It was a very tight squeeze. The four of us were packed into a corner of the horse-drawn wagon, sitting on two small benches and huddled around a tiny stool. Petra was sidled into a small space next to a well-used table across from us and Stefan squatted on a little stool next to the wood burning stove. As the rain pounded on the wooden roof just above our heads and mugs of tea warmed our hands, we found ourselves amazed that our quiet day had taken such an adventurous turn.

The morning had begun in typical fashion, the four of us enjoying a hearty breakfast and sharing about what we had been reading.  Mary mentioned a poem by Mary Oliver and our following discussion prompted Thea to recount her two week old experience meeting Stefan at the train station. As her story unfolded, we were all impacted by how this man had chosen such a simple way of life in order to bring beauty and meaningful stories to others. Suddenly, Stephan stated that he thought we needed to take advantage of the invitation and go visit Stefan and his friends and family.  It was a dismal day outside, Thea wasn’t entirely confident of the directions, and showing up at his camp seemed quite a stretch from simply having a conversation.  Stephan kept insisting so we finally cleaned up, packed some cheese and bread for gifts, and jumped into the car for the forty minute drive down into the valley.

After a few wrong turns and a stop for inquiries and directions, we spotted the wagons and horses set back in a large puddled field behind a village school.  Stephan parked the car as near as possible and we forged our way along a muddy path to the closest wagon. Amidst barking dogs and some questioning stares from individuals huddled under a tarped outdoor kitchen/eating structure, one young man approached us and introduced himself as Vanya. Thea then spotted Stefan next to another wagon and he came to welcome us to the camp.  Our welcome included a proud and gracious tour and explanation of the area … the horses grazing in one distant field, the performance area and stage props, the animals and other wagons that housed the rest of the people, ending with his own wagon home.  Thoroughly soaked by now with mud-caked shoes and boots, Petra, Stefan’s wife, invited us to enter through the small front door and make ourselves at home. Her only request was that we remove our muddy walkers!!!

The conversation bounced around with ease, touching on family, travels, work and the stories their theatre group wrote and produced.  Stefan and Petra expressed an openness and interest in our lives, free of skepticism and judgement.  In such simple surroundings, they seemed quite relaxed and content. Our time together drew to a close with darkness setting in.  Petra had shared that they were still in need of two key props for their summer show and Thea expressed a willingness to check whether she had something that could be used.  Making use of one of the troupe’s few phones, contact numbers were exchanged and good-byes were extended.  Stefan walked us back across the muddy field to our awaiting car and mentioned that he hoped we would all meet again “You are always welcome at one of our shows!”

That evening sitting around a warming fire, we reflected back on the afternoon:  We pondered a willingness to share personal experiences; freedom from judgment, which lead to movement and engagement.  It felt like people have more in common with each other than appearances or circumstances suggest.  The unique gifts of community and individuals’ were means for helping all of us move out of our comfort zones and into a new enriching experience. As needy and complicated as it can be to cross physical borders, how vital it seems to work at crossing internal borders that keep us from blessing and being blessed.

Thea, Stephan, Mary and Craig

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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