September 27-29-Wernigerode in the Harz Mountains

Our church went to Wernigerode located in the Harz Mountains for a weekend retreat.  This is a picture of where we stayed.  It is a CVJM which is the German YMCA.  We left on Friday afternoon and returned Sunday afternoon.

The kids could go outside at anytime and play here.

This is Wibke.  She does all of the children's ministry at church.  She has welcomed us over and over again.  I am very thankful for her.

This picture was taken during one of our teaching times.  The theme of the weekend was reflecting on faith and doubt.  Someone from church did lots of translating for me.  Even though there was lots I didn't understand I was still very glad we were able to go.  

On Saturday afternoon they had different activities planned.  We chose to ride the steam engine which is unique even to the Germans.  It was powered by coal.

We could stand outside between the cars while we were going up the mountain.  On the way down the mountain it was so crowded we couldn't move.  Some older German people let the boys sit on their table so they didn't have to stand.

A picture of the beautiful view from the train.

Then we toured the Wernigerode Schloss (the German word for castle).

This is the fanciest castle we have visited.  It used to be in Eastern Germany.  It also used to be a place where the Kaiser would come and stay to hunt.

This is the symbol of the Holy Roman Empire.  It was earlier a symbol of the Christian Roman Empire.    During the middle ages they were trying to recover the Christian Roman Empire so they used this symbol.  This was like wallpaper.  It was very pretty.

This was the banquet hall.

Just the type of thing little boys think is so neat.  It really was.

Some serious protection.

A view from the castle.