Laura M. Fabrycky - Keys to Bonhoeffers Haus

For all free people, wherever they may live:

Lasst sie nach Berlin kommen.

Most people have forgotten nowadays what a house can mean, though some of us have come to realize it as never before. It is a kingdom of its own in the midst of the world, a stronghold amid lifes storms and stresses, a refuge, even a sanctuary.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

Thank you to my familyabove all to my husband, David, and our children. Together, we visited the Bonhoeffer-Haus, and then you each patiently endured Mommy Bonhoeffering long after. David, your unflagging support, enthusiasm, and faith in me and this story helped me get through my doubts, fears, and serious bouts of dithering. Your companionship in life is one of Gods greatest gifts to me, and I love you. Miriam Leslie Fabrycky, Hannah Corbly Fabrycky, and Adam John Fabryckyyou three incredible people lived as Berliners for a season, learned the citys language, and are better Americans and world citizens for it. You make me proud and hopeful. I love you too.

Thank you to my parents, Babs and Jack Merzig, for your love and encouragement, and my parents-in-law, Janet and Alan Fabrycky, for the same. Thank you to my sister Leslie Merzig Deroo, brother-in-law Andrew Deroo, and nieces Talia and Naima for being in the midst, making lasagna, doing dishes, and sharp-eyed reading.

I am deeply indebted to the many who belong to and love the Bonhoeffer-Haus, and those who carry its keys. Special thanks to Rev. ret. Gottfried Brezger (chairman of the board), who read my draft carefully and graciously and contributed critically to it, and to Rev. Martin Dubberke (executive director during my time there), who welcomed me and my family to the Haus so many times. My sincere thanks to the other members of the volunteer group: Martina Dethloff, Ralf Herold, Rev. ret. Michael Kennert, Rev. ret. Kurt Kriebohm, Rev. ret. Dr. Ulrich Luig, Philip Miti, and Ingrid Portmann. Thank you for your open-hearted hospitality to me. I hope more visitors come to the Haus and learn from you as I did.

Thank you to dear friends in Berlin and elsewhere: Emunah Rankin, viriditas forever; early cheerleaders Bill and Laurel Martin (Schreib dein Buch!); Bobbi Jo Brooks, who makes beautiful stuff happen; C. Christopher Smith, to whom I owe a great deal; Jen Pollock Michel, whose wisdom and friendship have been vital and cross-pollinating; my real-life and Voxer pals Julie Nazimek Harner, Maggie Johns, Jody Fernando, Bronwyn Lea, Ashley Hales, Catherine McNeil, and Laura Penney; and also Emily Bliss for reading a painfully early draft. To Shireen David, and Clayton and Megan Anderson. To Shannon and Matt McNeil, and especially to Oliver, who graced Berlin and our home there with his presence and now rests with Waverly in the Lords arms. To Mareike and Clemens Bethge, and your sweet girls, for your open hearts and minds. To Leah Striker for friendship, beauty, and adventure. To Jonathan Eastvold for the early education. Because our lives have been knit with them, thank you to Steve and Meg Garber, Todd and Judi Deatherage, Abby Deatherage, Karen Marsh, Dr. Heinrich and Conny Audebert, Stephanie and Adam Parken as well as Everett (keep taking good notes!), James, and Lillian, and Tillman Minow. To Michael and Andrea Le Roy, and Ashley and Mary Woodiwiss for teaching me. To Eric Young and Noah and Joe Toly, who were such valuable interlocutors. To Leslie Egge, Jan Aiello, and erstwhile Berliner transplant Heather Morton; to Becky Dye for presence and encouragement. Thank you to all who read early versions of this book.

To our beloved church community of Mosaik Berlin, thank you for your welcome and embrace, and special thanks to Neville and Sue Jones, Benjamin and Brigitte, and Christopher and Stephanie. Special thanks as well to Dr. Victoria Barnett, Rev. Ulrike Trautwein, Dr. Gideon Strauss, Rev. Dr. Richard Mouw, Dr. Bryan McGraw, and other thoughtful leaders with generous minds and hearts.

To all those who visited the Haus and to whom I gave tours in 2017, 2018, and 2019, thank you for listening, asking questions, sharing expertise, and engaging the story with me.

To my editor, Emily Brower, who took the risk and patiently shepherded and strengthened the story. To Layne Johnson, Madeleine Vasaly, Allyce Amidon, Emily Benz, Mallory Hayes, and all who labored on the storys behalf. To Marty Kaz and Don Jacobsen, who offered wisdom. To my MQM readers, who represent family, friends, and acquaintances who have kindly read all along the way, thank you.

I still owe great debts of thanks and love to so many more, and no less despite going unnamed. Moreover, while I have tried to wring out errors and received much help in doing so, I am responsible for those that remain. I welcome feedback and correction.