Where oh Where Wednesday: Grotten van Remouchamp

Every summer we organize summer Bible camp weeks for various ages. There is a Youth group for those aged 15 and above, a Benjamins group for 8-11 year-olds, a Teen group for the 12-14 year-olds and a Family camp for all ages and any who want to come. In addition we have been trying for years to get a Young Adults group started and the various congregations use camp for retreats and more. We have expanded in the last years to include a Vacation Bible Camp twice a year as well as a Fall Camp (during the Fall break for Belgian schools) and a Winter Camp at the end of the year for the older youth. The camp weeks will begin in July. 

During the normal summer weeks the camp leaders of the different weeks try to find activities that fit the group and the budget. We have always tried to make sure that coming to camp is well within everyone’s budget. At the same time, we want to make it a fun time learning about God, getting to make new friends and seeing old friends, and experiencing God’s nature. Camp is situated in a wonderful area to the Ardennes. I have talked about that before on this blog. 

There are all sorts of activities in the area, including mountain biking, a waterfall, a dam with an amazing huge statue, castles, ancient European cities and ruins, the highest point in Belgium, an old mine with a tour, and lots of walks through all sorts of nature. One of the interesting outings that we do with the camp weeks is to the caves of Remouchamp.

These caves were first discovered in 1828 and have been a tourist attraction since 1912. When we take a group there, we are taken on a tour around the cave in two parts: the first part is done on foot and includes a visit to a huge cathedral like area. The whole walk and area is full of stalactites and stalagmites. As you continue the tour, you climb into a boat and fare the Rubicon river through the rest of the cave system. The site of the caves declares that this is the longest underground river in the world. 

It is an exciting visit and gives plenty to talk about, including how such formations come to be and how this fits with God’s creation. 

Where Oh Where Wednesday: Redu

Years ago, when Stephan was a baby, we visited our friends who lived in Nottingham, England and together we traveled to Hay-on-Wye. This is a beautiful little village that has basically been turned into an antique book store. The whole village is full of houses which sell antique and second-hand books. We still have a copy of “Pilgrim’s Progress” which our friends purchased as a gift for us. 

Years later I read that there was the same kind of set-up in Belgium. We visited the town of Redu with my best friend when he came to visit. Most of the books are in French, of course, since Redu is in the French-speaking region of Belgium. Still, it is a beautiful, picturesque village - even if you don’t care about books. There are places to sit and drink a coffee or enjoy a pastry and the surrounding area is also beautiful. If you are not into books, the Euro Space center is just down the road. 

We have not been back to Redu in many years and I have always wondered if it is still the same. The landscape of books and reading has, after all, changed dramatically. These days we have e-readers and audio books. Do people still purchase second-hand books. I imagine that the market for antique books has remained the same, but what about books that are simply old? 

We still love the smell of books. We both still read real books (as opposed to e-books or audio books). We know plenty of people who fully enjoy their e-books and our son (who was present in Hay-on-Wye at that first acquaintance with this place) listens regularly to audio books. What do you do? If you are looking for a nice holiday destination and you are a book lover, consider either Hay-on-Wye (Wales) or Redu, Belgium. 

Where oh where Wednesday - Francorchamps

This Sunday the roar of Formula 1 cars will pierce the air around where our Bible camp is located. Spa-Francorchamps, where the Belgian Grand Prix is held, is about 30 minutes away from camp in Solwaster. So this weekend the Dutch driver, Max Verstappen, as well as all the rest of the F1 coterie will be present to chase their cars around this winding track in the “mountains” of Belgium. 

The first time went down to camp, back in the 80’s when I was first in the country as a trainee, one could actually drive on a part of the race track. I can even remember driving the track myself shortly after we first arrived as a couple in 1991. But it wasn’t long after that the track was closed to public driving and a route was made going around the track. 

Back at our camp we not only hear the roar of the F1 race in August, but at other times we can watch all sorts of oldtimers race right along the road which passes our camp. There is an oldtimers race every year passing through the small village of Solwaster. Any other time, we simply hear the roar of motorcycles who like to hit the hill near our camp. Or we hear the tractor of the local dairy farm pulling the feed wagon up to the lowing cows in the fields. Any other time, we simply enjoy the peace of the countryside.