Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Team work


Enjoying the day
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.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Extreme makeover at Camp


Everyone got into the work
Originally uploaded by sraabs.
Down at Ardennen Bijbelkamp we moved on to the next phase of our Extreme Makeover. In Spring 2012 a new hall will be built where the old hall used to stand (we tore that down in phase 1). But before that can happen, we needed to remove the old foundation.
My back definitely did NOT enjoy this work (at least not the next day), but it was exciting to see so many people working together to get this done. As I talked about with some of the little guys, we all can use our strengths. Some guys can swing heavy hammers, some guys can't. But we can all help.
It is great to be part of a body that can work together!