THE NETHERLANDS—From August 8-10, eighteen Dutch and British members camped out near Nunspeet for a congregational activity. The weekend drew members from across the border and from across the English Channel.

For Sabbath services, the 10 Dutch campers and eight campers from the United Kingdom were joined by Evangelist Alex Harrison and his wife, as well as a number of French and Belgian brethren, creating an atmosphere that several members said reminded them of the Feast of Tabernacles.

The congregation also used the occasion to recognize David and Josué Michels, from Germany, before they departed to attend Herbert W. Armstrong College. The Nunspeet members presented the two young men with a cake and small good-bye gift.

On Sunday, 43 members gathered at the campsite for an international barbecue picnic. Dutch member Egbert Raedt said he appreciated being able to camp “with so much family fun only 3 miles from where we have Sabbath services.”

UK member John Bird said what made the experience special was “the barbecue get-together and being in the company of genuine, loving people. That feeling of being taken care of that you receive from the European brethren [is] very special! The European brethren are great hosts.”

The picnic finished with a marshmallow roast over a campfire. In the evening, some campers went on a guided forest walk in the dark, where they spied forest animals like deer and wild boar.