The expectations were great: finally, after 2016, a congress for the deaf would take place again. And this, from August 31 to September 4, in Collonges, at the Adventist University.
“God blessed these days together on site, so that all participants could go home again on Monday morning with a happy and joyful heart”, said the Adventist Possibility Staff.
All meetings were held in the Aula of Collonges, the Adventist Seminary in France. In total, 82 participants attended the congress, 65 of them deaf, and 15 translators, as well as 8 children. They came from: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, the United States, Poland, and Ukraine.
The speakers were Jeff Jordan and Douglas Venn from the General Conference. They unfolded the main theme: "In Jesus' hands". And on Friday, Valerie Dufour added the topic: Mental health - How can I maintain, get and keep it.
The congress was led by Rainer Wanitschek, the EUD manager for the Adventist Possibility Ministry, and his team.
“The whole team, consisting of Deaf Ministry leaders from the participating countries, deserves great praise and heartfelt thanks for their super cooperation and commitment”, declared Wanitschek.
The main theme not only influenced the proclamation, but also the singing and the common arrangement with practical realizations: a big rainbow made by the colored hands of the participants on the side wall (see picture), or a paper cross on the floor, created transparency of the proclaimed values around Jesus Christ.
The excursions on Friday afternoon to the Reformation Wall in Geneva, on Sabbath afternoon to the Salève, and on Sunday to Annecy, all promoted a spirit of unity and strengthened the connections between attendees.
The accommodation, the food, the support during excursions, and the transport service by the people in charge at Collonges were so pleasant that from many participants came the consideration and the wish to include Collonges again in the available choices concerning the next EUD Deaf Congress.
“Once again, a heartfelt thank you to the staff and people in charge at Collonges”, said Wanitschek. “It was wonderful to be your guests. But [most of all], we thank God for this congress and the fantastic weather that brought joy and wellness to all of the participants”.
