Nathan, Rada, Anya & Aleksa's move to Munich...

From Vauxhall to Volkswagen & the Fear of Bureaucracy/Man

A blog post from Nathan…

It wasn’t possible to find some clear information about what the law said but we knew we couldn’t keep our UK registered car in Germany for ever.  So, we decided to make use of the lack of any forthcoming Kindergarten place for Aleksa and go on a father-son road trip back to the UK with a view to getting our Astra sold.  Within a few days of returning we had managed to buy our first ever German car (a VW Golf – you know ‘when in Rome, live as the Romans’ etc!).

7:15am – Queuing outside Munich council offices

There was just the simple task of re-registering the car in our name.  Surely, that just requires a slip of paper to be popped in the post?  Nope.  This was to be one of the seemingly never-ending tasks that are subject to German bureaucracy.  Of course, German paperwork and public workers have a certain reputation but I must be honest that sometimes the simplicity of a process can surprise you and, generally, the helpfulness of office staff is outstanding.  However, more often than not reality lives up to reputation and you are left with hours of your life sacrificed and a little more hair torn out.  This was one such case….

Nevertheless, after the phone calls, internet searches, face to face advice, queuing in the open air from 7.15am, formally defacing the old number plates in the council office, then nipping to the bakery(!) next door where you have the new number plates made and paying 76 euros for the pleasure of it all we were the proud owners of a Munich registered car!

Munich plates!

Our apartment comes with an extra garage space which we are trying to rent out at the moment so this morning I was sticking up posters in the neighbourhood and putting flyers on cars parked outside.  Every time I heard somebody come out of the  apartment block I noticed an anxiety in myself, similar to the feelings endured in the council offices at various points over the last six months.  The feeling that I was about to be told I was breaking some rule and must stop at once otherwise I will face the penalty.

 

Reflecting on this I don’t think it would be fair to blame my trepidation on German culture.  As an immigrant there is genuinely a feeling that you must negotiate all the processes perfectly without guidance otherwise you will be in trouble.  However, I am sure this is not deliberate and that most Germans, whilst they don’t enjoy sitting in waiting rooms any more than the next person, are quite comfortable with the system. (I’d be interested what Germans think?)

So what is the root of my anxiety?  I think it ultimately comes down to a personal weakness of ‘Fear of Man’ – or worrying about what others will think of me.  I know I am not alone in this but I believe it is a trait that holds us back from achieving our ambitions and obeying God in the big and small things of life.

One example of this fear holding me back is in how I interact with the community around us.  We live in a neighbourhood that is saturated with families, students, Germans, new immigrants and established immigrants.  Many interesting and wonderful people that we would love to get to know and participate with in community life.  We believe we are in Munich because we have something to offer to the local community but it is often a real challenge to break the ice and start talking with strangers.  Yes, our limited German is a genuine obstacle.  However, I observe that beyond that for me is this ‘fear of man’.  I am sometimes more concerned what a stranger might think of me if I started talking to them than I am of the potentially positive consequence of our encounter.

I write this not to be self-deprecating but because I think a little accountability to those who support us and are interested in us is helpful.  Also, because I believe this is not a weakness unique to myself and I believe that it is God’s desire that we are not held back by such fear.

The Bible records the story of Pentecost.  After Jesus had ascended to heaven the disciples were gathered, fearful in a house unable to begin the the mission that he had called them to.  But then the Holy Spirit came and filled the place where they were and filled them too.  They were equipped to go out and proclaim the Good News of Jesus and make disciples of all nations.  That promise of the Holy Spirit is for all Christians.  It is so helpful to make it a daily exercise to recognise that the Holy Spirit dwells within you and to ask that you would be equipped to do all you need to do to be a disciple of Jesus.

You can read this first hand in the book of Acts, chapter 2.  In the meantime, please do keep praying for us and praying that, whether we find ourselves sat in a council office waiting room or walking through our neighbourhood, we would be engaging with the Holy Spirit so that we can impact the communities around us and that God’s kingdom would be built.

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11 Comments

  1. Joy Adams

    I love reading your blog’s (no matter who has written them). Not just because it means your parents know what your doing! But the way you look for God in all circumstances is so encouraging – he is there somewhere, every time. Love you all very much. Mum xx

  2. Joy Adams

    By the way I didn’t put the apostrophe in blogs, predictive text did.

  3. Rachael Taylor

    I’m finding that fear of talking to strangers reduces the older I get. Now I’m 50, I worry less about what other people will think of me but I think it also helps that older women – and I’m one of them now:-) are not seen as a threat. I’ve had some wonderful conversations with people that I probably wouldn’t have dared to speak to a few years ago. Obviously the language can be a barrier but I love my afternoon conversations with Ali when he comes to empty my bin and you know his English isn’t the best.

    • munichadventure

      I have found certain old women to be quite threatening! I miss Ali – please say hello to him next time you see him!

  4. Ruth Murfitt

    Bless you Nathan and Rada, your blog was just what I needed this afternoon. Love and blessings
    Ruth your aging aunt!!
    xxxx

    • munichadventure

      You’re very welcome Ruth. Experienced rather than aging I thing! xx

  5. Kelvin

    I’m with you completely & often reminded of the disciples prayer for boldness in Acts 4. This came after being arrested, preaching the gospel openly, seeing many added to their number & performing miracles – after all this they prayed for boldness!

    29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
    30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” http://esv.to/Acts4.29-30

    • munichadventure

      Yes! A common prayer for us, though I haven’t used those verse for a while. A great reminder thanks.

  6. Falk

    Hallo Nathan, ich weiß dein Deutsch wird immer besser. Aus eigener Erfahrung kann ich dir sagen, wenn man seinen Nachbarn mit ein paar Worten in seiner Landessprache überraschen kann, zaubert man ihm oft ein Lächeln ins Gesicht.
    Mach weiter so.

    • munichadventure

      Vielen Dank Falk! Ich versuche! Stück für Stück!

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