Contents

PART ONE

Fifteen years in a childhood paradise

1 Under the shade of a linden tree 2

2 Shelter from the war 18

3 School life in Posen 25

4 Weekends at home 33

5 Winter in Sapowice 51

6 Spring time 73

7 Summer holidays 84

8 Autumn in Sapowice 89

9 The beginning of the end 100

10 Soldier or student? 117

PART TWO

Refugee in search of a homeland

11 Berlin Ñ on the run 144

12 Westerhausen Ñ the end of the war 156

13 Emersleben Ñ back to school 172

14 Kerstlingerode Ñ unpaid farm worker 193

15 Bremen Ñ the Wool Trade Capital of Germany 212

16 Dahlhausen interlude 235

17 Bremen Ñ working and searching 241

PART THREE

Australia, my new home

18 Sailing under the Wind of Hope 264

19 Sydney Ñ wool trade 276

20 Striking new roots 292

21 Spiritual awakening 308

PART FOUR

Indonesia

22 Learning to be a missionary 321

23 Study tours 338

24 Joys and setbacks of missionary life in Kupang 348

PART FIVE

Ministry in Australia

25 Albion Park 376

26 Canberra Ñ Melba 403

27 Canberra Ñ Wattle Park 410

28 Family and holidays 414

29 Consultations with neighbouring churches 419

30 Long service leave, 1987 427

31 Building a church at Melba 458

32 Reflections 461