What happened? This year, 450 participants flocked to Pracht im Westerwald to spend a week together at the Bible and Convalescent Home Hohegrete. That was almost 200 more participants than last year.

Was it the choice of speakers? Frank Fournier (OCI), Christopher Kramp (Joel Media), the Nebblet family (Pathway of Promise) and Norberto Restrepo (Las Delicias) were on the program.

Or was it because of the helpers, whom we had asked for cooperation in advance and who in turn had invited many? More than 15 helpers were active in the children's program alone, and the team of interpreters consisted of about the same number of translators.

Was it the theme of preparing for the Second Coming that was announced under the general theme, "The Wedding Garment of the Lamb"?

It is clear that the free time was a great blessing. The phrase "a piece of heaven" was used several times to express this. And indeed, not only Europeans, but also Asians, Africans and Indians were represented; the music, conducted by Darlene Risto and Rabea Kramp (choir and orchestra), was heavenly; and the atmosphere was otherworldly peaceful and loving.

The messages got under your skin:

Norberto Restrepo had the gift of ripping off the last shred of a mask over one's own egoism; Christopher Kramp's vivid description of the army of giants marching down the slopes from the highlands of Bashan to meet the Israelites is unforgettable. Will I face the problems in my life just as bravely?

Paul Dysinger, the Nebblets' second son-in-law, met me with his Sabbath sermon: Am I willing to accept "evil" from God's hand?

Contrary to the prophecies of doom, which see such Bible camps as an escape from reality from the congregations, the participants were spiritually recharged for the service in the local congregations and on the daily front.

Throughout the week you could get information at the stands of the ministries and stock up on valuable food for body, soul and spirit. I was particularly moved to read at the Adventist World Aviation booth that a participating family's decision to go into missions began at the Westerwald camp two years ago.

On three afternoons you could attend one of eight workshops or take part in outreach to the surrounding area. Topics included community schools (Jan de Groot with daughter Naomi), homeschooling (Corinna Blanck with daughter Johanna), hydrotherapy and massage (Jana Meldt), country life (Norberto Restrepo), righteousness by faith (John Davis), overcoming sin (Male Bone Laing), sewing (Natalie Sidorov and Antje Wichmann), gardening (Paul Dysinger) and refugees (Sylvain Romain). And those who were present at the outreach (Roberto Castillo) were able to report on pleasant experiences afterwards.

There were deep pastoral conversations behind the scenes. Only heaven has the full overview of the destinies that were looking for answers and directions this week. A sister who had a traffic accident on the way to the Bible camp and ended up in the intensive care unit was, thank God!, able to be discharged from the hospital at the end of the camp.

Numerous baptismal decisions were made on the last evening, including the sister's daughter in the hospital. Young men and women, even entire families, prepare themselves inwardly for the call to missions, many want to become better fathers, mothers, husbands and wives to bless their families.

In a special prayer of consecration, the children were entrusted to God. Their songs have cheered our hearts.

LORD go further on your way with everyone and use us so that many recognize you before it is too late!

The date at the same venue is already booked for next year. This time the retreat will take place a week earlier, from July 31st to August 6th. Even more federal states have holidays. As the first speaker, Dr. medical Horst Müller agreed. If God wills and we live, see you!