What a difference!

Round about this time last year we were thankful to have heating, could open our kitchen door and step out into wide open space instead of walk back to the bathroom, and had begun this journey that is remodeling. 

We started this because ... we couldn't keep the house warm, which was costing us a bundle, and we noticed everyone regularly having breathing troubles. Nothing too serious, but not good. When we looked behind the built-in cabinets that came with the house and looked behind the wood panelling to see what was being hidden - we understood all. 

Fixing these walls would have been as expensive if not more expensive than ripping them down and building anew. So... we did. 

Plans were for less space, but more efficient use. The kitchen, which on good mornings would catch  ray of sunlight, would move out of the dark, inner room to the new sunlit extension. We would lose a toilet and bathroom downstairs until the toilet could be rebuilt in a different place. 

To make all of this possible we also had to tear things apart upstairs where the old heater was removed and a new one installed. Until our kitchen was ready, we (Shirley) would cook in what was basically a sink and electrical outlet with space on the counter. Shirley cooked for almost a year using a microwave and electrical pizza pan. 

When Chuck Hicks and the Good News Singers from Harding arrived last year for the campaign here in Maastricht, we welcomed them with a house not even close to being finished - but we had windows! When we were finally able to hook up the cooker, life started getting easier. We still had to get water from the sink in the downstairs toilet, but dishes were done upstairs. 

Finally, all of the parts were complete. We now have a whole kitchen downstairs. And the old kitchen? This dark little room is starting to shape up, as we try to finish the bits and bobs that still need so much work, and will soon be able to be used as an office. We may even soon be able to finally move the washer and dryer out of the makeshift kitchen upstairs to its rightful place downstairs. 

Things are far from being completed (finishing touches, the yard still full of debris), but the winter showed us why we did this - we were able to heat the house and no longer suffer from the mold which was eating away the back part of the house. Interestingly - the original house, from 1936, never has had troubles. It was a section added on in the 70's which we tore down. Let the sun shine in!

January-March 2010

LIGHT in the Lowlands

Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the Netherlands

January-March 2010

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

so great is his love for those who fear him;  as far as the east is from the west, 

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.    Psalm 103:11-12

Dear all,

Take a moment and look back at what God has done in your life these past few months. He is amazing!

NEW!  

Lots of things happen when you start a new phase in your life. In January we were pleased to marry Adrian and Kata at our building (after their wedding in the City Hall). Both families were able to meet Adrian’s new Christian family. This was a great start to Adrian’s new life in Christ, his new life with Kata and their new life together with their daughter (who was born a month later). Keep Adrian in your prayers as he continues to grow in grace and knowledge.  

All about the money?

In January we had our annual Camp meeting. We usually use this time - a planned and required formal meeting - for church fellowship and singing. This year was exciting to me. Although some felt like we were only talking about money - since we have been trying to raise funds for the needed renovation of the facilites - what we saw was a heartfelt outpouring of encouragement and support.  Members from all around Belgium and the Netherlands looked into their hearts and their wallets and prayed about what camp meant to them and the future of the church here. It has been exiting to see this level of commitment and unity!

SING to the Lord!

One of the most encouraging aspects of our work here is how we are able to encourage one another in song. Listen Up! is one aspect of this encouragement. The church in The Hague planned an evening of learning new songs and learning how to learn songs. Listen Up! was there to help and it became an evening of great fellowship which has echoed in the church for the last two months. 

In February Listen Up! traveled through the snow to Eindhoven to teach some kids in an internationals school about singing. In March we shared about a cappella singing to a group of Chinese believers in Utrecht. And every month the church in Maastricht welcomes the members from Liege! Singing gets us into the Word itself and touches hearts. 

In May we want to repeat the Gospel Singing workshop we started last year (we were blessed with Chuck Hicks and the Good News Singers from Harding). We have had several people from last year contact us asking if we will continue this project. We learn songs and then sing for our local nursing homes. Our young people will take the lead this year! What a great opportunity!

ENCOURAGEMENT

Every time we get together, we can share what God is doing in our lives. 

That is why God created church. We are part of a body, a home, a family, a building built together. Back at the beginning of the year the young people gathered at camp for Survivor Camp. It is good to know that you are not alone. At the end of March I will get together with several brothers for a time of prayer, so that we know that we can depend on each other. 

The annual Spring fellowship meeting in The Hague is based around the theme: “Love Works! ... discovering how we can look like Jesus”. We want to encourage one another to be active parts of the body of Christ, wherever we are!

LOOKING ahead

I started this letter with a request to look back at what God has done for you. That is so that we can continue to look forward, knowing that God is doing wonderful things and can be trusted for the future! We are looking forward to: seeing some of you in the summer, welcoming new babies into the family, being used daily to praise God in all we do. 

PRAYER WARRIORS

Please keep the following in your prayers.

Praise God for how He is teaching and encouraging our young people in the church here in Maastricht. 

Pray for our contact with K., LJ., A., R., C&T., RW., N.,  and M. We have had some good studies and discussions.

Pray for our sister, Shadira, who is in Curaçao for her grandmother and making plans for the future.

Praise God for the response to our Bible camp needs. Pray for the plans and red-tape.

Pray for active churches here in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Pray for our plans for our furlough this summer, that all can be planned well. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Tidbits of information about Belgium and the Netherlands

Something to be proud of?

In the past few months there have been various elements in the news about both the Netherlands and Belgium - some causes to be proud, others less so. In sports, both Jutin Henin and Kim Clijsters made good on their return - and then didn’t. Sven Kramer was the hope for the Netherlands during the Winter Olympics, and a lesson for many. 

Belgium experienced its worst train crash in more than a decade and the government in the Netherlands fell, due to an imminent “train crash” over troops in Afghanistan. 

In The meantime, Dutch car company Spyker bought Saab and Europe’s largest art fair settled once again for two weeks here in Maastricht. 

ON THE FAMILY SIDE . . .

One of the things that we usually miss here is snow. Scott is from Colorado Springs, Shirley is from Omaha. We are used to a bit of snow. Or at least we thought so. Although we obviously did NOT get as much as many of you, we got our share (was it fair?). And soon enough we were yearning for the wet, green Spring of Belgium and the Netherlands. But it is now on its way.

Our family has of course been quite different since Stephan headed off to Harding. Now when we think about telling what has happened, he is on the sidelines, somehow. But this is not how we feel. A typical skype evening is something like this: we call around 11 p.m. our time, which is afternoon for Stephan. Somehow, the days we have planned (often a Friday or Saturday evening) Sean is not quite home yet. This gives the parents time to talk. Questions about school, life there (girlfriend?), life here, some forms that need taking care of (taxes, orthodontist). He shows us where he’s sitting, we show him the latest changes in the house (isn’t it great to be able to video-chat!). 

Then Sean comes home, cuddles up to us on the couch - head in the video - and the discussion turns to music, guitars, the latest sports or plans. By this time we are almost falling asleep, so we say goodnight and Sean takes over for another little bit before heading off to bed. The next day we all simply sigh; it is good to see that he is doing well, but we sure miss him. 

In the meantime, our family continues here as well. Sean is pushing through the 11th grade. Some days better than others. He will have his wisdom removed next month (his teeth, in any case), but is quickly becoming a wise young man in dealing with everyday problems and relationships. He is also enjoying expanding his music. He has now had two “gigs” with his band and is looking forward to the next one next month. He has also started playing a melodica (ask him about it). 

In February we all went to Germany for ABSS and saw Scott Lambert. What a great time to touch base again (although way too short!). 

In March Shirley went off for three days to the Ladies Retreat in Germany. A good time of fellowship and encouragement, spiritual food and some goodies for the boys back home (Sean’s “Whoah!” when he saw some of the specials). 

This summer we are planning our furlough once again. Has it already been three years since we stayed with the Jablonski’s, helped with the VBS in Muscatine and saw family in so many places? This will probably be our last furlough with the boys, so we are making it a bit special. In the coming newsbits we will let you know more. 

Thanks for being part of our Family!!

What’s coming up?

APRIL

Youth weekend

MAY

Soccer in Switzerland

Gospel singing workshop

Love Works! Spring meeting

THANKS!

For the funds for our upcoming furlough

For your prayers for our work! New life and new chances!

For contact through fb, emails, calls and cards