The ship in August
The ship is currently undergoing many changes. The floor in the Entrance area has been laid (the old metal floor can still be seen in the picture). You no longer have the immediate feeling of entering a building site. Although it still is one, of course.
The Walls in the main room have largely been painted - in a warm cream colour that conveys a sense of security and calm. Really beautiful!
And the Shower is running. After 40 months of construction without a shower, this is a milestone - even if we'd rather jump into the Spree to cool off in the current temperatures than take a shower. We are currently working on the heating. When it's almost 40 degrees outside, that's funny, of course, but the installations on a ship are so complex that it takes weeks to install and lay all the pipes, cables and distributors. That's why we're already getting started.
And last but not least, the ship is growing more and more into its Destination and planned function. The first workshop on board took place in July - on the subject of healing. With 10 participants from very different backgrounds, some of whom simply wanted to learn, some of whom needed healing themselves. Now and again coach I also have people on board. It's a really good place for that.
And for the first time Publishing work moved on board. I'm still writing some lessons for the new Online course WUM - Miracles among people. Experience God's power naturally. After a swim in the Spree, I used the early hours of the morning to continue working on it. The boat is a wonderful place in the morning, especially for work where I need peace and quiet to think.
The challenges are once again the Finances. Normally, I allow surpluses from the publishing house to flow into the ship. We currently have a shortfall. Huge. The money I earn from sales is not enough to pay all the bills. That's because of investments. We have printed a lot of new titles - especially for the Year of Gratitude. It always takes a few months - if things go well - or years - if things don't go so well - before enough books are sold to cover the costs and there is something left over.
If books are out of print and have to be reprinted, the process takes much longer. Calculated over 5 to 10 years, it's worth it, but first of all it tears a huge hole in the budget. In the last 6 months, we have published 15 new titles and reprinted three books and calendars. The result is that the outstanding invoices are currently several times higher than what I normally earn in a month. There's nothing left for the ship at the moment.
What you can do to help me get the ship ready:
- Pray: Ask God for creative solutions (I can't think of any normal ones at the moment).
- Shopping for a good cause: Buy a whole pile of books, calendars etc. from us in stock. It's good to have all the Christmas presents for family, colleagues, employees, church etc. together. That would take a lot of pressure off. 10 - 20 people shopping for 50 or 100 euros would already help to pay the next bill. You can find everything at www.down-to-earth.de
- Online course: Register yourself - and perhaps a friend - for an online course: DAN, IDA, LEA, SAM, WUM... whatever strengthens you in life. Or suggest that you take part in one as a whole group. The next courses don't start until October, but it would help me a lot to receive the course fee soon.
- Advertising: Advertise Down to Earth in your neighbourhood. By mail or leaflet. I'll be happy to send you some.
- Give as a gift: Money for a few heating pipes, electrical cables, circuits and other things - that would be really great. Anonymous about Betterplace or by Paypal (info (ähtttt) down-to-earth.de) or by bank transfer.
- Helping out: If you like, come on board for a few hours or days. You can now comfortably stay overnight and take a shower!!! And now in summer it is simply marvellous!
Together we can really do it. I believe that!
