For kings and all those in authority

Some days seem bigger than others, but all days belong to the Lord. One of the things that hit me again last year was how little we all know of what is going on in the world and how important things can be for others. Our congregation in Maastricht is quite international, so we hear of things happening all over the world. And we pray for God’s guidance and strength each and every day. 

Elections in Belgium and Netherlands can lead to changes in government. Or the government can still be struggling to form, in the case of Belgium. Wars and conflicts are taking place not only in Ukraine, but also in Syria, Sudan, and many other places. A combination of government and dangerous struggles is present in Kenya or Ecuador. And we (in Maastricht and perhaps for you as well) have family in each of these places. 

We pray for leaders in Brazil, in Iran, Syria, Sudan or the Philippines. We think about what is happening in Germany or Italy, Ecuador or Venezuela, Suriname or the United States. We are part of a body that is around the world and active in all of these places. And it is good to bring each of these places and situations before our Lord in prayer. 

It may seem repetitive or maybe useless, wondering if world leaders, kings and queens, dictators and tyrants are ever going to listen. But God - our King of kings - has asked us to pray for these leaders and situations, reminding us that He is truly in control. We are not the ones who know what is happening or what can happen (despite all the people telling us their opinions about what is going to happen). 

As “big” things are happening in the world, father and mothers are still trying to be good parents, showing their children what God looks like and what is most important in life. Neighbors are still looking for help and people still want to know more about Jesus and why He is called the Christ. Our Father is still in control of each and every moment, and we can give Him these moments every day. 

Today will influence many - not necessarily because of political changes - because God is working through each of us in all of our various places and moments. We want to live for Him and we pray for leaders and kings that we will be able to live in peace. 

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Where oh where Wednesday: Around the world

When we first started making plans to work with the church in Dutch-speaking Europe, we looked at where might be good to go. There were already congregations in the north of the Netherlands and in the western and central parts of Belgium. I remember making a study of areas that not only did not have congregations, but which were also on a crossroads - as was Philippi when the apostle Paul showed up there. 

When we, together with two Dutch couples, established the congregation in Maastricht, it was because the Dutch couples were moving there, because there was no congregation in the province of Limburg, and because Maastricht sits at the crossroads of this area of Europe. 

Maastricht in the Netherlands, Aachen in Germany and Liege in Belgium form what is known as a Euregion. These cities work closely together. Students from Germany come to Maastricht to study and vice-versa. When we would go to market in Maastricht on a Saturday, in the days before the Euro was introduced, we could hear all three languages and use all three currencies at any stand. This area was exactly what the European Union had in mind when they thought of cooperation. 

The wonderful thing for us has been how we have been able to connect with brothers and sisters from across Europe because of these links and the location of the city and church. We have connections with the church in Germany in Aachen, Cologne, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Chemnitz, Hildesheim and Hamburg. We have also worked with German-speaking churches in Bern, Zurich, Luzern and Schaffhausen in Switzerland and Graz and Vienna in Austria

In France, Belgium and Switzerland we work together with or have worked with congregations in Liege, Verviers, Brussels, Lille, Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Geneva. We work with members from Russia and our members in Maastricht connect us with the church in Ukraine. Farther from home, our members connect us with the church in Ecuador and Ghana. The congregation has supported works in Kenya, Uganda, St. Maarten, Myanmar and Vietnam. 

And of course we are linked to friends and family - Christian and blood - throughout the United States. God’s family is not restricted to one place. When we hear our singing echoing in our small room in Maastricht as we meet with about 35 people, we know that song is also ringing out under trees, in huge meeting halls, in living rooms all around the world. It is good to know that we are part of an amazing, living body of Christ. 

Wild wonderful Wednesday

Once again, I am going to do something a bit different om this Wild Wonderful Wednesday. It is the first 5th Wednesday of the year (try saying that five times quickly!). And while we often have taken a walk somewhere, even if it is through our personal history (like this time), this month I would like to take you on a walk through our reading habits. 

Shirley and I both like to read or watch detective stories. Sherlock Holmes (in all versions, classic or modern), all of Agatha Christie’s characters (although the Belgian Hercule Poirot has a special place) and many other detectives make for fun and educative reading. We do not mind what the setting is. We have read Brother Cadfael mysteries set in the 13th century, Inspector Monk mysteries set in London of the 19th century, or Inspector Pitt mysteries set a bit later in the same city. 

On our last Home Assignment, David Cron took us downtown Los Angeles and mentioned a series with Detective Bosch which is set in LA (and we visited a building from one of the books). It was interesting to me that detective Bosch’s first name is Hieronymus. He is named after Jheronimus of Aken or Hieronymus Bosch, who was a Dutch painter from Brabant in the 15th century. The detective is not a painter, but the painter’s works are rather grotesque - which types of scenes detective Bosch often has to deal with. 

Last year I read a whole series about Owen Archer who is - can you guess - an archer who becomes a detective of sorts (or spy or apothecary) in the 14th century. It is wonderful how books can take you anywhere at all. The Foundation series from Isaac Asimov will even take you into outer space in the future. It’s science fiction, but it is basically a detective story. 

And these books have taken me to Canterbury, York and London. They have taken me to Shrewsbury and over the border into Wales. I have traveled with Maigret to Paris of the past or with Bosch to Los Angeles. Ray Bradbury has even taken me to Mars. Truly wild, wonderful destinations, all from the comfort of a nice, dry couch on any wet, dreary Belgian day. 

Where have you traveled in your reading? What do you like to read?  

Across the country

Both Belgium and the Netherlands are small countries. We live on the far East side of Belgium and the church meets in Maastricht, the far South of the Netherlands. It only takes about 3.5 hours to drive across Belgium from East to West. And from South to North in the Netherlands would take perhaps 5 hours. When we were living in Texas, those distances were fairly matter of fact for many people. The same went for our time in California where we even now drive down to San Diego from Long Beach to visit family. 

This small size (if it were a house, it might be described as being “bijou”) means that the congregations in both countries can get together for activities much more simply than in places where the distances stretch out across the plains and mountains. This also means that the congregations work together quite often in various activities. 

Last moth the church in Maastricht organized a Youth Day. In order to make it easier for kids from further away - remember that we are at the ends of the two countries - we held there day in a town more in the center of Belgium. This meant that we were able to welcome many more kids for the day. It is important that our young people can develop friendships with kids from other cities around the country. 

When I have planned a song workshop, helping members of the church learn to sing or learn to lead singing, we also encourage members from various congregations around the country to attend. Twice a year a Family Day is planned for the churches in the two countries as well. In the Spring the churches gather in The Hague - this is mostly the churches in the Netherlands. In the Fall it is held down at camp and serves more of the Belgian churches. 

I remember helping out at a VBS various times when we lived in the US or were traveling during one of our Home Assignments. These were week-long opportunities to reach out to children in the city or direct neighborhood. This week a “VBK” or Vacation Bible Kamp will be held down at camp in the Ardennes. Instead of hosting kids from one city or neighborhood, this is a week for kids from all across the country. In this case only Belgium, since it is a school holiday win Belgium, but not in the Netherlands. This past weekend camp also hosted Fall Camp, which is a weekend at camp for teens which hosts teens from both countries. 

Within the next few weeks the same thing will be happening for different groups. The ladies of Maastricht (including Shirley) will be hosting a Ladies Day in Maastricht, welcoming ladies from around Belgium and the Netherlands for the day. It is thrilling to see how these activities reach out to church family as well as seekers who are interested in the good news of Jesus. 

A week later the church in Ghent is organizing an indoor soccer tournament for the churches. There will be players, young and old, as well as supporters from both countries. They will come to enjoy a day of sport and to see brothers and sisters again. Some players and supporters will just be getting to know the church. We hope to go with a group from Maastricht, both players and supporters. 

It is exciting to see how life in Christ means life in the body of Christ. It is thrilling to be able to take part in activities with brothers and sisters from around the country (two countries even) because we live in such a nice, ‘bijou’ place. Pray for all of these opportunities and thank God for how He makes us a family.  

Sweet Fellowship

We are so blessed to be in a place where so many countries come together. Geographically we are at the nexus of three countries and four language groups (the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium with Flemish and French speakers). We look forward to any time we get to gather with brothers and sisters from around the area. This builds us up and encourages the whole church. 

At the end of September we held our annual Family Day down at camp. Ardennen Bijbel Kamp is situated in the hills of the Ardennes where not too long ago soldiers died to defend democracy and justice. These days we gather as members of the church to encourage one another in living for truth and justice every day in the Lord. The congregation in Maastricht organized the day this year and it was great to be together with French-speakers as well as Dutch- and Flemish-speakers for the day. 

In October we spent time with our French-speaking brothers on our first Friday singing. Then, the very next day, we gathered in Cologne, Germany, with brothers and sisters from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany for a day of fellowship and singing. How good is it to get to know and be encouraged by the family of God from all around us. We love using every opportunity to get together. 

Later in the month we got together again, this time in a more sportive atmosphere. The COPA Benelux is organized every year by members from the church in Ghent and is for all church members in the Benelux. This year I got to play on a team with members of the church from The Hague, Haarlem, Sint Niklaas (Belgium) and Maastricht. But we were also a mixture of Russians, Ukrainians, Dutch and American-Belgians. 

God has an amazing view on who we are and what we should and can be. We are made in His image, made to give, to share, to be together because we are created by Him. People are people, no matter where we are from or live. We are all able to become children of the King, no matter what we have done in the past. And then, suddenly, we are family. That is exciting news! Look around at the family God has in your neighborhood, at the family He has placed you in where you are. Be encouraged and be an encouragement. 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.   Ephesians 3:14-21