Around the world

This past Friday we held a CHRISTmas sing-a-long, inviting our neighbors, Ukrainians in the city and any others to pion us in singing Christmas songs in various languages. We sang in French, Dutch, English, German, Ukrainian and Russian (and even in Latin). We wanted people to be able to not only enjoy this time in their own language, but also share this time with others. 

The Netherlands was playing against Argentina in the World Cup, so many Dutch people had quite a conflict for this evening. But we had a great group of Ukrainians who came from Eindhoven (about an hour away) to sing with us and to meet the congregation here in Maastricht. The singing was done before 9pm. The talking went on until about 10pm. We are so thankful for how God creates family. 

Last week we also heard from a small village in Uganda who received 50 Bibles in their own language. The church family here wanted to help with this need and took care of sending the Bibles in a responsible way. As a congregation we have helped with various congregations in times of need: in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, St. Maarten and Curaçao as well as with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. 

God’s family, the church that is the body of Christ, is not some small group of people in a city in a country. It is a body, truly linked around the world and serving as the hands of Jesus wherever they are. If you are a Christian, you are not alone. We are made to be in communion, in a body, working together. And even if you are isolat5ed, you are not alone. Write, pray, email, call, speak to those around you. God is mighty and is using us all mightily, wherever we are. 

Ukrainians update, God’s family

We have been blessed in Maastricht with various opportunities to get to know, help and be blessed by our brothers and sisters from Ukraine. Let me give you a quick update on what things look like for us. 

In Maastricht

Back in 2020 we welcomed Alexander Zotov to our congregation. He is a widower and preacher from the church in Kiev, now married to a widow in Belgium. He hand his son, Andrey moved to Belgium before the war broke out in full in Ukraine. At the beginning of the conflict, Andrey’s fiancee, Adriana, also moved to Belgium. She lives with our colleagues Ruud and Karla. 

These three Christians are a blessing to us in Maastricht. Most recently Andrey's cousin, Vlad, has joined us and lives with Andrey. They both bike to services on Sunday (and anywhere else they need to be). This is a good 40 minute bike ride. 

Andrey and Adriana also have family that moved to Eindhoven connected with the church there. We have been able to get together in the past year with those refugee brothers and sisters when we go to a devo/bbq night there or the monthly singing that we hold with the church in Eindhoven. Several of the young people also went to our Bible camp in the past weeks. 

Alexander has continued his work with the word by preaching and teaching in Maastricht. It is nice to have his knowledge, wisdom and desire to serve in the congregation. He has also helped us as we try to help others in Ukraine. He has contacts with those on the ground in Ukraine and we are able to help immediately and directly. So far the congregation in Maastricht has helped out with a brother who helps people who have problems with addiction and are even more affected by the things happening in the country. 

Elsewhere in The Netherlands

Back in the Spring the Dutch-speaking churches held their annual Spring get-together. This year we used the opportunity to look at how to deal with difficult times. Alexander was one of the speakers there, together with Oleksander, who is staying in the building in The Hague with his family. The day was encouraging and challenging as we worked through translating and dealing with various cultures and the challenging topic as well. 

Oleksander (whose nickname is Sasha - as are most Alexanders) is a youth minister from the church in Ukraine. He and his family left to be able to care for their daughter who has specific needs. Thankfully, they are able to stay in the building in The Hague. Unfortunately, this building has long needed some upgrades. But that has also been helped, most recently. 

The congregation in Muscatine, Iowa, held a special contribution jin order to help with the situation in Ukraine. They asked us how best to use these funds and we knew that they could well be used for the situation in The Hague. A new shower and washing area has been created in the building. 

Oleksander and his family are already reaching out in the community where they live. The past week and this week they organized a sort of vacation camp for Ukrainians in The Hague. About 150 people registered for these dates. Pray for how God will use these contacts and how He is using the members in The Hague mightily. Here is an article in Dutch (google translate it) that talks about Oleksdander. 

Camp

As mentioned, various young people form Ukraine attended camp. We at first had envisioned being able to host families at our Bible camp facilities. But the way that Belgium set up their refugee system made this nigh to impossible. Instead, we have been able to have any Ukrainian families send their kids or come themselves to the Bible camp week. 

There were several young people at our Youth Camp (15 years and older) as well as 4 young people at our Benjamin Camp (8-11 years) and 3 at our Teen camp (12-14 years). Add to this how God has used Russian brethren in the country to help out with translation and contact and I am thrilled at how God can make things beautiful from all situations. 

Thank you!

Thank you, Muscatine for your help with financing. Another part of your gift also went to helping a congregation in Ukraine which is welcoming refugees to their area. Thank you all for your prayers for refugees and church alike as we strive to show God’s grace and might in everyday situations. Praise the Lord for His might in making all things work according to His plan. 

Update on Ukraine and Bible camp

When we first heard of the conflict in Ukraine and knew that refugees would be heading our way, we decided to offer the use of our Bible camp facilities for any refugees who might need it. We adapted the dormitory to use by families or groups and took some gifts of duvets for the beds. We of course had no idea how things would work out. Members from the congregations in Belgium and the Netherlands were ready to help with funds where needed. 

As things became clearer, also to the governments of Belgium and the Netherlands, systems were set up to help the refugees. In Belgium that meant that refugees first went to Brussels to register and then to their local city government where they were staying. This meant that no one was able to use the camp facility. 

We approached the local town government to let them know that, if they needed a temporary emergency location, we had space. The town thanked us for the offer but let us know that this was not needed at the time. The local village is tiny. The local town which the village is part of is not at all large. All of this is out in the middle of the country, surrounded by woods and about a 15-20 minute drive from actual stores or amenities. 

This means that, up until now, we have not welcomed any refugees at our camp facilities and probably will not be doing so in that capacity. Our camp weeks begin in July. We will be welcoming several children of families who are now (temporarily) settled in Belgium and the Netherlands to our summer camp weeks. We have already seen the churches step up to organize youth activities and fellowship activities to include those who have arrived in the life of the church. 

This is family

As all of us know, the situation in Ukraine is not good. People all over the world, but especially all over Europe, are asking how they can help. What has so encouraged me is to see how churches all over Europe are quickly looking at how they can help. 

From the beginning the churches in Poland and Ukraine itself were working together to help make sure that the first refugees were cared for. Take a minute to look at a map. Ukraine is bordered by Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldavia. I have seen messages from churches in almost all of these countries offering help in many different ways. 

Of course the countries themselves are doing their part. Europe has made it easier for Ukrainians to stay. Previously they could enter the EU and stay as tourists for 90 days. This was first extended to 180 days. Now it has been opened to a special status whereby these refugees will be able to stay for 1-2 years, receive financial help and be able to work. 

But they still need places to go and ways to get there. Free flights and trains have been offered. People have traveled with their own cars for hundreds of kilometers. Some are even renting buses to go pick people up. Many of this is being organized and coordinated by the churches in the surrounding countries. Among churches all over Europe members are offering ways to help. 

Belgium and The Netherlands is a long way away from Ukraine, but we know that there are lots of people needing help. Ardennen Bijbelkamp - our Bible camp - has offered to put up some families for at least 90 days. We are not sure how this will work yet, but we are prepared to help. One of the members in Maastricht is a Ukrainian preacher from Kiev who will stay at camp to help the refugees who come there. 

It is so good to see God working in all these people, in this whole situation. Our God is mighty. We continue to try to keep our focus on Him and the true eternal good news of eternal life in Christ as we also do our best to help with current needs of the here and now. Please join us in prayer for this situation. 

Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.  Ephesians 6:23-24