Ecclesiastes speaks of “a time to break down, and a time to build up.”  The French expression “se retrouver” means more than just meeting someone. It implies that there has been a separation and that there is a coming together, a finding of someone again.  After a time of breaking down and separation, French-speaking disciples in Western Europe met to build up over Easter weekend at a retreat with the theme “Se retrouver.”

Ninety-nine disciples, 48 children and eight babies, including some from Dijon and Poitiers, were reunited for the first time in many years.  IMS funds allowed Elizabete from Lisbon and her 8-year-old daughter Barbara to attend. It was the first time Barbara had ever seen other children of disciples.
In a season that is usually cool and rainy, God blessed the weekend with sunny skies and perfect temperatures that allowed for eating together outdoors and enjoying a wide variety of afternoon activities such as soccer matches, Olympic games for the children, and hikes.  Several disciples volunteered their talents to offer workshops ranging from relaxation/dance to Easter egg decoration.
Brothers from Brussels, Geneva and Paris gave mini-messages on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Richard Raemy’s account of leaving God and the church in 2003 and then returning moved and encouraged many.

All participants were divided randomly into small groups to work on a presentation of a passage or theme.  As an example, a brother from the group that had Colossians 3:22-25 introduced himself as a slave who had become a Christian in ancient Rome and explained how that had changed his relationship with his master.  Another brother presented himself as “Gaius,” an ambitious freedman driving himself to become the most successful fashion entrepreneur in Milan.  Those watching the sketch were left with a simple question to ponder at the end:  “Which man was truly free?”
Many expressed their fears, suspicions and hesitations about coming to the retreat after hearing negative stories about each other or wondering if the same convictions and sense of family were still shared.  Many expressed how reassured and encouraged they were to see faithful, familiar faces; maturity in teaching and sharing; and the successful realization of a spiritual project by ordinary disciples.  Tears and laughter flowed freely.  Dreams and mutual aid between these churches are growing, and plans are already being made for the next such retreat.

Around a bonfire under a starry sky, exchanging hugs and loving gazes, toasting marshmallows, singing praises to our God, lifting voices together in prayer -- how good and pleasant it was to “se retrouver.”