Camp conversations and challenges

We are in the middle of Bible camp season. Shirley and I started at Jongerenkamp (the 15-20 year-olds) and took the following week to recover at home. In that week the Benjamins (8-11 year-olds) were down at camp, enjoying a lot more rain that we had had. This week the teens (12-14 year-olds) are down at camp and next week the Families will arrive. IN that week I will go down each day and help with the teen lessons. We enjoy the various weeks that we get to help with these times of growth. 

Each week is different and unique every year. This year was the first time since before corona time that Shirley and I did the older young people. We had 24 campers and it was an amazing week. The questions that come from this group are very different than those which come from a Benjamin. And the conversations during the day are much deeper (and last much longer. It is always exciting to see how everyone at any of these camp weeks has multiple amazing opportunities to grow spiritually. 

During our week there were lots of conversations going on about the week’s theme (our identity in Christ) as well as challenges in daily life. We had all sorts of singing time with this group that loved singing and wanted to learn more. And our counselors - who were barely older than the campers themselves - could easily get a group together for an activity. The group mixed well and the young people even ran out for a game of soccer in the rain. 

We were thankful to have good friends from the past working with us that week as well. Rudy and Pam Schellekens joined us from Muscatine, Iowa after already having done good work at Midwest Bible Camp. Rudy taught the lessons and Pam helped in the kitchen. The kitchen team was a bundle of laughing, giggling girls at times and an efficient team for the group of hungry teens sat at every meal. Rudy sat patiently and fielded questions about the lessons and life all through the week, discussing patiently Greek words and their meanings as well as implications for our daily lives. 

Next week I look forward to dropping down to camp to help out and experience the group during Family Camp. We are blessed to live fairly close (an hour’s drive) and I can just drive down for the lessons and a bit of the afternoon. I will help out with the teens during the second lesson as we look at the Minor Prophets. I am also looking forward to the conversations I will be able to have with people I only see during this week of the year. 

In the meantime we are praying for the young people that were at our camp week, the young ones who attended the week after and for the teens experiencing camp this week. We are especially praying for the counselors - several of whom were campers at our week and counselors at the Benjamin week as well. Thank you for your prayers for these moments and for so many of you who also take part in camps and activities in your area. 

Working hard together

This past weekend was our annual weekend to get Ardennen Bijbelkamp ready for the summer camp weeks. It is always held during the Ascension Day weekend. Ascension Day is always on a Thursday (because Easter is always on a Sunday). It is a formal holiday in Belgium and all stores are closed. In the Netherlands it is like a bank holiday. Most businesses then also tack on the Friday to make for an extra long weekend. 

This is a perfect weekend to get everyone down at camp to help clean and fix everything that needs cleaning and fixing. Lots of mowing, pruning, cleaning, weed pulling and sorting are done to get the grounds and the buildings ready. This is also the time to do any large projects that are especially needed. This year we were working on dealing with water. 

At the end of the driveway we used a work camp several years ago to build a system to take the water that runs down the driveway off under our parking lot to the creek. (see pictures here) But the roster at the end of the drive has seen better days, so we needed to renew it. And since we were getting that fixed, it was also decided to put a water catch in the "new" parking so that extra water would have a way of draining into our field - but underground. 

I always enjoy the few days getting down to camp and working. It is also a great time to see people we don’t get to see very often and have some good conversations. Since we live fairly close by (55 minutes), I can drive down and be back home to sleep. I went down for two days and was able to offer my car and trailer to get materials and take junk to the container park. 

This year I will be directing the oldest age camp week (15+ years-old). Rudy and Pam Schellekens from Muscatine will be coming to help (Rudy is a Dutchman and will be giving the lessons). We are thankful that there is always such a great group of people willing to get camp ready for the various weeks that it is used. 

The pictures of the work camp can be found here. (Photos also thanks to Luk and Anneleen)

(Group photo above thanks to Luk Brazle. I am the crazy one with the machete.)

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?)

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? 

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)

Planning for the future

Ardennen Bijbelkamp (Ardennes Bible Camp in English or ABK for short) has been active in Belgium and the Netherlands since 1965 when a group of brothers and sisters bought land in the village of Solwaster, n9t far from the tourist town of Spa, Belgium. In all those years dedicated brothers and sisters have made good use of the location and the ever increasing facilities to spread the gospel, train up young men and women and have a place of growth for the churches in both countries.

My first contact with the camp was in 1981 when we first visited during a campaign from York College. In the two years I worked as an apprentice for evangelist Jim Krumrei (1982-1984) I helped as a counselor, teacher and organizer of camp activities. When we returned to Belgium and the Netherlands (in 1991) we jumped right into working with every opportunity we could at camp, including Fall camps, summer camps or maintenance of the grounds and buildings.
At some point I also stepped into a role helping design curriculum and then into a position on the board. ABK is an association set up with the various congregations in the Netherlands and Belgium. The association, with members and a board, helps to run the camp administratively and meets every year for a formal meeting in January. This year was no different except that we had a change in the board. This is a big thing, because the board has been the same for quite some time.
The president of the board is my colleague, Ruud Verheijen. He has noticed his health causing him some problems the last years and, looking to the future, knew that it was time to pass the baton. So he stepped down and we welcomed a new board member this past weekend. Robin Huyghebaert has been active in camp activities since he was 16 when he planned the first Winter Kamp. He also keeps up the website and directs camp regularly.
At this formal meeting (which is held in an informal manner, as you can see in the picture), we looked at how things went in 2023 and looked ahead to 2024 and further. We discussed one of the difficult decisions we have had to make in raising prices. Camp has always been focused on making sure that all can attend, and thankfully we can still do just that - even while raising prices.
It was exciting to have several of our young people at the meeting who are also very active in camp and youth activities. There is a dedicated group of brothers and sisters throughout the congregations who remain interested and active in ABK. This year we look forward to the normal camp weeks (3 youth weeks and a family week) as well as 2 VBK weeks (for 8-14 year-olds) in the Spring and Fall, a normal Fall weekend and hopefully a new camp week for 20+.
We are also looking at some major changes in the facilities as one of the first actual buildings will be demolished and replaced by a better building which will house new bathrooms and rooms for the team members who come to help run a week at camp. Although the renovations will not begin this summer, we hope that they will be finished by next summer’s camp weeks.
Camp remains an important part of mentoring, training, encouraging and teaching young people and all members of the congregations in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the beginning years it was also used extensively by the French-speaking churches. We continue to pray that this will return. In the meantime we are thankful that the French-speaking churches are still able to attend the Family Day organized every September. This year the congregation in Maastricht is organizing this special day at camp.
What are some of your memories of Bible camp? What place did Bible camp take in your spiritual formation? 

Interested in photos from camp? Look here. (Choose a year to look at and click the green button. Check out 1983 for fun.)

Ardennen Bijbelkamp

We love Bible camp. Ardennen Bijbelkamp has been a tool for the churches since 1965 and continunes to be a place where faith is grown. The camp is owned by a non-profit organization made up of the various congregations in Belgium and the Netherlands called ‘The Sentinel’s of the Faith’. And it is wonderful to see how this place can touch so many hearts and lives. 

At the end of this month we will hold our annual meeting where we talk about what was done in 2022 and look forward to what is planned for 2023. As I look back om this past year I am thankful for the place, for the possibilities and for the people who make it all possible. Many of you reading this will also have had a part in this effort. Some have visited, helped counsel, helped build, offered financial support or attended as a camper. 

In 2022 it was exciting to see things getting back to normal and even expanding. For years we have been increasing the use of camp. Not only do we organize the summer weeks, but there are various other groups that use camp, including fathers with their kids, mothers with their kids, churches on retreat and families from church getting together. In the last three years camp has been used more than 30 times in the year, compared to around 25 times a year in the 5 years before that. 

This past year was the first time in a while that we as a congregation from Maastricht had been able to plan a day. It was a great opportunity to get to know one another better as we have grown a bit this year and welcomed several new members. Camp always gives good opportunities to talk. A long walk through the woods, playing games and singing together make for great fellowship. 

The reason we put so much effort into camp is that it is a place for fellowship, increasing opportunities for churches to work together. Each camp week in the summer is a combination of members from around Belgium and the Netherlands. But camp is also a place to help members learn to lead and serve. Young people come to be counselors and are made aware of how important their example is to the kids they help. Teachers, camp directors, cooks all see how teamwork is essential, useful and fun. These lessons are plugged in again in the local congregations. 

We look forward to this coming year and how God will use members and this facility for growing faith in many. We will be leading Teen Camp when we get back from our trip to the US. We also look to get down to camp again with the congregation in Maastricht as well as attend Family Camp and the Family Day in September. Thank you for your help along the way. Maybe we will see you again at camp sometime soon? 

Interested in seeing some more pictures? You can find a photo album at the camp website (as well as a neat flyover: www.bijbelkamp.eu). You can also see plenty of our moments at camp at our photo site. 

Kamp around the klok

July and August are the months for our summer Bible camp weeks. As mentioned in previous months, Shirley and Scott help out with many of the camp weeks. This year Shirley cooked at the Benjamin week (8-11 year-olds) while Scott was camp leader at the same week as well as camp leader and teacher at the Teen week. (12-14 year-olds). This current week, they are both commuting back and forth to camp (we only live about 50 minutes away) for Family Camp week where Scott is also helping with some of the teen lessons. 

The Benjamin camp week this year was extremely full for our standards, which is great! We had 28 campers, including 4 Ukrainian kids and a Ukrainian/Belgian camper. Most of the campers in this week were girls, but the guys certainly made their presence known. Our colleague, Karla Verheijen, and Lucinda Vrieze from Eindhoven did a wonderful job with the lessons, splitting the group up into younger and older campers. 

If you had a kid at camp, ask them the question that was asked in the week: Who is God? Ask about the cake, about the days of the creation, about how special God considers each one of us. If you would like to see pictures from the week, just click here. 

The Teen week “only” had 22 campers, but was equally divided between girls and boys. We once again had 3 Ukrainians and a young Russian-speaking teen who helped some with the translating. Lessona and communication was a challenge at the beginning of the week, but by the end, the kids had figured out how to make things clear. Games and food always help things along. During this week we looked at the law of Moses and asked the question: “What does God actually want?” 

If you had a camper at this week, test them to see which of the ten commandments they know. Ask them as well about what God really wants. You can find pictures of the week here. 

Scott needed a break and some good sleep, so he and Shirley are sleeping at home each evening after a day of Family camp. But it is so good to see some new faces at camp as well as some well-known faces and kids growing up. How wonderful it is to see how God can use these weeks to touch hearts and minds and to bring people to a full walk in His light. 

Summer blessings and challenges

See what great love the Father has lavished on use, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason that the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made know. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.  1 John 3:1-3

As with most of you, we have met the summer with various feelings. After an early very warm spell in May, followed by quite a cool and wet season, the weather finally turned more summer-like and with it came thoughts of laughter and fun and all the things that come with summer. But these have of course been tempered by corona realities. 

We were so very thankful that our summer camp weeks, starting halfway through July, would be able to continue. The Belgian government considered groups of 50 a doable scenario when it came to keeping an eye on who might get sick among young people. This meant that our three weeks of camp - for 15+, Benjamins (8-11 years-old) and Teens (12-14 years-old) would still take place, albeit with some changes. 

Looking back on those weeks, we are so thankful for what God is able to do in whatever circumstances. Our youth week was a very valuable time for the older youth who seldom see each other (certainly now) and have little opportunity to discuss the burning questions they are struggling with in their faith. Camp has provided a well-needed oasis where they could broach topics in an atmosphere of understanding and real conversation. 

The following week saw more than 25 young campers make good use of our camp facilities. Many are new families sending their kids for the first time to camp. Imagine the trust that this shows in these covid times! I was impressed with the parents and so thankful for the people working to have a great week of learning and growing in faith with these kids. It is exciting to see how God touches so many lives through so many people. 

The first week of August was Teen week. By then the Belgian government had pulled back on some of the rules that had earlier been loosened, but they still allowed the youth camps. Our camp commission met and decided to cancel our Family Week at camp, which would follow the teen week. This is the first time we have ever had to make such a decision, but we felt it was the best decision for our families. 

Teen camp this year saw 15 campers show up to camp to learn about Joshua and Judges and to grow in faith while having a great time with friends they may only see once a year. Actually this year saw several new friendships made as well. I was cam-leader in name, but was also training two assistent camp leaders. In addition I was the teacher for the week, guiding discussions on the challenging lessons from Joshua’s life and from the ups-and-downs of Judges. 

It was interesting to hear some of the conversations and see the struggles with some of the topics. We had two muslim boys (of the 12 boys and 3 girls) which made for even more interesting conversation. The main point of choosing to be real with following God, being courageous and staying true to God as He desires is something that we all need to hear each and every day. God’s message to Joshua is no different than Jesus’ message to us as His followers: Be strong and courageous, for I am with you. Go into all the world and make disciples and see, I am with you. 

You can see some of our pictures from Teen Camp here. 

That courage and strength is something we all need, every day, even in the very little things. The Sunday after camp we met as a congregation online once again because we had a few members who at that moment were uncertain. Tests returned negative and we are able to meet in person again this Sunday. But each day reminds us of the realities of the world in which we live and how we always need the strength and grace of our loving Father to make it through each day. 

ON THE FAMILY SIDE…

We were also blessed in these months with a visit from Sean and Jill. They were able to send a month in Belgium, seeing friends and family and especially getting time to say goodbye to Jill’s grandmother who passed away while they were here. To say that being able to hold a funeral is a blessing seems strange, but in these times it is true. We had prayed that Jill would be able to have time to see her grandma and truly say goodbye. 

We were so thankful that we also had time to sit and talk, to walk together (even to go on a bike ride once) with Sean. The day Scott returned from camp we also got to see Sean and Jill in Brussels for a last visit before they headed back to New York the following day. We are always so thankful for every little moment that we get to see our kids in person, to hold them. We are also thankful for the digital blessing of talking over long distances (we come from the generation of airmail letters to one another). We get to talk to Stephan almost every week as well. But it is always good to be able to see one another and hold tight for just a little bit. 

It is amazing to me how much this hit me this summer. We are separated, unable to meet as we would wish - even in the same city. And to be honest, this is our reality in this world as well. As children of God, followers of Christ, we know that this world is not our home. We know that there are those who have gone before us who we cannot at this time hold on to. But we WILL see one another - as we are. And we look forward to that time. And in the meantime, we make the most of every moment together, thankful for the hope and promise in God who is always with us. 

What does love look like?

The past month has seen us preparing for and enjoying our weeks at Bible Camp. We are so thankful that we get these kinds of opportunities to encourage and be encouraged by people at camp. It is our fervent desire that these moments bring young people closer to Jesus, encourage brothers and sisters to see how God can and is using them in His kingdom, and enjoy the challenges that God brings us to help us grow in faith as well. 

At the end of July Scott directed a week of Teen Camp with the 12-14 year-olds. What an amazing age, with young people who are wanting to change the world and who are willing to see and accept the challenge that God gives them in changing the world. Our theme was “Living Upside Down” and we talked about being willing to swim against the stream, being willing to stand up for what is right. 

What always amazes and encourages me is how God presents immediate opportunities to put all of the lessons we are learning into practice. Not only did we have a few campers who are not believers, but we had to struggle with what it means to differ in opinions and still try to love one another and get along together. Of course the setting always helps – the fantastically beautiful nature, getting to work together at ‘kp’ (kitchen duty), playing sports and games together. And struggle is good. 

The following we were both down at camp for Family camp – Scott directing and Shirley directing the kitchen. I am always thankful to be back together as a team – I depend immensely on Shirley’s ability to run a kitchen well and very efficiently. But we are also then able to share our thoughts, feelings and prayers at the end of the day – preparing for the next day. 

This week was centered on prayer, and it was the question from our young brother in Christ, Mathias van Ginneken that stuck with me from his lesson on the Lord’s prayer (“Our Father” in Matthew 6:9-13): What does love look like? He pointed out that in this prayer – the most important thing Jesus teaches his followers concerning prayer – Jesus mentions forgiveness as the most important thing we do (it is about ‘us’, not ‘me’). After the Lord’s prayer (verse 14 and 15) he reiterates this essential element: forgiveness. That is what love looks like. 

This struck me because we were blessed with families in this week who were so grateful to be away from struggle, away from angry neighbors or strident ex-partners fighting for kids, or difficult relationships with family members. Here at camp, although no one is perfect, we work together, we share, we encourage one another. It was like another world. And isn't that exactly what God intends? 

It has stuck with me since that week. God’s greatest show of love is in forgiving us. That is what Jesus came to do and what he modeled for us as well. It is the hardest thing we will have to deal with in our lives – nigh on impossible. And yet God asks us to do the impossible – with His strength and might. He makes the impossible possible. 

So as we head into September and many more activities and wonderful discussions and studies, we hold on to that thought: What does love look like? It looks like us forgiving one another, striving to live together. What a blessing! 

Head on over to our pictures and taste a bit of what the weeks were like. You can see Teen Camp here. You can see Family Camp here. Thank you for your encouragement and desire to live for Him every day!

Seasons

Seasons come and seasons go, we move from one set of challenges to the next. As we transitioned into the Fall season, I realized I had not taken the time to look at the summer that flashed by.

As July started we as a church planned a youth weekend. Although most of our kids could not attend, we had some of the kids from the Catholic group come over for a great although dreary-weathered day. The misty rain simply added a veil of mystery and excitement to our discovery. It was great to have Mario and Tonia there to help and experience the day.

Our biggest task in the summer is Ardennen Bijbelkamp. This year Scott taught for a day at Jongerenkamp (15+) and then spent two weeks directing the following camps. Shirley joined him during Benjaminkamp (8-11 year-olds) to help with two kids needing special attention. This was also a week to train two young people who came for the first time as counselors.

The following week saw Scott directing, Shirley in the kitchen and a new team being trained, from assistent director to teacher. Once again we were impressed with how much God can do in young hearts (and older) no matter what the weather or situation – if we are willing to let Him work in us.

Most of the summer was filled with grey days and muddy games outside, but the word of God was still a challenge each day. Who is God? And where do we find Him? At Benjaminkamp one of our campers was a young muslim girl. During Tienerkamp it was encouraging to see how the lessons on the law of Moses were made practical and led into clear discussions about salvation and the gospel. 

After two full weeks of camp, you might think that we’d had enough, but Family Camp is always last in the summer and Scott didn’t want to miss anything there. Challenging, lesser-known stories from the Old Testament gave us good food for thought and conversation. The week ended, as always, with Family Day. But this is one of the things that will soon be changing.

Scott is one of the members of the board for camp and plans the evaluation meeting each Fall. But we also live the closest to camp, so if something needs to be done, we are often the ones who are able to do it. Scott went down on a Monday to make sure that the trash sacks that had accumulated during the summer were finally picked up. Later in the month, those who had directed and taken part in camp met to evaluate and plan for the next year. And there are plenty of changes coming up.

In the meantime, September had arrived and we moved into the next season of our work. But that is for the next time. As the leaves are falling and the temperatures cooling, we look back with contentment at what was done in the summer months and look forward to all the activities waiting.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Colossians 4:2-3

Do you want to see more photo's? Check out the albums here. 

Choosing to grow

We spent this past weekend down in the Ardennes at Fall Camp. About 20 years ago this was a weekend for families and the youth. Then we focused more on the youth. Now, the last two years, we have put the two back together again. It is a challenge to meld activities for parents with kids, little kids, young teens and older teens – but it is worth it.

For years we have been telling our young people the truth of what it means to follow Jesus. And they have been listening. They want to follow, they want to do what is right. When we all get together, it gives us all the opportunity to really put that into practice – and that is what we need! How can I follow if I don’t have any examples? How can I follow if I am not challenged with difficult options (for example: help someone, or go play)?

At our camps, we always have ‘corvee’ (pronounced: core-fay) or kp-duty (kitchen police – washing up after a meal). Everyone signs up for a turn at corvee and sometimes the camp director has to ‘volunteer’ folks for their chance. Not this group. The young people were some of the first ones signed up. They came to me throughout the week to ask: What can I do to help?

Of course it is also nice to be able to get away with your friends and talk about things that interest you. I enjoyed seeing this group encouraging one another. Besides the talk of music, movies, sports and school, there were discussions about struggles, about fasting and praying, about how better to encourage one another. Some of the young people were the example for me, rather than the other way around.

It was only last year that Gijs gave his life to Christ. In the meantime, he has looked at how better to focus his life on this Jesus whom he is following. What things are most important? How to combine work with faith? How to be more active in the local body of Christ? It is exciting to see!

One of the walks this week was to a rock. I tell people when we get there: That is where we are going (looking up to the top of this rock). Some groan. Some want to start clambering up the rock right away. But there is a path – a winding, climbing path. You have to keep climbing. Along the way, you can look down and see how far you have come so far. Once up top, you can gaze below and wonder at how high you have climbed! And then you can turn around and continue up the path – even higher and further.

Perseverance, continuing, looking ahead and up, staying focused, enjoying the journey along the way – this is what I see on weekends like these. It is so good to be part of the family of God and be able to share this, not only with mature brothers and sisters, but also with those who are becoming mature and those who are still looking for the Way. 

The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 (remember to at least read the whole chapter)

The tie that binds

There are all sorts of reasons to get together. The last weekend of April saw me in Switzerland with people from all over Europe. We were kicking around a ball in a gym and trying to make conversation in whatever language (or parts of) that we could muster. But Remco Dijkstra hit the nail on the head on Sunday morning when he pointed out that the real reason we were there was because we understood the value that God had given us.

We are so valuable to God that He was willing to leave everything and die for us. He was willing to die for people who didn’t even know Him and certainly did not want Him in their lives (at that time). And because He considered us so valuable, we consider each other to be so valuable. We drive hundreds of kilometers, put up with sleeping on a gym floor (or trying to sleep as well as one can through some super snoring) and sore muscles, struggle to make ourselves understood in various languages because we know that we are Family.

Some haven’t been added to the Family yet. It was exciting to hear a story of new life from one of the young men from Marseille. And it was great to see people praying for one another, taking care of one another even in competition. Because it is about how much we are worth, not how well we play (although it was awfully nice to see Geneva and Paris fight it out in the final). You can find more photo's by clicking on the photo above or going here. 

A weekend later and I was down at Ardennen Bijbelkamp where, once again, a wonderful patchwork of folks had gathered to get dirty and sweaty. This time everyone was from all around Belgium and the Netherlands and we were fixing up camp, getting things ready for the summer. But it was all for the same reason – we understand how valuable we are to God and therefore to one another. We are Family.

We got a whole lot done because everyone was willing to chip in wherever they could. The funds that were needed showed up, the people who showed up were needed in all sorts of jobs, and we all had a great time together. Mowing, weeding, cleaning, building, digging, cooking, assembling. Camp is from all of us (and many of you who also helped out with the funds and encouragement). There are more pictures of this work camp by others here and on Facebook. 

A weekend later and we were walking around Maastricht with Stephan’s in-laws - Natalie’s parents and sister - who took the time in their quick visit to Europe to check out Belgium and environs - and spend time with us! We enjoyed good food – Belgian chocolate, waffles and much more – and good conversation. We celebrated our life in Christ together on Sunday morning and friendships on Sunday evening.

In another week we will be in Minnesota and soon in various other places in the US. We will be visiting family and Family all over. It is so good to know and experience how valuable YOU are. We are so thankful for the love of the Father who has taught us what it is to truly love and be loved!

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.  Colossians 1:3-6