Whensday: 1902 - Korfbal

March in the USA brings March Madness - colleges vying for a title in the team sport of basketball. Basketball was invented in 1891 by gym teacher James Naismith. About 10 years later a gym teacher in Amsterdam invented “korfbal” which translated is “basket ball”. This game was based on the Swedish game for women, but Nico Broekhuysen made it a team sport for both sexes. 

Korfbal, as a matter of fact, is one of the only team sports for both men and women together. Like basketball it can be played outside or inside and there is an outside season and inside season. And like basketball, the goal is to put as many points on the scoreboard by putting the ball through the basket (“korf”). 

In korfbal, the basket is on a tall pole (3.5 meters or about 11.5 feet) and has no backboard. The players, both men and women are on the field at the same time, may not walk with the ball. They also may not dribble. The player can take one step and must then pass the ball. This creates a game with a high level of team interaction and low contact. 

The International Korfball Federation was created in 1933 and there are currently 72 national federations. The sport was a demonstration sport at the Olympics of 1920 and 1928. It is not part of the Olympics, but is part of the World Games. Since it is mostly played in Belgium and especially The Netherlands, the World and European champion has always been The Netherlands (although Belgium was world champion in 1991). 

Whatsit Wednesday: Dutch door

I remember learning about Dutch doors when I was younger because we visited somewhere (I don’t remember where) that had them, probably a farm. This would have been in the US. So why are they called “Dutch Doors”? Well, actually the Brits might call it a stable door and the Irish might call it a half door. But it was the Dutch who brought it into normal cultural use, through painting and their general use of the door in their housing. 

In paintings fro the 17th century you can find plenty of examples of Dutch doors. It was also in this period that Dutch in the areas that would become New York and New Jersey were incorporating the doors in their homes. The purpose was to keep livestock out of the house and children inside while allowing light and air to circulate freely. 

One can easily imagine working in the house, not having to worry about the small children escaping or the animals bringing their dirty feet into the house, while still being able to see and be part of the outside or chat with a passing neighbor. As a matter of fact, this type of door was later also incorporated for a time on railways to facilitate employees carrying out tasks or visual inspections. 

Even into modern times, the doors could be useful in nursing homes (line of sight is maintained while the patients cannot wander aimlessly), childcare facilities (although safety concerns finally restricted this use) or barns and stables, where they were originally used. The romance of the past often makes people wonder about installing or using such a door. The practical limitations usually come to mind in later stages. But Dutch doors are still used in many places. 

Have you ever seen a Dutch door? Would you want one in your house? 

Sisters

This past weekend some of our sisters in the church were off to the Ladies Retreat. This is a retreat organized in Germany. Each year his organized by a different group - sometimes the Swiss ladies, the ladies from Germany or England, or the Belgian and Dutch ladies. It is four days (Thursday to Sunday) to get to know sisters from around Europe, hear lessons in English and sing together. 

We were thankful that several from our church family could go. One of our sisters who moved away a few years ago (first to France and now back to Belgium, but a few hours away, following her husband’s work) was able to attend for the first time. It is always exciting to see how getting together with fellow believers can be so encouraging and to see how God can use you in such times. 

Last year our young Ukrainian sister went to the retreat and ended up translating for many of the other Ukrainians who attended. This year our sister who moved away was able to get together with new sisters and friends from South America. She herself is from Brazil. So even though she speaks Portugese, she understands and can speak Spanish as well. 

The car that left with the group p from Maastricht included Shirley and three other sisters. While they were gone some of the brothers (husbands and brothers in Christ) got together to spend some time together on the Saturday. Cooking for one another and spending time together is always good. I ended up planning some work in the house while Shirley was gone. Our new brother, Jef, was able to help start om putting a ceiling in our pantry. It is a lot easier to get things done when you can make a mess while your wife is gone. 

Sunday morning was a bit different without the ladies. We have several ladies in the congregation who are strong singers. But even four being gone was definitely noticeable. We are thankful for the time that the ladies were able to spend together and how God uses each one to encourage others. But we are also thankful that they made it home safely.

(Top photo is of the full group. Bottom photo are "our" ladies.)