Wild Wonderful Wednesday

Today is a 5th Wednesday, a special Wednesday in our rotation. So we are going to take a quick trip along some wild and wonderful places near where we live. 

As we walk out our backyard and through the gate at the end of the yard, we come to the road running along the canal behind our house. Turning left we can enjoy the canal, watching the rowing club training: men’s and women’s, 2-man, 4-man and 8-man boats. A few hundred yards down the road we take a curvy left which then curves back right and passes by a WWII bunker where American and Belgian soldiers fought, very briefly. 

Past the bunker we cross the canal on a bridge leading us to the river, the Meuse. To the right is a nature park where we can see beavers, swine, deer, Scottish cows (put there to keep things maintained) and all sorts of waterfowl, including blue heron high up in the trees. But today we will turn right and head along the river. 

This past summer the river flooded to the levels from back in 1995 - even though the river has been broadened to make flooding less likely. Now the river is well returned to her banks and we pass a whole colony of swans. Down along the water we can see some Polish Konik horses grazing and drinking. 

As we turn back from the river we cross another bridge over the canal and watch a boat ply its way north to the Netherlands, maybe even going as far as Rotterdam harbor. Looking ahead from the bridge we see the towers of the castle in Rekem (previously called Rekheim). This castle first served as home to a baron. The barony, established in the 14th century, had its own coinage, toll rights, army and court of justice. In 1778 the family left the barony and castle and it became a house of “care” for beggars and those without work - a work house. 

After Belgium gained its independence (1830), the castle remained a beggars house until in 1920 it was turned into a psychiatric hospital. The local people for decennia would call it the crazy house. In 1970 the psychiatric hospital moved to a new location in the woods where it can be found today. 

The castle was sold in 2003 to a company which renovated it all and is making residential units. So if one desires, one can live in a castle in this “Most picturesque village in Flanders” (a prize the village won in 2008). 

If we were to take a longer walk, we could cross the major street and head towards Pietersheim, a castle ruin from the 12th century with moat and all. Next to the ruin is a hotel “castle” (more a big, fancy house). The park is a wonderful walk with the dog or children or just to take a run. But today we will just head on home for a good cup of coffee. 

If you would like to see more, check out some of the pictures of where we live. 

Travel in uncertain times

These days people are traveling for all sorts of reasons. Many are thankful that they can finally travel after corona rules shut down travel for so long. Some are happy to be able to see children or grandchildren. On the other hand, many are traveling because they feel they must - to escape poverty or war or danger. 

We usually plan to travel every three years. We plan a “Home Assignment” where we travel for about two months in the US to all of our supporting congregations and our family in the various States we find them. Our family members are not in the States where our supporting congregations are. This means a lot of traveling. 

Our last time making this trip was in 2019, a year before corona rules reared their ugly head. That would normally mean that we would travel again in 2022, this year. Considering that many of the rules are only now being changed or dropped, we have been waiting to see what might be possible before planning anything. And then gas prices started going up. 

At this point, we know that we will not be able to come when we might first have planned - from mid-May to begin July as we have in years past. It is simply too close now to try to plan and get everything ready. So we had started looking at coming in the Fall instead. It is a lot easier for us to travel from an empty nest. But as we look at the options, we are still very uncertain. 

So we just want to let you know that we MIGHT see you in August, September or October if things work out well. We would travel from mid-August through the first week of October. Nothing is set. 

We are looking at different ways of traveling as well. Usually our trip included 8-10 flights. As anyone who has flown can tell you, it is not necessarily the flight that is tiring or time-consuming, but getting to and from the plane. So we have considered making a driving loop along many of our midwest stops. This would mean some extra costs for a rental car. And of course, with gas prices, this might end up being worse than flying. 

We understand that we are very blessed to even consider traveling for these reasons and we are thankful that it might be possible. Please do keep us in your prayers as we try to figure out if this would be wise and how then to plan it. We would love to see you in person again. 

Where, Oh Where Wednesday - A city unto itself

Brussels is like any other larger city. Brussels is like no other city. Crazy traffic circles remind you of Paris. Multicultural streets and shops make you feel as if you are in any of many European cities. The architecture is at once thrilling to discover in certain areas as it is boring and typical in other neighborhoods. And yet, Brussels is something few cities are. 

Most would say that the city houses about 1 million people, but this is probably being generous. IN that sense, Brussels is quite small. Some inhabitants of major cities would call it a village, using a derisive tone. And yet it is here that much of Europe calls home. The headquarters of NATO are here. The European Union has its offices and buildings here. Brussels is, truly, the capitol of Europe. 

But of course, Brussels is also the capitol of Belgium. In essence the city is to be a coming together of two peoples, forcing the country to be a whole. The Flemish-speaking Flemings in the north of the country and the French-speaking Walloon in the south meet up in Brussels. In theory, one should be able to speak both languages in the capitol freely, find influences from both cultures abundantly. 

In practice, Brussels is as it has been of old - a French-speaking Paris wanna-be with most of the disadvantages of big-city life and a few of the benefits. This doesn’t mean that it is not visiting in any sense. There is plenty for tourists to see. The king and queen even live here. Brussels is, after all, the hub of Belgium and Europe together. The 7(!) layers of government that are Belgium are joined here in this cacophony of color, culture and sound. Brussels is a separate entity in the country (next to the areas of Flanders and Wallonia). It demands its place of honor - or attention - at all levels.

And this city has left its mark in our lives as well. This is where we regularly would travel for the American consulate. Here is where our youngest son, Sean, studied and graduated from university. We have in the past spent one Sunday a month singing with the congregation. The city has welcomed youth from the churches all over Belgium and the Netherlands for church activities. And it is a nice place to go out for a meal or enjoy a day as a tourist with friends who visit. 

Once upon a time Wednesday - Carnaval

Belgium is considered a Catholic country as is the southern area of the Netherlands.  Many of its practices and traditions come from Catholic culture. Some of these traditions are interwoven with other cultural traditions. 

From Ash Wednesday until Easter, many will celebrate some form of Lent, although it is not nearly as stringent as in past generations. This is a time of fasting. Many more, especially in the area where we live, will celebrate the days before Ash Wednesday. The Tuesday before is called Shrove Tuesday in English. In French it is known as Fat Tuesday - or better known as "Mardi Gras". 

In the Belgian province of Limburg, and the corresponding province of Limburg in the Netherlands where Maastricht is located, Carnaval is celebrated extensively. In Maastricht it officially begins on the 11th of the 11th - November 11 - at 11:11. It ends on Shrove Tuesday late with some sort of closing ceremony. In Maastricht a copy of a statue on the central market is hoisted in the air. 

The biggest part of Carnaval is the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday. People wear amazing costumes - in the past handmade, but more and more likely store-bought these days. There is lots of music and a specific type of song making fun of all sorts of things. And there is a good bit of drinking - although the real celebrators of Carnaval would say that they do not overly consume, that would be the people from the north who only come to get drunk. 

Carnaval moves with the lunar calendar and is connected to Easter, so it can be early in the year and face extremely frigid temperatures, or later and enjoy some sun. Not everyone from the two Limburgs like the celebration, but everyone knows that they have to take in into account. Stores close and businesses have to deal with employees being gone. And then 40 days of fasting come and people look forward to Easter. 

In 2020 Carnaval coincided with the arrival of a novel virus and everything shut down. in 2022, after 2 years of lockdowns and a year of no celebration, Carnaval announced the return to "normal". 

Whatsit Wednesday - the KWAK glass

Belgium has a rich culinary history. Most people know about cheese, Brussels sprouts and Belgian endive. In more recent history people in the US became aware of the varied history and beauty of Belgian beer. Local breweries sprang up in places all over the US. 

Beer in Belgium is a delicacy and a commonality. While many people might simply drink a “pils” which is actually a beer based on a brewery the Czech Republic (in Pilsen), there are many who drink all sorts of specialty beers. Beers are brewed in Abbies by monks. Beers have cherries or other fruits in them. And they can be “double” or “triple”, “blonde” or dark. 

Although Belgium has over 1000 beers, many of them these days are part of the AB Inbev company which owns beers all over the world (including Budweiser, Busch and Corona). The brewery for Stella Artois is still sat on the canal in the Belgian city of Leuven. 

But “Kwak” beer is especially noteworthy because of the type of glass in which it is served. According to the story Pauwel Kwak had a tavern which was located where coaches would stop. In that time the coachmen were not allowed to leave their coach and horses. So Kwak designed a glass that could be used by the coachmen while sitting atop their coaches. 

The KWAK glass looks like a teardrop suspended in a wooden holder. The whole thing is necessary as a glass. The glass itself would fall over if placed on a table. But with the wooden stand, everything is ready for consumption. 

This is family

As all of us know, the situation in Ukraine is not good. People all over the world, but especially all over Europe, are asking how they can help. What has so encouraged me is to see how churches all over Europe are quickly looking at how they can help. 

From the beginning the churches in Poland and Ukraine itself were working together to help make sure that the first refugees were cared for. Take a minute to look at a map. Ukraine is bordered by Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldavia. I have seen messages from churches in almost all of these countries offering help in many different ways. 

Of course the countries themselves are doing their part. Europe has made it easier for Ukrainians to stay. Previously they could enter the EU and stay as tourists for 90 days. This was first extended to 180 days. Now it has been opened to a special status whereby these refugees will be able to stay for 1-2 years, receive financial help and be able to work. 

But they still need places to go and ways to get there. Free flights and trains have been offered. People have traveled with their own cars for hundreds of kilometers. Some are even renting buses to go pick people up. Many of this is being organized and coordinated by the churches in the surrounding countries. Among churches all over Europe members are offering ways to help. 

Belgium and The Netherlands is a long way away from Ukraine, but we know that there are lots of people needing help. Ardennen Bijbelkamp - our Bible camp - has offered to put up some families for at least 90 days. We are not sure how this will work yet, but we are prepared to help. One of the members in Maastricht is a Ukrainian preacher from Kiev who will stay at camp to help the refugees who come there. 

It is so good to see God working in all these people, in this whole situation. Our God is mighty. We continue to try to keep our focus on Him and the true eternal good news of eternal life in Christ as we also do our best to help with current needs of the here and now. Please join us in prayer for this situation. 

Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.  Ephesians 6:23-24

Whodunit Wednesday - Look familiar?

Although both The Netherlands and Belgium are quite small countries, they have and continue to contribute to the ranks fo famous people in the world. Of course, within the countries there are far more Belgiands and Dutch actors and musicians who are famous or recognized. But even in the wider world many of these names will be known. 

In Music

Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone around 1840. Anyone who loves sax music can thank this Belgian for his contribution (which carries his name). A well-known jazz sax player is Candy Dulfer, a Dutch woman. And staying in the jazz and blues tones, anyone who has ever heard a harmonica knows the name of legendary Belgian Toots Thielemans. 

But there are all types of music in the world. DJ Tiësto was one of the first and most well-known dj’s. He is a Dutchman. These days, you might listen to the Belgian Charlotte de Witte when listening to a dj set. Some other well-known Belgian artists are Angele and Stromae. 

Even when we move to different genres and times, we find Belgians and Dutchmen. Goerge Baker (Una Paloma Blanca) was from The Netherlands, as is country singer Ilse de Lange. For those who like classical music, Andre Rieu tours the world with his  orchestra getting people from Australia to Switzerland to sing along and start a waltz. He is from right here in Maastricht. 

In Film

For those watching the screen (or the small screen) there are also plenty of Dutch and Belgians actors. Some are more recognizable than others. Most people know that Jean-Claude van Damme is Belgian. He is called “the muscles from Brussels”. But perhaps people didn’t know that Veerle Baetens and her co-star in Broken Circle Breakdown are Belgian. Matthias Schoenaerts from “Rust and Bone” and “The Danish Girl” is also Belgian. 

Most people will definitely know Famke Janssen, either from the X-men or as a James Bond badgirl. She is a more recent Dutch actress. Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) and Jeroen Krabbé (Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Bond baddie, The Fugitive) have been representing The Netherlands on the silver screen for quite some time. Most recently perhaps has been Carine Van Houten in Game of Thrones.