Where oh where Wednesday - Spa

Around the world people who speak English will talk about going to the spa. This could mean a day at a place where you can luxuriate in pools and hot waters and in, well, spa’s, while also getting a massage and/or beauty treatments of all kinds. But that word comes from a real place, a city called Spa. 

In Roman times the area of the town of Spa was known as ‘Aquae spadanae’. In medieval times drinking from a spring with iron-bearing water was thought to help some illnesses. The Walloon-French word for fountain was ‘espa’. But this Roman custom became popular everywhere and the word 'spa' took on a general meaning. 

The town itself has hosted noblemen in the 16th century who opposed King Philip II as well as the exiled pretender to the English throne, Prince Charles in the 17th century. There has been a casino there since the 18th century. In 1918 the German army established its headquarters there from where they finally signed the armistice ending World War I. 

It is still a town full of tourists coming to take the waters or play at the casino, and is Now it is also known for the formula 1 race at Spa-Francorchamps. For us Spa is the nearest town to our Bible camp. This is where we go for a day outing with the kids, where the swimming pool is and where we do our grocery shopping. There is a factory where the mineral water is bottled and a putt-putt golf course to take the kids to. The floods in the summer of 2021 raced straight through the downtown of Spa, but things have since been restored to their normal situation. 

Once upon a time Wednesday - The older country

When you walk the streets of Belgium or the Netherlands, you are struck with the age of the place. Most tourists who stop in Belgium want to visit Brughe and walk along the medieval streets. In Amsterdam, one can enjoy the 16th, 17th and 18th century buildings along the canals. Americans will often comment that there is nothing of this age back in the US. 

And yet, both of these countries are younger than the United States of America. Although the Dutch formed a republic in the 16th century, they were not free from Spain until the 17th century. The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed first in 1815. A short 15 years later the southern section of this kingdom rebelled and became the Kingdom of Belgium (recognized in 1839). 

So while Belgium and the Netherlands have a very rich history, as separate countries they are quite a bit younger than the United States of America which was formed in 1776. Even the republic of France (which is what now exists) was only established in 1792. Germany was first a republic in 1918 after having gotten rid of the monarchy. Which isn’t to take away from all of the beautiful places steeped in history and amazing stories, architecture and culture in each of these countries. 

The village down the street from where we live has a neanderthal site. Maastricht, where we meet with the church, is an old Roman city. I like mentioning to visitors and locals alike that, when Jesus was walking the streets of Jerusalem, the Romans were living in Maastricht. (That's a picture of Maastricht with three of its church buildings)

History is the story of where you have been and how you have been shaped by those places and events. We are thankful to have so much history in so many different places. 

Whatsit Wednesday - Cheese plane

No, we are not talking about some weird flying contraption made of cheese. Although this might certainly be a thing and might even be something you could find in Belgium or the Netherlands. Both countries are, after all, known for their cheeses. If you have eaten ‘gouda’, then you have eaten Dutch cheese, originally made in and according to a process from the city of Gouda. The cheese and city are pronounced “gow-da” (using the guttural Dutch-language “g”). But if you are in the UK or US you will more likely ask for “goo-da”. 

But back to that strange plane. Could a plane really be made of cheese? I immediately have a song from My Fair Lady in my head. This reminds me that this word has a synonym. Even better, there are at least two completely different items spelled the same way. An airplane (or aeroplane) is a contraption used to transport people and things through the air. But a plane can also be used to shave wood. 

And that’s where we’re going when we talk about a cheese plane. Of course in English we might talk more often of a cheese slicer. But let’s be clear here, the object the Dutch and Flemish use for their cheese is not a slicer. Those exist as well, most often as a thin wire attached to an arm on a hinge. You might also have a cheese knife. But these are not a cheese plane. 

A cheese plane shaves off a thin bit of cheese from a block of Gouda or Edam cheese (or any other type of block cheese). So the next time you are eating Dutch cheese, consider using your plane, just like the Flemish and Dutch do. 

Changing faces

In the past two years of corona the face of the congregation in Maastricht has changed. We have always had four families or couples who have been the constant presence. These faces have remained the same, although they of course have gotten two years older. But there have been several new faces and this has changed the dynamic in the congregation as well. 

We mentioned back a while ago that a young American family had returned. The Haak’s had been with us four years ago, stationed in Germany just across the border. Now they have returned and have even been able to rent the same house they stayed in before. The kids have grown up (the youngest was only a baby when they left last). With covid restrictions we don’t get to see them as often as we would like, but it has been good to have them back with us again. 

Most recently we told you about new life here as well. Kitty’s husband, Freddy, put on Christ in baptism and died to his old life to become a new creation. We are all watching how God can make someone new and restore a broken relationship. This also means that we have a new couple in the family where we previously had a single. 

And speaking of singles, in the last two years we have gained 4 wonderful sisters to join the other 3. These ladies are serious about their faith, encouragers of each member and helpful in so many ways. Some are younger, some are older. Some are new Christians, some have joined us from other congregations because of a move to our area. All are a wonderful addition to this family. 

And then we have those who are most recently come to the family, including a brother from Ukraine and a young family from up north who have moved to the sunny south. In addition we have some regular visitors who may end up being a part of the family here. 

Corona has thrown plenty of curveballs for two straight years, but God knows how to handle those. Homeruns all around. We are so thankful for His might and wisdom in dealing with everything that comes our way. We pray that you, too, are experiencing all the good that God is bringing in these difficult times. 

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.   Ephesians 2:19-22

Whodunit Wednesday - Olympic medals

Do you know which country in continental Europe had the best medal count in the summer olympics this past year in Tokyo? Of course we have to remember that the United Kingdom has been busy with Brexit for some time and was still never considered part of continental Europe (being an island and part of and island). The UK finished in 4th place when counting behind the US, China and Japan itself (who played a great home game). 

Of course, one also has to agree how the count should be made. Do you count who has the most gold medals? Or who has the most medals in total? For example, Great Britain had a total of 65 medals, compared to Japan’s 58. But Japan had 5 more gold medals than Great Britain. Many would like to look at only the total medal count, but this might skew the advantage to countries with larger populations who can field more teams. Others \prefer to look at the amount of gold and silver medals, basically weighting them differently. 

Perhaps surprisingly for many, but not for members of the country itself, the Netherlands was the country in continental Europe with the best medal count. They finished ahead of France, Germany and Italy when counting gold, silver and bronze medals, although they had fewer total medals than Italy or Germany had. 

Yes, the Netherlands, with its population of just under 18 million, outsmarted countries like Germany (83 million), France (67,5 million) and Italy (60+ million). What medals did the Dutch take you might wonder. Were they all cycling medals (something the Dutch have historically been quite good in)? Or were there “real’ sports in there? 

In athletics, Sifan Hassan won the gold medal in the women’s 10,000 and 5,000 meter race as well as the bronze in the 1,500 meters. Also in athletics, the men’s 4x400 meter team took home the silver as did the marathon runner Abdi Nageeye. The women’s hockey team also took home the gold. The Dutch women took the silver and bronze medals in the heptathlon.

Yes, most of the medals came from cycling (12) with swimming and rowing filling up the ranks. But when you look at the breadth of sports that the country performed well in, it is quite amazing for its size. Neighboring Belgium, with its 11,5 million population took home what one might consider a ‘normal’ medal count of 7 including 3 gold medals. The Netherlands seems to be hitting well above their weight. 

Magnificent, Marvelous, Matchless Love

This past year was the second corona year and brought its share of challenges and blessings. Although we certainly were not always happy with how things progressed throughout the year, we were aware - and are even more aware now as we look back - that God is always busy as only He can be, with wonderful, matchless love. 

Time and opportunities

The lockdown provided more time for other activities. Scott and members of the congregation recorded Dutch-language songs and versions of songs so that others in the church could be surrounded by singing. Scott’s colleague, Luk Brazle, was doing the same thing across the country in Ghent. This continues today as well, when we have the time. You can find those songs on Youtube

But now in Christ Jesus 

you who once were far away 

have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

Ephesians 2:13

When we were stuck in the second lockdown, we were amazed and thankful at how beautiful it was to be able to get together from so many places. That is the beauty of online. While meeting online for weekly worship, we got to know members from the church all over Belgium and the Netherlands. Quite literally, those who were far off were being brought near to one another. 

Scott even had the opportunity to teach and take part in opportunities across the globe. A youth gathering online brought young people from all over Europe together. A (very) early morning in Belgium was an evening sermon during a lesson series on Colossians in a congregation in Colorado. And early Friday mornings in Minnesota translated to Friday afternoon men’s meetings for Scott in Belgium. 

In Maastricht we began meeting in person again and have not looked back. We care for one another and any who come our way. And there have been quite a few visitors - either from other congregations as they traveled or from people in the area looking to be able to meet once again in person. 

The congregation itself has expanded with new members from all ages and locations. There are 4 new women, a family from the past who has again been posted in our area, and a husband who found peace in God and returned to his wife. There are members and visitors from Brazil, Belgium, Ukraine, Poland and even the Netherlands. 

In this time we have all come to realize how important it is to care for one another, to be together and to encourage one another in God’s word. Our attendance at the Wednesday Bible study (online) has increased as we have seen the use of this tool to bring people from far away closer together. Our Sunday morning worship time is followed by hours of fellowship time where we also share insights from the Word with one another. 

This coming year will also bring its challenges. We pray that we, and you with us, will have learned that God can use all of these moments for His glory. He is able. He is shaping us into a temple where people can find His grace. We pray that we will continue to be focused on that grace in all of our actions with the people in our lives. 

Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.  Psalm 31:21-22