Our first days in Germany!

We have arrived safe! Yesterday was a crazy busy day of going from one thing straight to the next. We arrived at 10am Wednesday, retrieved all our luggage and containers of camp supplies (yay!), got through customs, and Jeff, Julie, and Melanie were ready and waiting for us! Such a sweet time greeting them. We got back to their adorable house in Idstein, and their friend Thomas, a volunteer with the youth ministry, brought us a feast of German bread, cheese, and meats for lunch. By then, having been up for almost 24 hours, we were all more than ready for a nap, but instead we were off to the Youth House on base, as both the junior high and high school groups meet on Wednesdays.

At 2:30 we welcomed 61 junior high kids, and then with only about a half hour break got to meet about 45 high schoolers. Melanie made special order coffee shop drinks for everyone, Don BBQ'd a hundred hot dogs in between for the high schoolers, we played "Cullingan ball" (the bat is a 5 gallon water jug with a stick for a handle) with both age groups, and Jeff taught great messages. Ricky got to share his testimony with the high schoolers, and I (Brenda) got to play the keyboard with the kids playing for worship, as we all tried to stay busy and stay awake. Bedtime at 10 was much anticipated!

Today we got our temp military IDs on base, went for a short drive to see a beautiful German castle, and had some 'eis' (yummy ice cream). Tomorrow we do some prep, planning, and gathering of supplies for camp. Weather is part sun and 70... perfect! Our camp weather in another part of Germany is not looking as good for next week, though, so pray for dry weather... sun would be a nice bonus. :)

We are all so grateful to be here and serving. Thanks for praying!
Brenda, for the team