When a couple gets married there are many ways their unity is emphasized. Rings
are exchanged, a marriage book is signed (here in Belgium and the Netherlands),
and of course we are reminded by God in His word that we are one, no longer
two, but complete, whole, in Christ Jesus. Each couple then has to go on
and realize the reality of this oneness. Which side of the closet is used by whom, and on which side
of the bed do you sleep? Who does the cooking? The cleaning? When children come,
who trains them and in what?
Before we arrived in Belgium, we had already discovered the
various ways that we complemented each other’s strengths. Still, it is always
exciting to see it in practice. Throughout the years that our boys were growing
up, our tasks were more varied. Shirley is a fantastic manager, making sure
that we always have enough with whatever we have at the time, providing for a
place that we as a family and the church family can always feel at home. She is a teacher and example for her
children, for her neighbors and for church members – always ready to help. I was more active preaching, teaching, visibly leading.
When we worked with a week of summer camp, I would lead
and/or teach and Shirley would take care of the kitchen. We always knew we
could depend on one another doing our jobs. And we were able to leave the work
for that area to the other member of the team.
Now that both Stephan and Sean are out of the house, we have
more time to work together in our outreach and teaching. Recently we have begun
a series of studies with the members from the book of Mark. We are not only
challenging ourselves as body members to be changed by our lives following
Jesus, we are also training in learning how we can help others do the same. How do you help people see who Jesus is
in the Bible and in your life?
Every two or three weeks we are meeting with at least three
different groups in the congregation, reading, sharing, challenging,
encouraging. It is exciting to see how God is changing the various members,
changing us. It is exciting to be doing this together. I am so thankful for this team, that we are a team together.
