Across the country

Both Belgium and the Netherlands are small countries. We live on the far East side of Belgium and the church meets in Maastricht, the far South of the Netherlands. It only takes about 3.5 hours to drive across Belgium from East to West. And from South to North in the Netherlands would take perhaps 5 hours. When we were living in Texas, those distances were fairly matter of fact for many people. The same went for our time in California where we even now drive down to San Diego from Long Beach to visit family. 

This small size (if it were a house, it might be described as being “bijou”) means that the congregations in both countries can get together for activities much more simply than in places where the distances stretch out across the plains and mountains. This also means that the congregations work together quite often in various activities. 

Last moth the church in Maastricht organized a Youth Day. In order to make it easier for kids from further away - remember that we are at the ends of the two countries - we held there day in a town more in the center of Belgium. This meant that we were able to welcome many more kids for the day. It is important that our young people can develop friendships with kids from other cities around the country. 

When I have planned a song workshop, helping members of the church learn to sing or learn to lead singing, we also encourage members from various congregations around the country to attend. Twice a year a Family Day is planned for the churches in the two countries as well. In the Spring the churches gather in The Hague - this is mostly the churches in the Netherlands. In the Fall it is held down at camp and serves more of the Belgian churches. 

I remember helping out at a VBS various times when we lived in the US or were traveling during one of our Home Assignments. These were week-long opportunities to reach out to children in the city or direct neighborhood. This week a “VBK” or Vacation Bible Kamp will be held down at camp in the Ardennes. Instead of hosting kids from one city or neighborhood, this is a week for kids from all across the country. In this case only Belgium, since it is a school holiday win Belgium, but not in the Netherlands. This past weekend camp also hosted Fall Camp, which is a weekend at camp for teens which hosts teens from both countries. 

Within the next few weeks the same thing will be happening for different groups. The ladies of Maastricht (including Shirley) will be hosting a Ladies Day in Maastricht, welcoming ladies from around Belgium and the Netherlands for the day. It is thrilling to see how these activities reach out to church family as well as seekers who are interested in the good news of Jesus. 

A week later the church in Ghent is organizing an indoor soccer tournament for the churches. There will be players, young and old, as well as supporters from both countries. They will come to enjoy a day of sport and to see brothers and sisters again. Some players and supporters will just be getting to know the church. We hope to go with a group from Maastricht, both players and supporters. 

It is exciting to see how life in Christ means life in the body of Christ. It is thrilling to be able to take part in activities with brothers and sisters from around the country (two countries even) because we live in such a nice, ‘bijou’ place. Pray for all of these opportunities and thank God for how He makes us a family.  

Where oh Where Wednesday: Huy

Not far from where we have our Bible camp in the Ardennes is the city of Huy. Mind you, calling this a city is a bit of a stretch. I remember one evening in Maastricht (a city of 120,000 inhabitants) that some Chinese students asked where the city was. They were quite sure that Maastricht was simply a village. And compared to Beijing that was certainly true. 

Huy, located in the French-speaking province of Liege, has a population of just over 20,000 - a town as we would call it. The town we live in (Lanaken, made up of 7 villages) is about the same size. And yet Huy is one of the oldest cities in Belgium to have the rights of a city. Situated oil the Meuse, as is Maastricht, it originated around a Roman ‘cat rum’, just as Maastricht. It was evangelized in the 6th century by Saint Domitian, the bishop of the city of Tongeren (which we looked at recently). 

In the Middle Ages Huy was extremely prosperous because it had an economy based on metallurgy, tanning, woodworking and wine. By the 10th century it was part of the larger Prince-Bishopric of Liege. But in 1066, the same year that the Normans conquered England at the battle of Hastings, Huy was the first city north of the Alps with a city charter. 

Around this same time a man named Peter the Hermit convinced people to head out on what was to be known as the First Crusade. The city remained important throughout the ages, being fortified by Louis XIV as well as the Dutch. It only started its decline as heavy industry left in the 20th century. And yet it is known for some interesting spectacles and people throughout the ages. 

John Joseph Merlin supposedly invented the roller skate in the 18th century. He was from Huy (and might be an interesting story for another time). Le Pere Pire, a Dominican friar who helped refugees after WWII was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1958. And every year cyclists attack the ‘wall of Huy’ in the one-day cycling classic of the La Flèche Wallonne (The Walloon Arrow or Waalse Pijl). 

These days people know Huy for its beautiful attractions and for the nuclear power plant of Tihange. If anything goes wrong at Tihange, we are in the middle of what would be the affected area. Until then, we enjoy the beauty and the history that is this area of Belgium. 

Devo’s and Delays

The end of October, beginning of November is an active time for us. Although Halloween is not really a European thing, it is catching on here. People here like to dress up, although it is usually in February or March for Carnaval. We, of course, have different memories of Halloween, as Stephan was born on that day 34 years ago. 

But the end of October also (still) brings “Winter Time” as we set the clocks back and everything gets very dark in the morning. The latitude where we live already means that the winters are quite dark (as the summers are quite bright). But moving the clocks back only makes it more of a challenge. We will be waking up in the dark and kids will be coming home from school in the almost-dark of an early evening. 

The end of October is also when we hold our Fall Camp down at camp. Since all Belgian schools have a Fall Break in the week that includes November 1, we have the perfect opportunity to hold a weekend camp. The weekend means that the Dutch kids, who had their Fall Break two weeks earlier, can also come. And in the last few years, tow sisters in the congregation in Ghent have organized a VBK (Vacation Bible Kamp) for younger kids for the whole week of Belgian school vacation. 

Those of you who know Sue Foster will already know of this as she is one of the organizers of the week. Our colleague, Karla, is often also involved teaching the kids. Her oldest daughter, Shareya is the other organizer. This year Shareya contacted me and asked if I could help in teaching some of the young men (the week is for 8-14 year-olds) how to organize a devotional. So I will be going down on the Monday. After teaching the kids some discgolf, I will work with a group of young men teaching them about presenting God’s work in truth. 

This reminds me of long ago when I first presented a “lesson” on a Wednesday evening at Eastside church of Christ in Colorado Springs. I was amazed that I was trusted to present some thoughts as a young man. I was also touched by the responsibility and necessity to make sure that what I was saying truly came from God’s word. That feeling of responsibility and desire to present only God’s words has stayed with me all these years. 

Later in the month, the ladies of the congregation in Maastricht are organizing a Ladies Day for the ladies of Belgium and the Netherlands. They will be looking at waiting on the Lord. Are we willing to put up with the delays that the Lord puts in our lives? How do we deal with them? Some of our younger sisters will also be presenting their thoughts. It is exciting to see how God forms us, tests us and challenges us as we strive to follow Him in all of our days. 

We are thankful for all of the opportunities that God has given us and still gives us to grow in faith and help others in their walk in faith. 

Whensday: Revolt of Eburones

Not far from where we live is the oldest city in Belgium, Tongeren. On the market stands a statue of Ambiorix. Perhaps you have heard of Asterix and Obelisk - the cartoon heroes of France. These two comic heroes are Gauls and fight against the Romans. Ambiorix, of the statue in Tongeren, is the real thing. 

The Eburones were a Gallic tribe in what is now Belgium and parts of the Netherlands. They figure largely in Julius Caesar’s “Gallic Wars” around 54BC. They were also called “Belgae” or “Germani”. Ambiorix and the Eburones were the tribe which decided to finally kick back against the Romans. Ambiorix was able to kill a large contingent (about 6000) of Roman soldiers before trying to get other Gauls involved. In the end Caesar used competing tribes to try to wipe out the Eburones. His history says that he succeeded. 

The city of Tongeren, called Atuatuca Tongrorum by the Romans, was the capital of the Roman province in what became Belgian Limburg. Its importance for the region lay in its being a Roman capital for the province and being settled on a major highway (literally, the roads the Romans built which were higher than a simple road). The city came under Saint Servatius (who was buried in Maastricht) in the 4th century. In the 17th century the city was burnt to the ground by Luis XIV’s troops and was not really rebuilt until 1830. 

When the major roads also moved away from Tongeren, the city languished and died, in comparison to the cities of Maastricht and Liege. But it is still a major tourist destination and boasts a lively antiques market every Sunday. The most important part of the city for us is that several of the members of the congregation live there. Our young Ukrainian couple live right downtown. Another Belgian family live in a small village considered part of greater Tongeren. 

From the time of Julius Caesar (think of the opening scene of the movie “Gladiator”) to the present, Tongeren remains an intriguing city. 

(The picture is of the wedding at the beginning of this year of a young Ukrainian couple which took place in a restored old building in Tongeren).

Young and old

When I first came to the Netherlands I was a university student. It was a summer campaign in the summer after my first year. A whole group of us from York College went to the Netherlands and helped with an evangelism campaign in the various cities. It was this campaign that put the desire in my heart to serve God in these areas. 

When Shirley and I finally moved to Europe, 10 years after that first campaign (which was also when we started dating), we had both been on campaigns in the Netherlands in the years following. Shirley had been to Italy and the Netherlands. I had spent two years working with Jim Krumrei. In that time I also worked with evangelists down in Belgium. Mark and Jill Brazle, Larry and Gayle Good and Blair and Susan Roberts were a team. They also had apprentices working with them and I worked together with those apprentices. 

I remember the feeling of being able to depend on the wisdom of these older brothers and sisters. We were learning, being mentored. I felt so young and knew that they were much older. As it turns out, some of them are only 10-15 years older. Although this may seem a lot to some, as you get older, you realize that it isn’t that much. 

This past weekend I was honored to help with the wedding of Jan and Margriet. Mark Brazle was there to perform the service and Jill sang with me and her son, Luk (my colleague) in a small choir. Jim and Ruth were there (they are now in their 90’s) as well as other members I have worked with throughout the years. I almost felt young again. It was good to see and hear again from these various brothers and sisters who had so shaped my life in Christ. 

At the same wedding, I was able to be with Luk and his wife, Holly. I enjoy our opportunities to work together immensely. Luk and I first worked together long ago when he - as a 12-year-old - taught me how to work with some windows down at camp. He was a technical kid even then. Later, when he returned to Belgium as a young man, we sang together in Listen Up!, spreading the gospel through song. Now we encourage one another mostly at camp. 

We were also with another young couple, Jelmer and Rebekah, with whom we worked this past summer for Teen Bible Camp. And there were several others, young and older, who are all actively engaged in their local congregations spreading and living the good news of life in Jesus Christ. It was exciting to see and realize that God is able to use us all in various ways and times as He see best - as long as we are willing to allow Him to work in our lives. 

Age matters in what we can do. Age sometimes matters as far as how wise we might be or how much experience we might have. But in the end, age doesn’t matter as to if we can work together or not. Every time I get together with members of the church - like we did at this wedding - I am reminded of how beautiful God’s design is and how mighty He is. 

(Thanks to Luk for the picture of the singing group)

Whatsit Wednesday: Mennonites

We have often explained that ‘Pennsylvania Dutch’ isn’t Dutch at al. It is “Deutsch” which is German. It is the Amish in Pennsylvania who are most well-known for the clothing restrictions, horse-and-buggy, and family values. Interestingly, the Amish are a subset of a group known as Anabaptists. Mennonites come from the same theological and historical foundations. 

Whereas the Amish are named after the Swiss leader Jacob Amman, the Mennonites are named after Menno Simons. And all of it begins back in the 16th century at during the reformation. Menno Simons came from Friesland, an area in the Netherlands, and began as a Catholic priest. After his brother was killed for his religious beliefs, and after examining his own beliefs and coming to the conclusion that he could no longer be a Catholic, Menno joined the anabaptist movement. 

As the movement progressed, despite severe persecution, followers ended up taking Menno’s name. They became Mennonites. In the Netherlands these groups of believers were called “doopgezinden’ or baptist-minded. They were persecuted and even killed because they believed that people needed to be able to believe in Jesus Christ before they could be baptized. The anabaptists (which also included Zwingli, the Amish, the Mennonites and the Hutterites) believed similarly that one needed to be re-baptized as an adult, even if one was baptized as a baby (which was what was happening in the Catholic Church as well as the protesting Lutheran and Calvinist churches). 

I remember following a tourist tour in Haarlem and the tour guide pointing out the anabaptist church which was hidden behind other houses. The church members had to meet in secret or they could be caught and persecuted. Their property would be taken from them and they could be executed. This struck me at the time as quite strange, since this all took place in the religiously tolerant country of the Netherlands. But it has always been clear that all cultures can become quite intolerant at times. 

The main beliefs of the anabaptists and thus the Mennonites have remained the same throughout the centuries. They have been staunch pacifists, perhaps because of the very violence they experienced and were at first willing to use. Menno’s brother was killed for his beliefs, while the anabaptists in Münster (in Germany) were willing to force people to be re-baptized in order to establish the New Jerusalem. But the Mennonites have been known for their pacifistic views for quite some time. They did not fight in the First or Second World War (or in the American Civil War). They also are unwilling to accept oaths, since Jesus says: Let your yes be yes and your no no (Matthew 5:37). 

Because of these views and the persecution that came with their faith, Mennonites have often moved around the world, seeking more peaceful places. As they went, they took the gospel with them, often choosing to move somewhere in order to preach, knowing that they would never return. They have a strong mission emphasis in their teaching and lives. 

Besides these views, they also believe in simplicity of life and an emphasis on the family structure that God created - in the nuclear family as well as in society and the church. Although the Amish, which was a more conservative group of anabaptists, eschew technology, Mennonites do not. They do emphasize that things should not take our lives over, focusing on God and people rather than things. 

Most recently in my experience, I have noticed that Mennonites also emphasize and excel in a capella singing. This is interesting considering the history of singing in the Netherlands. But that is for another time, another topic. 

Talking Time

This summer at Teen Camp we added a new element called “Talkin’ Time” where the campers, split into guys and gals, could talk about some things that might be on their hearts. It is important to be able to talk. And everyone does this in a different way. I remember many conversations I have had with brothers in the church while taking a walk or fixing something in a house. As a matter of fact, time down at camp working on the facilities have been some of the most important conversations for many. 

Sometimes we never really know when an “important” conversation is going to take place or is taking place. That is why it is so important to be prepared at all times and to be ready to listen first. Colossians 4:6 encourages us to have salty talk and that we be ready to answer everyone. 1 Peter 3:15 says that we should always be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have. The most important element in these conversations is listening first. How can I say something that someone needs to hear if I do not even know what they are saying. 

Many of my conversations are not even face to face. Most recently I have had some conversations with our former neighbor who is now in prison in Antwerp. He can call me, but I cannot call back. So when I see his number, I pray for wisdom and prepare to listen first. I do not always have as much time to speak as I would like, but I try to make every moment count, to be an encouragement and pass the wisdom of God on in the situation. 

Some other conversations this past week have had to do with health. I am sort of a caregiver to a few seniors. One of them is our sister in Christ, Nel. The other two have come into my life through the years. One gentleman started reading the Bible with me years ago. It is only now, as he is facing some serious health questions, that he wants to really know more about prayer. The other conversation is with a 92 year-old woman who is thrilled that it is possible to talk directly to God. We pray together every time I visit her in the nursing home. 

It is often difficult to know how blunt one can be in a conversation. I usually ask if someone really wants to know an answer before I try to give one. This means, once again, that listening is the beginning of speaking. It also means that there has to be some sort of relationship. We know each other. That is why we can have a conversation. Although I might say that I am preaching, I am not simply proclaiming. We are talking together about what is important. And yes, if difficult things need to be said, then they must be said. This is where love and care is truly shown. 

Please continue to pray for the conversations we have with our neighbors, people we are studying with, church members, young people from camp and people we meet during the day. Every conversation can be an important moment - in our lives and theirs. 

Whodunit Wednesday: Martin Van Buren

Maarten Van Buren, the 8th president of the United States didn’t even use English as his mother-language. He came from the town Kinderhook and spoke Dutch. Kinderhook means “Child’s Corner” in Dutch. Dutch was of course quite prevalent in the early days of the United States. New Amsterdam, which became New York, was settled by the Dutch. For a time, speaking Dutch was looked down upon, but later it became fashionable to have Dutch ancestry and be able to speak the language (or parts of it). 

Van Buren spoke Dutch from the beginning, but also spoke English, of course. Because he was fairly old for the time (54 years old) when he ran for president, he used the phrase “Old Kinderhook” for his campaign, to show that something was quality. “Old Kinderhook” meant that he, and all that he touched, was from quality. You could trust it. Shortened, this became “OK” and soon became the way to show that everything was good, or okay. 

Now, even in Dutch, we can say “okay” although we spell it “oké”. It doesn’t always mean something is good quality. Sometimes it means it is mediocre. “How was the movie?” “Ah, it was okay, but not my favorite.” And yet, even in the Netherlands and Belgium, a stamp of OK on an item is a stamp of approval. And all of this because a Dutch-speaking American politician was proud of his roots. 

Father's fun

Recently we have been having fun. This past Saturday we had a great day in the sun with our young people. We wanted to take the time to do several important things: show how important Jesus is for real life, connect with some other youth from around Belgium, show that having fun is something God has made possible. Christians know best how to have fun, since God is the creator of fun. 

On the second Sunday of the month we had a Games Day at the building after services. More than 20 members and kids stayed afterwards and had fun playing all sorts of board games and card games. Everyone is already looking forward to the e next second Sunday Games day. This was a time of bonding between young and old, Dutch-speaking or not. Fun can be had in every language and at every age. 

The youth day we organized this past Saturday was built around the theme of ‘Build your House”. We wanted to look at what Jesus says about the wise and foolish man as well as examine how we can be living stones to the cornerstone of Jesus. 

We moved the location to a community center close to Mario and Tonia, which meant that kids from other congregations could reach it more easily (Maastricht is a good way away from where most people live). Our age-group was fairly young: from 7 to 13 years-old, because that is the age of our kids in Maastricht. We were thrilled to welcome 8 kids from various other congregations for the day. 

The sun shone brightly, the rain stayed away and the kids enjoyed the time inside and out. Our two 13 year-olds prepared the first games outside. Scott brought the first lesson outside as well before we all headed inside for lunch. After some more play time outside the kids headed inside for some practical lessons focused on how we work together. Have you ever made a tower out of flat pieces of paper? These kids came up with some great ideas. 

By the end of the day we were thrilled with how God could touch so many hearts in such a short time. Several “shy” kids blossomed throughout the activities. All of the kids helped each other in the end. And the lesson points came through loud and clear. Fun was had by all in a way that God was glorified and amplified. We pray that a good bit of what was mentioned and done will stay with the kids in the coming days and weeks. 

In November we are looking forward to joining a football (soccer) tournament with a team from Maastricht. This is another time that we can experience having fun and getting to know others around us, sharing the joy that comes with being a child of God. Before that, several teens will be heading down to camp for Fall campo and the young kids will be able to experience a week at Vacation Bible Camp. Pray for our young people and for all of the team members making these sorts of activities possible.