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. 

Study and fellowship

Some of you may have noticed that we missed “Whensday” this past Wednesday. That is because I was off in Germany for a week of Bible studies at ABSS or Advanced Bible Study Series. This study week began about 50 years ago in the Belgian city of Verviers, not far from where we hold our Bible camps. A French-speaking church meets in Verviers. 

When the study week moved its locations to Germany after a few years, calling it by its original name of “Concentration” didn’t quite fit in a German context. So it was changed to the current Advanced Bible Study Series or ABSS. It remained a week of deeper Bible studies meant to help European Christians deepen their knowledge and faith and also serving as a great networking time. 

When I was an apprentice living and working with Jim Krumrei in Haarlem, the Netherlands in the early 80’s, I spent my first two times down at this study week in 1983 and 1984. It was a time to see other apprentices in Europe, get some good biblical training and even get some snow (that came much more easily to Germany than to Belgium). 

Since then, we have tried to make it in February. Shirley of course had to skip a few years as the boys were growing up (although they also came with us some of the time). After the boys left home we still had a dog. This year was the first real time that Shirley could have come along, but the week was also planned just a week away from the Ladies Retreat, which is also in Germany and organized by various congregations in Europe. This year the Ladies Retreat is being organized by the ladies from Switzerland. 

ABSS brings teachers together from around Europe and always includes at least one from the US. Although the lessons at first glance may not seem to be organized together, they all seem to work well together. This year was no different. We heard from a teacher from Marseilles about the gospel and the Romans, the kingship of Jesus. We heard from a Scottish brother working in Birmingham, England about the signs surrounding the death of Jesus on the cross. The main lessons on Galatians came from a brother from Alabama while a brother from Canada taught us online in the evenings about the Holy Spirit. 

In addition to all of this it was good to have some lessons from Gijs Bardoel who is now working with the church in Antwerp and whose mother meets with us in Maastricht. It has been good to see how Gijs has grown in faith and continues to desire to reach out in faith to all those around him. 

We had participants of several different nationalities, including Dutch, Belgian, German, Swiss, French, Ukrainian, English, Scottish and American, as well as various mixtures. The lessons are always in English, but we all try to help one another in understanding. The Thursday evening follies (“talent” show) is presented in the universal language of laughter. Paul Brazle, who has organized the event for the last 30 years or so, joins me in writing a song based on the teachers for the week to close out the talent show. 

Last week Shirley had to make do without me in the house. This week (from Thursday to Sunday) I will have to make do without her in the house as she goes to the Ladies Retreat with three other ladies from Maastricht. We are thankful for these times of learning, teaching and growth in faith. Pray for all who attend and for those organizing. 

(picture is from a few years back)

Working out

As I have mentioned here before, we have quite an international group now in Maastricht. This means that our worship time is translated from Dutch to English and vice-versa. But several of the young people, students and young professionals, wanted to organize a weekly time together to dig into the word of God together and invite their friends. This would be in English. 

So we have been able to meet the past month with these young people and have been looking into Paul’s letter to the young man, Timothy (1 Timothy). It has been exciting to see the desire of these young people to not only walk with God in their lives, trying to be good students, good colleagues and choosing to do what is right, but also to see their desire to learn from God’s word. 

1 Timothy has presented us with various examples of what they are experiencing in their daily lives as well. What do you do when you have a problem with a manager? How do you make things right when you have said something wrong? Which things are most important to speak about and how can we do that? How can we be an example? 

We are thankful for these young men and women and look forward to the coming weeks as well. As with many young people and professionals, it is not always easy to find a time to get together. But they struggle with that and find time. We are encouraged by their example. 

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.  1 Timothy 4:8-9

Life and death and Life

What does it mean to live? In this past year many questioned whether they were really living, whether it was worth it. In the church, where we know and can find true Life - in Christ - we had to struggle with how to retain life in the midst of what seemed like death. When people cannot sing together, when we cannot see one another, when we often cannot even be outside, then a cold, dark inside feels like death. 

So we struggled and we have seen life where we didn’t expect it. We are thankful for the way that Jesus Christ has arisen - out of the grave - in the lives and hearts of the members in Maastricht. Our Bible studies have blossomed and included more people than ever. Members have taken the opportunity to contact each other in other ways, knowing that meeting together was not possible. And when we could finally meet together mid-April, we thrilled at the time, spending Sunday mornings together well past the midday hour. 

In addition we have seen new life growing. Our weekly study with G has been an amazing journey. She grew up in a culturally Christian home, but never made any kind of choice for Jesus as Lord. It was her Iranian friend who awakened her to the death she was walking in. They were both baptized and G looked for a family, finding us in Maastricht. Now each week we spend time together getting to know Jesus. Shirley and Scott are thrilled to see her grow in faith. 

Sometimes death gives opportunities. Scott began reading the Bible years ago with R. This turned into a relationship where Scott cares for R, even now as R has gone to a nursing home to wait out his days on earth. R. Has asked Scott to be the one to celebrate R’s life when he passes. IN the meantime, Scott has gotten to know R’s family and M’s family. M is his girlfriend who has also asked Scott to care for her end of life. So, in looking to what death brings, Scott has made new relationships and been given opportunities to speak of real life. 

That is what it is really about - real life. We spend time in the Bible each week with members - encouraging faith and growth - and with seekers, people who don’t yet know Jesus. We spend time mentoring members once a month to develop leaders. We allow God to use us in any way to reach young people, including helping with a new initiative for international youth. The last gathering of the CIA (Christians in Action) had more than 60 young people (12-17 year-olds) from all over Europe. In June, the group from the Netherlands is organizing the evening. 

We are thankful that our plans for summer Bible camp weeks are able to go forward. The group of Benjamins (8-11 year-olds) is shaping up to be one of the biggest groups we have had for a week of camp. Scott will also help lead the teens (12-14 year-olds) the week after. These are opportunities to train up new leaders as well as help young people to learn about new life in Jesus Christ. What a thrill it is to know that God gives real life. 

Which is why even death cannot overcome the love we have in Jesus Christ. This past month we said goodbye to one of our dear sisters in Christ in Eindhoven. Nita Blaakmeer touched many lives in many ways with the love that Christ brought into her life. We were blessed to be able to gather to celebrate her life and say goodbye - for now. 

Death is not the end. If we are willing to die in Christ, then death can only bring true life. That is the amazing truth and reality we have been working with these past months. That is the truth we will proclaim each week and in each month that God gives us to live with Him on this earth - wherever we are. 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Come closer

Drawing from Kees de Kort

There is a children’s song about Zacheus – a very small man. He wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed in a tree. But Jesus wasn’t content with Zacheus just seeing him. Jesus stopped and invited himself to dinner with Zacheus – at Zacheus’ home. (You can find this wonderful story in Luke 19).

Another time (look at Luke 8), a sick woman hoped simply to touch the edge of Jesus garment. But Jesus was not content to leave it at that. He took the time to stop and let her know that she was healed of much more than just her bleeding.

This reminds me of what has been happening recently in our life. We have been meeting with a group of teens who are very interested in what the Bible has to say for their lives. They have been to camp and some youth weekends, but now we have been taking the time to meet Jesus in the gospels. We meet every other week, if that works out. Sometimes it is a month between studies. Their father is not a believer.

At the beginning of every study we spend time talking to one another about what is happening in our lives. We also spend a little time talking with the father, who then leaves while we read and discuss what we learn about Jesus.

One evening, he stayed a little longer, fixing something in the corner of the living room. Another time he came walking through several times during our conversations.

Recently, after we had had a longer break between studies because of all the holidays, we were just catching up with everyone and he stayed seated, taking part in the discussion. During the discussion about our lives, he brought up his own struggle with faith and we talked about why one would believe, what we can prove and why we would believe what we do. It was an enervating discussion.

The next time we got together to ‘meet Jesus’ the father, with a bit of a harrumph, decided that he might as well sit in (he played it off as if his wife ‘made’ him do it). As with all of our meetings around scripture, we were all able to discuss what we saw in the text, what we learn about Jesus and what that might mean for our lives. We leave the struggle up to each person individually. He took part with verve.

This father has slowly but surely come closer and closer to Jesus. That is simply what happens when Jesus is around. Jesus is not content to just have you watch from afar – he wants to get to know you as well. It is exciting to see what He can do with His word and as He is living in us. We continue to pray for this father – and the teens – that we will not only meet Jesus, but will also give our lives in following Him.

April 2010

LIGHT in the Lowlands

Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the Netherlands

April 2010

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11

Dear all,

Every day is a new beginning, an opportunity to grow, to see something new. But growing is not always easy!

Sing!

We have always loved singing. God has given us a song of love and grace in our hearts that can’t help but be expressed. And doing this with brothers and sisters is the best. This month we welcomed the Dela family into their new home in Belgium with an evening of singing and prayer.

Every first Wednesday of the month we get together to learn new songs and encourage one another. The church from Liege comes over for these Wednesdays and we get to practice our French (and they practice Dutch).

How do you do this?

- the kids trying to figure out how everything fits together -

We want people to know Jesus, to come to enjoy the real life that He gives us. To do this, people need to meet Jesus, know who he is. That means reading, discovering, digesting the Bible and

getting to know the Word - Jesus. But how do you do this? It sounds so easy to say simply,

“Read your Bible. Pray every day.” And yet, that is exactly what we are helping people to do.

This past month we worked with the Catholic young people from Veldwezelt. It is exciting to see that not only they, but their parents and people in the village are expecting to hear from the Bible (something that was not always expected). Our discussions with RW and LJ center around how real life is informed by what we see in Jesus’ life (which we see in the Bible). “But can I understand it?” is the question most often asked.

As we have been working through a deeper study with some of the young people in Maastricht, we, too have been faced with how some things may seem easier than they are. The reality remains that we are able to understand what God wants from us, but certainly not all at once (and not everything). We need to keep trying to understand (asking questions, listening to God speak in His word), and in the meantime live what we know is right.

PRAYER and FELLOWSHIP

We cannot continue without the strength and guidance that our King gives us every day. The song is right - if we want to grow. Sometimes we forget that we need each other. It is good to know that there are others exeperiencing the same struggles as we (1 Peter 5:8-11). I have tried lately to help the brothers in the Netherlands and Belgium see how they can encourage one another. We have been meeting to share our lives and pray.

Yes, we meet at an Ikea for breakfast (only 1 euro!) because it is a central place and makes things easy. But the sharing time and prayer in the weeks afterwards are invaluable. I pray that this idea and desire will spread locally as well. It is absolutely necessary that we know that we need each other.

Which is why playing football in Switserland is simply amazing! This is the third year that we have taken several groups (about 40 people this year!) to the soccer tournament put on by the church in Zurich and Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Fun teams, “pro” teams, plenty of soccer, and even more fellowship - in a whole slew of languages!

Sunday morning is a time of singing in German, French, English and Dutch. We partake of the Lord’s supper, realizing that the death and life we are celebrating is what binds us all together. And then listening to a wonderful message in English, but translated sentence-by-sentence in French and German - even the movements at times! God has placed us in His family so that we can stretch and grow. Sometimes it can be a bit of a struggle. But some times can be so enjoyable!

Let God have his way with you today so that you can grow. Read his word, every day - even if it is sometimes difficult. And pray. Talk to God every day.

PRAYER WARRIORS

Please keep the following in your prayers.

Keep our studies in your prayers - that we can understand what God is saying and put it into practice in our lives

Pray for our contact with K., LJ., A., R., C&T., and RW.

Pray for our sister, Shadira, and her plans to move to Curaçao with her daughters. Pray that her daughters will also be able to adapt to this move.

Pray for the Spring conference “Love Works!” on Pentecost Monday and afterwards - that the church here will be encouraged to be active.

Thank God for our oppotunity to visit this summer.

DID YOU KNOW?

Tidbits about Belgium and the Netherlands

Working together

Just recently the prime ministers of Belgium and the Netherlands signed a document stating their desire to organize the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 together. Some in both countries have wondered if two small countries should even try this. But Belgium and the Netherlands are willing to work together for this.

Of course, both countries will first have to get their governments ready. Both governments have recently fallen becasue the parties in the governments could not work together. In the Netherlands that means the normal right and left parties. In Belgium that means the French-speakers and Flemish-speakers AND left and right parties in each language!

ON THE FAMILY SIDE ....

April can be such a joy! Everything begins to bloom, the trees gain a hazy green, everyone is busy with muddy hands getting the yard or the garden ready, and the weather finally begins turning. Though not always as quickly as we would like.

We too were able to get out in the yard and get some work done. Of course most of it was simply heavy moving. We had a tree cut down earlier and all of the wood needed to be taken out of the yard. Several trips to the container park with gummy hands later and the yard started looking like a yard - albeit a messy one still. One of these days we will be able to get it completely finished.

In the meantime we enjoyed a wonderful Easter break. Sean gets two weeks off of school. A great time, except that he then gets no more breaks until the end of June when school ends. So we decided to make the most of this break. We wanted to have at least one family day, and it became a day to The Hague. (You can see our pictures at www.flickr.com/sraabs) We drove to the edge of the city (about 2,5 hours) and took the tram to the beach at Scheveningen. Mr. Blue Sky was our friend for the day, although it was still a bit chilly.

Walking along the beach, picking out seashells to take to Stephan in the summer, a walk through the parks of The Hague and a short tram ride back to downtown brought us to the center of the city. This is where the government meets, where the queen gives her annual speech, where people demonstrate ... and of course where the shops are. After looking around a bit, we had another tram ride back to the car, a ride home, and a film when we got back. A good time together!

Sean is hanging on since then, willing himself to do well at school (and doing well). He has gotten a job at a local restaurant and cafe boat, hoping to make enough money to invest in amps and guitars. His third gig went well, and he is looking forward to playing twice at his school for their open day. His life is quite a bit busier, but this has helped him to prioritize as well.

And all of us are trying to get our work done here before we leave for the summer. Being gone for two months takes quite a bit of planning and organization. We look forward to seeing so many of you again and are so thankful for the help we have already received. We will be starting in Minnesota, as usual, followed by Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, California and Texas. This time we will also be dropping Stephan off in Arkansas before heading on to Florida. Check out our blog in a few days for the schedule and please plan on hooking up with us while we are there! (http://ravenraab.blogspot.com)

Enjoy the moments together! They are meant to be times of love and joy, struggle and strife - real life. So good.

THANKS!

For the funds for our furlough, cars, and places to stay. It’s going to be great to see you!

For your prayers for our work!

For encouragement, wisdom and answers to questions.

What’s coming up?

MAY

Soccer in Switzerland

Love Works! Spring meeting

JUNE

Ladies day

Youth weekend

Dig a little deeper

This whole year we as a congregation in Maastricht have been looking at how we are being made into a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). As we have talked about trusting in God, discovering His will and putting that into practice in our lives with the help and strength of the Holy Spirit, we have also come up against plenty of questions. We all come from some kind of background. And here in Maastricht we are quite a mixture (cultures, countries and religious backgrounds). So it has been exciting to see the desire to get together more often and start digging together. 

Of course we want to read the Bible. We know that God is speaking to us through His word. But we want more. We want to understand. We want to understand as much as He wants to make clear to us. So we are taking time every other week to come with our questions, learning to use a concordance and look at passages with contextual questions, digging and letting God's word make its way into our hearts and minds. It's great to see us all getting dirt under our fingernails together, helping one another to know God better in this way, too. 

ABSS

At the end of February we got our annual portion of abss - that is the Advanced Bible Study Series. This is a wonderful week of lessons and fellowship held in the beautiful Taunus area of Germany. From Tuesday to Friday there are at least 5 challenging lessons a day on various topics from qualified speakers. On Friday we switch over to a more family-friendly schedule for those who can come for the weekend. But every day brings new thoughts and challenges, and new opportunities to discuss this all with new friends from all over Europe.

ABSS is usually organized by Paul Brazle, but he is in the States for a year as missionary-in-residence, so this year was organized and run by Doyle Kee and me. Although, to be honest, we didn't leave Paul alone much, either (we are thankful for email). I am so thankful for people who are willing to help (like Stephanie Smith from Lausanne, Nicole Hoffman from Bern, and Brandy Svensson from Wiesbaden who took care of the kitchen) and for all the opportunities to meet brothers and sisters from so many places. This week brings some really challenging lessons (this year from Philip Slate, Jim Krumrei, Craig Young and Bob Eckman) and serves to train, equip and encourage church members in Europe.

This year Shirley was able to come along, since we have seen that the boys know how to take care of themselves (they did such a good job when we went to Switzerland). The boys joined us at the weekend (as you can see in the pictures). We met brothers from Poland and Slovakia as well as from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. We saw a whole herd of deer, took some really wonderful walks, and I played basketball AND football (soccer) this time (although there was no snow - maybe best for the basketball playing).

Some things never change. ABSS is a week of study, but there is always time for some fun and fellowship. How can we learn without those also being a part of the process? The "Gemundener Follies" are always the highlight of the week session - the moment when the real talent floats to the top.(?)

One of the biggest changes we DID see this year was in the available technology. The speakers were checked - while speaking - on their information thanks to being able to 'google' on a laptop while listening (stop and listen to that sentence again - where is our language going!). Instead of copying the lessons on cassette, or making them available on cd, we can now simply place them on the internet for everyone to download. If you are interested in hearing the lessons, you can download them here. We are already looking forward to next year. If you are in the neighborhood next year, be sure to plan to drop in for the week!

Wiser on the Way

This evening we finished up the "Getting to know the Bible" series of lessons. In Dutch it is called "Wiser on the way". A "wiser" has two meanings: to be wiser and something that points (like the hand on a clock). So the title means that you can become wiser on the way and you can be pointed to the right direction with the Bible.

We had put a press release in the local papers and had 5 good reactions. Mr. W. showed up for lessons 1-3 last week. (We know that at least two others tried to find it, but got lost in our neighborhood - something to learn from for next time!). We have had some wonderful discussions with him each evening. He decided to stay for lesson 4, 5 and 6 this week and has asked for more information on the church and on the Bible. Thank you for your prayers and please keep him in your prayers.

One of the most encouraging things throughout this series has been Willemien, our 85-year-old sister. She has been present each time we have offered lessons 1-3. She makes sure the room is open, turns on the heat if needed (we started these last Fall) and gets coffee ready. But more importantly, she takes part. As she has said, most of the time she arrives tired (the lessons are in the evening) and leaves completely energized. This time she was telling everyone to be sure and come - and she takes the information she has learned and passes it on to people she meets and talks to. What a wonderful blessing she is to the church here!

Thank you for your prayers for this effort. We will repeat the series again in the Fall, hopefully reaching more people from here in the neighborhood.