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 2:13When 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
No comments:
Post a Comment