What follows is a very rough translation of the article “Amerikaanse en Canadese Mennoïten nemen het zomerse weer mee in de kofferrom from www.berlikum.com.
Monday June 21 around 17:30 Mennonites came from America and Canada to Berltsum. The purpose of their trip was to visit Mennonite sites from the years 1500-1600. Many Mennonites had then fled to America and Canada from Europe. A few hundred years later, there is strong interest in tours to European to visit these places. Tuesday Morning, June 22 at 8.30 am the coach departs at Münster (Germany). Berltsum is one of those places where the TourMagination groups stay.
On June 21 begins the summer. 38 heavily laden Mennonite tour members, ranging in age from 20 to approx. 85 years, arrived by the Baptist Church. They were welcomed with coffee and snacks by Onijdes Sijtsma. He gave a brief explanation of the area’s history using material from people who faced religious martyrdom in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Mennonite group spontaneously sang the four-part “Blest be the tie That Binds”. A cold shiver went over to the listeners. The host families were waiting in the Mennonite Church.
Jim and Joan Kulp Virginia (USA) stayed with the family Joos Tema, Wiersterdyk 6A. After a hot meal, they toured Berltsum by car. As the Mennonites brought beautiful summer weather with them, the family could enjoy the amenities of Kulp Berltsum, sports, nature, culture and numerous activities.
The Americans found the narrow roads, the Bitgumerdyk Bûtenpôle the ûleboerden, the greenhouse area (oh, my goodness), the many sizes and types of bikes, the traditional pelota game and neatly maintained verges and gardens remarkable.
The photo at the top of the article shows the arrival of the U.S. and Canadian Mennonites at the Mennonite Church on the first beautiful summer evening. Press the top right corner of the picture.
