Most of the documentary team on the final day of filming in Germany, October, 2022 | Photo by Ryan Thurman

Hello friends of Quellen, we’re so thankful for you, your prayers, and your kind messages this month as our documentary film team embarked on a journey throughout Germany to capture Hanna’s story. 

The team returned to the US on October 16th, and we’re all slowly recovering and processing this life-changing trip. 

In this post, instead of trying to perform the impossible task of adequately sharing the “epic-ness” of this project, I reached out to the entire team and asked them to share a short reflection on this journey, plus a favorite photo.

So…without further ado, let’s start with Thomas Cogdell’s thoughts!

Hanna placing a stone on her parent’s memorial | Photo by Janie Dailey

Thomas Cogdell

“I was amazed at the humility, maturity and flexibility of the film team as they adjusted to producing a documentary in a completely new cultural context.  The Holy Spirit really worked in all of our hearts, especially through the first few days, to build unity in the team that was needed for the intense two weeks of filming.  Thanks be to God!”

George and Hanna standing at her grandparent’s gravestone | Photo by Ryan Thurman

Ryan Thurman

“This trip for me was in many ways a culmination of the past 20 years of getting to walk with Hanna in her beautiful redemptive story. Hanna’s life exemplifies how Jesus can heal and restore us and free us to become a blessing to others.  This trip also reminded me that our healing journey is not done alone but in community with friends who accompany us along the way. Especially friends who have the grace and courage to go with us even into the painful places.  Hanna has had many friends be this for her along the way, George above them all.”

Cecily, Hanna, Sabine, and George standing outside of the Synagogue | Photo by Janie Dailey

Janie Dailey

“I am filled with the wonder from all that was felt, seen, experienced and shared with our friends in Germany making this documentary. I feel a desire to let the experience form my heart and let the change take place on a deeper level. I learned so much from the team of people I now feel so deeply connected to forever.”

Hanna reading her book in the train station where she said goodbye to her parents | Photo by Ryan Thurman

Micah Dailey

“This trip was filled with juxtapositions. It was grueling on every level – it was gorgeous in every way. We began our trip in the care of a community of women who (among many things) have given their lives to spiritual formation. And we ended our journey driving deep into a forest to find the Jewish cemetery where Hanna’s grandparents were buried. Thank you to the entire team for your passion and commitment. And a special ‘thank you’ to George and Hanna for opening your lives to me and my family.”

Wandaline Joassin

“’God is not just doing a documentary, he is doing work in the inner lives of each of us.’ These words spoken by George replayed in my head over and over again before the trip, with no idea of how God was going to work.  Then I saw Hanna at the train station where she last saw her parents and immediately my inner child connected and empathized with Hanna’s inner child, the 7 year old girl at that train station. God used every moment after that to speak to my inner child, through Hanna. Using her to lift my head, hold my hands, as God was bringing to the surface wounds I didn’t know I had, and to see George at the Corner of that picture reminded me of the impact he has had on my healing journey, and so many others. I will always remember and be blessed by this multifaceted, life changing experience.”

Hanna standing in the Köln trainstation where she left to England | Photo by Ryan Thurman

Hanna standing in front of the Ludwig van Beethoven memorial in Bonn, Germany | Photo by Janie Dailey

George Miley

“For more than twenty years Hanna and I have walked with Jesus in places and with people connected with her origins as a German Jew. On this trip we could introduce many of these places and people to film team members, and they are now integrated into the story. This team have become members of our spiritual family. We are profoundly blessed.

Corey filming Hanna before a statue of Beethoven who, like her, was born in Bonn.”

Janie and George enjoying treats | Photo by Ryan Thurman

Hanna Miley

“Did it really happen? It seems like a dream!  

When I think of all the impossibilities…the provision  for every need…the money for all of us to fly, to rent cars, to drive safely, to park in congested cities, the amazing hospitality, the food, the health, the planning, the anointing, the calling and gifting of the team, Corey and Micah in action, the  intercessors, traveling with us and praying at home, the love, the joy, the German brothers and sisters, the visiting friends…only God!”

Hanna and Sabine’s first meeting | Photo by Ryan Thurman

Corey Gilmore

“It’s been almost 2 weeks since we returned from this trip and I’m still processing so much. The places we went to, people we met, and the work we accomplished as a team in 2 weeks is truly incredible. Something that constantly amazed me though was that all of these people were assembled because of the friendships that Hanna and George have built over the years. Whether it was the places we stayed such as Oberpleis or places we visited such as Vogelsang, all of these places were a part of the trip because Hanna and George built friendships with people there. Their friendships span the globe and that amazes me. Returning from the trip, that’s currently one of the biggest takeaways for me. I want to strive to build deep friendships that last for years and aren’t just contained to the geographical region that Katie and I live in. Thank you, Hanna and George. The photo below sums this up for me. We all are so thankful for what you’ve done for us!”

Hanna and Verena embracing in front of Hanna’s parent’s memorial stone | Photo by Ryan Thurman

Katie Gilmore

“This experience was one of profound depth, many textures, and fresh rhythms. Each one of us was asked to go deeper into ourselves, our relationships with God and our developing community. Each one of us experienced new intricacies of culture, relationship and work. Each one of us was invited to adjust our pattern of being to accommodate for one another and a larger, yet unknown, something God has begun here with this project. Not one of us left this experienced unchanged.”