Where oh where Wednesday: Around the world

When we first started making plans to work with the church in Dutch-speaking Europe, we looked at where might be good to go. There were already congregations in the north of the Netherlands and in the western and central parts of Belgium. I remember making a study of areas that not only did not have congregations, but which were also on a crossroads - as was Philippi when the apostle Paul showed up there. 

When we, together with two Dutch couples, established the congregation in Maastricht, it was because the Dutch couples were moving there, because there was no congregation in the province of Limburg, and because Maastricht sits at the crossroads of this area of Europe. 

Maastricht in the Netherlands, Aachen in Germany and Liege in Belgium form what is known as a Euregion. These cities work closely together. Students from Germany come to Maastricht to study and vice-versa. When we would go to market in Maastricht on a Saturday, in the days before the Euro was introduced, we could hear all three languages and use all three currencies at any stand. This area was exactly what the European Union had in mind when they thought of cooperation. 

The wonderful thing for us has been how we have been able to connect with brothers and sisters from across Europe because of these links and the location of the city and church. We have connections with the church in Germany in Aachen, Cologne, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Chemnitz, Hildesheim and Hamburg. We have also worked with German-speaking churches in Bern, Zurich, Luzern and Schaffhausen in Switzerland and Graz and Vienna in Austria

In France, Belgium and Switzerland we work together with or have worked with congregations in Liege, Verviers, Brussels, Lille, Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Geneva. We work with members from Russia and our members in Maastricht connect us with the church in Ukraine. Farther from home, our members connect us with the church in Ecuador and Ghana. The congregation has supported works in Kenya, Uganda, St. Maarten, Myanmar and Vietnam. 

And of course we are linked to friends and family - Christian and blood - throughout the United States. God’s family is not restricted to one place. When we hear our singing echoing in our small room in Maastricht as we meet with about 35 people, we know that song is also ringing out under trees, in huge meeting halls, in living rooms all around the world. It is good to know that we are part of an amazing, living body of Christ. 

Study and fellowship

Some of you may have noticed that we missed “Whensday” this past Wednesday. That is because I was off in Germany for a week of Bible studies at ABSS or Advanced Bible Study Series. This study week began about 50 years ago in the Belgian city of Verviers, not far from where we hold our Bible camps. A French-speaking church meets in Verviers. 

When the study week moved its locations to Germany after a few years, calling it by its original name of “Concentration” didn’t quite fit in a German context. So it was changed to the current Advanced Bible Study Series or ABSS. It remained a week of deeper Bible studies meant to help European Christians deepen their knowledge and faith and also serving as a great networking time. 

When I was an apprentice living and working with Jim Krumrei in Haarlem, the Netherlands in the early 80’s, I spent my first two times down at this study week in 1983 and 1984. It was a time to see other apprentices in Europe, get some good biblical training and even get some snow (that came much more easily to Germany than to Belgium). 

Since then, we have tried to make it in February. Shirley of course had to skip a few years as the boys were growing up (although they also came with us some of the time). After the boys left home we still had a dog. This year was the first real time that Shirley could have come along, but the week was also planned just a week away from the Ladies Retreat, which is also in Germany and organized by various congregations in Europe. This year the Ladies Retreat is being organized by the ladies from Switzerland. 

ABSS brings teachers together from around Europe and always includes at least one from the US. Although the lessons at first glance may not seem to be organized together, they all seem to work well together. This year was no different. We heard from a teacher from Marseilles about the gospel and the Romans, the kingship of Jesus. We heard from a Scottish brother working in Birmingham, England about the signs surrounding the death of Jesus on the cross. The main lessons on Galatians came from a brother from Alabama while a brother from Canada taught us online in the evenings about the Holy Spirit. 

In addition to all of this it was good to have some lessons from Gijs Bardoel who is now working with the church in Antwerp and whose mother meets with us in Maastricht. It has been good to see how Gijs has grown in faith and continues to desire to reach out in faith to all those around him. 

We had participants of several different nationalities, including Dutch, Belgian, German, Swiss, French, Ukrainian, English, Scottish and American, as well as various mixtures. The lessons are always in English, but we all try to help one another in understanding. The Thursday evening follies (“talent” show) is presented in the universal language of laughter. Paul Brazle, who has organized the event for the last 30 years or so, joins me in writing a song based on the teachers for the week to close out the talent show. 

Last week Shirley had to make do without me in the house. This week (from Thursday to Sunday) I will have to make do without her in the house as she goes to the Ladies Retreat with three other ladies from Maastricht. We are thankful for these times of learning, teaching and growth in faith. Pray for all who attend and for those organizing. 

(picture is from a few years back)

On the Family Side: Seeking, sleuthing and saying goodbye

In 2023 we were blessed to visit some of our family. Every three years we try to make it back to the US to visit with supporting congregations and family. We aren’t always able to visit all family because our supporting congregations are not really in any of the places that our family lives. The last time we visited Scott’s father was in 2010 on what we remember as our “Road Trip”. This was also the last time that our oldest son, Stephan, traveled with us. 

Last year we were able to visit Scott’s mom and even checked in with an aunt that he had not seen for more than 40 years. But we were also able to stop in to our oldest son, Stephan, again just before he became a father and we became grandparents for the first time. We hope sometime this year to be able to visit and meet Sophia in person, perhaps before or on her first birthday. 

On Shirley’s side we were working through some detective work trying to find more information on her older sister. Shirley had only met her sister once in her life. Through a DNA site, we were finally able to find more information and the news that her sister had passed away in 2020. We are still looking into more information about her father’s side of the family as well as her mother’s side. 

Unfortunately, we were not able to meet with all of our family. Some of the brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces had moved or were sick when we came through. For some this meant that our previous visit would be the last time we saw them. Scott’s brother and a nephew passed away in 2023 without us being able to visit them. 

We were thankful that we were able to see Shirley’s brother before he too passed away later that year. This year we are praying that we will be able to see Shirley’s last sister again. She is struggling with health problems. It is difficult to be so far away and wanting to be able to help. We are so very thankful for a family in Christ who continues to keep us and our loved ones in prayer. 

Thankfully, we are still able to be connected in many ways to family. We have a video call with our oldest son almost every week. Sean, our younger son, and his wife Jill, jump online with us at least once a month as well. So we can hear one another, see each other and share what is going on. Shirley emails her sister every day so that she knows what is going on and can be an encouragement. We get a picture every month of our granddaughter, Sophia, so that we know what she looks like and can see how she is growing. 

Both of us grew up in a time of airmail letters (thin pieces of folded paper filled with writing on both sides) being the only way to communicate over distances. So we know how special it is to be able to be in touch with our family that is far away. When I left for university, my mother knew that she could not expect to see me until the holidays - IF I could get a ride home at that time. 

Imagine what it must have been in the past when people moved across the globe. Even today peoples are moving far away from their families. Our young Ukrainian couple in church are far from family and friends in this somewhat strange country of Belgium. They are learning the language, but we know how they still miss family and friends. It is good to be connected in every way that we can. We are so very thankful for the contact we can have with our family, our kids and our loving church family. 

Please be praying for us for the following things we are looking at in the coming months: 

- We would love to be able to visit our granddaughter Sophia. Pray that we can find a good time in our schedule and the means to do this. Also pray that all stay healthy. 

- We would love your prayers for Shirley’s sister’s health and for Shirley’s peace of mind at this time. 

- Praise and thank God for family and for technology which makes it possible to be and stay connected.

(The picture is of Scott's mom when she was in high school)

Whatsit Wednesday: Carnaval

Yes, I know. It is Valentine’s Day. But to be honest, Valentine’s Day is an import in Europe. It is a much more recent thing that only entered the culture because of the commercial possibilities of selling all sorts of things to people. In our section of Europe there is a much more important and embedded holiday at this time of year: Carnaval. 

Mind you, not everywhere celebrates Carnaval. In the Netherlands it is only the provinces of Brabant and Limburg (“below the river” is what they say) where the general population is culturally and historically Catholic. In Belgium, which is almost completely culturally and historically Catholic, Carnaval is also not celebrated everywhere. It is certainly celebrated in Belgian Limburg where we live. 

Carnaval actually begins in November. On the 11th day of the 11th month, things kick off. The “11” is considered the crazy number or hour - since it is not 12. There is a good sermon in there somewhere about why 12 is considered perfect, but that is for another time. In November all of the Carnaval organizations make their plans and start things off. And there are lots of organizations: schools, the scouts, ladies groups, activities for seniors and more. Each neighborhood or village has their own Carnaval group. 

In the winter months leading up to February the time is filled with readying the float, making your costume, planning what you will do, visiting other groups, choosing a prince and saving some money for the big day. Everything really starts on the Friday before Ash Wednesday. Carnaval is tied to Easter. Ash Wednesday is 42 days before the Passion and Easter. For several days, there are parades, festivals, loud music, dancing and lots of drinking. Everyone can do all sorts of crazy (and unholy) things on these days before the days of fasting begin. 

You might be familiar with some of this if you ever watched the Disney version of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. In the movie, Quasimodo is chosen as Prince Carnaval and they go to unmask him - but it is not a mask! This is a time to poke fun at the government or institutions. It was historically the one time of the year that criticism could be made of such institutions without fear of attack. 

Some people enjoy the music, the color and the frivolity. But I have been told that you have to be born into it. I was not. It clashes with principles in my life with God as King, my desire to serve Him in every aspect of my life. But it is a reality that one has to deal with in this area. The stores close down, the streets are blocked for the parade (and every village closes on a different day) and one can see people in various-colored costumes heading to a party somewhere. During the day it is often whole families. In the evening it is always young people and adults. 

Today, Wednesday, all of the frivolity ends and the time of fasting begins. Many will go to a Catholic Church to get their ash cross on their head. Some will truly consider fasting and thinking about other things in this time. It may last about as long as some of the New Year’s resolutions lasted. But Carnaval will be put away until it is awoken again on the 11th of the 11th this year. 

A living body

The church is called the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12). Often when I hear people who do not believe ask why God doesn’t do anything, I remind them that He is doing things - through His body, the church. We are very thankful that God can use us in many ways, wherever we are. That has always been our desire: to serve Him in His Kingdom, wherever we are in the world. 

We are thankful that we are able to serve where we are in Belgium and the Netherlands because we are connected with other parts of the body of Christ around the world. We have had four different congregations in the US supporting us for many years, besides the individuals who also support us. This is certainly financial support, but is also support through encouragement and example. 

In 2023 we heard from one of our supporting congregations in Texas that they would need to reduce their support for us. They have been our ‘home’ congregation from the moment we were married and moved to Texas. We have always been thankful for their financial support and for the examples of mission-minded Christians that we saw in them. 

Since we were losing some support, we started looking around last summer and were introduced to Oldham Lane church of Christ while we were in Abilene. We were thankful to be able to talk to the missions committee and meet some of the elders as well as experience a Sunday evening worship time together. This year we received word that this congregation will be assisting us with financial support. Last night we had a video-call with the elders and missions committee. We look forward to getting to know this part of the Lord’s body and that they can get to know the body in Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Another piece of good news came when the congregation in Maastricht decided that they wanted to increase the amount that they support us financially. It was extremely encouraging to hear the brothers talk about the need to help us and how much they knew we were doing. One of the ways they will increase their help for us is by paying for our gas each month. We drive quite a bit in our work with the church here, so this is a real help. 

So let me take the time to thank all of those who help us financially throughout the year - many who have done this for many years. We have congregations helping us: Maastricht, Woodbury in MN, Muscatine in IA, S 11th and Willis in TX, Oldham Lane in TX and Long Beach in CA. We also have various individual families who help us regularly as well as some who help incidentally: the Crons, Bundys, McNeills, Ecks, Stovalls, Ramptons, Tornij's and Jablonskis. 

And then there are innumerable people who pray for us every day, every week, every month. We may not know your name, but we feel God’s grace, mercy and strength in our lives and know that this is also because you are speaking with our wonderful Heavenly Father about us and the work here. Thank you!

Whodunit Wednesday: Willem Johan Kolff

The last while I have been spending quite a bit of time in hospitals and health centers. I am a caregiver (in Dutch the word is literally “coat carer” and means one who takes care of the extras) for a few people and one of them has been struggling with cancer and other health issues. So I have often either been taking him to his appointments or visiting him in hospital. 

Hospitals have always amazed me. I was in hospital as an 8 year-old and we usually went at least once a year as a family because one of us would get strep throat (sending the rest of us into the cycle). Hospitals to me were a place of amazement as well as worry and wonder. I react quite strongly to smell and that is the worst part of hospitals as far as I am concerned, but one I have been able to overcome. 

Amazing things can happen in a hospital. These days it is normal to see all sorts of machines - not only in the patient room where various fluids are administered intravenously, but also simply being driven around the hospital from the one room or area to the next. Operations can be done today that people could only have dreamed about even in my younger days. 

Back during WWII young Dutch doctor Willem Johan Kolff in Groningen was frustrated that his 22 year-old patient was dying of renal failure. This caused him to look into possible solutions. By 1943, in the middle of the war and his activities working with the resistance, he developed a dialysis machine built from orange juice cans, used auto parts, and sausage casings. His 16th patient, a 67 year-old woman, was successfully treated in 1945. 

Kolff moved to the US in 1950 and became a US citizen, so you might know his developments in hemodialysis as coming from an American. Hs is known as the father of artificial organs, working on artificial hearts and kidneys especially. Today people in hospitals around the world are saved because of this Dutchman’s ingenuity and desire to help people who are sick. That is what still amazes me when I walk around hospitals today and see in how many ways we are able to help people. 

Do I deserve it?

There are various songs that talk about the grace of God. Some of my favorites talk about how grace means that I do not deserve it. About how amazing it is that `God would even think of me in giving His grace. That He doesn’t wait until I am “better” to offer me grace. He gives His most wonderful gift of life exactly when I need it - when I am dying. 

God through the apostle Paul puts it into words well in the letter to the Romans in chapter 5 and verse 6 through 8: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I have thought about this quite a bit in the past months. Many of my discussions and contacts with people are things that look to be going nowhere if I were looking at my life and task here as a job. In a job you are focused on production. I have worked at a pizza place, a hamburger place, a hotel as room service and as a teacher. I have needed to sell as many pizza’s as possible on my shift, make and serve hamburgers at the drive-thru and at the counter and hope that visitors to the hotel order room service so that I could get tips. Even as a teacher my work was measured by my production. 

As an evangelist the same thing can be done. Supporting congregations might look at a certain area and compare it with another. How many people are coming to the Lord in that country? Not as many in this country over here. We need to encourage the worker there to be more productive. Or we need to move our funds elsewhere. These are all normal thoughts and considerations. And they are thoughts in my head as well. I worry about whether I am using my time wisely. Should I be putting more time into people who clearly seem to not want to hear any good news? Should I just drop them and move on to others? Am I wasting my time and productivity? 

Then I wonder about how long God had to wait for me. I look at so many in the church and realize that God must have worked a long time on them (and me). If I think about all the people He put into my life, I am truly amazed. Amazed that He could love such a sinner as me. He put a lot of resources into my life. I know that some of the people have probably never heard anything about what they did in my life to bring me to a life of faith in this loving God. 

In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus tells a story about sheep and goats. I have shared this often with the young people here. The people in this story who are non-productive are those who do nothing and are not even aware of what they have not done. Those who are praised as good servants are those who have helped in daily matters for people who are often overlooked. 

Some of the people I spend time with seem to me to be quite obstinate. I have spoken to them often of the love of Christ, have shared and read the Bible with them and have prayed with and for them. They remain obstinate and deny the need for any help from this God. And still I continue to help them as I can. 

A man in prison calls me almost every day. He claims that he is the pope and has a strange way of looking at God. But he also prays for me and the contacts I have with others. It is difficult to visit him in prison (90 minutes away and with the usual bureaucracy). Another man is struggling with cancer and health issues. He has no one in his life because he has turned all away through his vitriolic way of talking with most people. A woman thinks that she can and needs to buy every kind of contact - even now that she is in a nursing home at an advanced age. She has no children, but she has money. She has recently begun to learn how to pray, simply talking to God. 

These are people that take time. I wonder sometimes if it is “worth” it. Then I remember God’s grace and mercy in my life. God wants us to be gracious as He is gracious, to show mercy as He shows mercy. That means even when they don’t seem to be listening. As a matter of fact, that is exactly when it is needed - when they do not understand the value of what is being offered. 

We have a walnut tree in our yard. If you didn't know what walnuts were, you would never think to pick up these ugly, dirty things rotting underneath the tree. Sometimes people cannot see the beauty of what is being offered. Sometimes we cannot see the beauty of what is before us. I thank God for His grace and mercy with me, for the people He brought into my life. Many of you are those people. Thank you for being full of grace, even when you could not see where it was leading. Please pray for us as we try to do the same in our lives here.