True North (Home Assignment 2023 - Minnesota)

More than 20 years ago I first learned about discgolf from some guys in Minnesota. We were stopping to visit with our supporting congregation and these two guys asked if me and the boys wanted to go disc golfing. We had never been, but it sounded like fun. (You can see some pictures of another time here) 

When you throw a disc, you try to throw it with enough speed and power to go as far as needed, but you also do your best to get it to go where you want it. I enjoyed trying that out again for a few days while we were here at our 2nd stop, once again in Minnesota. It is always a challenge to get the disc to fly true, but that is the fun of the challenge. And doing it with others makes it even more fun. 

I was able to walk a course close to where we were staying with two strangers the first morning I went out. The second morning I was able to go, I went alone. The last morning was once again with the brother who originally introduced me to the sport, Kent Davidson, so many years ago. It was a bit rainy and was a fair course, but the time together and the conversation helped make it what it has always been for me - a great time to refocus and think about flying true. 

That is what we are doing when we stop in to ‘our’ congregations. These congregations have been financially supporting us for quite a few years. It is because they are willing to send funds that we are able to be where we are to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ. When we stop in, it means we share a lot of meals - sometimes with older members we already know, sometimes meeting new members. Breakfast, lunch and dinner all take a turn being the time to share a good conversation. 

This trip has brought us to an El Salvadoran restaurant (have you ever tried pupusa’s?), a few potluck meals and a sports cafe for pork chops and fried fish. Shirley had a breakfast meeting with the ladies where she shared some thoughts and got to spend time with lots of the women of the congregation. Scott went to two breakfasts (one at 6am!) to renew friendships and meet some new members. 

And in between there were some vacation moments as well. Besides the discgolf mornings that Scott enjoyed, both Scott and Shirley were treated to a visit to the Arboretum - a collaboration with the University of Minnesota in rolling fields where all sorts of trees and flowers grew. Unfortunately we were just a bit early to see most of the trees and plants blooming, but it was still a beautiful day in what will be an even more beautiful spot in just a few weeks. 

Each day we were able to travel to these meetings and then come ‘home’ to our hosts’ home. Members have loaned us their car for this week and the whole trip we will take driving through the midwest. Our hosts, the Sullivans, have hosted us before in the past and it was great to be with them again. These people are all willing to share what they have to make our visit pleasant and effective at the same time. It is wonderful to experience this family. 

On Sunday we worshipped together, shared about our work with the class (which we had also done on Wednesday with the youth) and shared one last potluck meal together. Our visit here has been a time of sharing, growth, relaxing and remembering. It is a bit like a game of discgolf: we do our best to make things fly true and enjoy the time along the way sharing with one another. 

You can see some of our pictures from Minnesota here before we move on to our next stop (in Omaha, Nebraska with Shirley’s family).

The Tale of Stepping in St. Paul

'Twin Cities' is a very apt description for Minneapolis-St. Paul. These two major cities mirror each other across the river. While we were visiting our supporting congregation of Woodbury church of Christ, we stayed for the first time in St. Paul which is the capitol of the state of Minnesota. In the past we spent most of the time in the suburbs of Woodbury, or across the border in Hudson, Wisconsin. This was the first time for us to stay in St. Paul and get to know this area. 

After the graudation parties from The Tale of Home and meeting with the church on Sunday, we had a bit of free time on Memorial Day. Many people think about cooking out, visiting with family and celebrating those who have died for the country. We were staying with a young couple in St. Paul who work from home – a newly purchased house which they were willing to share with us for a few days. But it literally rained on all the parades that day. 

By the evening, however, we just needed to get out of the house for a bit and walk around. So we borrowed two pink and purple umbrellas from our hosts and walked downtown. We were that close that it was only about a 30 minute walk. We didn’t know what we would find, but have never been adverse to an adventure. And this was not the only adventure. The rest of our time in Minnesota was spent enjoying stepping out in St. Paul (and a few other areas). 

That first evening downtown brought us to "The St. Paul". That is what this luxurious hotel is called. We just knew that we wanted to see what we expected to be a beautiful lobby. But the exuberently friendly desk clerk directed us to all the exciting areas in the hotel, invited us to eat in the hotel restaurant and told us all sorts of interesting tidbits about the city and the hotel. Presidents stayed here (and paid a whopping $2 a night at the time). 

Later that evening we walked with our hosts, Corbin and Mandy, to a local brewery turned indoor market. Many things are indoor in Minnesota as a result of what the winters can be like. That is why one of the biggest malls is found here, the Mall of America. We of course could not skip spending an afternoon looking around this mall and being amazed at how much is offered in one location. Stores upon stores, and even a theme park inside the mall! 

Later in the week, we were welcomed by our second host, Jimmy, to his midcentury-modern home not far from the old St. Paul airport (Holden Field) where we got a cup of coffee one afternoon. We also walked along the Indian Burial Mounds park looking down on the airfield. A perfect view of the city, with the cathedral and capitol building, welcomed us from atop this bluff. Those two monuments were our next destination. 

Summit Avenue is a broad street lined with monumental mansions of days gone by which tell of the vast wealth that came to this city at and around the beginning of the 20th century. Views over the river, sprawling, beautiful homes of various styles and sunshine to enjoy it all. We walked along the mansions and back to the cathedral perched atop the point of the hill. This cathedral, built according to the St. Peter’s cathedral in Rome, rose in the place of one of the mansions and took about 20 years to complete. 

After strolling through the stone interior, we jumped in the car and rode the short distance to the capitol building we could see not far away (but too far to walk to). The clouds added to the early evening ambience and we finished another day of wonder-walking in St. Paul, enjoying the homes and neighborhoods as we returned to our host’s home. (check out the pictures from this tale here)

In our last few days we enjoyed walking around the neighborhood to a rental house our host was working on, visiting a brass quintet concert at one of the many, many universities these cities are graced with, walking around a small lake where we listened to birdsong and shared conversations about the song of life in Jesus Christ, and visiting Minnehaha Falls. All of these walks were spent with old friends and new contacts. Walking together is always a good way to spend the time and get to know one another. 

Could it be that is why Jesus invites us to walk with Him in the light? It is exciting that no matter where we go – whether in St Paul, Minnesota or Colorado (our next stop), we can walk with Jesus, the King and get to know him. The world is a different place when we take that walk. 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.1 John 1:7

Make every effort

After a much longer flight than planned – but everything went well – we finally arrived on the first leg of our Home Assignment: Minnesota. The wonderful family at Woodbury made sure that we had a hotel to stay on that first night. That way we did not have to try to stay awake while we were only yearning for sleep, and no one had to wait up long to take care of us (we finally got in after midnight).

The next day we had time to figure out some necessary purchases (a phone for while in the US, maps for the gps, ibuprofen for possible headaches while traveling) before being welcomed at our first stay. For the 8 days we are in Minnesota, two families we know opened their homes for us: the Fraziers and the Davidsons. The Frazier’s daughter had studied in Maastricht and they stopped in to visit with us when picking her up. The Davidson’s have been our hosts almost every time we have stopped through, so we have watched their family gropw and change throughout the years. What a blessing to experience the welcome both families extend!

In between church family activities – Wednesday night cafe, men’s prayer breakfasts, ladies lunch with Shirley, life group dinners – we have been able to shoot some hoops, share good conversations, do a bit of shopping, or play with lego’s. Everyone asks if there is anything we would like to do, but are willing to leave time to just chill as well. We were treated to a special date night dinner theater show – Beauty and the Beast – wow! (amazing how long one can remember those songs). Above all, everyone is willing to share time and talk about themselves. It is so good to get to know people and see how we are family.

We have enjoyed getting to know the life groups and meeting new people – although we will more than likely forget many of the names. The faces, however, remain. I was reminded of this on Sunday morning after a wonderful time of worship when Butch (who had to remind me of his name) let me know that he remembers us specifically and regularly in his prayers. I let him know that I remember him and specifically that he had let me know this (about his prayers) the last time we had seen each other (in 2012) and that this has been one of the big encouragements in times of struggle. We know that he is praying!

We also worshipped with the Urban Ministry group in the evening - mostly a group of Hmong families – and spent time praying and studying with the men (at prayer breakfast) and ladies (at lunch). It is exciting to be part of so many people wanting to live their faith and encourage one another. We are reminded of how large and deep the family of Christ is. We are so thankful for every effort that has been made to make us feel at home, at ease and encouraged. What a blessing it is to be a member of the family of God!

You can see a few pictures already of our time in Minnesota – here. And I will be adding to the pictures as we continue this week here. Middle of the week we will be driving on to Muscatine, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. More to come next week. Thanks for stopping in!

On Assignment - at home in Minnesota

As we arrived in Minnesota, expecting cold, winter weather, we were greeted by the providence of God and the grace shown through his children. Our family at Woodbury blanketed us in warm fellowship and sharing. It was a very busy visit, but full of a restful busyness. And to start it all out we were welcomed with a car on loan, a gps to get us around, and a hotel room for the first night – time to be together after a lot of traveling.

Our time in Minnesota was mostly filled with visits with the various ‘Life groups’ which meet throughout the week – church in practice outside of the Sunday morning. Each evening we met a different group and on Sunday we met three! Sometimes we talked about what we were doing, but most of the time we simply took part in the study and discussion (this time about ‘downward mobility’ – very interesting thought!) and did some singing. So we not only met the members, but heard their hearts for Christ as well.

In the meantime we spent time in the hospitality of two homes as different and similar as can be from each other. We started in the home of the Chenoweths, whose children are married or off to college – much like ourselves. Their home is in the country, out by a lake, and provided wonderful daily walks for us. There was a quiet, a peace – except when we watched Nebraska lose to Wisconsin on the big screen one night. Otherwise, our time was filled with gracious and challenging conversation, gathered in the living room together.

About half-way through we moved over to the Davidson house – a family we have known for some time, but which has changed in the years. This is a growing family, with four young boys (the oldest being just 10) and the last of the four girls (we still remember Malia, now 16, when she was just 5). Plenty of activity, questions, fun and evident loving hearts. Scott played lego all day with the boys, we went for walks in the park and continued to enjoy the life groups in the evenings. Both homes – for they are truly homes and we felt very much at home – were places of rest. One was a place of calm rest and discussion, the other an energetic vibrancy that hugged us deeply.

We met many new people on this stop and look forward to getting to know them more in the future. We saw a vibrant, caring, living church caring for each other. What a great encouragement for us! As we moved on from Minnesota, now driving to Nebraska, Iowa and Ohio, we were greeted with a light snow – just so that we knew that it does snow in Minnesota. It was a day later – after we had safely arrived in Nebraska – that we heard that about a foot more had fallen. Some more busy rest?

Check out our pictures from this leg of our journey.

We have arrived, alive and well

It is amazing how quickly time moves on – how much can happen in such a short time. It has aonly been a few days since we left Belgium and already it seems like so much has happened.

Most importantly of all, we continue to see how faithful and good God is – even if we do not always see it at the time. Our trip over was safe, albeit NOT uneventful. We saw an airport in Frankfurt wityhout any chairs to sit on (with a three hour wait), things on our flight not quite as planned (but a safe trip!) and some short worries in the middle of our trip when we were somehow put on “standby” (even though we had bought our tickets months in advance). Still, as mentioned, God is still God and we arrived safely at got into bed after a good 25 hour trip.

The very next morning, after about 7 hours of sleep, the ‘boys’ got up to go discgolfing! There was no way they were going to pass this opportunity up. Some great brothers from the church in MN know all the courses around the city (there are a lot of them – and they are all free!), so for the next few hours we walked around a park throwing frisbees into metal baskets. You may think it sounds very interesting, but we had a great time! (and if you DO think it sounds interesting and live in Europe, we need to get together and see what we can do about it!).

Shirley in the meantime went for morning coffee with our host and stopped by a rummage sale or two on the way back. One of the things that we are always so thankful for on these trip are the more than giving hearts of t=all the people we stay with. Dale and Vicki Hawley have us at their home – even though their kids are around, half of the band (from one of their sons) is still living in the basement and summers are prime time to end up with visitors passing through. This family is willing to help out however they can. What a blessing!

We are working up to the 4th of July – which for us tends to be forgotten, since no one in Europe celebrates it of course (the 4th of July is ‘Independence Day’) – but the town we are staying in also has their ‘Booster Days’ which end with fireworks. We went out to the river beach Sunday evening (along with most of the families of Hudson, WI) to watch the spectacle. It was fun to see all the families out together and to hear our boyus laughing the whole time. We were all very tired that evening and have slept well the last several nights.

This week we are still in Minnestoa, visiting with families here, getting to know more brothers and sisters. Isn’t it great that as Christians we have such a large family! I have said it many times before but will reiterate here once again: when you are traveling – anywhere, MAKE the effort, PLAN to meet with your brothers and sisters in Christ. It is such a blessing to see how God is working all over the world and to get to know your family. What a wonderful family God has placed us in!

Next week we will be moving on to Muscatine, IA. In the meantime, check out some of our pictures here once I get a chance to load some pictures.