Wild, Wonderful Wednesday

At the end of May we as a congregation were down at Bible camp, which is situated in the Ardennes. The camp land itself is just outside of a picturesque little village called Solwaster, through which a road winds and turns on its way through the village and the hills that follow. If you follow the road, you drive past a tree called the “seven oak tree” which is seven oak trees grown into one. You then wind your way to the “larger” village of Jalhay. This is also the way to the Gileppe dam. 

But if you stay at camp you can take a walk through the woods and see all of the wonderful wild things that God has given us to marvel at. Even on a walk during the day it is possible to see all sorts of amazing things. During our day at camp with the church, several of the members spotted what we figure was a lynx, a wild cat. It came sauntering onto our fields, looked up to see the people talking a bit further off (with fingers pointing) and serenely turned and walked back the direction he had come. 

We know that there are wild boar in the woods. In the Fall we are not to go into the woods after sunset because the hunters are out - as are the wild boar. I remember one of our summer camp weeks when we took the campers into the woods to play a game of hide and seek in the evening. They had to find the leaders, who had hidden themselves in the woods. But the leaders were meant to make animal sounds and scare the campers a bit. 

I was hiding up in some bushes a good way away from anyone else. The sounds that one then hears in the night are amplified as you yourself become as quiet as you can be (which is not very quiet to be honest). I am sure that I heard a wild pig further off in the woods. Then again, it could have been a badger, as they also come out to hunt in the night. It could have simply been a mouse. 

Lynx in Belgium

We have come across deer, marten (a sort of ferret), mice of all sorts and sizes, and rats. In the fields the young boys from the Benjamin week love catching grasshoppers and frogs of all sorts. We have small hazel worms (a type of salamander without legs) and bugs of every color and size.  

More recently we have been made aware that there is a distinct possibility that we could come across a wolf or two, since they have been re-introduced to the area. Of course most of these wild wonders are only visible in the early morning, dusk or deep in the night - not usually times that we are up and about. Or you have to keep your eyes open for them as you go walking along through a tuft of grass or clump of bushes. 

My experience is that God loves to surprise us. We simply have to be willing to open our eyes and see what He is showing us. You do not have to go far. This Spring our yards are all full of snails, with or without houses on their backs. Insects of every plumage buzz through our lives without us even noticing (other than the worry that they might be a mosquito). I want to be aware of what God has provided in this life so that I can also see what He is doing in my life. 

What do you see in your neck of the woods? 

Amazing love

As children of God we are witnesses daily to an amazing grace and amazing love of our loving Father. It is exciting to see how this works out among the household of God as well, each of us members of this body of Christ. The last few weeks and this past weekend have been very good examples of this reality. 

This past weekend was a day down at camp for the congregation of Maastricht. Everybody who could make it, planned to get down to camp. This meant that some would offer their car to bring others. Some would take care of coffee and tea when we got there. Our Ukrainian brother, Alexander, had spent the last weeks gathering Bible questions that we would discuss - and he would lead the discussion. All of us brought our hearts for one another and for the Lord. 

Although the weather reports had given rain (not unusual for this time of year in Belgium), everything stayed dry and we even finished the day with beautiful sunshine and warm weather. It was a day of real fellowship: singing to the Lord together, sharing thoughts from the Word of God, helping one another, playing basketball or frisbee or simply having some good conversations. This is a family that truly cares for one another. On Sunday we held our monthly potluck and people stayed again, including a few visitors for the day. 

In the past weeks we have also felt how strong God’s family is all over. On May 5 Shirley got a message that her sister had been taken to hospital in Omaha, Nebraska and probably would not make it through the night. But she did. In the following days and weeks, it has been an up and down struggle with a body that has had top deal with a lot in the last years. 

In these weeks, we asked for prayers and our brothers and sisters around the world have been praying. Sometimes being far away, we feel we can do nothing. But we all can pray. And that is far from nothing. We are so thankful for all who have been praying and continue to pray. Mary (Shirley’s sister) has recovered enough to be able to be operated and moved to a critical care facility where we pray that she can really recover. 

In the meantime, Shirley ahs made plans to fly to Omaha to help and be with her sister. Sisters here have offered to help with costs. Sisters in Omaha have offered to pick Shirley up on Sundays so that she can worship with this wonderful family into which God has placed us.  

Shirley will be in Omaha fro May 27 through June 10, arriving back here on the 11th just in time to get here bag ready to leave again on June 17 for our visit to our new granddaughter. That visit will also be a great meeting of family as we will also get to see Sean and Jill, together with Stephan and Natalie. The last time we were all together was in 2018. 

All of these moments are only possible because of God’s grace and His wonderful family. Thank you for your prayers and support. Thank you for your faithfulness in His family. Isn’t it wonderful to experience in so many ways, every day, this amazing love and wonderful grace! 

(The picture is of our day down at camp. We are missing three others who had already had to leave). 

Where oh Where Wednesday: Texas or Brussels

We are well into Spring, even if the weather here doesn’t quite know what to do yet. We have seen that tornadoes, sun and rain have already been added to the mix in the US. But along with the rain comes the Spring beauty as well. Very soon our cherry tree will begin to bloom and all over flowers are coloring the world. 

In the city of Brussels there is a forest. As you can imagine, people like to visit at all times of the year, escaping the grey of the city for the beauty of nature. At the beginning of Spring in the Halle forest the hyacinths bloom and color the forest with a blue carpet. People come from all around simply to get a glimpse of this beauty or to walk I its serenity (along with the thousands of other people taking a look). 

In Texas the blue bonnets have brought a beautiful blue to the fields around the hill country. These little flowers are famous for the beauty they bring. Such small delights that can bring such great joy simply by showing their faces. Songs have been written, canvases painted, and rolls and rolls of film filled (or memory cards topped up). 

Funny enough, hyacinths, like the ones in Brussels, are in the family of asparagus. This is also coming to harvest. There are no beautiful blue flowers. The white gold of the Netherlands is what this crop is called. It has to be harvested by hand and is a true delicacy. Limburg, the province we live and work in, is where you can really find this tasty bite. I only remember asparagus being green (which is all we had when I was a kid). If you have never tried it white, find a restaurant that serves it and enjoy.  

2nd day of Pentecost

In Belgium we celebrate several Catholic holidays with two days. Easter, Pentecost and Christmas all have two days. And then there is also Ascension Day which always fall on a Thursday and includes the Friday so that there is a long weekend. Of course most people understand what Easter and Christmas celebrate, even with the commercialization and strange things like chocolate bunnies and colored eggs. The confusion often comes with Pentecost. 

Pentecost is of course the celebration of first fruits, the first harvest of the first crop. It is the idea that the people of God were to trust God to give them what they needed. They could give Him their first fruits because everything came from Him anyway. These days it is still good to think in this way, realizing that all we have comes from God and we can trust Him for the future. 

If people know about Pentecost, then they know about it as the beginning of the Christian church. And that is certainly true. Christians, followers of Jesus, are the first fruits of the harvest. That first Pentecost when 3000 gave their lives to Christ in obedience was just a beginning. The church has spread all over the world. And it continues to change and grow in various ways. 

In the Netherlands some of the changes are very visible. The church building in The Hague used to house a church of 100-200 members. That was at a time when the congregation was Dutch members and American expats working in the city. Now the church building still exists, although with many troubles, but it houses a Ukrainian congregation and an international group. And the building has been joined in the neighborhood by a mosque next door. 

Speaking of international groups, the church meeting in Antwerp (in Belgium) and outside of Antwerp is also international. In Antwerp there is a Spanish-speaking group. Outside of Antwerp the congregation is mostly African. The largest congregation numerically in the Netherlands is the congregation in Amsterdam which is primarily Ghanaian and meets in Twi (one of the languages of Ghana) and English. 

In the Netherlands there are congregations in Amsterdam, Groningen, Haarlem, The Hague, Den Dolder, Eindhoven and Maastricht. In Belgium there are congregations in Ghent, Roeselare, Brughe, Antwerp, Turnhout, Hasselt and Rotselaar which generally speak Flemish. French-speaking congregations meet in Liege, Charleroi and Brussels. Each of these places has an interesting history behind their establishment and growth (or lack of) through the years. 

In Maastricht we are getting ready to say goodbye to one of our American families as they return to the US. But we have also welcomed some Ghanaians recently. We teach and worship in Dutch and English and are looking forward to meeting together for a day down at camp for fellowship and encouragement. We understand that our existence is all down to the grace of God and His spirit in our lives. We are still His harvest, His first fruits and we pray that He is able to use us to have an even greater harvest here or wherever we go. 

(Picture is of a youth weekend this year in the building in The Hague)

Whensday: Ice Saints

When can you start planting your flowers and plants? Well, the wise advice here talks about waiting until after the “ijsheiligen” - the ice saints. These are special religious holidays named for certain saints, but ending with May 15. An easier way to remember it is to think that planting should wait until after Mother’s Day. 

Mother’s Day in Belgium used to refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus. But the celebration of motherhood that other countries recognize soon took over, as did the commercialization of the day. The day itself is often just a little different. In The Netherlands, Belgium or the US, the day can vary by a week. 

Still, if you are going to get mother a plant, she may have to wait just a bit before putting it outside. That is because it technically could still freeze outside, killing the poor plant. So everyone is taught to wait patiently. Just as every good mother tries to teach their children the same thing. 

This year, we did not get any freezing weather near May 15. And Mother’s Day was celebrated on Sunday, May 12. Shirley got flowers sent from Sean and calls from both of the boys (yes, they are still our “boys” and always will be). I called my mom as she is getting ready to make a major move across the country in the coming month, starting a new season of her life. 

In the meantime, we will consider which plants to plant. We are leaving in June for several weeks to visit our grandchild, so we cannot really plant a bunch of flowers we will not be able to care for. It is hard enough to keep up on mowing the grass in between the rain showers. So we will be patient and see what we can do in the summer. 

Work camp

Beautiful weather, a place we all love and a great group of young and older people working together. That is a really good work camp. Every year at the Ascension Day holiday (Thursday and Friday are free days for many people), we get a group together down at camp to get done what needs done before the full summer weeks of camp begin. 

There is always the normal cleaning that needs done and the maintenance of the buildings and terrain. Spiderwebs to be removed, windows to be cleaned, a kitchen to be completely cleaned and lots of grass to be mown. These are the normal tasks. But this year we have some bigger changes that also needed taken care of. 

More than 40 years ago we were able to find a set of beds from the Dutch military. They were changing to longer beds and the ones they had (already longer than normal) were being dropped to whoever might be able to use them. This was perfect opportunity for us as we needed at least 16 bunkbeds for the new dormitory we had built at the time. Now, the beds have more than done their duty and both the beds and mattresses were showing their age. It was time to renew. 

So we have been able to purchase new beds and mattresses. This is a great thought, but it also needs to be done. Break down 32 old metal beds, throw out the old mattresses and build new beds with mattresses in their place. Thankfully we had a very enthusiastic crew. The first evening saw all of the new beds placed after the old ones had been removed. The second day saw the old beds taken off and the mattresses found their way to the recycling park back in my village. 

In the meantime the other most visible project was also taking shape - the new basketball court was getting a lick of paint. Now no one will have to guess where the free-throw line is or if they just scored a 3-pointer. The lines were painted on this newest addition to the camp terrain. Last summer was the first that it could actually be used and it was used immediately and by every single week of camp. Every age has found it fun and useful - if not as a basketball court, then as a great place to sit in the sun. 

We had a young man return for this few days of work who has not been to camp for about 9 years. He worked together with his two young nephews, who can be a handful - as he was when he was their age. We also had the help of 4 young Dutch kids who live in Switzerland and come to camp almost every year. This camp gets into your bones once you have been. 

And that is what we are planning on in the coming years as well. The plans for the coming year are to rebuild the oldest section to include new toilets and showers, a new kitchen and a section of bedrooms above the kitchen for the team leaders. Each year camp is being transformed into a place that can be used more often. And it is being used throughout the year by the various congregations. 

In less than two weeks the congregation in Maastricht will also have a church day down at camp. We are so very thankful for all the people that have made camp what it is throughout the years and for how `god is blessing this tool now as well. 

(Click on the picture for more pictures)

Whatsit Wednesday: Mosquito milk

The weather is finally warming up and with the warm weather come moments of discomfort. The buzz around your ears of the mosquitoes. Worrying that they might get to you. Trying to get them first. Our sons, Sean always dreaded mosquitos season. He was a mosquito magnet. We always joked that if we wanted to stay bite-free, we simply needed to invite him to wherever we were. 

So how do you keep mosquitoes away? Citronella candles do a little bit, but you can’t really light those up all over the house. The problem in the past was that there was insect repellant, but it stunk so badly that the remedy was worse than the sickness. 

That is when mosquitos milk came to the rescue. In Dutch, a mosquito is called a “mug” (where the “u” sounds like the “I” of shirt and the “g” is a guttural clearing-your-throat sound). 

“Muggenmelk” was invented by the Belgian Alfons Vandoninck in 1987. In 3 years it had conquered the world and since then people have sworn by this insect repellant. It may be available now under various names, but most people who need it will always find “mosquito milk”. It rolls on smoothly, doesn’t stink and is effective at keeping the little suckers away. What do you do to get away from mosquitoes? 

Saying goodbye

This past week was a week of goodbyes. A dear sister in the church in Liege passed away unexpectedly quickly and quietly. Leonie and her husband George are stalwarts in the church in French-speaking Belgium, in Liege. They have both been involved with Bible camp from near the beginning and have been encouragers of many throughout their years. 

In Maastricht we have known this couple for many years as they come to our monthly singing every first Friday. This has not been possible this past year, but we were thankful to have seen them last year when the congregation of Maastricht went down to camp for a day of fellowship and the church in Liege joined us there for the afternoon. We also celebrated the 60th wedding anniversary of George and Leonie last year. 

Leonie was a quiet, beautiful, happy soul. We were not able to have long conversations because our French is not that complete and she spoke almost no Dutch or English. But when an interpreter was present or when we were sharing God’s word in a group, her joy and hope were always clear. She had struggled with some health problems in the last decade, but continued to be everywhere she could when she could. How beautiful an example she has been to so many. We look forward to seeing her again when we all get Home. 

This past Saturday I helped officiate a funeral for Marguerite. I met her as the girlfriend of a man I read the Bible with. Both Rob and Marguerite were in their 70’s when I met them. Rob passed away almost 3 years ago. Marguerite made it to 93 years old. In that time we got to know each other better. Shirley and I also got to know her family through her. Marguerite had no children, but many loving nephews and nieces. 

The most interesting thing about Marguerite and my relationship was how we were able to talk about God. Marguerite always had questions, realizing that Shirley and my faith was different than what she was used to. She would ask things like if we also had Mary in our faith. I would point out where Mary appeared in the Bible and we would talk about it. Or she would ask questions about Jesus and I would show her again what the Bible had to say about it. 

Every time we met I would ask if we could end the meeting with a prayer and she was always surprised that I would simply talk to God. At one point she asked if she could do that too. So she learned to pray in a different way than she was used to, simply talking to God. So much of her faith was a cultural faith - something we often talked about. 

At her funeral Shirley and I were able to talk to various members of her family who were present. We always hope to be encouragers and a place where people can ask questions if they have them. We are always thankful for God’s grace and leave Marguerite in His righteous hands. 

It has always been clear how different Marguerite and Leonie are.  Marguerite was often afraid. She feared death, even though she knew that it was inevitably coming. She fought cancer twice and was a sickly child, so she had fought all her life. Leonie faced death many times as well throughout her life, but she knew where she was going. We are so very thankful that we can say “See you later” to those we know who have clothed themselves with Christ and have a home prepared for them. 

As I post this we are praying for Shirley's sister who has gone to hospital and is on life support. We want the best for her and she knows the Lord. But we do not want to have to say goodbye just yet. This remains the reality and the struggle. Thank you for your prayers. 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

[The picture is of Marguerite's grave right across from the grave of Rob Wessels]

Whodunit Wednesday: Joost Klein’s “Europapa”

Today is a holiday in Belgium, but not in the Netherlands. In Belgium `9and Germany) they celebrate May 1 as “Labor Day”. This is for these countries a day to celebrate workers and to enjoy the Spring weather, if it has come. The Netherlands doesn’t have this tradition, so in our area, the roads going into Maastricht are full of Belgian and German cars looking to shop (since the stores in Belgium and Germany are closed). Europe may have no internal borders, but various differences remain.

Around this same time (middel of May) the Eurovisie Songfestival shows up on tv and in the news. Most people can remember how ABBA became a household name and a mega group after winning this competition with the song “Waterloo” back in the 1970’s. It became so popular and the Europe ended up having so many more countries that the competition had to be split up and not every country gets to partake every year. 

This year the Dutch contribution is considered a real contender to win. Joost Klein sings in many languages about “Europapa”. That he sings in various languages is already unique. In some of the beginning years countries were required to present their song in their native language (otherwise there were too many languages in English). This rule was finally completely abolished in 1999. So now any country causing in whatever language they wish. Klein’s song is unique in that it uses many of the various languages of Europe, while poking fun at them as well. 

While many will hear the conglomeration of languages and images as a reference to Europe, the song is also about Klein’s father. So “Europapa” refers to his European “papa” or father. Klein lost his parents when he was young. If Klein wins with his song, the Netherlands will be the hosting country for the contest next year. This year the contest is being held in Sweden who has won the contest 7 times, as has Ireland. The winner from last year is the only female singer to have won twice (she also won in 2012). 

The contest has always been s how of extremes, including the costumes that are worn. Joost Klein will perform in a blue suit (the flag of Europe is blue with yellow stars) and will be flanked by two men - one dressed as a blue bird, the other as a yellow bird.