Darvell Bruderhof Community

(Translated by Google) It's been many years since we were there. But we still have contact with the brothers and sisters at the Bruderhof and I am very grateful for that. (Original) Das ist schon viele Jahre her, seit wir da waren. Aber wir haben immer noch Kontakt mit den Geschwistern im Bruderhof und dafr bin ich sehr dankbar.
Mar 1st, 2023

I have been visiting 3 times so far and I love it! Each time I have been welcomed with open arms. I was able to ask any questions in my mind, no matter how hard sometimes, and they let me speak to everyone. Nothing to hide there. Do not get straight away a bad picture based on their outfits or their extreme living type. Dare to go beyond, it worth it! I personally loved their passion for creation and how much they care about Nature or natural things. Clearly an example for churches today. Also, no need for make-up or extra fashion here: just be yourself as you are. It's so refreshing not to care about how you look or present yourself but actually cultivate your inner being. No money, no stress or selfish ambition, no need of social media. It's all about serving the community and putting other people first. Everybody is at the same place here, no one is superior to the other and that's rare enough to be noticed. You are free to stay (for free, as long as you are participating to the activities of the community) for as long as you want or as long as they can welcome you. These activities can be helping at the kitchen, their local wood toys manufacture and social events for example. It's hard work but I personally found it fulfilling. When they are 18, children raised in the community are free to choose to either stay in the community or leave and live their life in the outside world. They are prepared for the modern world before they go their way by the community. They can come back any time either to visit or to stay. Also something rare enough to be noticed. That's a shame they don't organise groups retreats, national/international churches events or other churches meetings though, as their place would be perfect for that. Far from this crazy world it's the ideal location to disconnect. It's so peaceful and beautiful there! But be prepared: life is simple here. Don't except luxuries like modern and designed furnitures, super soft mattresses or the lastest technologies. They live with just what they need, no extra. If you want to join the community it's a permanent vow so they understand it's not everybody's call and it takes quite some time for such a big decision (generally about a year but can be more if needed be. No pressure here). Once a member, you can either give all your possessions to the community or to a charity/family/..etc. as long as you are transparent with what you are doing with it that's fine. It's not about money but God's glory. Will come back again for sure! Worth visiting.
Feb 6th, 2023

Jan 16th, 2023

Nov 20th, 2022

Visited for 24hrs in Oct. 2021. The positives: Received a warm welcome and my hosts were friendly. The negatives: The room I took for the night was on a par with a jail cell (no exageration)and I suspect that the longer term bedrooms would be about the same. The community is large, sprawling and it's easy to get lost. If you want to become a resident member, you hand over 100% of assets i.e savings and property (in my case 155k) and then as a member face the prospect of spending about 46hrs per week putting screws into furniture (furniture assembly) until one is no longer physically capable (probably well beyond state retirement age). If I handed over 155k at age 58 I would not expect to work at all. You are supposed to have a religious calling anyway. Sorry this is not all positive but it's my honest thoughts.
Nov 4th, 2022