When I came to in Harmonie I was running on empty. It was a season of existential loss and uncertainty on many levels. It was a season of disorientation and disharmony. However, God, through the hands of In Harmonie, brought me to in Harmonie for a life-changing experience of rest, restoration and reconciliation. From the very start I was aware of a certain intentional approach at in Harmonie. For me, in Harmonie was like a spiritual sanctuary. All elements of the entire in Harmonie space and process led to restorative spiritual beauty for me: The prayer garden, the amazing worship moments in the chapel, the spaces created for silence and reflection, the teaching from God’s word, the sharing of testimonies, the sharing of food together and sitting around the boma fire together at night etc.
I experienced like never before, the restorative healing love of God. I felt that bridges and boundaries between myself and others were broken by the restorative love of God in Christ, mediated by the space in Harmonie created in this intentional spiritual sanctuary. I have never again experienced such a space. So, I believe there is something very special going on at in Harmonie. I went home with hope, refueled by God’s love. In fact, in my quiet time, many years afterwards, I often still go back in my thoughts to the wonderful spaces I experienced at in Harmonie. That is also what the ancient Jews did, i.e., they went yearly to the temple, and in their prayers during the rest of the year, they would recall their holy experiences at the temple where God was present in profound ways for them.
If given the opportunity again to undertake such a spiritual pilgrimage to in Harmonie, I will certainly go again. I believe every Christian should at least once in their lifetime experience this unique sanctuary of God. In one sentence, I would describe my time at in Harmonie as follows: At a time in which I was running on empty and built walls around my heart, in Harmonie created the space to rest in God, be restored by God’s love and experience how our reconciling God breaks down all kinds of walls and takes you by the hand to rebuild your life in all its dimensions with courage, and on a sound spiritual foundation. in Harmonie, a place of rest, restoration, reconciliation – A place of change where you will discover how to courageously rebuild your life on a sound spiritual foundation!
– Prof. Dr. Kobus Kok (ETF Leuven, Belgium)
