International Baptist Church Retreat

I wasn't able to get to a computer while I was on the retreat, so now I will update.
On friday morning after a much needed sleep, our driver arrived to take us to Nordon, Germany for the retreat of the International Baptist Church of Bremen. Marge, who I had met the day before, and her husband, Michael were to take us by car. Marge, who is from the Philippines, was in charge of taking alot of the food, plus going to the grocery store to buy whatever else was needed. Michael, a German, drove silently so he could concentrate.(we traveled on the autoban, which I am sure you have heard you can travel up to 200mph) We did not go that fast--thank you Lord!--but many flew by us and I thought they were flying!!
After a quick lunch at MACDONALDS!, we arrived in Nordon around 3pm.
When you talk about international and church in the same sentence, you find a church that is made up of at least 15 countries! I met on the retreat, people from Germany, of course, Malasia, Liberia, India, Figi and Denmark(my host family), South Africa(the pastor and wife), Kenya, Scotland, Philippines, Guana, UK, Singapoor, Switzerland, Brazil, US. and a country in the former Soviet Union which I cannot pronounce.
This church is an English speaking church, so at the retreat all could converse with Mary and I.
The children we worked with were few--only four and 2 babies, but, we enjoyed them so much. The oldest was a 10 year old boy, Cameron, his brother, Samuel- 6 , a girl, Angelina-8, a 3 year old-Frances and two precious babies--Pia-1 year and Silas--3 months.
The children were so well behaved--all we had to do was give them a project and they worked hard at it. They did love to play with a pool table and balls, making a lot of noise, so we couldn't let them if the babies were sleeping. We made fish from "Jonah and the Whale". Noah's Ark with animals, pig puppets from "The Prodigal Son", and "Jesus Loves Me" bookmarks.
The afternoons were free, so we were escorted to a Tea Museum on saturday. We learned all about making tea, going through an old factory hearing how tea was made and the proper way to drink it and prepare it. i really enjoyed it.
Yesterday, we went a few miles to the coast of northern Germany just across from the Netherlands. The architechure(sp.) was very reminescent of the Netherlands. I saw 2 windmills and a seaside farmers's market that among it's fare, was an eel sandwich, which I was not about to try!! I did try some deep fried fish that a merchant gave us to taste.
The homes in Nordon were so quaint, sort of a frame with double picture windows in front which held lace curtains pulled back making them look like eyes with their eyelids drooping. Everyone had pots of flowers in the windows that made me think how my grandmother loved to do the same in our home. The countryside looked so much like that of the Shennadoah Valley in Virginia minus the mountains but with rolling hills- If this is the way the rest of Germany looks, then I can see why my ancestors settled in the Valley-
Saturday night, the retreat held a talent night that was so much fun--they act just as crazy as we do at Oakland and our family reunions. Then, last night was a wonderful time of testimonies, praise and worship and the Lord's supper. There were some who were going through difficult times and a few were leaving to go back to their countries. When these were mentioned, many members went to the person and layed on of hands while someone prayed for them. The closeness and love was so evident--God was difinitely in that place!!
Ther is so much more to tell that I will have to tell you to your face. Tomorrow, we will have a free day before leaving here on wednesday. We plan to do some more sightseeing in Bremen and some shopping. God bless all of you!!

Lesley