Challenges and blessings in 2025

Many people send out a year-end letter to catch everyone up on what has happened in the past year. I thought I would take a little space to round up some highlights of this year. It has also reminded me of the various blessings and challenges we have had. 

Singing

Much of our work and fellowship has to do with singing and this year was no different. Every first Friday of the month we get together with members from the church in Maastricht to learn new songs and encourage one another. We also travel to Eindhoven every third Wednesday evening to do the same with that congregation. Although we do not make it every month, we enjoy the months that we do get to share with that church family. 

This year we also traveled to Cologne for a singing day with the congregation there. Throughout the year we recorded songs for the YouTube channel as well. This is a wonderful way for the singers from various congregations to help others throughout the Dutch-speaking churches. You can hear the results on the YouTube channel - which includes the songs that Luk Brazle also records. 

New this year was our working with the congregation in Haarlem which decided to put together new song books and learn to sing better as a congregation. So we have traveled the 2.5 hours there about once a month this Fall. We are looking forward to continuing this relationship in the coming months. 

Studying, young people and Bible camp

We take time every week for approximately 7 Bible studies with various people and groups. Some of the studies are with the congregation, some with those who are growing in faith or learning about faith. Along with the studies have come some planned youth activities, including a youth day again organized by the congregation in Maastricht. It is exciting to see this kind of growth in sharing faith, knowledge and grace. 

As with all of the years we have been working here, we also spent time with Ardennes Bible Camp. This included a special training day for new camp leaders, planning meetings with new possible board members and of course the weeks of Summer camp. This year we directed the oldest youth (15 years and older) as well as helping with the teens during Family camp. 

You can find pictures of camp here or on the camp website (www.bijbelkamp.eu)

Comings and goings

This has also been a year of change. Several of the people whom I have been helping and visiting passed away. Some of these were expected, others quite unexpected. Monthly visits to the prison in Antwerp and to a mental health facility nearby both ended near the end of the year. We also said goodbye to two faithful sisters who we will see again when we get Home. 

We said 'au revoir' to several of our members who moved on to other areas. Our American families have either been stationed back to the US or are almost on their way. This has changed the make-up of the congregation in Maastricht a bit, since we do not need to translate as often or as much. At the same time, we have had some new people move in and we are looking forward to what this will mean for the congregation in the coming year. 

New life

We welcomed three new brothers to the church in Maastricht this year as well. Isaak is young, but understands how important and beautiful life is with Jesus Christ. His 12 years of life are quite different from Jef, who is in his 60’s. But both of them have made the choice not only to give their lives to Christ, but to allow the Holy Spirit to change them as they grow in faith. (Photo is of Jef's baptism in the Spring). Most recently we also welcomed Kristof to the family of Christ. He is a colleague of our brother, Danny. 

We are so thankful for the blessings that God has brought us this year, along with the challenges. Every new day is a good day, bringing new things to learn and new people into our lives. Thank you for being part of this journey and work as well. Your faithfulness, your prayers, your example and help are a blessing to the church here and to God’s kingdom.