Methinks I've found solution. -Nod Nod.-
They probably just killed all their neighbors, and offered them to the 'Divine One', as sacrifices. They probably just asked for a child in return for the souls/hearts/blood of the living. For me, that's the most probable thing. Eight years is a HELL of a long time to sit around. Though it's just a joke, makes you wonder: "How many German people must be sacrificed, for the child of a stupid couple?"