<p>Following breakfast in the hotel, we will make our way to Bethel.</p> <p>The Bodelschwingh  Foundation in Bethel arose from a home for epilepsy patients, which was  founded in 1867. Initially, while started in Bielefeld, it grew up to  having facilities in eight German states. On our tour we see the old  porter's lodge, the founding house Alt-Ebenezer, the deaconess mother  house Sarepta, the Brüderhaus Nazareth, the house Groß- Bethel, the  chapel “Waldkapelle”, the church “Zionskirche”, and the cemetery.</p> <p>Our next stop in the afternoon is the Wittekindshof in Bad Oeynhausen. Founded in 1887, it was intended to be a  "safe place for stupid people." Nowadays the Wittekindshof is one of  the biggest institutions in Westphalia for people with mental  disabilities. Johannes Klevinghaus (the uncle of our tour director!)  took over the leadership in 1945, founded a brotherhood and shepherded the Wittekindshof until his death in 1970. </p> <p>Dinner and overnight will be in a hotel in nearby Bad Oeynhausen.</p>

<p>The Neinstedter Anstalten are our destination for the weekend.</p> <p>After our arrival in the late morning, we will be welcomed by the sisters and get an impression of the various work done in Neinstedt.</p> <p>Later in the afternoon, we will take a look on the picturesque medieval town of Quedlinburg with its many timberframed building and the magnificient Dom Cathedral. </p> <p>Our next stop is the Bonhoeffer house in Friedrichsbrunn, former summer house of the Bonhoeffer family. In 2020 we remember the 75th year of the execution of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer.</p> <p>Back in Neinstedt, we are invited to join a Rock Concert which is the begin of the Neinstedt Annual Festival this weekend.</p> <p>Dinner and overnight are in a guesthouse or hotel in the area. </p>

<p>Neinstedt is not too far from Wittenberg, the place where Dr. Martin Luther lived and worked. You are invited to join a day trip to the cradle of the Reformation. </p> <p>After arrival, we will tour the town where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Schlosskirche on October  31, 1517. In Luther’s time this was the University Chapel and the doors  were used as a bulletin board. Luther preached here often and in the  City Church of St. Mary. In 1508, when Martin Luther came to Wittenberg,  he lived in the Black Abbey – now known as the “Lutherhaus”. It was here that he had his “Tower Experience” and first grasped the gift of  faith by grace alone. Later, Luther lived here with his wife, Katharina von Bora, and their six children.</p> <p>Everyone will receice a set of exclusive “WittenbergCoupons™”.  With this coupons, everyone gets free admission at the Lutherhaus, Melanchthonhaus,  Cranach-Museum, the exhibition of modern Christian Art and other places.  Choose what you like, and spend as many time you want. Or just enjoy strolling the streets and get some “Reformation atmosphere” in the town where Martin Luther and his fellows lived, taught, and preached.</p> <p>In the evening we join a Worship Service conducted by Wittenberg English Ministry before returning to Neinstedt. </p> <p><br></p>

<p>It's Sunday, and it's the day of the Annual Festival in the Neinstedter Anstalten. </p> <p>We are invited to be an active part of the 10 am festive worship service, which is followed by family program, games, fun, and stage presentations.</p> <p>There are more chances for fellowship in the evening and to share time with the brothers and sisters in Neinstedt.</p> <p>Dinner and overnight in our hotel again. </p>

<p>As our pilgrimage continues, the town of Eisenach is our next stop. </p> <p>We visit the Wartburg,  one of the most important castles in German history. It is here that  Martin Luther hid in 1521 and 1522, taking on the assumed name of Knight George, after being placed under an imperial ban. Among many letters and books he wrote here is the first translation of the New Testament into the German language. The Wartburg also is important for many other aspects of German history. On our tour we will be remembered to the life and work of St Elisabeth. And we will see the original black-red-golden German flag, used at a students' meeting at the Wartburg in 1817.</p> <p>It's a short drive down the hill to the town. Eisenach is the birthplace of famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach. We visit the museum in his birthhouse. A lecturer of the Bach foundation will give us an introduction into Bach's life and work, with music demonstrations on historic instruments.<br> In the evening we continue our travels to Erfurt for dinner and overnight in our hotel. </p> <p><br></p>

<p>We enjoy a full day in the beautiful town of Erfurt.  Here Luther lived as a student before he joined the Augustinian monks. On our walking tour with a local guide we see the market square with the magnificent cathedral, stroll through the little streets with  the rich timber framed buildings, cross the merchant’s bridge, and visit the Augustinian monastery.<br> Martin Luther joined the  order of the Augustinians in 1505 when he was a student in Erfurt.  While he was ordained in the Dom cathedral, it was here that he celebrated his first Holy Mass. Luther always called the Augustinian monastery his spiritual home. Today the monastery is a church retreat center. We will visit a little museum in the monastery with Luther's cell. The church dates back to the  year 1277. The glass windows are still pretty much original from  Luther's time. They inspired Luther when he later designed his seal.</p> <p>The remainder of the day is at leisure for own excursions, museum visits, shopping, or a good cup of coffee.</p> <p>We may join the Evening Prayer at Augustinian Church</p> <p>Dinner and overnight are in a 3- 4 star Hotel in Erfurt</p>

<p>Leaving Erfurt we cross the Thuringian Forest today on our way to Neuendettelsau. Founded in 1854,  Neuendettelsau is the first deaconess institution in Bavaria. On our tour we see the church “St. Laurentius”, visit the oldest parament workshop in Germany, and will have an introduction into the traditional preparation of hosts like in the time of the founder Wilhelm Löhe. We see the workshops and will of course have enough time to shop. You will have the opportunity to purchase products of the handicapped people working and living here. </p> <p>Dinner and overnight are in a Hotel in Neuendettelsau</p>

<p>It's time to finish our pilgrimage in Germany. We travel to Rüdesheim and enjoy an afternoon cruise in the romantic Rhine river valley, passing vineyards and castles.</p> <p>The end of our journey is celebrated with a nice farewell dinner.<br> Overnight will be in a 3- 4 star Hotel in Ruedesheim</p>