2008 TOUR

On 6 October 2008, thirty-seven members of the Bentheimers International Society congregated at the airport in Grand Rapids, thus beginning the first leg of a journey back to Grafschaft Bentheim, Germany, the homeland of their immigrant forefathers.

For some members of BIS this was the trip of a lifetime, the first time any of their family had attempted to restore ties with a long lost family. For others it was another happy reunion. 

Once in Grafschaft Bentheim, tour members visited the old churches where generations of their ancestors had been baptized. At the Emlichheim Reformed Church the group saw the 800 year old baptismal font (see below) made of Bentheimer sandstone and used in Catholic times as well as after the Reformation. Wild beasts are carved into the legs of this font as in early times they were believed to scare away evil spirits. The tour group gathered at a Neuenhaus School on Saturday evening and was met by German members of BIS as well as long lost family members. After a rousing reception and picture taking session, plans were made for the tour members to spend Sunday with their respective German families. Earlier that day tour members were recipients of a private tour of Bentheim Castle by Count Christian von Bentheim who is a member of BIS and his brother Reinhardt who lives at the Castle. Besides Grafschaft Bentheim, the tour group also visited York, England, the Netherlands, Belgium and Berlin.

People in Photo: 

Front Row: Pastor Gerrit Jan Beuker, Loren Lemmen, Kenneth Rabbers, Heather Gemmen, Ted Locklin, Sharon Brown, Ruth Koop Lemmen, Rose Bosch, Robert Bosch, Gerrit Schippers 

2^nd Row: Jake Toering, Gloria Toering, Patricia Coeling Gemmen, Kathlyn Larson, Patricia Berens, Debbie Holthuis, Henry Holthuis 

3^rd Row: Janice Stewart, Harold Huizenga, Beryl Morgan Walkotten, Esther Scherer Huizenga, Barbara Hulst, Harold Hulst 

4^th Row: Gerhard Ritsema, Carol Ritsema, Pat Masunas, Ruth Walkotten, Ward Walkotten, Mary Mouw, Carole DeVos 

Back Row: Don Johnson, Kay Vredeveld, Marvin Vredeveld, Kathy Aldering, Judy Walkotten, Rich Walkotten, Rev. John Byker, George Roling

The Group in front of the Bentheim Castle

Christian Fürst zu Bentheim und Steinfurt

and his brother, Reinhardt Prince of Bentheim

Loren Lemmen (Director and Editor of the Society) and Gerrit Schippers (International Liaison in Bentheim) presenting the Count and Prince with a copy of the book of letters, Beloved Family and Friends.

The Count, the Prince and Gerrit Schippers

Harold Huizenga (Society Vice President) and the Count

The Count and Prince took the group on a personalized tour of the Bentheim Castle.

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