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.