September News

LIGHT in the Lowlands

Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the Netherlands

September 2008

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again ... through the living and enduring word of God.             1 Peter 1:22-24

Dear brothers and sisters, family and friends,
September seems to be the beginning of our work year as the young people start back to school, everyone returns from vacations and we are able to focus on regular activities. This month was especially full.

And the two became one
It has been exciting to witness the new beginnings in the last month. Robin Huyghebaert and Joyce Agyare pledged their love for each other in September. It was a real honor to be asked to help with this service - singing with Listen Up! and being the master of ceremony. In October we were able to witness the beginning of two more friends, Mario Nyeki and Tonia Davison, where I performed the ceremony.

Weddings are so beautiful because they show the beginning of something truly beautiful - love. When this is true love - love that comes from God and includes God - it is fantastic! At both of these weddings we were able to enjoy these additions in the family of God. It was especially thrilling for the church in Maastricht to show their love for Mario and Tonia who are members in Maastricht. Almost the whole congregation was present. When we got up to sing as a wedding present, every one of us sang from the heart.

How’s your serve?
At the end of September the church in Maastricht hosted the youth for a youth weekend. We took the time to talk about what it means to serve - and then we took the time to put our words into action. We cooked for each other, cleaned up after each other and served one another. But we also spent several hours at a local playground cleaning up the grounds. If we do not let our young people see how good it is to give to others, they will never know this joy. And it is a joy!

It was exciting to see how the young people reacted to the day and the lessons they learned from it. Many of the things they learned did not necessarily come from the lesson moments - they came from working together. It has also been exciting to see how this continues to impact their lives. Not this one weekend, because this is not the first time that we have talked about this, but a continued encouragement to find the joy in serving others.

Single’s Retreat
The end of September brought the Single’s Retreat. This is organized twice a year for single’s from all over Europe and is an amazing time to fill up on good spiritual food. The lessons are often the dessert, with the discussions and long walks together being the real meal. This year I was privileged to be present again with this wonderful group of Christians - I taught from Ephesians 6 on the armor of God.
It is so good to see how God is using people all over Europe in so many ways. This weekend had visitors from seven different countries, but even more impressive than their willingness to travel (the weekend is held in Germany) was their willingness to learn and encourage one another. These people love God with all their heart and are encouraging churches all over Europe. Exciting! God is truly good. (see more pictures here)

New life and new beginnings
Everday continues to go its way - meetings with the school, for camp, with community groups; cleaning, maintaining, letting people know where we are - it all starts again each week. But each day is holding a myriad of opportunities to help each other, touch others’ lives and learn from what God is giving us in our lives. It has been good to see this in our two new babies (Isha and Susanne). We look forward to the coming months as God shows us all the mighty things He will do. It is so good to know that we are family, helping one another, growing together.

PRAYER WARRIORS

Please keep the following in your prayers.
- Continue to pray for Valéri and her parents. She wants to give her life to Christ, but her parents aren’t too sure.
- Pray that we can all continue to keep our focus on the One who really matters and ensures our future.
- Pray for RW as we continue to look at why we can give our life to Jesus.
- Continue to pray for our young people as they encourage each other in their growth in faith.
- Pray for our continuing outreach through the Wiser on the Way courses in November.
- Pray for guidance for world leaders, also here in Europe.

ON THE FAMILY SIDE . . .

You might notice that most of this news is actually from parts of September and parts of October. Or maybe you won’t notice that - that’s okay too. As we get older, the days fly by even quicker - but some of you know that already. And some of you are beginning to figure that out!

The biggest change for us this month has of course been the absence of Stephan. Mind you, thanks to the wonder of the internet - facebook, skype, email - Stephan has not been completely absent. But when we sit down to eat in the evening, when we read our Bible in the morning before everyone gets started, when we figure out how many are going somewhere - so many times we miss him. But he is doing great at Harding (as far as we know). And we are so thankful for so many of you who know him and are encouraging him in so many ways. It really is exciting to see him growing, knowing that he has so many fantastic things ahead of him.

Back here we have had some really good visits due to all of the family activities this month. The two weddings we attended were wondeful culinary events as well. We also held a barbecue for all the birthdays we had had during the summer. The church in Maastricht got together at our house for good food and fellowship.

And with the beginning of the school year and work year we also went to the first ‘hootenanny’ for the year over in Antwerp. This is an evening of guitar playing and hotdog eating. It was fun this time to see the looks on some of the visitor’s faces. “Ah, this is normal food for you then?” they wondered.

Speaking of guitar playing, it has been a thrill to see Sean learning more every day on his guitar. He donwloads a tablature from the internet (there you go again with that strange language) and then starts practicing the song upstairs. He plays electric guitar and likes a good rock beat, so stop for a minute and imagine the sound. .... Got it? But it’s great to hear. He is so dedicated and enjoys playing. Then he and Scott get together and jam for a bit (turn up the volume of the sound you just imagined).

It has been good for Sean to have the guitar. When he comes home from school is when he realizes that Stephan is not there. It is then that he is very happy to still have Snuffles (our dog) and he pulls out the guitar downstairs (a classical guitar - much quieter) and plays. And his creativity has been challenged and sharpened by this outlet.  

As we head into the Fall we are enjoying the colors, enduring some of the rainy days and looking forward to what the house will look like in the Spring (with our plans for changes). Each new day brings reminders of how wonderful God has been and promises of how mighty He will be as we move together to the next day.

What’s coming up?
OCTOBER
Marriage weekend
Fall Camp
NOVEMBER
Youth weekend
WoW Course

DID YOU KNOW?

Tidbits of information about Belgium and the Netherlands

Tourism
Tourism is a major industry in the Netherlands and Belgium. So where should you go when you get over here to visit? (other than our house of course) Here are a few ideas that you may not find on the internet.
In the Netherlands: the house of Corrie ten Boom, a walk through the Jordaan (a neighborhood in Amsterdam), a trip to the Veluwe or Schiermonnikoog (tulips may soon be gone, but this beauty remains), a train ride to Maastricht (just sit, watch and listen to those around you and the scenery).
In Belgium: An auction hall in Antwerp, a walk in the dunes in De Panne, a village full of books in Redu, a train ride from Brussels to the Ardennes (Spa, for instance) where we can pick you up for the beautiful trip to our house.

THANKS!
For your continued financial support, even now
For your prayers for our work! New life is coming!
For your emails, comments, cards and encouragement

February Newsletter

LIGHT in the Lowlands
Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the Netherlands

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Jesus Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Dear brothers and sisters, family and friends,
As anticipated, this year started with a bang and has continued to be quite busy - which is exciting! We continue to look forward to all that God has prepared for us to do.

Home or away?
We had several times this month that our family was a bit split up. The Ladies Retreat which usually comes at the beginning of March was in February this year. This is always a good opportunity to get the ladies of the congregation together. We are thankful that several always want to and can attend.

Our young people went over to Antwerp for a youth weekend on music and how it influences our lives. This time we went to help out in the kitchen - a first for Scott, but he was in good hands with Shirley. God has made us a good team!

The end of the month brought the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) in Gemünden, Germany. This is usually organized by the Brazles, but since they are in the States for a year as visiting missionaries, Scott and Doyle Kee from Switzerland took over the organization for a year. This week and weekend retreat is a great opportunity for members in Europe.
Lessons are presented from teachers who have taken the time to dig deeper into a subject that will also help those who participate in the week. And it is participation! Although there are only four or five speakers, the listeners have plenty of time during meals, walks in the woods and fussbal games to chew on all the information and thoughts that the teachers passed on. It is always an invigorating week. We were glad to be able to help in this way this year and are looking forward to next year already.
One of the best things about this week is the contact that we have with Christians from around Europe. Traveling hours to get somewhere is not that common here. So when two brothers from Poland traveled more than 11 hours to be with us for two days (before turning around and heading back home), it was a privilege to get to know them. This year we fellowshipped with people from Switzerland, Slovakia, Poland, England, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States. It is great to be a part of God’s family!
Outreach
Being gone during these moments did split up the month quite a bit, but this did not change the various studies we have going on. Let me update you on a few things that you have been praying about.
You may have seen all the news about the snow storms in China and the distress this caused travelers. We were worried about LJ because she had gone home to visit her parents (the first time in a few years!). We finally got to see her this month when she returned and heard that she had been affected, but that she was able to visit with her parents.
It was good to be able to get together again after she has had some time to be away and think about what we are reading and studying. She visited a few churches while at home as well, wanting to see what opportunities there might be. Amazingly, it was her father who directed her to the churches. Back in Maastricht we helped her move from one apartment to another and she shared a good meal. We are proud that she considers us her friends and continue to pray that we can be of even more help than moving her worldly good from one place to another. We want to see her again when we all get Home.
The study with Mr. W. also continued well this month. What do you do when you start reading in the Bible and find out that many of the things you were taught are not there? Mr. W. has some very strong opinions about all sorts of things. He respects those who will listen and be willing to change. It has been interesting to see him struggle with his own struggle to change or accept.
Scott was also contacted by people he had studied with in the past, but who had stopped. It is exciting then to see some initiative coming from them, wanting to study again. Please continue to pray for these efforts, these relationships and for the amazing things God can do in people’s lives.
In Maastricht we also took Willemien in to have her second knee replacement. Soon she will be ready to run again, without pain. She is pleased that this is all possible, even more with how it has brought people into her life. She found a neighbor who was willing to watch the dog for 4 weeks and with whom she now has a good relationship. God is amazing and gracious. Keep an eye out for what He wants to do with you!

PRAYER WARRIORS
Please keep the following in your prayers.
- Continue to pray for Mr. W. He is asking lots of questions and is willing to listen.
- Pray that LJ will think more about what Jesus wants to bring her life.
- Pray for our plans in the neighborhood: WoW course, our church study weekend, and our Bible studies as well as our daily contacts.
- Pray for our regular visitors A., S.,V. and M. who are all deciding whether they want to give their lives fully to Jesus. For some this is a difficult cultural decision as well.
- Pray for Ruud and Karla, our co-workers. Ruud is in terrible pain. He continues each day, making it through the pain. Thank God for the strength Ruud finds to still be such an example.
- Pray for our young people heading out near the end of this year to start university far away - that they will continue to grow.

DID YOU KNOW?
Tidbits of information about Belgium and the Netherlands
Belgians and Dutchmen in the world
You may not know much about Belgium or the Netherlands, but odds are that you know some of the things they produce.
You may have had contact with Dutch companies in the supermarket (Unilever), at the bank (ING), the gas station (Shell), in travel (KLM) or in electronics (Philips). The Dutch have also been involved in rebuilding the area damaged by Katrina, using their know-how of how to keep water at bay.
While Belgian companies are less well-known in the global sense, they are no less prevalent. Belgium has many middle-sized companies working in lower-profile areas: textiles, dredging, languages (translating software). Best-known are perhaps their beers.
Have you come across something typically Dutch or Belgian? What did you think of it? Let us know. s.raabs@tele2allin.be

What’s coming up?
APRIL
WoW course
Youth weekend
Single’s Retreat
MAY
Work camp
Maastricht study week

THANKS!
- For extra funds - you take great care of us!
- For all the contact - Facebook, blog, email or otherwise
- Your prayers for all that is happening here and in Europe

ON THE FAMILY SIDE . . .
Every year Shirley has the opportunity to go to the Ladies Retreat in Germany. This year was going to be different. We heard back in October that everything was already full and that there was no room left. This meant that our ladies could not go. We put them on a waiting list and hoped for the best. Sean was especially distraught - it is when Shirley comes home from the Ladies Retreat that we have received such wonderful gifts from Americans in Germany as Oreo cookies, Pop Tarts and Kraft macaroni and cheese. Now, it seemed, this would not happen.
Thankfully, room opened up and four of our ladies got to go. And yes, Shirley came home with arms full. Thanks to the ladies at Kaiserslautern we had once again been spoiled (although I like to see it as a blessing!). The ‘guys’ survived just fine at home alone. By now they have learned to get along just fine and take good care of each other.
At the end of the month Scott and Shirley went off together to the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) in Germany, leaving the boys behind to fend for themselves. We had seen that they could do this quite well when we went to Switzerland last Fall with Listen Up!. Now Scott was organizing the week in Germany with Doyle Kee and needed some good support. And we form a good team together! The boys joined us in the weekend, so we had a good little break together as well.
ABSS is always a great time to see people we don’t see so often and to meet new people. This year we met some brothers from Poland and Scott got to play basketball as usual with Doyle. He even played some mud-soccer with the young guys from Marseilles. Probably practicing for May when several from Belgium and the Netherlands will travel to Switzerland for a tournament with teams from various churches of Christ around Europe.
Stephan got to meet one of his future classmates while in Germany. Justin Smith (son of Brady and Stephanie - Stephanie was cooking for us and Justin is studying at Marseilles) will also be attending Harding. It is neat to see how Stephan is getting to know his future classmates online already. This should help when he gets there. But for now he also needs to be focusing on his studies here to make sure that he passes the year well.
Sean has struggled this month with the weather and his health as far as his sport. His team’s field is underfunded, so when it rains or freezes they cannot practice or play. This has meant not much working out and that leads to slight injuries and frustrations. His growing like a weed probably doesn’t help much either (with the injuries). Sean is getting nearly as tall as Scott.
We hope that your month was a blessing, bringing plenty of challenges - and the strength to meet them. We are so glad for the days we have together, realizing that they are quickly changing. Enjoy your day today as you follow where God is taking you!