertheless, the phase right in the middle is particularly tough. The energy from the beginning has been used up, the finish line is not yet in sight. And there are some steep, long climbs to overcome: The flooding of the ship cost me a lot of money and set us back weeks - like a massive headwind in a marathon. The additional weak points and unexpectedly high costs for refurbishing the steel are also sapping our strength and budget. We had almost finished all the shipyard work when it started to snow. It's not possible to paint the underbody when it's snowing. Because another ship needs our space, we are towed onto the water where we can't work and have to wait until the weather improves and the other ship is gone again. It's frustrating. I could almost cry. Another week or 10 days delay. Although we have already achieved a lot, the goal still seems a long way off.

In a marathon, there are people standing at the side of the course, watching, cheering, encouraging and handing out refreshments. You have to run yourself - but the encouragement carries on. I realise how good encouragement does me in this phase of the long run and how much I need it: the friend who prays for me with a blessing, the chocolate that someone gives me, a card with a text that touched and strengthened me, the flowers that a film team brought me a few days ago, the helpers who lend a hand, the odd gift, the encouraging comments - all this gives me the strength to keep running. And I know...in a few months, the finish line will almost be visible.