Getting ready for the summer

As we return from a wonderful visit getting to know our granddaughter, we are turning our sights to the various activities planned for the summer. Mostly this means our summer Bible camp weeks. I will be directing the Benjamin week (8-11 year-olds) and will be teaching at the Family Camp week. 

We are excited to be working with a team for Benjamin camp that is mostly made up of members from Maastricht. We will welcome our young Ukrainian couple as counselors for the first tie. Our colleague, Karla will be teaching, together with a sister from the church in Eindhoven. They make a great team and have worked together before. We will have Karla’s daughters in the kitchen together with a sister from Maastricht who will help out. Shirley will be there as acting nurse and help as well. 

We have a full group of young kids coming for this week which will focus on the miracles of Jesus. We had to close registration for the boys because we were full. The girls side is also almost full. This means, for our camp, that we have 25 campers, but doesn’t not count a few more that we are getting who will be staying in tents for a few days. These kids will come from all around Belgium and the Netherlands. 

It is exciting to be able to take part in these camp weeks. One of the things that I do with camp director is give church members a chance to learn and grow as helpers and servers. Getting a good team together is always a challenge, but the week ends up being a wonderful time to grow together. It is also so exciting to see the campers discover God in new ways and have examples of people who know God and follow Him in our daily lives. 

For a lot of these children, camp is a time to see friends that they may not see at any other time in the year. It is also a time that they will be challenged to do things they might not do at home. So they will try new foods, clean up in the kitchen, make their own beds, keep the bathrooms clean, and learn how to work together with other kids. They will also be challenged by the lesson material about who God is and what He truly means in our lives. 

There will be 4 weeks of camp this summer. The older teens (15 years old and up) begin in the 3rd week of July, followed by the Benjamins. The Teens (12-14 year-olds) start in August followed by the family week. Keep each of these weeks in your prayers - the camp teams and the campers attending. 

We know that there are camp weeks all over taking place as well and have been praying for them. Our Ukrainian couple who will be counselors have returned from Cam Amerikraine (held in Poland this year). We know of groups meeting in Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. What a blessing these times can be. We pray that God uses each of these moments mightily to touch hearts for faith in Him. 

Whensday: Ardennen Bijbelkamp (ABK)

I talk a lot about Ardennen Bijbelkamp. That’s because a lot of what we do has to do with this wonderful tool that has been given us. At the end of this month we will gather with members of the church from various congregations around the Netherlands and Belgium to talk about how camp has been used and how we can continue to use it wisely for the churches. 

This place was first conceived and purchased back in 1965 by various brothers in the French- and Dutch-speaking churches at the time as well as some brothers from the US. The desire was to have a place in God’s wonderful creation which could be used to help members grow in faith. This would be a place for youth and family camps, a place where congregations could go for a retreat together, a place where members or families together could simply get away and meditate on God’s Word together. 

From the very beginning it was a place that was for all of the congregations. The work that was done to clear the land was done by various churches. Later, as buildings were erected, this works was done again by members of the various congregations working together. In the first days, everything was done in tents. Later a simple shed-type ‘building’ was constructed. 

In the 1960’s many of the French-speaking churches made good use of the land. It is, after all, in French-speaking area in Belgium. Solwaster is only about 20 minutes from the resort town of Spa (you can read more about that in these articles). As the congregations grew, partially because of this tool, more possibilities were added to the camp terrain, including a kitchen and toilets. 

Mind you, in the beginning there was no running water and certainly no sewage system. That had to be taken care of by members as well. When a plumbing system came, the toilets were still flushed by buckets of water hauled from the creek which runs through the terrain. I even remember washing in the creek, and that was in the 1980’s. 

We didn’t have electricity at camp for quite some time. Lighting was done with gas lamps. Food was bought each day fresh or was planned to be food that would not spoil. In the 1990’s we were able to purchase a generator, the church members getting together for the funds and the installation. And for years the sound of the oil-spouting diesel generator was added to the sounds of camp - alongside the squeals of kids playing in the creek, the quiet of people reading their Bibles, the joyful singing together. 

By the 2000’s we finally had real electricity, plumbing had been around for some time and we began dreaming about maybe finally putting the plumbing into the dormitory that had been built in the 1980’s. But it was the demolition of the main hall in 2012 that was first to come. This was to make way for the new hall and upper room. Many of you worked on this building or helped to finance it. 

After the main building was renovated, the use of camp was able to move further. From being usable for perhaps 10 times in the year (4 major weeks in the summer and various weekends through the year) we moved to using it almost 20 times a year. The last three years, after a renovation of the dormitory, we have used camp om average 30 times a year. 

And there are more plans coming. The next renovation will be to the kitchen and toilet/bathroom section, bringing everything into the new century. This has all only been possible because of an inheritance from a sister who had been there from the very beginning in 1965. When she passed away - to wait for us all at the Home prepared for us by Jesus - she left her funds to make sure that camp would be provided for. 

I am thankful that we (Shirley and I) have been able to experience quite a bit of this history. Another time I will talk about how much Bible Camp (this one, but more importantly a few others) have been in my faith wak and life. We pray that this place has been such an influence to the people who have come to Ardennen Bijbelkamp. Thank you for your prayers and your working together throughout the years. 

Go here to find all sorts of pictures from many years of camp. (choose a year, then click on the photo)

(By the way, find me and Shirley in this first photo. Our colleagues are in the second photo. Both of these taken before we were married couples)

Ardennen Bijbelkamp

We love Bible camp. Ardennen Bijbelkamp has been a tool for the churches since 1965 and continunes to be a place where faith is grown. The camp is owned by a non-profit organization made up of the various congregations in Belgium and the Netherlands called ‘The Sentinel’s of the Faith’. And it is wonderful to see how this place can touch so many hearts and lives. 

At the end of this month we will hold our annual meeting where we talk about what was done in 2022 and look forward to what is planned for 2023. As I look back om this past year I am thankful for the place, for the possibilities and for the people who make it all possible. Many of you reading this will also have had a part in this effort. Some have visited, helped counsel, helped build, offered financial support or attended as a camper. 

In 2022 it was exciting to see things getting back to normal and even expanding. For years we have been increasing the use of camp. Not only do we organize the summer weeks, but there are various other groups that use camp, including fathers with their kids, mothers with their kids, churches on retreat and families from church getting together. In the last three years camp has been used more than 30 times in the year, compared to around 25 times a year in the 5 years before that. 

This past year was the first time in a while that we as a congregation from Maastricht had been able to plan a day. It was a great opportunity to get to know one another better as we have grown a bit this year and welcomed several new members. Camp always gives good opportunities to talk. A long walk through the woods, playing games and singing together make for great fellowship. 

The reason we put so much effort into camp is that it is a place for fellowship, increasing opportunities for churches to work together. Each camp week in the summer is a combination of members from around Belgium and the Netherlands. But camp is also a place to help members learn to lead and serve. Young people come to be counselors and are made aware of how important their example is to the kids they help. Teachers, camp directors, cooks all see how teamwork is essential, useful and fun. These lessons are plugged in again in the local congregations. 

We look forward to this coming year and how God will use members and this facility for growing faith in many. We will be leading Teen Camp when we get back from our trip to the US. We also look to get down to camp again with the congregation in Maastricht as well as attend Family Camp and the Family Day in September. Thank you for your help along the way. Maybe we will see you again at camp sometime soon? 

Interested in seeing some more pictures? You can find a photo album at the camp website (as well as a neat flyover: www.bijbelkamp.eu). You can also see plenty of our moments at camp at our photo site. 

Fall camp activities

This coming weekend we will be holding our Fall Camp once again. This is a weekend organized mostly for teens (12 years and older) but also through the years for families. One of the first times that Shirley and I can remember going together down to camp was at a Fall Camp. We slept in a small caravan next to the dining hall - if one can call it that at the time. We woke to freezing icicles on the inside of the caravan and joined the rest in the dining hall to endure the dripping ceiling caused by condensation and cold. 

Things have changed quite a bit through the years for Fall Camp. What we have been able to do with the facilities because of the efforts and giving of so many in the church here in Belgium and the Netherlands as well as partners in the US has greatly increased the use of camp. Now we have a warm, dry hall, topped by a second floor used for teaching and playing games. 

This weekend a group of young people will gather at camp to once again encourage one another and enjoy the beauty of God in the nature surrounding the camp buildings. We have a good group of young people, including several Ukrainians this year. Although they are not especially happy to be away from their home, they are thankful to have made new friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

Following the weekend a new Vacation Bible Camp will start. This is the second year for this camp week, meant for kids from 8-14 years old. It is a full week in the Fall vacation week for Belgian kids. This week is not the vacation week for kids in the Netherlands, so the camp is almost exclusively Belgian. It is a great time for the young people who have first met during the summer camp weeks to see one another again and encourage one another after the beginning of the school year. 

Good relationships are so very important for all young people. The world is never an easy place, and now it seems often to be even more difficult. To have friends who are not only interested in faith but living it daily is extremely valuable. These camp moments make sure that our young people have these opportunities. Thank you for helping to make this possible and for praying for these young people and the camps they attend.

Old and new memories

This past weekend was Family Day at camp. Each year a different congregation in Belgium organizes this day where the various congregations can gather and encourage one another. In 2021 it was a minimal gathering because of corona, so this year the church in Roeselare wanted to have a day where we once again felt the fellowship of being in Christ. 

We had about 50 people from congregations from Knokke-Heist, Roeselare, Ghent, Antwerp, and Rotselaar in Belgium and Eindhoven and Maastricht from The Netherlands. In addition we had several Ukrainian brothers and sisters who have settled with the congregations in Eindhoven and Maastricht, who came to meet more of their brothers and sisters. 

We had hoped to see brothers and sisters from the French-speaking congregations on this day as well, but the weather was not all that conducive to travel or gathering outside. Still, we had a wonderful time together singing and listening to what is going on in the various congregations, how God is blessing and using us all. 

It was especially exciting to see some visitors from long ago. Just as during Family Camp a few weeks ago, a few former campers came back for this special day to share memories. It had been 21 years since they had been to camp. Things have physically changed - we have a new building and are planning on even more, we have expanded the grounds and have recovered well from the floods last year. But we are still the family we have always been. 

After the family gathering, a group stayed behind to evaluate this past summer and plan for the coming year. Camp is being used more than ever. A new week is being proposed for the young professional groups and a new week has taken its place among the regular weeks. We now have a Vacation Bible Camp during the Fall break in Belgium. 

In addition to the various weeks planned (6 different weeks and 2 different weekends), camp continues to be used throughout the year for all different groups. Churches come down for a retreat. There is a “Survival” camp for father’s and their kids - now twice a year. The French-speaking churches use camp for their youth activities. There are now also Spanish-speaking congregations planning to use it as well. This has always been the desire - that camp can be used by all of the churches to help all members grow in faith and faithfulness. 

Many of you have helped in the past to make camp what it is today. Some of you have been to camp before. We are so thankful for how God is able to use us and this place for His glory. Most recently two young people have their lives to Christ partially because of what they talked about while at a week of camp. Praise God!

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. 

Blessing in adversity

"Consider it pure joy when trials come your way and troubles seem to stay (around you). Consider it pure joy, my brothers, for your faith." 

(Paraphrased from James 1:2 for the song Consider it joy from Listen Up!). 

The last two months have brought all sorts of learning moments and challenges to help us grow. God is always good and has stood by us in every way. That is what is so wonderful to see happening. And it is what we need to remember when we are in the midst of adversity. You are not alone. With God’s help, you will overcome. 
Looking toward the summer, we were not sure that our summer Bible camps would be able to take place, due to corona restrictions and rules. We had three weeks of youth camps planned, teams formed and ready, lessons prepared and campers registered before we truly knew if camp would be allowed or if campers from other countries (remember that we have campers from The Netherlands and Belgium) would be allowed to attend. And then, just as we heard that we had a green light, the rains hit hard. 
I was so thankful for the questions and comments and prayers from so many who contacted us to know how we were doing. It was clear that the news from Belgium had reached other parts of the world as well. Almost twice the amount of rain that we usually receive for the whole summer was dumped on Belgium (a naturally wet country) in less than two days! 
Some of our families from Maastricht were down at camp for a family vacation when it was happening and had to quickly evacuate, even leaving things behind as our little camp creek became a raging river running through the middle of our campground. We saw pictures in the news of places we go every summer with our kids from camp, now inundated with water, buildings collapsing into the river. 
Within a few days the rain had stopped and we could asses the damage at our camp. Water had run into parts of our building about 1 meter high, bringing all sorts of sludge. Our driveway stones were strewn all over our playing field, along with the broken glass from some windows we had been saving. All sorts of tools and trash from houses and properties further up river were strewn about the field and creek. But our buildings had stood - except for the wooden shed that housed all of our tools. That was washed completely away. 
We had to act quickly and make some decisions. The very next week would be our first week of camp - for the older teens. Could we have them come and help clean up? What about the week following when we would have 30 kids (8-11 year-olds) coming? Would it be safe? Clean? Even allowed by the government? 
The last question was answered for us: no youth camps were allowed in the city limits of Jalhay (where our camp is situated) until the end of the month of July. So we knew that we would have to find other accommodation for the first two weeks of camp and hope to be able to clean camp up in those weeks if we were to host the third week back at camp. 

A desperate scramble began to find places, realizing that we would not be the only group looking for a place to hold a youth activity. The scouts typically hold their camps just down the road from our camp. They, too, were looking for other accommodation. Thankfully, the scramble led to some good options. The older youth found a location in Malmedy (still in the Ardennes) and the Benjamins (8-11 year-olds) found a place in the middle of Belgium. 
Shirley and I were with the Benjamins. This was a summer to help train as well as host the youngest group. Shirley was assisting Tonia in the kitchen instead of leading the kitchen. This would give Tonia the chance to see what it was like to cook for this type of group. Scott was training two assistent camp leaders so that they would have the opportunity to learn what it was to be a camp leader. At the same time, this was one of the biggest group of kids we had had at Benjamin Camp for many years - but now it would be in a different location. 
Head on over to our pictures to get an idea of what our location looked like and how the week went. As God always does, He surprised us with some wonderful moments and some new challenges. Where we would have been able to let our kids roam a bit free at our own camp, this new location meant that we were all packed into a compact little area - along with lots of animals. But it was a great week with some wonderful lessons. 
The Saturday that Benjamin Camp ended, Scott took Shirley and Chester home to recover, took a quick shower, and headed down to our own camp for Teen Camp - the first group to meet together at camp since the flooding. 
This was only possible because groups of volunteers had been very busy in the intervening two weeks to get everything ready. People from the French-speaking churches in the area (who also had to deal with the flooding in their own area), members from the church in Cologne, and folks from all over Belgium came to clean, pick up rubbish (and we are not talking paper, but pieces of machinery and more) and clean some more. When we got to camp, we had a camp that was clean and usable in every way. What a blessing!
The Teen week was also a time to give others a chance to grow in leading. Scott was able to simply be teacher, presenting lessons on the parables of Jesus, because there was a great team of leaders caring for the campers and the specifics of the week. You can see the group and what the week looked like right here. 
Although we had planned to also visit Family Camp the following week, Scott had to admit that he had gotten a year older and couldn’t handle another week of camp. We did make it down for two days of lessons and short visits with the families that were able to spend the week together being blessed by God's word and presence at camp. 

In these months we also welcomed visitors at services in Maastricht. Scott taught at 3am (his time) for a series in Colorado and led a funeral service for the man he has been a carer for for the last 7 years. It was just days later that the city where this service was held was also inundated in the floods. 

Difficult times always come with moments of care and comfort. The rain reminds us how good it is to see the sun. In the coming weeks and months, we will try to remember this as we continue to try to navigate the uncertainties of corona rules (will they close the border again?), opportunities to get together, struggles that have become acute because of the long year and a half of corona. We look forward to meeting again with brothers to help look into becoming leaders. We hope to be able to meet again internationally to sing together. And we are so thankful that God has His family in so many places. We all need to hang on, hang on tight to the vine, and know that God is almighty. 

Thank you for your prayers for us. We pray that you, too have been blessed by the adversity you have faced and are facing in the coming days. We cannot face it without our King. Don’t do it alone. Know that we are a body together in Christ. 

"And I helped!"

When was the last time you allowed someone to help you – when you needed it? And when was the last time you allowed someone to help – even though you didn’t need it? I am so thankful for how God continues to help us learn how deep and wondrous His grace truly is.

We were so thankful that Harding University Chorus stopped by on their tour to sing with us and two local choirs. What impressed me was the willingness to help in whatever way possible, including crawling around on the ground setting up a podium, unstacking chairs before the concert and stacking them again afterwards. When I don’t want to ‘bother’ people in asking them to help, I remove any opportunity to serve. The concert was a time full of people being willing to help, even when they were not asked.

This past weekend I got to go down to our Bible camp. We hold a work camp every year at this time to get things ready for the summer weeks. Once again, people came willing to help, looking for ways to serve. There was a list of things to do, but there was also a willingness to ask: “What can I do?” And when some of the younger ones wanted to help, we found ways that they could take part as well.

We want to help. We are made to be part of creating. And God’s grace is what makes this possible in His kingdom. He allows us to help. He even puts us in places where we can help. I love working in His kingdom and learning from His grace.

Go on over to our photo site to see some pictures of the concert inMaastricht or of our time down at work camp. And remember to allow people to help you too, today.

I have been crucified in Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live in faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Catch me if you can

I need to learn to stop for a minute and continue on afterwards at full speed. Some things happen all at once and you have to get it written down before it is too late. Here are some of the things that passed by very quickly after my last post:

The graduate!

Sean graduated from high school on June 28. We are so thankful for his daily effort doing his best. He is excited at the moment to enjoy the summer before starting a new chapter in his life in the Fall.

In September Sean will be attending Narafi (www.narafi.be), a film and photography school in Brussels. We are also thankful and grateful that he will be able to stay with Bill and DeeDee Bundy while he is there this year. He is still planning on being home in the weekends (“So don’t get any ideas about my room,” he says.)

Vieny Wanga’s new life!

Vieny is the daughter of our sister in Christ, Shadira. Vieny has been living the past year in Curacao with her grandmother (who was baptized there this year as well), but has grown up with us here in Maastricht for the last 10 years. In those years she has attended youth weekends, Bible camp and had plenty of questions. Many of you have been praying for her as well.

On Thursday, July 14, she and Scott had made an appointment to discuss her growth and any questions she was struggling with in her faith. When Scott arrived, Vieny said, “I don’t know why I am questioning. I want proof, but God has shown me all I need to know. I know He loves me and has done everything for me. I know that I want to give my life to Him.” So that afternoon, Vieny put her Lord on in baptism, dying to her old life, rising in new life through faith in Jesus Christ!

Bible Camp

That same weekend Scott and Sean headed down to “Jongerenkamp” (a week of Bible camp for 15 years and older). Scott was teaching on “Service”. It was a gray-weather week, but a wonderful time of learning how to serve one another and dreaming of how we can serve after returning home. It was exciting to have several from the congregation in Maastricht there, learning from each other and encouraging one another. Check out some of the pictures on our site or here.

Mr. and Mrs. Fenny

At the end of camp, several of the campers and helpers, all of whom were also part of the congregation in Maastricht, headed back to Maastricht to share in the marriage of Shadira and Farley. Some of us sang, some helped, others spoke – and all of us enjoyed sharing this new life together. We are so thankful for the love that God teaches us. The congregation looks forward to the example that Shadira and Farley already are and will continue to be. In the coming year they are planning on moving to Curacao to be with Shadira’s girls.

In the meantime

We also headed down to Paris for a day with Sean and our interns. Very quick, but a wonderful time as family. You can see some of the pictures over on our photo site, but be assured, the memories made were even better. 

We also have been helping a young couple learn about ministry – as best we can. Shane and Rachel Morr have been with us for 5 of the last 8 weeks, evangelizing in Maastricht, meeting the members, participating in Bible studies and singing evenings, helping out wherever they could. We enjoyed our time with them immensely and hope that they were able to learn a bit from us what it means to be servants in this way. They headed back home this week. They are also friends of Stephan, so it is good to have that link connecting us as well.

Sean has played several times with his band – the playing great, the results (some were competitions) sometimes disappointing, but all exciting for us as parents. He hopes to continue the band in the Fall, combining school, work and playing in the weekends. Quite a challenge. 

Okay, take a breath. I’ll try to get up little bits a bit quicker in the future. Thanks for stopping by. It is always good to talk with you. And praise God for all that He is able to do in so many ways!

Our weekend together

gemeente van Christus / church of Christ
Originally uploaded by sraabs.

During the weekend of Pentecost (the second day of Pentecost is also a holiday), we organized a study weekend for the church down at camp. God obliged with be-a-utiful weather and it was an amazing weekend!

Everything was centered around the letter to the Romans - the lessons, the activities and even the food. It was great to see how everyone pitched in to make it a special weekend. Scott and Ruud did some exegesis and practical lessons and Stephan gave his first sermon on Sunday morning.

Several of the young people helped out with our workshops: on nature, art and language. Shareya and Isha helped with the art by teaching the participants how to make Roman sandals and mosaics. Stephan did a workshop on nature photography (see the results here). Philip Dela taught us some sign language and Scott got his participants to write new songs (another six for our book! Go here and click on the "Liedjes" tab to hear our songs. The ones at the end are the ones from this weekend.)

We endeavoured to do things together - even making our food. So we made a huge bowl of fruit salad and quite a few vegetable skewers for the Saturday dinner. Add to that all of the great times just playing, walking, sitting and talking and you end up with something we are definitely planning on repeating! (click on the picture above to see more from the weekend)