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.