The first week in January 2018 I could be part of a group from different congregations of the Lutheran Natal–Transvaal–Church. About 40 people gathered in Hermannsburg, near Greytown, Natal. The participants were lodged in one of the hostels of the Hermannsburg school. The theme for this year’s retreat was: “Alive”.
Bishop Horst Müller, Pastors Detlev and Gertrud Tönsing did all the preparations and presentations and supplied us with study material. Every day brought new insights from different angles in the interpretation of the texts from the Bible, what “alive” means. Historical facts from the Old Testament show how God revealed Himself to the Jews – His chosen people. God gave the law to lead His people, thereafter He sent the prophets. God showed Himself in all as the God that values life. God is caring and patient. It hurts Him when His people are going their own ways. God is a creative God. Looking in the New Testament, the focus changes to highlighting God’s grace and truth. Christ has come to fulfill the law, He brings us eternal life when we believe that He is the Son of God.
Questions were raised and answers given, like: “How often do we see God in our life? Where are unnoticed blessings?” And God sees even deeper. When He reveals our sins – personally, in the congregation and our country – He does not reject us, because He values life.
Coming from the Cape where we are having a period of drought, it was good for me to think about the significance and importance of water. In chapter 4 of John’s gospel Jesus talks to the Samaritan woman, where he offers her the “living” water. When we drink from the living water that Jesus gives us, we do not become thirsty again. This living water will become a spring welling up and sustains us to eternal life. And to really be “alive” means to be part of the eternal life Jesus gives to us.
During the retreat we enjoyed group activities, like designing a poster and to participate in a Bible quiz. It is also enriching to get to know people from other congregations, brothers and sisters from other cultures. Each one of us got a booklet with songs. The tunes were familiar, words had been translated into English.
Some of you will remember my son Martin who preached in our congregation during August last year. He is now pastor of the New Germany congregation in Durban. The family settled in well. To have them all at the retreat made the week more special for me. At times my grand-children needed my attention in very practical ways. But they had their own programme and there were persons to attend to their activities.
I want to add another verse from John’s gospel that touched my heart: John 14,6; I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through Me.
We, the participants of the eQuip-retreat were encouraged and equipped for the new year of 2018!
Annegret Büttner
