The Walnut

While I was finishing my studies at Abilene Christian University (ACU), I was able to do some work as a substitute teacher. I was able to step into all sorts of classes. I taught middle school math or science. I was able to teach English (which was my area of expertise). I even substituted in a school which was the last stop for kids who couldn’t seem to make it (because of their behavior) at any other school in the city. All of these opportunities confirmed that I wanted to be a teacher.

I graduated in December of 1988 and did a lot more substituting in the semester following. But in September 1989 I was able to start as a real English teacher at Abilene High School (AHS) downtown Abilene, Texas. I had 10th grade English groups and an 11th grade literature group. The 10th graders came into the class needing to learn the basics (past what they had already learned). This meant that I was also teaching some composition. 

For one section, I wanted to introduce poetry, explaining what it was and how it worked. We talked about the different sorts of meter, rhythm and rhyme. We looked at various examples, including some songs and rap (which was beginning to make its way in the music world - even in Abilene, Texas). To help my students practice writing their own poetry, I brought certain visual elements into class and explained how they could be used.

Whenever I gave my class a task, I took part in the task as well. That way they knew that I was not asking them something impossible or simply time-consuming and boring (although they may still have thought that). For this project I brought along a worn out sneaker, a stone, a walnut and a few other items. 

At the end of the class the students could share, if they desired, their poetry with the class. They were required to hand it in (so that I could see what they had done). They asked if I had done anything, which I had. I had written a poem based on the sneaker and a poem based on the walnut. 

The poem on the walnut turned into this song about a conversation between a grandpa and his grandson. A few weeks ago I played the song at Family Camp, billing the act for the talent night as “First time grandpa” singing “The Walnut”. We have become grandparents since the end of June this year, so I thought the song fit the event. 

Afterwards someone asked me when I had written the song, thinking that it was new. I looked up as I recalled the years and replied, “1990, I think.” The questioner was surprised. “What? But didn’t you just become a grandpa?” So this song has been waiting in the wings for some 30 years (Stephan was only just born when it was written) until the right moment. But the thoughts remain true, no matter when they are passed on. 

How do you think of your grandparents? What do you do with them? How are you as a grandparent? What do you enjoy doing with your grandkids?

Wild, Wild West (Home Assignment 2023 Texas)

Our time in Texas has not disappointed. When people think of Texas, they think of BIG, adventuresome, wild. All of those words describe our short time here, starting with the “Tale of the Difficult Easirent”. 

As with several parts of our trip, we rent a car to get around. We were blessed for the Midwest Loop with a car lent to us from a member of the church in Minnesota. We will be similarly blessed in California. But in the other places we will be renting a car. As anyone renting a car presently knows, prices have gone up. So when we planned our trip we were looking for the best prices.

On arriving in Texas we expected the normal shuttle from the airport to the car rental place. This time we also needed to take an extra shuttle to an off-airport location of this cheaper rental provider. This might have been a portent. When we arrived we were required to purchase an extremely expensive insurance. We considered choosing a different provider, but were of course now in the middle of the city with no way to get anywhere. We were over a barrel. So we signed. It did mean that the car was well covered as far as insurance was concerned - or at least that is what they told us. 

As it turned out, the car had a slow leak in the right front tire. We of course did not see this until the next morning when the car itself told us of the problem and told us to inflate the tire to the correct psi. We inflated and drove on. The next morning, the tire was low again, so we inflated again. But now we knew that there was something not quite right with the tire. 

When we arrived at our destination (Abilene), we were finally able to contact the rental company and ask what we needed to do. It was a Sunday. The rental company informed us first that tires were not covered - they were our responsibility. So although we had the most expensive insurance, covering everything, it somehow did not cover leaking tires. But after some back-and-forth they gave us a number for roadside assistance. 

The roadside assistance sent a tow truck to tow our car…. To where? We had no idea. We were supposed to receive information digitally, but nothing showed up. We called the tow truck in the evening, disturbing his evening, and were informed of the address the tow truck had been given. We tried to call, but it was of course Sunday evening. No one was available. 

The next morning we tried as well, but it was Memorial Day and shops were closed. We drove by with a friend and saw the car, but the shop was closed. We would have to wait for the next morning. We were planning on traveling on that day, so it was imperative that we get the car back in time. We would be flying on Wednesday. 

When Tuesday arrived, the phone marathon began. The shop where the car was left had no idea why it was there and could not help us. The rental company didn’t answer their phone. The roadside assistance needed to know which insurance was used, but we didn’t know since it came from the rental company. The towing company would figure out where the keys were left. The rental company still didn’t answer. 

In the end, we were able to track down the car and the keys. We picked up the keys at a collision place (who of course could not hel[ us with tires) drove it down to a tire place where it was fixed for FREE - Thank you Discount Tire on Catclaw in Abilene! This made everything amazing, even if we were later than we wanted to be. We were able to get on the road back to Haslet where we could rest one more time before returning the car. 

We planned on complaining when we returned the car on Wednesday, but a major accident on the way snarled traffic to a stop and we had just enough time to drop off the car and get on the shuttle to the shuttle to the airport. So in the end we got where we needed to be - no thanks to the “easy” rental company. 

But that was only part of the trip. The rest was the big, wonderful adventure of a Texas visit. We stopped in twice at our good friends, the McNeill’s (after arriving and before leaving). Memories of times in Belgium, catching up with current life and sharing beautiful Texas sunsets and wide open Texas skies.

The second day in Texas had us driving down to a ranch outside of Throckmorton to meet with the Bundy’s. The Bundy’s had been everywhere in Europe, where we met them in Switzerland and Belgium. Sean spent some of his time living with them at their apartment in Brussels. (You can see pictures of that time here.) Now they are in Lubbock when they are not out at this ranch with their family. And now we were welcomed here. 

The weather threatened to rain, but cleared up enough for Scott to even throw some discs at the homemade discgolf (three targets) before dinner with Bill’s brother and sister-in-law. Big steaks, baked potatoes and ice cream to boot. We were able to share good conversation, talking about the work of God’s kingdom in sod many places around the world. 

We drove off the next day in a storm that had been waiting to fall. The rain slashed across our windshield as we drove over the single lane highway through the vastness of empty space filled with mesquite trees. Driving down into Abilene, the clouds parted for a moment before closing again as we reached our destination at our friend’s E.B. and Jean Dotson’s. 

Walking into the Dotson’s house is always a coming home. We stay here every time we return to the States and look forward to how we can be at home here. We can say hello to the birds, just sit quietly, or engage in various conversations. We always enjoy a movie together at some time. This time we added popcorn and m&m’s on the last evening together. 

In the meantime we were blessed on the Sunday with family time. Our very first congregation, two days after we were married, was S. 11th & Willis in Abilene. When we decided to begin the work in Maastricht, they were right there to support us financially and have been with us since then. They support and have supported missions in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

This would be our last visit with them as a supporting congregation, since they would be ending their support, but it was so good to be able to see members we have known so long and who have loved us for so long. Scott preached and we enjoyed conversations afterwards before going out to lunch, being blessed by hospitable hearts.  

In the evening we attended another congregation in the area and talked about what we do with the church in Belgium and The Netherlands. Since we were losing support, some friends encouraged us to consider picking the missed support up somewhere else. In this meeting we met with people who already had links with missions in Germany and were more than willing to listen to what was happening in the neighboring countries. Texas hearts and hospitality are big and wonderful. 

Our drive back to the airport covered all the vastness of West Texas fields and skies which seem to stretch out forever. The sky is nowhere as blue as in Texas. And our last evening in Texas was one with good friends and peace. Our Tale of the Difficult Rental ended - as a trying sickness ends with a feeling of exhaustion and a desire to simply move on. We are so thankful for the trips we are able to take, for the people who welcome us so warmly. No we move on to the next step and the next stories. If you want to see some pictures from Texas, you can find them here.

I wanna be like you!

Good examples are indispensable for growth. When you are learning things, watching someone do it right, and having them teach you, is the best way of assimilating what you want to learn.

This past week was Missions Emphasis Week at South 11th and Willis church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. This congregation has been ‘doing’ missions for the 65 years they have been at this address. I don’t know about all of those years, but I can remember all of the examples we saw.

We arrived in Abilene on a Saturday and attended Willis the next morning. That Sunday we were asked out to lunch by at least two couples (if not more). We were taken on a driving tour of some nice areas of Abilene before being taken to a lovely meal. And it wasn’t even because we were such a wonderful new married couple (we had been married that very day before). It’s just how the family at Willis is.

When we arrived, the congregation had already supported a mission effort in the Northeast for a longer period. They were already active in missions in Africa and with the deaf. And they took care of their members and their neighborhood. They had young members who had done short-term evangelism in New Guinea, Africa, and Europe – and they continued to support them.

What does it teach you when you see a congregation set their budget in such a way as to make sure that they can continue supporting missions all over the world? And they are not picky. What I mean is – it is easy for a congregation to get focused on one area of the world. It makes a bit of sense, since the congregation can then gain a deeper knowledge of that area of the world. But Willis has always had a principle of supporting the person. They support their own members who are called to serve – no matter where they are called to serve.

I remember seeing funds raised in a special contribution – because it was needed. Above and beyond the budget. This could be for a chair for those sitting with a loved one through the night, for clothes for those who had less, or a missions need. When there was a need – voiced by any of the members to the family – all looked for a way to help.

In our own situation we were offered a place to stay, had a car loan co-signed (we didn’t have any relatives to help), and found jobs because of these family members who continually focus on the heart of Christ. I don’t know how many of these brothers and sisters specifically thought about their example, but they indisputably formed us through their example.

When one of the members started a Bible study in the neighborhood he asked for any members who wanted to join them in the effort – but he was quite clear: only come if you are willing to be active in sharing your faith. “If you aren’t telling people about Jesus now and here, what makes you think you will do it anywhere else?” That was a good question.

When we started getting ready to come to the Netherlands and Belgium, Willis was right there beside us. And they have remained there all along. But in the typical fashion and example we learned from them they have continued on. Besides supporting us in Europe, this congregation continues to have efforts in Africa, with the deaf (both local and overseas) and within the refugee community locally.

That was something I learned a long time ago from this family: the job is never done and it is not always about doing big things. Sometimes it is just about taking someone home for a good lunch.

We are so thankful for this congregation and all that God continues to do through them. 

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all God’s people – the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. Colossians 1:3-5

Imagine that!

For the last week we have been in Abilene, Texas - temperatures in the high 90's, so you stay inside. Sean has gotten to practice with a soccer team twice, putting up with the inability to breath in order to get some soccer in. And then it started to rain! Yesterday dropped a good 5 inches (12 cm) in a few hours in this place that barely has gutters since it hardly ever rains. Suddenly the city discovers how many creeks run through the city, how many roads become rivers, and how hard it is to get from one side of town to the other. Imagine not coming to work because it rained (those of you living in Europe)!

This means that I may not get to go discgolfing today. So far we have golfed in every city we stayed in. Stephan and I went the other day here in Abilene, too, so that's okay. It has been great to be able to get out of the house, get a little exercise and see the cities we are in. We usually go quite early (to avoid the heat). Today we planned to play in a mini-tournament, but hole 13 had a water hazard and is now probably UNDER water. We'll see - the play is in the afternoon, things can clear up quite quickly in Texas.

In the meantime we are talking about the different schools we have seen along the way. It is hard for us to imagine that Stephan will soon be gone from home. We want him to have some good opportunities and have visited a few Christian universities here in the States. As we have said goodbye to people along the way of our furlough ("See you in three years."), we realized that Stephan will not be with us the next time. Imagine that!