Life and death and Life

What does it mean to live? In this past year many questioned whether they were really living, whether it was worth it. In the church, where we know and can find true Life - in Christ - we had to struggle with how to retain life in the midst of what seemed like death. When people cannot sing together, when we cannot see one another, when we often cannot even be outside, then a cold, dark inside feels like death. 

So we struggled and we have seen life where we didn’t expect it. We are thankful for the way that Jesus Christ has arisen - out of the grave - in the lives and hearts of the members in Maastricht. Our Bible studies have blossomed and included more people than ever. Members have taken the opportunity to contact each other in other ways, knowing that meeting together was not possible. And when we could finally meet together mid-April, we thrilled at the time, spending Sunday mornings together well past the midday hour. 

In addition we have seen new life growing. Our weekly study with G has been an amazing journey. She grew up in a culturally Christian home, but never made any kind of choice for Jesus as Lord. It was her Iranian friend who awakened her to the death she was walking in. They were both baptized and G looked for a family, finding us in Maastricht. Now each week we spend time together getting to know Jesus. Shirley and Scott are thrilled to see her grow in faith. 

Sometimes death gives opportunities. Scott began reading the Bible years ago with R. This turned into a relationship where Scott cares for R, even now as R has gone to a nursing home to wait out his days on earth. R. Has asked Scott to be the one to celebrate R’s life when he passes. IN the meantime, Scott has gotten to know R’s family and M’s family. M is his girlfriend who has also asked Scott to care for her end of life. So, in looking to what death brings, Scott has made new relationships and been given opportunities to speak of real life. 

That is what it is really about - real life. We spend time in the Bible each week with members - encouraging faith and growth - and with seekers, people who don’t yet know Jesus. We spend time mentoring members once a month to develop leaders. We allow God to use us in any way to reach young people, including helping with a new initiative for international youth. The last gathering of the CIA (Christians in Action) had more than 60 young people (12-17 year-olds) from all over Europe. In June, the group from the Netherlands is organizing the evening. 

We are thankful that our plans for summer Bible camp weeks are able to go forward. The group of Benjamins (8-11 year-olds) is shaping up to be one of the biggest groups we have had for a week of camp. Scott will also help lead the teens (12-14 year-olds) the week after. These are opportunities to train up new leaders as well as help young people to learn about new life in Jesus Christ. What a thrill it is to know that God gives real life. 

Which is why even death cannot overcome the love we have in Jesus Christ. This past month we said goodbye to one of our dear sisters in Christ in Eindhoven. Nita Blaakmeer touched many lives in many ways with the love that Christ brought into her life. We were blessed to be able to gather to celebrate her life and say goodbye - for now. 

Death is not the end. If we are willing to die in Christ, then death can only bring true life. That is the amazing truth and reality we have been working with these past months. That is the truth we will proclaim each week and in each month that God gives us to live with Him on this earth - wherever we are. 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39