ACL Forum

i just got back from an amazing weekend. i was at the Arbeitsgemeinsschaft Christlicher Lebenshilfe Forum (working-together-community of christian life-helpers literally translated).. basically, a meeting of people doing what i do throughout germany and austria. we had four days of sermons, seminars, testimonies and togetherness. the title was "discover anew" and there was a great focus on a return to the center, to a focus on christ- in our ministry as well as in our lives. i was not too thrilled when i heard who the main speaker was supposed to be because i have a rather negative association with his church; however, it turned out to be really good to hear him speak. i think all of the input i heard was valuable, and the testimonies uplifting... but the thing that was most important to me, was to really realize, hey, i am not alone. there are soo many others out there doing the same or similar things. just being able to talk to them and not have to explain all the background info, to be able to learn from the old fighters that have been out there 40 years and the big-league guys with therepy centers, and to be caught up in the fire of those just starting out.. they invited me to apply for membership in the ACL community with my Hope House. there was alot to learn, but also alot of time to just talk, so i feel refreshed and ready for whatever the week has in store for me (and it started out krass already).