September 11th – 25th, 2024
September 11th – 25th, 2024
By Richard Bergmann
We are on our way to Friesland to “meet” Menno Simons, but we begin the day in Zaanse Schans, a picturesque historic windmill village along the Zaan River. The scenery did not disappoint, and it is already bustling first thing on this Saturday morning with other tourists, so we need to navigate ourselves around for the best memory pics. Ayold is on a mission, and we hurriedly make our way along the river path to De Zoeker windmill to learn about its Mennonite builder. The wooden clog shop is a neat stop with dozens of vibrantly coloured clogs lined up on display. I wonder how comfortable those shoes really are, but I escape the temptation of purchasing a pair before we board the bus.
We cross De Afsluitdijk, a 32km dam that serves as a highway connecting the North and West of the Netherlands. The Dutch have been masters of water control for hundreds of centuries, and this early 20th-century project was built to serve an exploding population in need of more agricultural land.
We are now in Pingjum and Witmarsum, the birthplace of Menno Simons and his early days in the Catholic Priesthood before he joined the Anabaptist movement. There were several sites between these two towns including the monument with Menno’s scripture mantra from 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay any foundation except the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” He could never have imagined how big a movement and impact he would make by following his convictions, which 500 years later many of us carry in our heritage. This time I do not come away unscathed from the souvenir shop and leave with two book purchases to add to my library, one on Menno Simons and the other on Menno Bread. What’s Menno bread? It is about a project to restore milling wheat that had its origins from the German-Mennonites in Russia along with some Turkish wheat varieties. Well, I don't know much about Menno bread (yet) but I like the smell of it!
While we were exploring, learning, and touring today, our yet to meet host families in Berlikum were preparing for our arrival. For one night we will be staying in homes and experience a true local welcome. As my name is called, I'm introduced to my new "adoptive" family, Aly & Willem. I am about to experience a most lovely cultural evening exchange. They first want to know if I'm hungry or they can take me for a drive. We are in the most beautiful farmland and countryside of Friesland and my farming roots take hold of me. I choose the drive so dinner can wait.
Aly is a high-energy, passionate storyteller while Willem quietly chauffeurs us interjecting with the occasional historical or topical fact check. Our first stop is to see the Waddenzee (Wadden Sea) which is the largest intertidal migration ecosystem in the world and is recognized by Unesco. We take in this amazing view between the sea and low-lying farmland acres from a massive dyke (which also serves as a trail) that runs along the coastline. We continue our drive past their family and childhood farms and through Leeuwarden, the capital city of Friesland. I listen to their stories and learn about agriculture, EU environmental policies, immigration challenges, housing, and the shortage of qualified workforce to fill needed jobs. Many of the same topics we hear and face in North America. I can sense a great deal of pride and love for their Friesian culture, one that is very admirable.
TourMagination has been working with the Berlikum Mennonite church community for many years and we talk about why they do it. They want to see their community thrive and view the church as a connection point to facilitate community. What was once a church with 150+ members and many more adherents 50 years ago is now a church with a fraction of what it once was. We talk about this changing trend in the youth demographics in Europe and how it may compare to North America’s churches. Their partnership with TourMagination is one way to help contribute to this community and that message resonates with me.
Willem serves the role of a master chef, and I’m treated to a wonderful dinner with many different assorted desserts to top it off. Our conversation carries into the late evening and shifts to our families, photo books and travel memories. As I fall asleep, my question has been answered, I know why we do this homestay experience - I've had the chance to build a new relationship, learn about their culture and gain a whole new perspective. I’m hoping the rest of my travel companions have unique experiences and stories to share.
