Vacation visits

A Sunday with visitors from
the US, South Africa and Belgium

I have said this many times to young people, members of the congregation in Maastricht and members throughout the States – we are blessed with the ability to travel. Most of us all are blessed with the ability to travel where we want and pretty much when we want. This is very different from those who are more recently in the news because they are fleeing war in their country. We can choose to visit other places, and we do this with regularity.

Because of this, we can take advantage of another huge blessing – getting to know our brothers and sisters, the body of Christ, in other geographical locations and even cultures and contexts. We do not have to simply imagine and trust that the body of Christ is larger than our local group, we can get to know this body. And more importantly, we can even worship together with this body.

We are always thankful when people come through the Netherlands or Belgium and take the time to meet with us as a congregation. On a Sunday morning in Maastricht we will do our best to accommodate you (translation where needed, songs are sometimes in English, all of us will try to talk with you). And we know, since you are our brother and sister, that you will also do your best to accommodate us – doing your best to speak with us and understand our situation and culture. This is the beauty of our life in the body.

But it takes some planning to make this really happen. Despite the beauty of the internet and websites, you will seldom be able to just drop into a country and Saturday evening hope to find the church in the village you are visiting. You need to plan ahead. Think about where you are going and research where you can find the church. Email and call the members so that you know you have the times right and will be able to encourage one another. And then pray for this body of which you are a part – before you get there. I can assure you, you will be greatly blessed and will greatly bless those you meet with. I know this not only because we have experienced this time and again in our travels, but because our God has made this family.

This summer we have welcomed folks from South Africa and the United States on various Sunday mornings and have been able to meet with others on a Wednesday to share the Word and prayer. Plan your vacations with the body in mind. It is well worth the time and effort – for all involved.

Will you be in our neck of the woods - in the south of the Netherlands, in Belgium or in the west of Germany? The church in Maastricht meets for Bible study on Sunday morning at 10 and to worship at 10:30. If you come on a fourth Sunday, we can all sit down to eat together as well. Look us up and come on by. We would love to share with you and worship the Lord together with you!