Whodunit Wednesday: Philippe Verbelen and the new birds

It sounds like a band from the 1960’s. Philippe Verbelen is an ornithologist from Belgium, although he is most often in far away places. He has already discovered 7 new species of birds. Verbelen, an ornithologist from from Ghent, has made his most recent discovery in Indonesia where he says there are many more species to be found. 

The “dwarf honey-eater” is a small bird with a red head and black body which is found on the island of Babar. Verbelen first found the bird in 2009, but it has only recently (March 2025) been officially recognized in the scientific world. While there seem to be various types of dwarf honey-eaters in Indonesia, this one can only be found on the island of Babar. 

Verbelen is one of the scientists who realized that the differences in species lay mainly in their song. The dwarf honey-eaters were on many of the Indonesian islands and scientists simply assumed they were all the same bird. But Verbelen has paid more attention to their song and has access now to DNA. 

The birds use their songs to call mates and scare away competition. If the birds react to the song, then they are members of the same group. But they can also simply ignore the song, indicating that it is a different species. So the Tanimbar dwarf honey-eater will pay no attention to the Babe dwarf honey-eater, and vice-versa. 

Verbelen had actually not been looking for this bird. He was only on the island for a week looking into unknown types of owls. He was taking recordings of those birds in the evenings and filled his days by recording the dwarf honey-eaters during the day when he realized his discovery. 

Verbelen also discovered the Rinjani dwarf ear owl and the Peleng forest singer. He has been visiting Indonesia since 1992 and continues to enjoy the many things he can see, hear and experience there. Besides his discovering of species, he uses his knowledge to support the protection of (rain)forests. 

Training to be a leader

One of the great things of our Bible camp (Ardennen Bijbelkamp or ABK) is that it is for and from everyone in the various churches in the Netherlands and Belgium. From the beginning this was a place to help church members grow, to grow contacts among church members, and to learn new skills - all in the wonderful beauty of the Ardennes. I know that I have learned and grown so much through the years because of the things organized at camp. 

One of the things that we want to make possible is that those who want to become a camp leader have the training necessary to do that. And those who don’t know that they can become camp leaders, actually can. We have done this in the past by inviting people to be an assistant camp leader and training them “on the job”. Those who have served as counselors have also grown into camp leaders. And we continue to use this way of training, because it is very hands-on and personal. 

In addition to this we have dreamed for some years of developing a training to help teach some of the things we have all learned through the years. This could be a weekend, a week or simply a day. It is always hard to find slots in schedules for people from across the country, so we settled this year, for the first time, on a day. This was a training session, as we called it: Inspiration for Aspiring leaders. We want those learning to lead to know that although it is scary to take this kind of responsibility, we are not alone. We are busy working with God and in His might. So His Spirit can lead us in these efforts. That is why I called it “Breathe”. 

I planned this together with pour colleague from Ghent, Luk Brazle, and with Shirley. We had a compact group of 5 others who in some ways had already helped at camp, either as counselors, assistant leaders or teachers, but wanted to learn more about being a camp leader. Our camp weeks take on the character of the camp leader who is leading them. There are some things which are always the same (like the age group of the campers, dates and some of the themes, but there is a lot that comes down to the style of the camp leader. 

The training day was a mixture of information that is necessary for a camp leader to run a week of camp as well as practical information and training on how to deal with certain situations that experience has taught us will always show up. “What is leadership?:” was the most important question and we looked at Jesus for our example and answer. 

We are so thankful to be able to be part of this effort. It is so good to see how camp has touched so many lives throughout the years and that it is still a place where members can learn to lead and serve. It continues to be a wonderful place and time where campers get to know who Jesus is, what God does and is doing, and how life in God looks like and works in everyday life. 

This summer Shirley and I will be working with a team leading the oldest age: Youth Camp (15-20 year-olds). We are thankful for the team we have been able to gather to help with sharing the beauty of this life in Christ. 

What experiences have you had with Bible Camp? Did you go to camp when you were young. Have you helped in the past? Are you a helper still? How else are you letting God change you and grow you in His grace and love? 

(In the picture - How do you work with a team to complete a task?)

Where oh where Wednesday: Borgloon

Not far from where we live is the Blossom region of Belgium. This is an area where much of the fruit grows on trees: mostly apples and pears. The herald of fruit season is the explosion of blossoms on all of the fruit trees in this area. Bicycle tours, walking tours, special accommodations - all are focused on this time of year and the fruit which is forming. 

The syrup made from pears is well-known in this area and in the French-speaking area around the city of Liege. Tourists can buy little jars of this specialty to put on their bread in the morning. In the area of Borgloon it is more apples. Both are spreadable, not fluid like molasses (as slow as that can be). 

Whereas the Netherlands has the cheese market in Alkmaar and the flower auction in other areas, this section of Belgium has its fruit market. It is in this area that the price is determined for how much a bushel of apples or a basket of strawberries, red berries or raspberries will cost. The major center of all of this sweet merchandizing is the city of Borgloon which hosts the largest fruit auction of Belgium.

Borgloon, which has now been combined with the city of Tongeren to Tongeren-Borgloon, has always been a smaller city, but steeped in rich history. Several Roman highways in this area show that the Romans were busy here from quite some time before others also settled here. In the 10th century Count Giselbert van Loon built a castle on the hill which now still looks out over the city. Even before the 13th century this little town gained city rights. Wars, witch trials and trade guilds continued to make this an important place throughout the centuries following. 

More recently people might be more familiar with the see-through church (“Doorkijk kerk” or “Read-between-the-lines church”) which was erected in 2011 as part of a project to let people see the surrounding landscapes in a different way. Borgloon is about 30 minutes from where we live and just down the road from where the Ukrainian couple from church live in Tongeren. 

Getting to know Jesus

One of the most important things we do here is help people to get to know Jesus. In our daily lives we want to be an example of the life we have been given in Jesus. We also want our speech to be full of the reality of living with the grace that Jesus has brought to our lives. This all means that we try to live intentionally in our lives together and our speech is full of the beauty of what we have found in Jesus Christ. And this takes different forms. 

When we meet someone who is wanting to know more about us and the life we are showing, that can come in different ways. Most recently we received a few phone calls from people who wanted to know if we could pray for them, if they could meet with us, if they could attend our worship time on Sundays. Sometimes these are short conversations on the phone. Other times they have turned into weekly Bible studies and conversations. 

I have often thought about set studies - booklets or programs that asre available. But in my experience, everyone is coming from a different place and meets Jesus in a different way. So I usually want to first hear where they are coming from and then start looking at the story of Jesus. In this walk together through the gospels, we inevitably touch on the points that need to be discussed in relation to life with Jesus. Then we can take more time where the need is greatest. 

This has been how my conversations have gone throughout the years. Sometimes people have met Jesus and have decided that they are not really that interested in what is being offered or the way it is being offered. Jesus is very exclusive and not everyone wants to accept this. In this case, sometimes my relationship with the person we have been talking to either ends or changes. Often times we may maintain a relationship, but it becomes one where I continue to help, but in a different way, offering mercy. 

This has been and continues to be the case with a few people in our lives - taking people to hospital visits and being there after the diagnosis has been declared, helping with physical limits and even being the person to help the family say goodbye when the time comes. 

Other times, the relationship turns into one of family as the person’s desire to know Jesus grows and they give their lives to Him. At this point then the relationship turns into one where we help one another grow in faith. It has been exciting to see how some of the new members of this family challenge us to be servants, to be listeners and to be faithful in times of difficulty. This has been true of several of our sisters who have been added to the church in the last 5 years. 

We recently put out an invitation for a series of “Getting to know Jesus” held at our building. We have usually held these at our home, which is a much less intimidating venue. But we wanted the neighborhood around our building to know of this opportunity. No one responded this time. We will look at offering the opportunity again in the Fall, but in the meantime we will continue with the conversations we have at the moment. 

This includes a conversation with a woman who originally called and asked about what we believe and if she could visit. She has been visiting for several months as well as reading through the gospels (getting to know Jesus) almost every week. Last week she said she has been confronted with the need to be bron again - everywhere she reads, every song she listens to, in all of her prayers. I think of Lydia (Acts 16) whose heart was opened as she listened to the story that Paul was recounting. We pray that we will soon be adding a sister to the family. 

And we continue to look for how God will use us, our example, our speech to touch those around us with the amazing story and life of good news in Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Consider yourself - are you willing to follow Jesus wherever He goes, as He wants? This seems to be our biggest struggle as people. Can we submit to someone else and trust. If we know that He is God Almighty, come to save us and risen from the dead, then we can follow Him even into death, but certainly into obedience in daily life. 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Whensday: History of Neerharen

Just down the street there is discrete hammering and building noise. The village church is surrounded by scaffolding all the way up and around its discrete little tower. The building is being restored, the limestone cleaned and replaced, the roof  and gutters completely replaced and the mortar between the stones cleaned and repointed. It will still be many months before anyone other than the dedicated small group of restorers are able to approach the church building. We drive by it every day on our way out of the village and remark at any progress we can see. 

This little church building was built in the neo-roman style in 1875, but the village has a much longer history. Peoples, including the actual Romans, have been crossing the river at this spot for quite some time. There are graves from around 800 B.C. and Roman artifacts everywhere. Many of these things were found when the canal behind our house was dug. This canal is a connecting canal between two larger canals which lead to the two largest harbors in Europe (Antwerp or Rotterdam). 

We live on the Castle street, although it used to be called the Church street. When our village was incorporated into the town of Lanaken (which is made up of 7 villages), they renamed our street. But it was named the Castle street because this street led to three different castles in the area. One of these has disappeared, but the other two still exist. 

Neerharen took part in the 80 years war and the various Spanish succession wars. It was burned down in the 18th century because of this. The house across from ours is the oldest in the village and dates from after this time. It was built in 1818, well after the wars and well before our own house was built in 1936. Much earlier, in the 16th and 17th centuries, there were all sorts of trials against witches and several women were condemned and burned in Neerharen. This all seemed to stop around 1620. 

Although there is a good bit of history that took place in this area, we have simply been enjoying the area with our various guests this week. A walk along the canal, which is mostly peaceful if you watch out for the bikes, and the rural setting - as much as this is possible within 10 minutes of Maastricht - make for a restful spot. We are thankful for being able to host some good friends along the way. This week Dale and Vicki Hawley stopped in as well as Tom McKleroy. Both of them were on their way elsewhere, but made time to spend with us as well. Neerharen has always been a place of comings and goings. 

(You can find more pictures here of the area where we live).

Whatsit Wednesday: Cassonade sugar

We have been gluten-free for quite some years now, but I still love me a nice cake where possible. Shirley always comes up with some amazing gluten-free possibilities. Pumpkin pie is one of my favorites and she always surprises me with a pie when she can. Most recently when we were shopping she let me know that she was looking for brown sugar for another specialty she was wanting to make. 

When we are in the US, brown sugar is not hard to find. But in Belgium and the Netherlands there are different types of sugar. The main sugar factory for Belgium is in the city of Tienen where, years ago, we held some youth weekends (in the city, not the sugar factory). When I lived in Haarlem as a very young man, I would bicycle past the sugar factory in the town of Halfweg on the way to Amsterdam. Sugar has been around for a long time and is of course well-known in two countries where chocolate reigns supreme. 

But brown sugar is a different story. I remember getting my coffee while visiting at a home in the Netherlands years ago - when I still drank coffee with milk and sugar. They brought out sugar lumps, but they were brown. It was cane sugar - instead of sugar from sugar beets (which is more common here). Many people considered it more “natural” - although there is certainly nothing natural about eating sugar. 

This cane sugar was brown, but it was not brown sugar - if you know what I mean. Shirley was looking for brown sugar for her baking recipe. In Belgium this is “cassonade”. This is beet sugar mixed with a form of molasses and is not only darker brown but mixes more easily in recipes (I am told). 

In 1953 the sugar factory in Tienen, Belgium, took over the Graeffe company and their cassonade, but kept the packaging which has almost always had a picture or drawing of a child on the front. Because of this it was called “kinnekessuiker” or “kiddie sugar”. The actual name - Cassonade - means “broken”. In the store you now shop for Cassonade Graeffe. 

I don’t really care that much what it is made of or what it was called or even which kid originally was on the packaging (it was a kid from Brussels). And to be honest, Shirley is usually looking for the even darker sugar (called bastard sugar) which is also in both countries. What I am excited about is what she can do with it. Last month she made a sort of spice cake (gluten-free of course) and it was delicious. What a treat!. 

Sweet sisters

We are part of a fairly diverse family of God in Maastricht. I have always been so thankful for the hearts of everyone who is here, their willingness to help one another and intentionally be family for each other. This is especially evident in the sisters of the congregation. 

This past weekend several of our ladies went to the Ladies Retreat which is organized every year in Germany for English-speaking ladies or those who which to attend (there are other German-speaking or French-speaking retreats for ladies as well). It is encouraging to see how some of our ladies attend and encourage one another. 

Some of our ladies do not go to these sort of events, mostly because they cannot handle the travel or the sleeping accommodations. But others because of the situations at home (young children, unbelieving husbands, work schedules). The ladies who go and the ladies who stay both encourage one another, sharing about the weekend, supporting one another. 

This family encouragement continues throughout the year. Some of the ladies meet every Friday morning for a Bible study together. Some of the ladies take time on a Sunday to visit our sister who cannot attend and care for her. Others keep connected via social media or an old-fashioned telephone call. Some even write cards and letters. We have grandma’s, wives, working women, students, single women and daughters - all of them daughters of the King. 

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage the older women in the church top help the younger women in the church. Just as with the men, we know that we all can learn from each other. Older members can catch the excitement and energy of younger members. Younger members can learn from the experience and wisdom of older members. This is what I see happening and it is exciting. 

Recently we have had a woman from the neighborhood visiting. She comes for a Bible study on Tuesday, but on Sunday she comes to worship, even as she is discovering what it means to follow Jesus. She sits in the row where several of our ladies sit together and they have wrapped her in their arms. During the coffee yesterday it was great to see sisters connecting with her and encouraging her. 

This coming weekend the ladies have planned a Ladies Day for the neighborhood. They want others to know this great love that God has for us. Please pray for this effort and their continued desire to share the love of Jesus with all of those around them.  

(Photo of the Ladies Day organized by Maastricht sisters November 2023)

Whodunit Wednesday: Composers

Music has long been a part of this area in Europe. While Belgian Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone, there have been various composers throughout the centuries who have also come from this area. 

In the 15th century Guillaume du Fay was a master of polyphonic music. Another 15th century composer, Adrian Willaert, was born in Roeselare where we will be visiting to preach in May. He spread the Franco-Flemish polyphonic music style to Italy. 

Two composers from the city of Liege, Belgium spread their influence in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Eugene Ysaye was known as the “King of the Violin” and thus played pieces composed specifically for him by such as Debussy or his Belgian compatriot composer, Cesar Franck. More recently Django Reinhardt was well-known in jazz circles and gypsy jazz music. 

On the Dutch side Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck composed music during the Baroque era. His compositions predate Bach and Handel who were both influenced by him. Constantijn Huygens was born at the end of the 16th century. He became a diplomat and poet as well as a musician and played for the Danish court, King James I of England and Willen II, Prince of Orange. 

And of course there have been both Belgian and Dutch influences in popular music to this day. Many of these influences come from areas with which we work even today. More importantly, the members of the churches in Belgium and the Netherlands continue this joy of music and song in the songs we have for the churches. 

Singing soothes the soul and teaches the heart. Throughout the history of the churches here members have collected songs to make sure that singing was an integral part of living with Christ. In more recent years this has meant that members have even composed songs to be sung by the churches. 

Songs have been written for Bible camp and taken up in the church songbooks. The congregation in Maastricht held special days and weekend retreats where songs were also composed by the members. And Song Workshops have included training and opportunities to compose new songs. 

The most recent efforts have now been made by Luk Brazle and I to get some of these songs online in various forms. Acapella versions are recorded so that churches can learn the songs and use them where needed. Versions using music notation help those who read music to learn the various voices as well. Above all, we want to encourage members to sing. These songs can be found on the YouTube channel set up for this. New songs as well as songs we use every week are in Dutch and English, for adults and kids, helping us to sing in our hearts.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.    Colossians 3:15-17

Sowing seeds

A lot of what anyone sharing the good news of Jesus is comes down to sowing seeds. Although I have never been a Gardner and certainly do not have a green thumb, I can understand when Jesus talks about a sower sowing seed in a field. But there are many different ways to sow. 

One of the things that is true about this picture is that it requires some perseverance and plenty of patience. I feel like I am pretty good at the first, but I have definitely had to learn the latter through the years. I, like many in this life, want things to happen quicker and to be visible. But God works with lives. And lives develop through time. My life in Christ did not just spring into being, although I had a moment of birth, for sure. But God has taught me, formed me and shaped me through the years and all of the experiences He has given. 

This is also how things are with the people we are working with, the people with whom we share this wonderful news of a new life in Jesus Christ. We do not always see immediate change. Although often some change is more visible by some than by others. That is now down to us. God gives the growth - we sow the seed. 

Some of this sowing has to do with what we say, talking about our life in Jesus and about how to meet Jesus. Many of the people I have worked with started by learning about the Bible and how to read it. Although many people, certainly here in Western Europe, will say that they know about Jesus, most have never read the Bible. Most see the Bible as a large book written in the past which tells some weird stories and also has some stuff about this Jesus. 

I have always tried to teach people that the Bible is a remarkable library. It is not a book, but a library of books, a compilation of all sorts of different literature. This helps many understand immediately that it must be read in a different way than a book would be. But I emphasize that it is a remarkable library - a collection that could not be possible if it did not come from God. 

Besides helping people see what kind of library they have at their disposal, I take time to help people learn how to read the Bible so that they can get to know who Jesus is. It is in the Bible that we truly get to meet Jesus and see what he really said and did. Unless we go to the Bible, we cannot say that we know anything about this Jesus.

This is one of the things that I have done throughout the years with some of the Catholic kids in our villages. Years ago our colleagues were asked if they would help with the local Catholic confirmation kids. Our colleagues are known in their village as the people who know the Bible. So through the years we have tried to make sure that these kids-becoming-adults (12-13 year-olds) are not only presented with the Bible, but are taught and shown how to read it. We try to take away a bit of the mystery and strangeness and teach them how to become familiar with what is there. 

In the coming month I will be able to revisit some of this teaching when these kids organize a reunion. We are interested to see where they are now and to remind them of how good God can make our lives, remind them that at a time in their lives they made a choice. We would like them to remember this choice and consider an even more momentous choice for their lives. 

We will also begin another course of “Getting to know Jesus” in the neighborhood of where we meet in Maastricht. We never know how many people will be interested or challenged by such a course. We invite people and know that God is calling those who are ready at this time to hear. Then we try to not only pass on the information, but to live the true life that Jesus gives us so that people can see that the seed actually bears fruit. 

We have no idea how long we might need to wait to see if any of this seed grows in the hearts of the people around us. We may never see the fruits in that sense. But we trust the grace and might of God in doing what He is doing. I may not have a green thumb (or green fingers as they say in Dutch), but I know that God is the one bringing growth and He is truly mighty. 

Where oh where Wednesday: Japanese gardens in Hasselt

About 20-30 minutes away from where we live is the largest garden of its kind in Europe. We have never visited (yet) even though we often are in Hasselt, where this garden is found. We have a few of our members in Maastricht who live in or near Hasselt and we know other brothers and sisters from the church in Hasselt. But this garden is something completely different. 

Although Shirley and I have never visited Japan, we know a little bit about for various reasons. My brother is married to a gal from Okinawa and our nieces and nephew are half-Japanese. We have good friends who have been sharing the gospel in Japan for decades. And one of the first people from a foreign culture who came to Christ in Maastricht was a man from Japan. We still have contact with him although he now lives with his Dutch wife in Leiden. 

So 20-30 minutes away we could visit the Japanese Gardens in Hasselt, Belgium. Back in 1985 Hasselt and the Japanese city of Itami became friends, sister cities. Hasselt decided to give Itami a carillon tower and Itami gave Hasselt the Japanese garden. The garden was built not as a small city garden, but an expansive site of 2.5 hectares where a meadow had previously graced the countryside. 

The connection of Hasselt with Itami is not such a strange one. The city of Hasselt is known for its jenever, or gin. This is made from berries on a juniper bush. I remember growing up in Colorado that we had some juniper bushes in our front yard I didn’t know that you could get gin from them. Itami is famous for its sake. Sake, which is made from rice, is said to have originated in Itami. 

Although we have never yet visited this garden, we have visited the Japanese Gardens in San Diego while on our Home Assignments and visiting family who live there. You can find some pictures here that may be reminiscent of what we will find in Hasselt when, hopefully soon, we visit the gardens which are basically in our back yard. 

There where God is

This past week, as with most years, I was down in Gemünden, Germany for the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS). This is a week of Bible study with people from around Europe sitting at the feet of teachers from around Europe and one or two from the US. It is always a time of intense conversation and thinking as well as relaxing walks and even fun goofiness on the Thursday evening. 

It has always struck me how amazing and good it is to be with brothers and sisters from various places talking about the truth of God. This past week we were talking about the presence of God, how we see this in science, in beauty, in suffering and how we lear to follow Jesus in this Way. It struck me that there is no place where God is not; there are loci everywhere where God IS, together with His people. 

This is the very experience we have had throughout the years we have been blessed to serve in the area of Belgium and The Netherlands. We are blessed to be here because people in many places give their finances, encouragement and prayer so that we can be here. This past week reminded me of this truth as well. I was working through our financial statements in preparation for doing our taxes for the US and was reminded of all those who are it possible for us to be here. 

After this year we will no longer have financial support from the S. 11th and Willis congregation. They were the ones with whom we started our married life and were always a missional group of followers of Christ. Although this congregation has now folded into another in Abilene, Texas, we hold the memories and encouragements from through the years close to our heart. 

Another group of followers who have long supported and encouraged us is the congregation in Muscatine, Iowa. They, too will be dialing back their financial support in the coming year. Knowing the hearts of many of the members there we pray that they will not lose their focus on the mission of God around the world as they strive to discover how best to use the funds God has given into their care. We are thankful to be connected in many ways to the living fellowship there and to remember with joy how we are welcomed with open arms when we come “home”. (Find them here)

In a continuation of this movement towards the North we land at the Woodbury congregation in Woodbury, Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul area). This is a group of people who have encouraged us from the beginning and worked through many changes to keep us in their prayers and minds and hearts. Every group of followers changes throughout the years as new people are added to the body and others go to their reward - waiting for the rest to join them soon. Woodbury continues to look for ways to pass on the grace of God in any way possible not only to the surrounding area 9which has changed immensely through the years) but also throughout the world. (Find them here)

Our sponsoring congregation and encouragers from the beginning are the members of the Lord’s body in Long Beach, California. It has always amazed me to see how this group has struggled through the various changes that come through the years, but always trying to focus on grace and salvation to any and all who come. This family makes sure we are linked to the others who financially support us, so that all goes well on the front. But they also continually share their hearts with us as well, praying for our needs. (Find them here)

Most recently (in 2023) we have become linked to the Oldham Lane church in Abilene, Texas. Although we still need to get to know this congregation better, we are thankful for their willingness to help us financially. We look forward to getting to know them better the next time we are in the US (normally that would be in 2026). 

Besides these various groups of people, we are also blessed with the encouragement, financial support and spiritual mentorship and friendship of various individuals and families. The Eck’s first visited us as students to work with us I this area and continue to support this work. The Bundy’s have supported and taken part in work in many places around the world including Belgium and continue to encourage, support and be an example to many, including us. The McNeill’s traveled in the past, experiencing this very idea of God’s people everywhere. Their hearts continue to be with the people they know and the people God knows in places around the world. The Cron’s and the Jablonski’s in California, and the Stovall’s now from Iowa, have remained strong encouragers and supporters throughout the years. In years past other families have helped, visited, encouraged and worked together with us, including the Skarin’s, Tornij’s and Rampton’s. 

God is in all places. He is here in the group of followers in Maastricht who also support us daily in their spiritual encouragement and monthly in their financial support. We have a connection with God’s family all over Europe, through to Asia and Africa, down through South America and even in Australia. God wants his family to be everywhere. And He is able to use any and all of us to make this possible. We are thankful that He has used us and continues to use us, with you, to reach people who do not yet know Him here. 

Know that God still wants to use you wherever you are now and that He is able. We are so very thankful for God’s faithfulness and for so many of you who have helped so many hearts here. 

Whensday: Gemündener Follies

You might have noticed that I missed writing on Monday AND on Wednesday. This is because I am down in Gemünden, Germany for the annual Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS). This is a time to meet with people from around Europe and receive lessons on all sorts of Bible topics. This year was quite different in that we even had an art session halfway through the week (see my picture). 

What did not change was that Thursday evening brought the world-famous Gemündener Follies. As our host Patrick would say, this is a low-level talent show. But we all enjoy it immensely anyway. I got to write some verses for a Hee Haw song and sing them with Paul Brazle and Brady Smith. I also sang a Ukrainian song with Carol Brazle and Brady and Stephanie Smith (Stephanie’s father translated the song into English: While on the Sea). 

Every year, or almost every year, Paul and I close out the show with a version of “our” Camp Gemunden song, based on the song which starts, “Hello, Mudda, hello Fadda, I am here at Camp Grenada…”  I have most of the lyrics for past years in my guitar case. Paul and I have been doing this for quite some years. I remember that we even did it via video during the corona version of ABSS. Each year we re-write the lyrics based on the speakers of that year, trying to rhyme and be funny at the same time. 

The joy of a week like this is being able to see people we don’t see often and meeting new folks from around Europe as well as be challenged by good Biblical lessons. This year, as with most years, there was a contingent from the CEM program in Marseille. The young men and ladies, some with delightful French accents, took part in the lessons, the follies and simply serving one another during the week (at meal times, for example). Everyone laughs on Thursday evening and then joins in eating ice cream (dedicated to Doyle Key who had for so long been a part of this event). 

As the weekend starts, the first session transitions into the weekend session. Families are able to arrive, the group from Marseille heads off on their long journey home and the lessons and fellowship continue with another varied group. I have been thankful to have heard about works in Vietnam and Estonia as well as see young people I have known from a young age attending as young adults (from Romania and Marseille). 

One of the lessons was focused on how we can see God in all things around us, including beauty. The Gemündener follies remind us that laughter and joy speak loudly of the presence of God in reality. 

Whatsit Wednesday: Wardrobe

Last week I helped a brother clean out his mother’s house in Amsterdam. She had reached a ripe old age and he and his brother were left the task of cleaning things out. In a house like that one comes across all sorts of interesting things among the heavy furniture. Perhaps it had already been dismantled and thrown away by the time I got there, but it was interesting to me that this house had no wardrobe - it had closets.

Most houses in Europe, in my experience, do not have closets. Growing up in the US every house had closets built into a part of the wall of each room. But here, all room are basically just rectangular, perhaps with a small bit poking around a corner or such. But there are no built-in closets. Instead, people have wardrobes. If you have read C.S. Lewis, then you might have an idea of what a wardrobe is like - it is usually big enough for a child to hide in during hide-and-seek. 

Sometimes, certainly after the movie from the C.S. Lewis book, people think only of large, ornate pieces of furniture made of dark woods and set against a wall or in a corner. But it is just as common to purchase a good wardrobe from somewhere like Ikea - a modern piece of furniture made of some sort of flat-pack wood-like material, put together with screws and the help of a good drawing of instructions. 

In our house we used to have an old wooden wardrobe upstairs in the attic. It was a classic “flat-pack” of its time, which was around the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th century. You could remove the top, sides, bottom and doors (one with a mirror) using metal bolts that went through eyelets on the pieces. An amazing piece, but also a bit wonky. The doors never really shut and we didn’t have the keys. So we gifted it to the charity shop. 

Still, the boys could have hidden in that wardrobe if they had wanted (and if it weren’t full of “stuff”). We still have an old wardrobe in our living room which serves as an office/computer cupboard. Upstairs we have modern wardrobes in the rooms, some with sliding door, some with drawers. But all of them of course take up space in the room. So when you look at a house here, you have to figure in the space for a wardrobe. When people find a house with built-in closets, they are always amazed and pleasantly surprised. 

(Photo is our livingroom wardrobe this morning)

The youth these days

This past Sunday we were blessed to visit the congregation in Rotselaar where I preached. I the past we would visit this congregation regularly on a Sunday afternoon to practice singing. We have always had a good working relationship with the congregation and have a good relationship with many of the members in other capacities. This includes Bible camp. 

Many of the kids we have had come through Bible camp are now young people or even grandmothers. One of the sisters on Sunday was showing off her granddaughter. She mentioned that she herself was only small when she first went to camp with us as directors. And now she herself is a grandmother. It is amazing how quickly the time flies. 

But this of course also means that her kids are old enough to have kids of their own. Her son was also at our camps through the years. He was first a camper, then a counselor and then an assistant director and planner for the youth. Now he is also a father. His little sister has also been helping as a counselor in the last few years. It is exciting to see how people grow up. 

And yet, not everyone who came through camp has remained faithful or followed the Lord. There were a few people at the meal after services yesterday who came through camp, but are no longer attending or doing anything with their faith. This is hard to see and we continue to pray for all of the kids we work with every year. 

We pray that as they grow up into young adults, fathers and mothers, even grandmothers, that they hold onto what they have learned from the people around them. We pray that we, and all the people we have in a team for a week of camp, are good examples for all of the campers who attend. We know that a week of camp is only a week, but can mean so much more. We also know that our example needs to continue far past that week of camp. 

Bible camp was immensely important in my spiritual growth, but it was not the only influence. We hope and pray that we can continue to be a good influence not only for the kids at camp, but the kids in our congregation in Maastricht and the adults we have contact with every week. This past week we celebrated the graduation of one of our kids from the kid’s class to the adult’s class. He received a Bible and we all prayed over him. He joins two other young men in the congregation. Later this year we will graduate a young lady.  

We all were kids once. People were an influence on us as well. Now we want to be those people who are a good influence for the kids around us. Do you remember who was an influence in your spiritual life? How can you be that person to the young people around you now (no matter how old you are)? 

Whodunit Wednesday: Silvius Brabo

At the end of last year Shirley and I took a day off to celebrate our 40 years of marriage and Shirley’s birthday. We spent a day in Antwerp where we first lived when we moved to this country. Antwerp was where we first worked with the church and was where Shirley learned her Dutch (or Flemish as it is). We came to know this city a bit and enjoy visiting again when we get the chance. 

One of the well-known sights, among many, in Antwerp is that of Silvius Brabo. This statue is on the market, surrounded by gilded guildhalls, with the cathedral towering over the whole square. Looking at the state you see a classical male in an active pose. Brabo is the man. It looks as if he is in the middle of throwing something. As you look closer you see that he has a hand in his hand. He is about to throw this hand away. 

The city of “Antwerpen” (as the Flemings call it) is the city where Brabo is “throwing the hand” (literally “hand werpen” means “hand throwing”). But why in the world is the city named after this action? Whose hand is he throwing and who is he? Brabo is Silvius Brabo. According to the folklore saga he was a Roman soldier who killed the giant Druon Antigon, cut off his hand and threw it in the river Schelde. 

This giant had been terrorizing the city by forcing all the shippers to pay a toll before they were allowed to cross the Schelde. If anyone refused, their hand would be cut off and thrown I the river. The legionnaire Silvius Brabo rebelled, fought Antiogon, killed him and threw his hand in the river as a symbol of this victory and the end of the terrorism. 

This single legionnaire may have also been the origin of the province of Brabant as well as Aarschot and Arnhem (he supposedly shot an eagle (“arend”) that had its nest in the eagle’s nest (“arend heem”). Of course this all is mostly a saga, with little historical truth to it. 

There was a Roman settlement in the area. But the city name could also have come from the Germanic “anda verpa” which would refer to the land in the curve of the river. It could also have come from “on the wharf” (in Flemish of course). The legend of the giant Antigon probably came from finding whale bones in the river. 

Still, we enjoy visiting the city, walking in the market and visiting the various tourist areas. There is a castle on the river. The cathedral is famous to Japanese tourists because of the story of a dog. And we simply like visiting church family and reminiscing about our time here when we first arrived.