Together time

Every second Sunday those who wish stay after our worship and coffee time to play some games together. Yesterday was a 3rd Sunday, but we had still moved the games to this week. It coincided with a brother’s meeting as well, so there was plenty to do. But the fun is always simply being able to spend time together. 

That is what Shirley and I are hoping to do in the coming days as well. Our anniversary always falls in busy days in December, so we seldom have time to get away then. January is much easier. Since having to look into getting a car, this has meant looking a bit closer to home, which works out perfectly with some other desires we have had. 

Jim and Ruth Krumrei are now in their 90’s, but are a major influence in our lives. I stayed and worked with them in Haarlem back in the 1980’s. We regularly try to find some chance to visit, but it is not always easy. Most recently we have been up in Haarlem more often because of teaching some singing. But this doesn’t always mean that we will see the Jim and Ruth. 

So, in planning some getaway days together we decided to combine it with some time with Jim and Ruth and perhaps even the congregation in Haarlem. We will travel up to stay with Jim and Ruth in Haarlem and use that area as a hub rot visit some typical Dutch towns and cities in the area. Just as important, we will have time to spend with Jim and Ruth and share memories of how God has worked in this country. 

At the end of the month (or beginning of February) we hope to be back in the area for a singing with the church in Haarlem. The end of this week is the yearly camp meeting where we will also be able to spend time with people we do not see every week. It is exciting to see how God brings people from around the country together to work together for the kingdom. And we are thankful that we get to spend time with so many people.

(Photo is of a previous Games day)

Camp conversations and challenges

We are in the middle of Bible camp season. Shirley and I started at Jongerenkamp (the 15-20 year-olds) and took the following week to recover at home. In that week the Benjamins (8-11 year-olds) were down at camp, enjoying a lot more rain that we had had. This week the teens (12-14 year-olds) are down at camp and next week the Families will arrive. IN that week I will go down each day and help with the teen lessons. We enjoy the various weeks that we get to help with these times of growth. 

Each week is different and unique every year. This year was the first time since before corona time that Shirley and I did the older young people. We had 24 campers and it was an amazing week. The questions that come from this group are very different than those which come from a Benjamin. And the conversations during the day are much deeper (and last much longer. It is always exciting to see how everyone at any of these camp weeks has multiple amazing opportunities to grow spiritually. 

During our week there were lots of conversations going on about the week’s theme (our identity in Christ) as well as challenges in daily life. We had all sorts of singing time with this group that loved singing and wanted to learn more. And our counselors - who were barely older than the campers themselves - could easily get a group together for an activity. The group mixed well and the young people even ran out for a game of soccer in the rain. 

We were thankful to have good friends from the past working with us that week as well. Rudy and Pam Schellekens joined us from Muscatine, Iowa after already having done good work at Midwest Bible Camp. Rudy taught the lessons and Pam helped in the kitchen. The kitchen team was a bundle of laughing, giggling girls at times and an efficient team for the group of hungry teens sat at every meal. Rudy sat patiently and fielded questions about the lessons and life all through the week, discussing patiently Greek words and their meanings as well as implications for our daily lives. 

Next week I look forward to dropping down to camp to help out and experience the group during Family Camp. We are blessed to live fairly close (an hour’s drive) and I can just drive down for the lessons and a bit of the afternoon. I will help out with the teens during the second lesson as we look at the Minor Prophets. I am also looking forward to the conversations I will be able to have with people I only see during this week of the year. 

In the meantime we are praying for the young people that were at our camp week, the young ones who attended the week after and for the teens experiencing camp this week. We are especially praying for the counselors - several of whom were campers at our week and counselors at the Benjamin week as well. Thank you for your prayers for these moments and for so many of you who also take part in camps and activities in your area. 

The living Word

It is exciting to both os us to see how God works in our lives and others through His word, the Bible. When we get to know who Jesus is and begin following him in our daily lives, we are walking in the light, walking with the living Word. This is something that we just can’t keep from others. It is always wonderful to share with others and be encouraged by what we learn from the Word and what we learn through how others grow in the Word. 

We are thankful that we have various opportunities throughout the week to share this with members and seekers. On Monday evenings we are with a loving couple from church who live about an hour away from us. We began meeting with them years ago when they could not make it to the Wednesday evening study but still wanted to keep growing. They also wanted to learn about how to share what they were learning. So we have visited with them and continue to share what we know and learn from what they are learning. 

On Tuesdays Scott has a time at the building when people can come to ask questions about God. Through the years this has meant studies and conversations of all different kinds. Most recently he has been meeting with a woman studying about the old and new covenant, meeting with a mn who wants to understand his faith and daily choose to follow Jesus, and also takes time to encourage a sister in the faith who is shut in. 

Tuesday afternoons have become a time for a group of younger people who want to be encouraged and encourage one another. This is an English-speaking group and is held online. There are folks from nearby (our young Ukrainian couple who libre about 30 minutes away) and further away (two ladies from France and another even from Curaçao. Tuesday evenings we meet in person with a younger sister from the congregation who wants to grow in her faith. 

Wednesday evenings are what is our normal weekly Bible study. IN the past this was held at our house, at the building or at a different member’s home. But since Covid we began meeting online. This has meant that more members can be present. We still head over to our colleagues’ house (10 minutes away) and get online while sitting in their living room. This study (done in Dutch) is a great encouragement for all those who are able to attend. We are so thankful that so many are able to get online and encourage one another in this way. 

Thursday morning I head back over to my colleague’s house (in the summer I might even bike over, like I did last week) for a study we have with a man who wants to know more about the Bible and has plenty of questions about society, science and God’s will. I also uses this day about once a month to visit some people who nee encouragement - in prison in Antwerp and in a psychiatric hospital nearby. These are not Bible studies, but are conversations about the living Word. 

On Friday mornings Shirley gets online with the other ladies of the congregation for a study and prayer time together. As we let people know on our website (www.gvcmaastricht.nl) this is a study by and for women. It is exciting to see how the ladies take the time to help one another and encourage one another. 

We have always prayed that God can use us in the way that He sees fit while we are here (or wherever we are). These are moments that we can share so much of the beauty that we ourselves find in God’s Word. It is also so good to be able to discuss how the things we read fit into our daily lives. God’s Word is not just a study (a word we use a lot), but a discovery of how God works in our lives and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Thank you for praying for the various opportunities we have to share this glorious news.

How does God’s word influence your live? What challenges have you experienced recently in reading and following Jesu as the living Word? How do you share what you find so beautiful? 

Some busy weeks

The year is well begun. January has already passed and we are into the second month of the year. And as February starts we’re looking ahead to a slew of activities planned in the coming weeks. Alongside our regular activities which have continued from last year, we are planning some new events for this year. 

We are thankful that the studies we had in 2024 have continued into this year. We have a regular mentoring study almost every Monday. Added to this is a monthly study with an atheist man who began our conversations wanting to know what the Bible was all about. Most recently he let me know that, although he still doesn’t think he will ever believe in God, he bought a children’s Bible for his granddaughter because he wants her to know some of what is in it. 

Also added on Mondays is a chance top learn Greek. Our young Ukrainian couple has good contact with their friends in Ukraine and there is an American teacher who is offering Greek lessons for all who are interested. I have at various times in the past looked at learning some more Greek, but have never gotten past the first 2 or so lessons. I know the alphabet and know my way around a lexicon. But this way I can learn more and also develop my relationships with some brothers and sisters in Ukraine. 

Our online English study on Tuesdays has expanded as some of the participants have asked if others may be added. We now have participants in France and in Brazil as well as those in The Netherlands and Belgium. In February I will add a week in Germany at the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) which you have heard me talk about before. I look forward to meeting some others from around Europe during this week. 

We will travel to Rotselaar, Belgium to preach this coming Sunday and will go over to Roeselare.Belgium in May. Shirley will join several other ladies from Maastricht at the annual Ladies Retreat at the beginning of March. Then they will organize their own Ladies Day at our building on March 15, reaching out to the ladies of the neighborhood. At the end of the month I will lead a special training day for those wanting to learn how to direct a Bible camp. 

In April we will plan another Youth Day with the congregation and in May a day for the church down at camp. These days in the past have also been opportunities to write new songs. It has been some time since we have written anything new within the congregation. But this doesn’t mean that singing has taken a back seat. Most recently I have spent some time getting the music notes online in videos of songs we may already know so that members can also learn them in that way. I will also continue working on getting more songs into music notation. 

By the end of May we will take some time to get camp ready. This is always done during the weekend of Ascension Day, which is a holiday in Belgium. We are hoping to start the renovations on camp some time this year, although not before the summer camp weeks. This year Shirley and I will be working with the oldest group of teens. 

Thank you for your prayers for all of these activities and for your faithfulness in how God is working in your lives as well. Above all, we are thankful that we can simply live for Him daily, touching lives with His grace in everyday ways, no matter where we are. 

(Sunrise, sunset on our daily walk near our house)

Sport and fellowship

This past weekend was full of fun and fellowship. Saturday was a sport day organized by August. August is barely 10 years old, but he knows that it is good to get together with friends. So he had asked his mother last Fall if he could organize a sport day. I like getting to pay sports recreationally and getting to know the young people that I see at camp better. Plus I wanted to encourage August, so I went last year and had a great time. 

This past Saturday August held the 2nd version and the 3rd one is already planned for the Spring. We had about 20 people there to play basketball and a little bit of soccer. We took time to stop and sing together and thank God for the time together. There was plenty of time to sweat, talk, laugh and enjoy. I am already looking forward to the one in the Spring and getting some of the young people from our side of the country to go as well. 

The evening before all the sweating at the sport day we were home for our monthly singing. Every first Friday of the month is singing. We used to do this at the building, but it has become easier for now to do it at our house. This month we had some guests from the church in Eindhoven and we all enjoyed singing some Christmas songs and paying attention to the real reason for the season. I love singing, but the time afterwards, filled with conversation, is just as encouraging. 

On Sunday, since it was the 2nd Sunday of the month, we had some members stay afterwards to play games. We had had 3 visitors for services and were also able to welcome several members back who had not been in quite some time. Praise God for grace and compassion and hearts that long to be with God. We are so very thankful for the opportunities that God gives us to fellowship, to have fun and to encourage one another. 

Taking every opportunity

For the last while we as a congregation in Maastricht have been working through the Psalms. What a blessing to see how God listens, hears, responds and helps. It was so good to see how many of the writers obviously have the same emotions as we all do and that God allows these emotions in the right place. When we trust Him with our thoughts and desires, then things work much better for all.

As we have finished the psalms we are looking at a new set of lessons where we touch on the fundamentals of our faith and how they help us with the difficult questions presented us in our society. Last Wednesday evening we looked at the foundational truths that make up the truly good news of the gospel. One of the things we hope to be able to (re)emphasize is how we can speak with those around us. And as we were looking at these fundamentals we have been praying for the conversations that God presents us with each day. 

As usual, I was not prepared for how wonderfully God surprises. He loves to do what we do not expect or even think of. So the days after our study I had several good opportunities to talk about this very good news. One conversation was with someone who specifically asked what we believe, as he was not religious and wondered what kind of faith this could be. Another was with believers about the struggles we have in life. That same evening a dinner with friends brought conversation about God’s faithfulness and how we struggle to trust, but how good it is. 

This is the reality of every day. We try to keep our eyes open for every opportunity that God presents us to talk about His wonderful love and grace. Sometimes we do not really recognize these moments as opportunities until we are in the middle of a conversation. It is not that we are manipulating conversations. We are simply speaking of the One we love and the good that He has brought us. 

We are thankful that God wants to and can use us in every situation to bring His grace into the world. We pray that we are allowing Him to work through our conversation in all of our daily activities - as parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, shoppers in a store, drivers on the road or wherever else we may find ourselves. 

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6

Conversations that connect

The past few weeks have brought us some wonderful conversations. The coming weeks will offer more opportunities. We are so thankful for the various ways that we can talk to people and how God works through those conversations. 

Some of the conversations have been in person. We had a wonderful visit from Rudy and Pam Schellekens from Muscatine. We had worked with them in the past and they are a part of our lives and of how we were formed by God. As you have been able to read, they helped out with our Youth Day and Rudy spoke for us on the Sunday they were here. We also enjoyed a day in Maastricht taking them around to the various sights. 

Just after they left we hoped to be able to see some other old friends (Dottie Schulz and her daughter, Rachel), but due to sickness we had to adapt our visit. We had driven up north to stay with Jim and Ruth Krumrei for the night before visiting Dottie the next day. Dottie was not feeling well, so we had a great day with Jim and Ruth. Jim was Scott’s mentor back when Scott first came to the Netherlands. 

We had actually just seen Jim and Ruth at a wedding celebration for Ruud and Karla’s youngest daughter. We were thankful for the conversations at that meeting as well. We saw some of Ruud’s family who we seldom see and were able to see Ruud and Karla’s 3rd daughter who lives in the US. We met her two kids as well and were amazed that they spoke Korean, Dutch and English (Kyana is married to Juheon who is Korean). 

This reality and a conversation with others on this day about grandkids and language helped to convince Scott that it would be good to speak some Dutch to granddaughter Sophia. And then we are very thankful for technology and how it helps us with conversations. Scott has started sending short video’s to Sophia (often in Dutch) to keep in touch. Thankfully, we were also able to see Sophia on our last video call with Stephan. 

And video calls have been good for many of our conversations. Every other Tuesday we have a Bible study online with the English speakers in the congregation. One of our sisters who moved to France with her husband has also been able to join in online for her Bible questions. Technology can be amazing and we are very thankful for these opportunities. 

And still, sometimes meeting face-to-face is the best or only way to have a conversation. Our old neighbor is currently in prison in Antwerp. We cannot call him or send an email, although he can call us sometimes. So Scott makes time to visit him in prison and encourage him however possible. Mostly this is in letting him know that he is not alone and sharing the things we have been studying in the Bible (this neighbor used to come to our home Bible studies). This last weekend Scott was also able to vote for this neighbor since he could not go (using a power of attorney). 

We are thankful for every moment that we get to talk to our sons, daughters-in-love and our granddaughter as well as all of our brothers and sisters in Christ and family members. Short messages via social media channels, or even simply making a call. Taking time to talk brings us together. How do you stay connected? 

Family Camp

This week I will be down at Family camp every morning for the lessons. We are blessed to live fairly close to camp - about an hour away. This means that I can just drop down to camp and head home to my own bed in the evening. I want to be present for the lessons and some of the afternoons when I can. It is always good to see different groups of people at this camp week. 

On Friday I will present two lessons on Prisca and on Deborah. The whole week is focused on what women in the Bible can teach us. It is always encouraging at this week of camp that we can have extended conversations about the lessons throughout the day. There is of course time to play or take part in some activities, but people also enjoy discussing what has been taught and what it means for our lives every day. 

Somewhere near the end of the week there will also be a “Bonteavond” which is the talent show for the week. This is also always a fun time to incorporate campers who perhaps would not take part in such activities. It is a time of singing, play acting and just goofing off. If this is on Thursday or Friday I may be able to participate. The ;ast two years I have helped an elephant trainer for this show.

On Friday evening there is always a campfire - if the weather permits it. During the older teen camp, the campfire was rained out. This meant that their already built stack of wood was left for the Benjamins. But the evening of the Benjamin campfire was also almost rained out. The teen camp was a week of basically dry weather and they had a great campfire as well. So I hope that the Family camp will simply be able to enjoy their fire and the fellowship that goes with it. 

On Thursday I will offer a discgolf tournament and have already had some campers mention that they are waiting for that day and activity. It was fun this morning to see some people we only see at this week but also to see some of the kids we had at Benjamin Camp. Hugs from thankful campers are always welcome. And it looks like this is a great week of many families - tents all spread around the field. 

Do I deserve it?

There are various songs that talk about the grace of God. Some of my favorites talk about how grace means that I do not deserve it. About how amazing it is that `God would even think of me in giving His grace. That He doesn’t wait until I am “better” to offer me grace. He gives His most wonderful gift of life exactly when I need it - when I am dying. 

God through the apostle Paul puts it into words well in the letter to the Romans in chapter 5 and verse 6 through 8: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I have thought about this quite a bit in the past months. Many of my discussions and contacts with people are things that look to be going nowhere if I were looking at my life and task here as a job. In a job you are focused on production. I have worked at a pizza place, a hamburger place, a hotel as room service and as a teacher. I have needed to sell as many pizza’s as possible on my shift, make and serve hamburgers at the drive-thru and at the counter and hope that visitors to the hotel order room service so that I could get tips. Even as a teacher my work was measured by my production. 

As an evangelist the same thing can be done. Supporting congregations might look at a certain area and compare it with another. How many people are coming to the Lord in that country? Not as many in this country over here. We need to encourage the worker there to be more productive. Or we need to move our funds elsewhere. These are all normal thoughts and considerations. And they are thoughts in my head as well. I worry about whether I am using my time wisely. Should I be putting more time into people who clearly seem to not want to hear any good news? Should I just drop them and move on to others? Am I wasting my time and productivity? 

Then I wonder about how long God had to wait for me. I look at so many in the church and realize that God must have worked a long time on them (and me). If I think about all the people He put into my life, I am truly amazed. Amazed that He could love such a sinner as me. He put a lot of resources into my life. I know that some of the people have probably never heard anything about what they did in my life to bring me to a life of faith in this loving God. 

In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus tells a story about sheep and goats. I have shared this often with the young people here. The people in this story who are non-productive are those who do nothing and are not even aware of what they have not done. Those who are praised as good servants are those who have helped in daily matters for people who are often overlooked. 

Some of the people I spend time with seem to me to be quite obstinate. I have spoken to them often of the love of Christ, have shared and read the Bible with them and have prayed with and for them. They remain obstinate and deny the need for any help from this God. And still I continue to help them as I can. 

A man in prison calls me almost every day. He claims that he is the pope and has a strange way of looking at God. But he also prays for me and the contacts I have with others. It is difficult to visit him in prison (90 minutes away and with the usual bureaucracy). Another man is struggling with cancer and health issues. He has no one in his life because he has turned all away through his vitriolic way of talking with most people. A woman thinks that she can and needs to buy every kind of contact - even now that she is in a nursing home at an advanced age. She has no children, but she has money. She has recently begun to learn how to pray, simply talking to God. 

These are people that take time. I wonder sometimes if it is “worth” it. Then I remember God’s grace and mercy in my life. God wants us to be gracious as He is gracious, to show mercy as He shows mercy. That means even when they don’t seem to be listening. As a matter of fact, that is exactly when it is needed - when they do not understand the value of what is being offered. 

We have a walnut tree in our yard. If you didn't know what walnuts were, you would never think to pick up these ugly, dirty things rotting underneath the tree. Sometimes people cannot see the beauty of what is being offered. Sometimes we cannot see the beauty of what is before us. I thank God for His grace and mercy with me, for the people He brought into my life. Many of you are those people. Thank you for being full of grace, even when you could not see where it was leading. Please pray for us as we try to do the same in our lives here. 

Talking Time

This summer at Teen Camp we added a new element called “Talkin’ Time” where the campers, split into guys and gals, could talk about some things that might be on their hearts. It is important to be able to talk. And everyone does this in a different way. I remember many conversations I have had with brothers in the church while taking a walk or fixing something in a house. As a matter of fact, time down at camp working on the facilities have been some of the most important conversations for many. 

Sometimes we never really know when an “important” conversation is going to take place or is taking place. That is why it is so important to be prepared at all times and to be ready to listen first. Colossians 4:6 encourages us to have salty talk and that we be ready to answer everyone. 1 Peter 3:15 says that we should always be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have. The most important element in these conversations is listening first. How can I say something that someone needs to hear if I do not even know what they are saying. 

Many of my conversations are not even face to face. Most recently I have had some conversations with our former neighbor who is now in prison in Antwerp. He can call me, but I cannot call back. So when I see his number, I pray for wisdom and prepare to listen first. I do not always have as much time to speak as I would like, but I try to make every moment count, to be an encouragement and pass the wisdom of God on in the situation. 

Some other conversations this past week have had to do with health. I am sort of a caregiver to a few seniors. One of them is our sister in Christ, Nel. The other two have come into my life through the years. One gentleman started reading the Bible with me years ago. It is only now, as he is facing some serious health questions, that he wants to really know more about prayer. The other conversation is with a 92 year-old woman who is thrilled that it is possible to talk directly to God. We pray together every time I visit her in the nursing home. 

It is often difficult to know how blunt one can be in a conversation. I usually ask if someone really wants to know an answer before I try to give one. This means, once again, that listening is the beginning of speaking. It also means that there has to be some sort of relationship. We know each other. That is why we can have a conversation. Although I might say that I am preaching, I am not simply proclaiming. We are talking together about what is important. And yes, if difficult things need to be said, then they must be said. This is where love and care is truly shown. 

Please continue to pray for the conversations we have with our neighbors, people we are studying with, church members, young people from camp and people we meet during the day. Every conversation can be an important moment - in our lives and theirs. 

Through the storm (Home Assignment 2023 Nebraska)

When I was young I remember a film my dad showed. It was a movie film, a super eight, perhaps, but he had taken it with a film camera and showed it to us with a film projector. You know, the kind that you used to see in school with two reels of film whirring as the light flickered the pictures out onto a blank wall or a roll-up screen. My dad made movies of several things when we were young. 

This one showed a back yard, the area and some big clouds as the cameraman moved around and panned the area. Dad explained that this was taken in the eye of a hurricane - the moment where one finds oneself in the calm of the storm, the middle of the hurricane enclosed by the whirling, blowing, swirling winds all around. I guess we experienced this when I was still quite young. 

As we drove down to Omaha from Minnesota we enjoyed the typical midwest scenery of rolling hills, farms with silos and interesting looking tractors on the roads. We stopped in Sioux City to get a picture with a house of friends we will not be able to see in Texas because they are moving to Iowa - but not until we passed by and before we get to Texas. So we will not see them. But we got to see their new house before they did. 

The radio told us that there were some storm brewing in the area, but we got in to Omaha under clear skies and dropped in to Shirley’s sister, Mary. The next few days were spent enjoying family time, trying to get some health appointments and doing our best to see if we could get together with other parts of the family. Shirley has one sister and two brothers still living. Her eldest brother was undergoing surgery on his neck, so we weren’t able to meet with him. 

And one of our major concerns was to see how we could help Mary. And although it ended up being a very long day for her, we were able to get her to the hospital for some tests. This made clear that the worst fears were unfounded and also gave some idea on how to progress in treatment. In the meantime, we were spoiled by Mary and Junior at their home with food and snacks galore and especially good time together. 

Later in the week we drove out to Valley, Nebraska, west of Omaha, where Shirley’s brother, Roger, lives. A Dairy Queen at the crossroads is about the only thing out that way, so we took time there to enjoy a good talk and a chocolate mint sundae made with an almost evil green sauce poured over chocolate soft-serve ice cream. We left as more news of tornadoes sounded over the radio, but we got back into town without any problems. 

That evening we were able to attend The Lion King, put on by our great-niece and her elementary school. She was Pumba and did an amazing job singing (Hakuna Mattata). As we left the school we noted the rainbow sitting atop one of the buildings in downtown Omaha, letting us know that the storm, for that day, had passed. 

The day before we left the storm finally hit, but not in the city. Our nephew and his family went out and took pictures, reminding me of the movie my dad had made. Thankfully they, as we so many years ago, made it through the storm. 

One morning I was went early to a local park and threw the discs I had been able to pack with me. On Wednesday we said our goodbyes and drove off in our borrowed chariot (thanks again Mark and Angela) to head on to our next stop in Iowa. As we drove the radio once again let us know that tornadoes were in the area, but that is the next story. You can see our pictures from this stop here. 

Whatsit Wednesday - Door handles

“As dumb as a doorknob.” I’ve heard that one before. But are doorknobs really that dumb? And what is a doorknob? I had always heard of door handles, but a doorknob? I remember the movie “Bedknobs and broomsticks” but that was a bed knob - a knob on a bed. And door handles can certainly be different from country to country. 

When I was young and living in the US, we had doorknobs that had a little button in the center. If you went to the bathroom (the place where you could use the toilet and also take a bath), you could push the button and shut the door. This would lock the door so that no one would walk in on you. When you were ready to leave, you simply turned the handle and the door unlocked, popping the button out from its locked position. 

This type of doorknob was especially useful if you had little kids. The other type had a small turnable button that did the same thing. Problem was often that a small child could get the door locked, but could not get it unlocked, leaving him or her crying for help to anyone within earshot. 

This system was not only meant for bathroom doors. The front doo of our house worked the same way, although there was also a deadbolt on it to make sure that all was locked up safely. Still, you could have the door unlocked during the day, which meant that we could enter from outside simply by turning the handle and pushing the door open. 

Perhaps that sounds strange to you. “Turning the handle”? Here in Belgium and The Netherlands the doorknob on the outside of the house door is just that - a knob. There is often nothing to turn. (That is a picture of our front door) On the inside of the door is a handle. This can be turned to open the door. It can also be locked with the deadbolt that accompanies it. But the door is not open from the outside. Anyone wanting to enter must have a key or ring the bell to get in. Unless of course you are in The Netherlands where the letter box is also in the door. Parents wanting their kids to be able to get in would hang a string attached to the latch out the mailbox. The kids could pull the string, pulling the latch and opening the door.

Often this knob is not even on the side of the door, where an American might expect a handle to be. It could simply be a great big knob in the middle of a great big door. When you leave your house you simply pull on the knob, closing the door behind you. Your house is closed (though not completely locked). 

Handles, knobs, locks - things can be different in different places. The same has been true in all of the places God has brought us. Some cultures are easier to talk to about religious topics. In some places you can mention Jesus without anyone looking at you strangely. In other places, you might have to approach such a conversation differently. In all cases, God is the one who opens the doors if we are willing to follow Him and try - whether it is a knob or handle. 

A different perspective

M.C. Escher, Belvedere, 1958

The last two days I have had a few conversations that have struck a chord. I have to admit that I have been struggling to see how to plan my days and activities because it has become very hard to plan anything. Every week there is a possibility of new rules and changing realities. 

Don’t get me wrong, in some ways things are busier than ever. We are meeting with more members than before corona in our mid-week study and are enjoying the studies together immensely. We have been looking at “Is Genesis History” and talking about the beauty and truth that we see in God’s amazing creation. As mentioned last time, the study on Thursday mornings in Luke has been exciting. It is always a thrill to see someone discover who Jesus is - even if we are only seeing it through a screen on the computer. And there have been many more conversations. 

I have also been recording songs with others so that these songs are available to more members of the church. I have even had the chance to sing with some folks elsewhere in Europe and with video's with people from around the world. (see our songs at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl3c31jfr3xUjLulb9OCHgg/playlists)

But when it comes to planning, I just get bogged down in my mind, basically thinking: “What does it matter. We can’t plan anything anyway.” But yesterday my best friend mentioned in his prayer (it is so good to be able to pray together even though we are thousands of miles and times zones apart) that these trying times are exactly the times God uses to do amazing new things. So I should be looking for, awaiting the amazing that always comes from God’s hand. 

And today someone else in a different conversation shared the same type of thought. Even though we cannot plan, we must look ahead and be prepared for the new realities. We need to look at these new challenges as new opportunities. People are still in need. Truth still needs to be told, The love and grace of God are still what the world needs - every day. 

So I will continue to struggle to look for how to use these weird, strange, frustrating amazing times. Pray for us. We are praying for you. We know that we are not alone - ever. Not only are we in this together as the body of Christ, it is almighty God, our King of kings who is leading us through each day. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.   1 Peter 5:6-11

Conversations

1st Friday conversations

Isn’t it amazing how God loves to talk? Look at the Bible. It is full of amazing stories. God has been telling us His story for a long time. But He also loves to listen. He is constantly asking us to talk to Him (pray) and has promised us that He is listening - very closely. Listening and talking are part of being with God (goes along with that walking bit I talked about recently). 

Our lives have changed a bit in our most recent season of life. We (Shirley and I) have more possibilities to go together and listen to conversations, take part in conversations. I am so thankful that we have these chances. Sometimes we are meeting with members from the congregation in Maastricht - on Wednesday evenings, Thursday mornings with the men or Friday mornings with the women (or Monday evenings further away). Sometimes we are singing and speaking to one another in spiritual songs - on first Fridays or third Wednesdays. 

But more recently I had also added some other options. On Tuesday morning and evening I hold a consultation for those who have questions about God or the Bible. The Dutch allows me to make a play on words and offer a “Speaking hour” when they can come talk - about any question they might have. Mid-March I was going to start with a Bible study group in the city. That has been put on hold for a bit (corona), but we will see how that works out in the coming months. Modern technology and social media makes these kinds of meetings possible. 

But everyday we notice that there are opportunities to listen and speak - if we pay attention. And technology also makes this possible. And even necessary in ‘Corona” times. We call a member of the church who is housebound at the moment. We email or whatsapp other members who can use an encouraging word. We get a text message from people looking for help, or offering help. Everywhere, people are speaking. I hear the cashier repeating her litany and try to remember to look her in the eye and wish her a good day, thanking her for her work. I wave at the car behind me that just let me in, thanking them for their kindness. I listen to the young one tell all about the funny story (that he told me yesterday three times already). 

God wants to talk to me and you. He is always listening to me and you. And we are made in His image, made to be able to listen and speak. What conversations have you had recently? How has ‘social distancing’ affected your conversation?

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.                 Hebrews 1:1-2

A Campful Summer

Bible camp was a major influence in my path to faith in the Lord. That is why we are so thankful that we have the opportunity here to be involved in Bible camp with the youth of Belgium and the Netherlands as well as church members and families. As we returned to Europe we were just in time for several challenging and amazingly encouraging weeks of camp. 

Just two days after returning from our travels in the US, we were headed down to the hills and forests of the Ardennes for our first week: Jongerenkamp. This is the week for those 15 and older. Scott was to share camp director duties with two young men learning to be directors, but Ivo ended up welcoming his second child to this world – a much more important event compared to camp. 

That meant that Scott shared directing and teaching duties with Gijs Bardoel. On the mornings that Scott had the lessons, Gijs was director and vice-versa. Talking about the reliability of the scriptures led to wonderful and open conversations with the campers. It was so encouraging to see how everyone not only struggled honestly with the information presented, but that they were also willing to ask questions. 

Every evening we gathered around a fire outside and discussed difficult questions that came up during the day from the lessons, or just questions that popped up in normal life (like how to deal with a broken leg just before planning on helping with a week of camp). Everything was on the table. This was a group willing to consider and reconsider, willing to listen and willing to help one another. 

The end of the week was bittersweet as usual after such an encouraging time together. Shirley and Scott were thankful to have a week to recover from travels and a week of camp – even if the week at home meant temperatures well above 95 degrees inside the house. We just moved very slowly and tried to survive; not many have air conditioning here. Down at camp the Benjamins (8-11 year-olds), directed by Paul Brazle, also had to survive.  

The next week saw Scott at Teen camp (for 12-14 year-olds) teaching and sharing directing duties with Pieter Good from Ghent. As with the earlier week, a good team is invaluable. Although there were fewer campers at this week, the lesson material was challenging. We went on the travels of Paul through Acts to see what it should mean for us as followers of Jesus. Each day we actually traveled and discussed what we read in the text. 

The third week for us  (4th total week of camp) was Family camp, directed by Paul Brazle, and we were starting to feel the drain on our bodies. So we slept at home and drove down to camp in the morning (about 50 minutes away) to follow the lessons. Scott brought two days of lessons as well on the Gospel. This camp week is an amazing grouping of families, singles, young people, kids and even some dogs. Christians from various congregations and non-Christians were all there to hear what the good news really is. 

Although camp is open all year to all the congregations, the formal camp weeks are four weeks in July and August. But in September we also hold a special day: Family Day. This year it was organized by the congregation in Maastricht. Our colleague, Ruud, together with Gijs from Jongerenkamp, brought two lessons on Colossians 3. Scott led the children’s class and Shirley with the ladies from Maastricht took care of lunch, coffee and cookies. We welcomed people from all over Belgium and the Netherlands, including our French-speaking brothers and sisters for a truly family day. 

This coming weekend will see the end of the camp season: an evaluation and planning meeting. Here we evaluate the past weeks and look ahead to the coming season (starting with Fall camp at the end of October). Ardennes Bible Camp has been influencing people since 1965 and we are so thankful that we can be a part of this history. 

If you are interested in seeing pictures of the various camp weeks, check out our picture site, but you can also go to the official camp website (in Dutch) where we have tried to gather some of the pictures from various photographers through the years (including some really oldies but goodies). 

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