[www.siloah-hof.de...] -- Tuesday, Jo-Ann & Joe headed for Neufrankenroda to visit Matt, Nick, & Leah at Siloah Hof. Siloah is an eclectic and enjoyable spot that combines Christian community, organic agricultural enterprise, camping, and retreat facilities. Leah has found a niche in Siloah’s kitchen, Matt in helping with numerous practical and repair tasks, and Nick pitches in particularly with children’s activities. All three get pulled into other tasks during big events like last week’s major children’s camp and next week’s Zeltstadt (“Tent City”), an annual event that promises to bring over 1,100 tents to Siloah’s fields. Talking with one of Siloah’s founders, Hubert L., and others here, we again heard expressions of appreciation for the contributions of GC SSTers here over the years and regret that this year’s trio will be the last. Goshen is one of the 15 or so international destinations shown on directional signs in Siloah’s central courtyard.

After Nick, Matt, & Leah showed us some of their favorite spots around Siloah, Joe took Jo-Ann and Leah to a nearby train station, and came back to pick up Matt & Nick in our no-more-than-four-person rental car. Leah had really enjoyed an earlier visit to Erfurt so that is where she and Jo-Ann spent the afternoon (without camera). Joe drove with Nick & Matt to a German national park located in the Hainich Forest—Germany’s largest deciduous mixed forest. There we walked along the Baumkronenpfad (tree top path), a path built through the trees at elevations ranging from 21 to 44 meters above ground.

We all reconvened at the end of the afternoon in Matt & Nick’s spacious room under the eaves. There we shared a bit of cake in honor of Nick’s birthday tomorrow and talked about the way the service portion of SST is flying by. Students are working on their final projects, and will come back to Jena on July 24 or 25. Hard to believe that in two weeks, the students will have arrived back in the United States!