Many years back I had a professional conference in Montreux, Switzerland. As was my habit I contacted Cru and asked for contact info for the Swiss National Director. They connected me with Urs Wolfe who was enthusiastic about booking me to speak a few times there.
After the conference ended I headed for Geneva where I met with some Christian students. From there I went to Lausanne, Home of the International Olympic Committee. I gave a talk there to some Christian Medical students and then headed for Zurich, where Urs lived and ministered. When we finished our time, the students were exceptionally gracious and insisted on escorting me to the train station and making sure I got onboard the correct train.
I got on the train and headed north for Zurich. The train had lots of announcements that did me NO good at all. They were in Swiss (German) and French. I studies French in High School and as a freshman in college, but that did me no good. I am terrible in languages.
We passed through many stops along the way, but when we pulled out of Basel, I had a sinking feeling. I quickly found someone who spoke English. I asked whether I should have changed trains at that last stop. The answer made my heart sink.
My great friends who had put me on the train to make sure I was OK, had failed to mention the train change required. I hastily jumped off the train at the next stop. I quick survey of the info available and a double check with some English speakers confirmed that I could still make it to Zurich, it would just take a couple of extra hours.
I made it in, tired, but no worse for wear. The speaking opps and ministry in Zurich were great. In all, it was a wonderful time of ministry all around. And, lesson learned!
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