Wild Wonderful Wednesday: Kabouters and Castles

We live on the Kasteelstraat - Castle Street. It was originally named Church Street (because the church is just down the street), but when the 7 villages combined to make one town, there were too many “Church” streets, so ours was renamed Castle street. This is because our street dead-ends at the canal before continuing on the other side to the castle across the way. Plus, there is another castle in the next village and one which disappeared hundreds of years ago. In other words, castles are not that amazing in our area. 

“Kabouter” (ka-bow-ter) is what the Dutch call gnomes. You know, those general gnomes with the pointy-floppy hats in bright colors you might find in your garden. In Belgium we have the Smurfs (they are blue, but are still basic ally gnomes) and we have a whole amusement park called Plopsaland which is built around gnomes here in Belgium. So we know our gnomes as well. 

Since the new years began Shirley and I are trying to get back to walking daily. When we had a dog it was easy. But Chester has been gone for two and a half years and it is not as easy to find the motivation to get out, especially when the weather is nasty. So we have been encouraging one another to take a walk. We usually walk the same walk every day along our canal past our castle. But today was beautiful and I had to be in town, so we did something different. 

Today we stopped at the castle ruin in our town. The castle is from the 12th century and is surrounded by a simple moat and lots of wonderful walking woods. Perfect for taking a walk (gotta get those 10,000 steps). But it is also where the town has set up a Kabouter walk. There are little hints of kabouters everywhere - kabouters in the trees, kabouter houses in the trees, and all sorts of special tasks for children taking a walk in the woods with their parents. 

It was fun because we have also been making special video’s to send our granddaughter. We take about a minute and talk about “Something new”, but we do it in Dutch. We have looked at snow, a banana, the canal, trees and walnuts, candles, hair and more. So our walk was a perfect time to stop and introduce her to castles, kabouters and even geese (who were walking around making noise). We will send her these video’s bit by bit in the coming weeks. We understand she enjoys watching them with her daddy when they get up in the morning. 

We enjoyed our wild, wonderful walk today. If you come to visit us, we will gladly show you around our castles and introduce you to our kabouters. 

Planning ahead for Camp

Every January we are required to hold a meeting of the commission that runs Ardennen Bijbelkamp - our Bible Camp. Our club is officially known as “Shield bearers of the Faith”, but in short we always use “ABK” which is an abbreviation of Ardennes Bible Camp. This official meeting is necessary to do all of our official stuff, but we also use it as a time to encourage one another. 

This year we are looking ahead to some bigger changes. As always we encourage everyone in the church in Belgium and The Netherlands to remember that camp belongs to all of us. Until recently, everything that was done at camp was done by members. Even the renovation in 2012 was financed by gifts from the various churches. So we want to continue encouraging one another to take part in this mission and opportunity. 

In 2024 we expanded the number of camp events held at the camp and made some of the camp moments formally a part of camp. We have 4 weeks in the summer (3 youth weeks and a family week) and two weekends - one in the Fall and one Winter camp. But we have added two weeks of VBK (Vacation Bible Camp) and a week for young adults. It is exciting to see how camp can be used. 

Some quick stats on 2024: camp was used 30 times with 463 campers and 1372 overnights. There were 39 volunteers helping with the various activities. Although the number of campers and times camp was used ar not records, everything has been steadily increasing throughout the years (even the years of corona rules). 

One of the challenges continues to be how we can encourage use of camp while keeping it accessible for all those who want to come and still cover the costs for running camp. Last year, with high energy costs, we were quite a bit behind covering costs. This year we have gotten closer after raising our prices (which had not been raised in more than 10 years). In the coming year we will continue to see how we can best serve the churches and Christians in Belgium and the Netherlands. 

One of the biggest bits of news this year concerned our plans for further renovation. We plan to tear down and rebuild anew the kitchen and bathroom section, bringing everything up to modern standards. This section of camp was the first section to be an actual building. Since ABK started in 1965 - his building has been serving quite some time. 

But the city had at first blocked our plans. They do not want tourism growing any bigger than it already is and feared that we might be growing too large. After first finding a good translator from the church in Verviers who could help with the meeting being held in French, we were able to explain things and move forward with our plans. It may be this year that we finally get to get going on this renovation (which has been in the planning for 3 years). But we may wait until 2026. We would love your prayers for these plans. 

Camp remains an amazing way to help our young people, reach out to families, train members of the church, and offer opportunities to encourage one another and serve. Many of you have helped in various ways throughout the years with this wonderful place. Thank you for your prayers, your financial and physical help and your participation in so many ways. 

You can always find lots of pictures of previous years at our site. 

And you can see even more at the camp website (in Dutch, but you can figure it out): www.bijbelkamp.eu

Where oh Where Wednesday: Doel (ghost town of a different sort)

When we talk of ghost towns we tend to think of Wild West movies, tumbleweeds blowing by in the wind with a reedy music in the background and a shot of spurs on boots jangling as a lone cowboy walks the empty, dusty street. In Belgium they do ghost town in a different way. 

Doel is a town at the edge of the province of East Flanders, set on the left bank of the Schelde. The Schelde is the river flowing to the sea on which the harbor of Antwerp is set. The harbor of Antwerp is one of the largest and busiest harbors in the world with immense amounts of goods passing through on their way to other countries. Goods from online stores everywhere, whether from Asia or America, cross paths at this harbor. 

And that has been part of the struggle for Doel. Although the town first shows up in the 13th century, it struggles throughout history to find its place. It was first a group of islands in the middle of the river, surrounded by fens. To keep things livable polders and dikes were built around the town and area in the following centuries. This could not keep the whole area from being inundated in the 16th century, but the 17th century brought new hope and new polders. 

By the 1960’s, after the Second World War, plans were being made for expansion of the growing harbor in Antwerp. These plans meant that in 1968 no one was allowed to build anymore in Doel. This was also the beginning of the building of 4 nuclear power stations that basically surround the village. These power plants are the oldest in Belgium and started producing power in the 1970’s.

In the meantime the industry zone and expansion of the harbor meant that the little village started dying out. By 1999 people could sell their houses to the industry building the harbor and leave. In the following years the village became a ghost town. The town center still stands. Social media influencers of the urban safari type like to show the abandoned houses and emphasize the strange atmosphere. And still, in 2023 the Flemish government declared that Doel should remain a livable village.

For kings and all those in authority

Some days seem bigger than others, but all days belong to the Lord. One of the things that hit me again last year was how little we all know of what is going on in the world and how important things can be for others. Our congregation in Maastricht is quite international, so we hear of things happening all over the world. And we pray for God’s guidance and strength each and every day. 

Elections in Belgium and Netherlands can lead to changes in government. Or the government can still be struggling to form, in the case of Belgium. Wars and conflicts are taking place not only in Ukraine, but also in Syria, Sudan, and many other places. A combination of government and dangerous struggles is present in Kenya or Ecuador. And we (in Maastricht and perhaps for you as well) have family in each of these places. 

We pray for leaders in Brazil, in Iran, Syria, Sudan or the Philippines. We think about what is happening in Germany or Italy, Ecuador or Venezuela, Suriname or the United States. We are part of a body that is around the world and active in all of these places. And it is good to bring each of these places and situations before our Lord in prayer. 

It may seem repetitive or maybe useless, wondering if world leaders, kings and queens, dictators and tyrants are ever going to listen. But God - our King of kings - has asked us to pray for these leaders and situations, reminding us that He is truly in control. We are not the ones who know what is happening or what can happen (despite all the people telling us their opinions about what is going to happen). 

As “big” things are happening in the world, father and mothers are still trying to be good parents, showing their children what God looks like and what is most important in life. Neighbors are still looking for help and people still want to know more about Jesus and why He is called the Christ. Our Father is still in control of each and every moment, and we can give Him these moments every day. 

Today will influence many - not necessarily because of political changes - because God is working through each of us in all of our various places and moments. We want to live for Him and we pray for leaders and kings that we will be able to live in peace. 

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Whensday: 17th century Delft Blue

When people visit the Netherlands there are certain things they are looking to see. Many know that wooden shoes and windmills are Dutch, so they visit Kinderdijk (windmills) and go to a souvenir shop to get a pair of wooden shoes, even if they are only tiny ones for a key ring. 

But people also know that blue and white pottery is typically Dutch. Delftware, or Delft Blue, came to the Netherlands in the 16th century from Antwerp. It was originally produced in cities like Haarlem and Amsterdam, but the finely painted pieces were made in the city of Delft. This tin-glazed pottery was made to compete with the Chinese porcelain of the day. 

In the 17th century factories started using special marks to show who had made what. They started coating the whole piece in white tin glaze instead of simply the painted area. And in 1653 the “Porceleyne Fles” (the porcelain bottle) was begun. It is from this factory that Royal Delft comes. This delftware had its heyday from the mid 17th century to mid 18th century. Dinnerware was common, as were special plates and even tiles in many houses of the day. 

The paintings on the delftware ranged from typical Dutch scenes, like windmills, fishing boats or hunting scenes. When Shirley and I first visited the Netherlands on a campaign in 1981, our group of students all received a special commemorative plate in Delft Blue that we still have today. It was based on the text from 1 Corinthians 15:58 and listed three words: standvastig, onwankelbaar, overvloedig (steadfast, unmoving, overflowing). This has remained an encouragement to us throughout the years. And so the 17th century reaches all the way into the 20th and 21st century. 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.   1 Corinthians 15:58

Giving Sundays

In the congregation in Maastricht we have learned how good it is to pass on the blessings that God has given us. Every 5th Sunday we hold a special contribution for any specified needs. This is an additional contribution to our normal Sunday giving. Working up to the 5th Sunday one of the brothers asks in the congregation if there are any needs that members have noticed or have themselves. On the Sunday, members can choose to which need they will give, if there is more than one. 

In the past we have regularly given for a rehabilitation center in Ukraine which our brother Alexander knows about. We have helped with winter heating costs, running costs and, recently, relocation costs as they had to move because of the war. We have also helped with other costs in Ukraine. Knowing the people there always helps us to understand the need. 

We have helped with various projects in Africa including Bibles in Uganda, water in Uganda and Kenya, and a deaf children’s home (Sam’s Place) in Kenya. W have helped send rice into Myanmar and helped with the rebuilding of Sint Maarten. These are always done working together with our brothers and sisters in the countries themselves. And most of them are combined with sharing the word of God at the same time as assisting where needed in daily life. It is exciting to know - at least on paper and email - that we are family with brothers and sisters around the world. 

At the end of 2024 we had one more 5th Sunday. We also had news from the Philippines of a horrible accident among our brothers and sisters there. who had been sharing good news. We were thankful that we could help in some small way. It is always a challenge to see how we can send funds to these places around the world (especially with heightened security measures in more recent years), but we are thankful that it is possible. 

What this does above all is remind us all of how we are connected as the family of Christ. The more we get to know our brothers and sisters around the globe, the more we become aware of needs and are able to help, pray and know that we are one in God. This brings us even closer to one another as a family. 

And always amazes me how much is given by the family here. I do not need to mention amounts since each members has given simply as they were moved and with a joyful heart. But I am almost always moved to tears to see how graciously this small family gives of themselves. They even made us the recipients of their graciousness when we have unexpectedly had to travel to the US (or even when it was planned). We are so thankful to be working with a family that understands and shows this grace that they have been given in this wonderful family of God. 

Whatsit Wednesday: Environment station

It sounds strange in English. In the Netherlands, city neighborhoods all have their own “environment station” or street. It is called a “Milieu perron” and consists of several containers which are partially underground and partially above ground. These containers are for various sorts of trash: glass, paper, plastic-metal-drink containers, and even diapers. Every week or two a truck comes, lifts the containers out of their hole in ground, and empties them, taking their respective trash to the trash collection and sorting area in the city. 

Everyone here is used to separating their trash. In the house one already considers what kind of trash it is. Food scraps are put into a green container which is also placed on the street to be picked up regularly. Paper is usually collected in some sort of cardboard box and then either taken to the environment station or placed o the street to be picked up once a month. Even batteries and electronics can be collected at the local supermarket in special boxes. 

In Maastricht all the rest of the trash (which is called “restafval”) was put in a red and white plastic trash sack and put out on the street to be collected twice a month. You could not put your sack out until after 5pm before the day of collection. Ion 2025 the city of Maastricht is changing their rules. Suddenly, the environment station will look quite different. If it will encourage people to continue separating trash or not is a big question. 

The environment station will still have the containers, but now most of them will be for “rest”, the stuff people used to put in the red-white sacks (which they had to buy). The containers for glass and paper will remain, as will the container for diapers. But the containers for PMD (plastic-metal-drink) will be turned into containers for “rest”. And people will need to use a special card to dump their trash here. It will be weighed or measured in some way. 

In the meantime, the PMD will still need to be sorted, but this will happen in the house. All of the PMD will now go into a plastic sack (which is free at the time) and placed on the street to be collected twice a month. For some people this change simply means exchanging sacks and carrying heavier sacks to the environment station. But for older people, this may mean that they have difficulties getting their trash out. 

Some of the reasons for these changes has been that the environment stations recently (in 2024) were getting more and more messy. People would simply drop their trash sacks at the station, not separating anything. Trash was left blowing about in the wind - not placed in the containers. Officials hope that this will now stop. I will be interested to see how many sacks are now simply dumped at the environment station (because people do not want to have it weighed or do not have the money for it). 

In a small country full of people like the Netherlands, taking care of trash and the shared spaces has always been a challenge. This has become part of the national identity. It will interesting to see how this evolves in the coming year. 

Looking ahead in trust

At the end of a year, we tend to look back and see where we have come, how far we have come. At the beginning of the year we look ahead to see where we are going. Both positions can disconcerting. Did we get as far as we had hoped or expected? Where in the world are we headed? But in both places it is good to remember first to whom we belong. 

One of the most encouraging things that we can see, looking back at the past year, is that several people who were struggling with their faith have found strength in God and have returned to the family. They, too, had many moments of struggling, thinking, wondering. And in the end the love of God and the encouragement from the family in Maastricht touched their heart and gave them courage to return. We look forward to seeing them grow in the coming year and becoming part of the encouragement that God brings through this family. 

Although we never know how God is working in people's hearts, we always pray that God will bring the people we are talking to and meeting with to Him and His salvation. Some of our conversations in the past year were very difficult and disappointing. We are all struggling with being the people we believe God desires and following His Word as truth in our lives. But this is not always easy. These types ion conversations will continue in the coming year, but we are thankful that we are still talking. 

In this new year we already have several new people who have shown and stated their desire to know more about life in Christ. We are looking forward to the ways that God will use us and them to help us all to grow in faith and love. We would love to know you are praying for us and all the people with whom we speak this year. We want to present the good news as it should be presented, having courage to speak when we should. 

As usual, we look forward to plenty of activities in this coming year, including several that will be organized by the congregation in Maastricht. In just a few weeks I will be at the annual meeting of the camp board. This summer Shirley and I will be directing a week of camp (the oldest youth, 15-20 year-olds). In May the congregation will organize another youth day and somewhere along the way we are looking at organizing a singing workshop again (we haven’t organized one of these since before Corona days). 

Most importantly, we know that whatever we are doing we can only do with the strength of God in our lives. We want to keep a focus on Him in all that we do. The congregation will be working through the gospels in the first 4 months of the year (thanks to our supporting congregation at Woodbury). Several of the young families are looking forward to the opportunity to do this with their kids as well. We all want to know that no matter what comes at us in this year, we are walking in the light with the One and Only King of kings. 

(a group went to see a movie together at the beginning of the year; 4 are not pictured)

Whodunit Wednesday: Who am I?

The past few years Shirley has been working on discovery her ancestry. This began with looking for her older sister whom she had only really met once in her life. We found her online, but too late for Shirley to ever talk to her. In the meantime, Shirley has discovered even more about her mother’s side of the family (they go all the way back to the Salem witch trials), the family of her previously unknown sister’s daughter, and some cousins from her father’s side. 

I know that my father in the past had a genealogy done, although he has never seen it. I also remembers several conversations with my mom about her ancestry. I know that I comes from a lot of German and Prussian background. But might there be some other interesting discoveries? When we named Stephan, we became aware for the first time that there was another - much better known - Stefan (with an “f” instead of “ph”) Raab. Could there be actual links somewhere? 

As a matter of fact, I know that there are other Raabs that we are not related to. Back when we used to send actual paper newsletter and the beginning of email newsletters, I received messages strongly asking me to stop sending emails to someone who had the Raab name but was not related. And if you google my name, you will most likely first come up with a well-known journalist - who is not related. 

Last night we spent time with a young couple from the church, sharing stories about our lives and looking at pictures. We saw their “old” pictures (they are just 20 and 21 years old) and then we looked at pictures when we were younger. The usual exclamation was, “That’s you?!” Looking at a picture and then at the real person, you recognize some of the characteristics, even if the hair has changed. 

But are we simply our DNA? Is that who we are? Of course our genes have influenced us, just as the environments we grew up in. But is that the totality of who we are? Ever since becoming a Christian I have seen those elements as the building blocks that God has used throughout my life to make me who I am. I am a child of the King. I am a sinner who has been and is being made holy, day by day. Can you imagine someone being holy? That’s me. I am a saint. Not that I do everything right, of course. But God sees who I am and who He is making me to be, every new day that He gives. 

Who are you? 

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.  Ephesians 2:19-22