Refresher Course '11

Each summer Ragnar helps organize a week long ‘Refresher Course' for all of our European missionaries on Home Assignment. The last 2 years we hosted it on our campus here in England, but this year it was in Germany.

The Refresher Course was held at a lovely spacious Retreat Center, in beautiful country surroundings - yet basically within walking distance to a small town in either direction. Coworkers ran a well organized children’s program which allowed parents to attend meetings in the mornings.

We were happy to have met a few new families, get reacquainted with others and catch up with 2 families from the Philippines. As always when you are busy and having a good time the days just fly by so quickly.

Enjoying coffee with friends who were leaving the next week for their first Overseas Assignment. We were surprised to see money both from the Faroe Islands and the Philippines in this collection in the coffee shop. A VW collection we passed by in the town - couldn't help taking note of the orange one with a snow plow. One evening 3 other ladies and I shared a few lessons that the Lord has taught us over the past few years. Did we have to go all the way to Germany to have time to sit down and have a chat with our door neighbour in England?!?! On our 'off day' we all drove about 1/2 hr. to a lake, where we had a relaxing day of canoe racing, walking, a picnic lunch and more chatting.
Reminiscing the good old days in the Philippines.

Since we were in a ski resort area, there was a cable ride up the mountain and then an elevator up the tower where there was a beautiful view for miles around in every direction.
When one of the German students heard that we were planing to drive to the mainland, he offered us the use of his car while we were in Germany. What a treat - not only we were given the use of a convertible BMW, but it was so much easier and cheaper to fly from Manchester to Cologne, than to drive. My turn! So great to see Erlend and Anne again, even though they could only come for one day. Great catching up with Manfred and Nadine's ministry in the Philippines.
One afternoon we also tried something new for us - a 'summer sleigh ride' - basically a loooong, winding slide. Lots of fun, but I’ll have to try it again someday. When we got to the bottom, I found out I used my brakes much more than the guys. Even though our main purpose in going was not so much to be refreshed ourselves, but to help create an atmosphere where others could be refreshed, we sure came home very encouraged and thankful for a rejuvenating week.