The First Adventure (of Herm & Kerm)

WE’RE FINALLY HERE!!! After a total of 9 hours in the air, 2 airplane meals, 3 in-flight movies and several beverage cart rounds, we arrived safe and sound, and 15 minutes ahead of schedule, in Frankfurt, Germany. God was SUPER- GOOD to us, and we got through our two flights with no problems in security, no lost luggage, and barely any lines! Our 8 hour flight from Washington-Dulles to Frankfurt flew by. We entertained ourselves through the lovely in-flight movies: 17 Again, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and Pink Panther 2. We had an edible and pretty good dinner as well as a breakfast-type entrée about an hour and a half before landing (which was 2 in the morning Dayton time). Although we tried, neither of us could fall asleep on the flight. We did get some quiet time and rest in, and tried to chip away at our summer AP English assignments, but did not actually catch any Z’s. :(

When we arrived, we could not find any signs leading to Customs. But we followed our noses and kept following the Baggage Claim/Exit signs, eventually found our way to Customs, and got through the line with absolutely no wait and not even any questioning! We then found our baggage belt and were only waiting for 5 minutes before our luggage was among the first to come out! God was so good- everything went so smoothly, and by the time we got our luggage, we were about an hour ahead of schedule. We found our meeting point and waited there for Bishop Gerhard Meyer. When we were about to give up and go looking at another terminal, Gerhard walked in! Within a half hour or so, we had met up with the leaders from Texas and Philedelphia and loaded our two vans up to head off to Knuell Camp.

We rested in the van a bit before arriving in Marberg an hour and a half later. We ate lunch in a small café and then climbed up a long cobblestone road to Marberg Castle. We spent a lot of time exploring the grounds and admiring the scenery and view from the castle- despite our utter fatigue and lack of sleep for the last 24 hours or so! We then visited St. Elisabeth Cathedral, which was breathtaking. With tired eyes, sore bodies, and blistering feet, we piled back into the vans and drove about 45 minutes to Knuell Camp. Once again, Abby napped and Rachel made an attempt to rest. (as Abby writes this, Rachel still has not broken the fast from sleep!!!!!)

When we arrived here at Knuell Camp, we got some refreshments from the Knuell-Jause (a small snack shop/café on grounds) and then Rachel took me (Abby) on a mini tour of the grounds. (Including the AMAZING tower!) The grounds here are beautiful! You can see for literally miles around the gorgeous rolling hills and fields of the German countryside interspersed with little clusters of red-roofed houses making villages every so often. The hills, valleys, and forests are so rich in color, and the weather is a cool, slightly breezy 65o . It is perfect- cool, refreshing, and beautiful.

Dinner tonight was very German and very filling. We had fresh rolls (Rachel’s favorite) and a “mystery meat” patty (very good- like a mix of sausage and meatloaf), and mashed potatoes. Afterwards, we took looooooooong showers, which felt great after a long day of traveling and touring Marberg. It is currently a bit cooler, and the slugs are out. We just spent a long time searching for Gerhard to help us with our Internet connection, and we are exhausted and ready to crash in our comfy German beds.

We are thanking God for His provision and protection on us as we traveled today, and for giving us enough energy and stamina to tour today and to keep us going so far. We are so excited to be here finally, and are even more excited as we anxiously anticipate English Camp and all God’s going to do.

Please pray for our leadership team, that we would mesh well and be able to be of one mind and spirit, so as to effectively serve God and minister to each other and the German teens next week. Pray also for our energy and adjustment to the time change and new schedule, and that we would not complain but have peace in all circumstances.

We love you all and miss you a lot!

Rachel & Abby