September 11th – 25th, 2024
September 11th – 25th, 2024
by Richard Bergmann
After a good sleep and breakfast, it is time to head to the Berlikum Mennonite Church with our hosts where we are treated to a faspa and visit after the service.
Ayold asks us to all share about our experience with the host families from the previous night, so we take our turn and go around the bus. I was overwhelmed to hear the unique and positive stories shared including the humorous nuances as we compared our experiences between our North American and Dutch customs. It was a unique, cultural experience which brought us into the hearts and homes of local Mennonite people.
Today will be a lighter day for us and we enjoy a nice lunch break in Westerbork on our way to Munster Germany. We are introduced to the Munster revolt and its Anabaptist leader, Jan van Leiden, whose rebellion resulted in the loss of hundreds of followers' lives and gave Anabaptism a bad rap. It did not end well as they lost the rebellion and control of the city, and Van Leiden and two of his other leaders were executed brutally. Their bodies were hung in cages in the St.Lambert tower for the next 50 years for all to see and discourage anyone from another rebellion against the Catholic church.
The day is getting late, and we pull into Leverkussen at the Fettehenne (aka Fat Hen) hotel, a rather odd name for a hotel that exceeded all of our expectations. Our dinner is at a nearby Italian restaurant where at my table, stories are shared about our heritage and memories growing up. Good times.
