THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO ME...

When we went to Europe in November, it was to visit our missionaries and also attend a special retreat they go to once a year, the Euro-American Family Retreat.  I hadn't thought much about the retreat at all (much more about the 5 days of free travel between weekends) just that we would be there, and the lessons probably wouldn't apply to me...

Was I ever wrong!  The retreat was so meaningful.  I'm sure the effect is multiplied for the missionaries that serve in Europe and see the others this one time a year.  The fellowship was great, conversations, introductions, hugs and love all around.  We knew several of the missionary couples from our college days.  The singing was awesome.  There were a lot of good singers in the group!  The lessons were excellent. They centered on how to help passive Christians become active.  I was very much intrigued and applied them to the particular ministries we work with..

 Everyone really wanted to be there, unlike some activities within the general church, sometimes.  The breakouts were good.  In-between all of the sessions, different groups were dining at meal times in the adorable town of Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber.  Those who wanted to participate, which was probably about 50 of us, sang in a special concert in a 700 year old church!

We stayed late to practice with the English speaking singing group.  We were lead by a very capable woman from France.  We sang several songs we knew and one we didn't, that we fell in love with, "Behold Our God!" Hopefully we will be singing it in our congregations before too long.  It was a great bonding experience for those who participated as we sang in this freezing cold church (no heat) with amazing acoustics.

We left on the third day of the five day retreat and I was so sad to not get to hear all the lessons.  The next time I think "THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO ME," I will pinch myself! :)