Beneath the soaring arches of Frankfurt's central station thousands of people rush past one another and past a few who are going nowhere. It could be London, New York or countless other major cities and their railway hubs at commuting time. But Frankfurt, like several other German stations, also has Bahnhofsmission.With stations becoming more and more technological, machines replacing people, the mission station is again increasingly utilised.
It has in many ways strengthened and saved lives. They know it as the "Church at the station" prsenting the gospel for all people.
The rooms include a resting space suitablefor a variety of purposes: the business traveller needing an electrical outlet for his laptop, the elderly blind lady waiting over a cup of tea for thenext train to which volunteers will guide her, the homeless man seeking shelter and refuge who may read the newspaper and receive a small snack, or the young woman forced into prostitution who will safely spend the night on one of the Mission’s 20 mattresses, protected from her pimp. To the left of the Mission’s entrance is “the room of silence” where you can leave behind the hectic noise of the main station. An extra room is available for in-depth counselling and advice.
It has in many ways strengthened and saved lives. They know it as the "Church at the station" prsenting the gospel for all people.
The rooms include a resting space suitablefor a variety of purposes: the business traveller needing an electrical outlet for his laptop, the elderly blind lady waiting over a cup of tea for thenext train to which volunteers will guide her, the homeless man seeking shelter and refuge who may read the newspaper and receive a small snack, or the young woman forced into prostitution who will safely spend the night on one of the Mission’s 20 mattresses, protected from her pimp. To the left of the Mission’s entrance is “the room of silence” where you can leave behind the hectic noise of the main station. An extra room is available for in-depth counselling and advice.
Last year, the Bahnhofsmission took care of almost 100,000 people, among them 6,000 children and teens. Over 20,000 received advice and small scale assistance. 15,000 elderly and handicapped men and women were given travel-related help. In about 4,000 cases, intensive counselling was provided. Such supplementary activities as short prayer services and musical meditations enrich the lives of those who come to the Mission, as do occasional art exhibits.
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