Home Assignment 2026 - Stage 4

God’s family can be so amazing. Our time in Minnesota means meeting wonderful servants, sharing memories and getting to know new members of the congregation. 

Our arrival in Minnesota this time was even more surprising - the kind of surprising that only God does regularly. We were picked up at the airport by our friend Jimmy just as he was dropping off the couple with whom we would later be staying and who was loaning us their car for several days while they were away. We had met them originally in Europe when they came to sing. The songs they sang with Psalom, written by Constantin Zhigulin, have become standards in many congregations in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. I have translated some to Dutch. 

We picked the Cawyers up from the airport when they returned (in their own car that they had leant us) and our last few days were spent at their house. We last saw them in the Dallas area on one of our previous visits. Now they have moved to Minnesota and we were able to share even more time. 

It is these family times that are so important to our work wherever we are. Our first host was Jimmy, with whom we have stayed in the past. He connected us with everyone else in the congregation, made sure that things were arranged and made time in a busy schedule to eat dinner with us. He had a real home for us to stay for a few days. 

It was while we were at Jimmy’s house that we also did a few fun things together, bringing back memories of past visits. We went to the Mall of America - an absolutely huge mall with tons of stores and even an amusement park in the middle. We had always enjoyed going there in the past when the boys were young. Scott was also able to go disc golfing a few times at a local park which had a simple 9 hole layout. Simple because that is what is best for Scott when it comes to disc golf. 

Memories were also shared when we got to visit for a meal with the Davidson’s. Their boys have grown and this family continues to be a real influence on us and our work. They all take part in supporting the Bible camp (Flaming Pine) where both Shirley and Scott had memories. Scott even did some disc golf putting with the boys and Kent after dinner while Shirley caught up on news with Christy. 

On Sunday we were able to meet so many members of the congregation that we know (and test whether we still knew names) as well as meet new members. Scott taught the Bible class and presented the thought at the Lord’s Supper. Earlier in the week Scott had presented the Bible study with the young people and it was great to see them again on this Sunday morning. The potluck after services was a perfect opportunity to continue sharing.

This evening will be our last meal here in Minnesota for now and will be shared with more members of the congregation. The Edwards just married their daughter off this weekend (we had seen the soon-to-be-wed couple when Scott taught the young people’s study earlier in the week), but there is always a place at the table of the Edwards. This is a place of families - no matter what the family looks like. God has placed His children - all of us followers of Jesus Christ - into a family that is everywhere in the world. We are so thankful for this family and the opportunity to meet so many in such a short time. 

It is this family which has always made it possible for us to do our “driving loop” coming up tomorrow. We often borrow someone’s car and drive thousands of miles through several States so that we don’t have to fly. We will talk about that more in the next stage. 

Here are a few pictures of our time here. 

We have also added some late pictures to some of the other albums.

Home Assignment 2026 - Stage 3

The last 10 days or so we have enjoyed our time with the family in California. This stop is always a bit of a warm hug in so many ways. The colors, smells and beauty of California wraps you in a warm, colorful blanket even as you arrive. If you look past the traffic on the way from the airport to where we are staying, you can enjoy all of the colors of flowering plants and trees everywhere. It is amazing to me when people say of the blooming oleander, “Oh that. That is just a weed that grows along the highway.” But its pink and white flowers - literally everywhere - make every moment of the day a little lighter. 

We saw plenty of the oleander and much more when we drove up to Mokelumne Hills (pronounced - if you can believe it - “Ma-cúllum-nee hills”) to meet Shirley’s cousin. They found each other on Ancestry and were so thrilled to share stories and histories for the day and a half that we were there. It is amazing what technology can do in these days. Shirley didn’t even know that she had this cousin - and neither did the cousin know that she had Shirley as a cousin. We unfortunately were not able to hook up with Scott’s sister-in-law and nephew in San Diego, so we missed the beautiful cactus and more down that way. Our communication efforts stranded on the internet.

We had two Sundays while we were here. Long Beach is our sponsoring church and we wanted to make sure that we were able to re-connect with everyone, especially as the church is changing. So the first Sunday Scott gave the Bible study. Afterwards a Pacific Islanders potluck was already planned and gave us both the opportunity to visit with and meet new members. On the second Sunday, the congregation moved up their quarterly Missions Sunday so that Scott could report on the work and present the thought during the Lord’s Supper. 

Around each of these meeting moments there were other chances to meet with members we knew and new members we were getting to know. You can read more about those in the post from last Monday as well. Eating together is always a good time to share life events and questions. We were thankful to spend our last evening with our hosts, Kerry and Marisol. 

Throughout this time in California, we were extremely blessed by the hospitality of so many. We had a place to stay and were welcomed into several homes or meeting places. We had the use of a car - which was essential since were in Southern California where you can’t really get around if you do not have a car. We had walks, talks, time to play guitar, time to laugh at stories and memories, time to encourage and be encouraged by new life in Christ and the grace of Christ in our lives. 

As with other years that we have come through California, we will leave with some wonderful memories. This time it will be an evening walk across the golf course, a discgolf session with a random guy in the park who had just returned from Hawaii and watching Shirley do a hula dance with several others while celebrating Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. We will take memories away of flowering trees in the golden hills, flowering bushes along every stretch of highway and hugs from loved ones that filled our hearts with the fragrance of Christ. 

We now move on to our next stop in Minnesota before beginning our road loop. But that is for next time. 

If you are interested, take a look at the pictures here.

Food and Fellowship

A lot of the time that we are in the US traveling we are moving from group to group, getting to know new people and getting to see old friends. When we are in an area, connected with a church, or when we are with family, eating together is a good way to spend time getting to know one another. That means lots of opportunities to try new things. And it means a lot of eating. 

In Texas we went to a fish fry and got to meet a whole family out at a ranch. We also were treated to meals prepared for us in a home setting. In Indiana we got together for a birthday celebration and met up with family for taco salad. We also shared in coffee and donuts on Sundays while we met new members of congregations in both places. 

In California, where we are currently, we took part in an Asian and Pacific Islander potluck with the congregation. Places were reserved at each table so that Shirley and I could make our way around the room to the various tables and get to know people from the congregation while enjoying delicious foods. Shirley even got to learn some hula-dancing with some of the others present. The day before we had helped prepare a potluck lunch with some of the leaders in the church.

We have also gone out to eat with our hosts and met their friends, getting wonderful opportunities for good conversations. This coming week will include more lunches and meals with old friends and even new family. We hope to drive up to meet a first cousin that Shirley found through her searches for family as well as see family down in San Diego. 

We are thankful for all the people welcoming us to their homes, preparing meals, joining us at restaurants or churches for a communal meal and simply sharing time with us. We look forward to the coming times of fellowship in the areas we have before us. 

Fish, Fellowship and Family

As we round up our stay in Texas we look back on a wonderful time of church family and fellowship. We drove out to the Bundy Ranch out in the middle of nowhere near Throckmorton, Texas to spend an evening with the Bundy family. Bill and DeeDee Bundy have been a part of our family for quite some time. They were in Antwerp, we saw them in Bern, Switzerland and Sean lived with them when they were in Brussels. 

This evening was an interesting mix of family feelings and reminiscing. Bill is a member of a family of 12 kids (he is the youngest) and most of them were present for this fish-fry. The brothers all did the fish-frying while some of the ladies had brought the "fixings". Good food and meeting new people is always exciting. And afterwards, before we drove back to Abilene, we spent some good time catching up with Bill and DeeDee. 

We were well cared for at E.B. and Jean’s house the whole tie we were in Abilene (see photo). They have been our best friends from Abilene since the beginning of our life together. We still love watching old movies together and sharing the beauties of God’s love and grace as we see it in so many lives. At their house, we also enjoyed the parakeets (I am probably mentioning the wrong type of bird). Max is Jean’s and Fiki (for Rafiki) is E.B.’s. 

On Sunday we spent almost the whole day with the Oldham Lane congregation who picked us up as supporters in 2023. This is a congregation of 600 people that feels very homey. We enjoyed Bible class and worship in the morning. After services people stood around talking, introducing themselves to us. A girl whose family is from Belgium, a woman who lived in the rue de Trone in Brussels and some South Africans who speak Afrikaans. 

Later in the day we met with the missions committee to talk about how God is working in Belgium and the Netherlands. After evening services there was a “small” group fellowship at one of the members house. I say “small” because this was a group of about 40 people. Good food, amazing conversations and once again connections all over. The pulpit preacher went to Bear Valley. His wife grew up in Colorado Springs and we once again were able to speak some Dutch with the people from South Africa (who speak Afrikaans). 

We ended up our Texas leg with the McNeill’s in Haslet (just outside DFW airport). This house with the yellow door is our home away from home whenever we travel. Tim and Debbie and Nathan simply open the door and make us at home in every way. We know where things are and are welcome to grab whatever we need. It is so good to feel at home in a place away from home. They lived for a while in Belgium and know our quirks. 

Tomorrow we drive out at about 5 am to catch a flight around 9:30 am which will take us over Atlanta to Indianapolis. We are looking forward to the next stage of this trip since we get to spend it with Stephan, Natalie and Sophia as well as see Mike and Amy (Scott’s brother). Texas has been a wonderful start to this trip. More to come. 

You can find pictures of this stage here. 

Singing, fellowship and flowers

This has been a week and a half of singing and fellowship. On April 10 we held our first Friday singing - on the 2nd Friday. This was because the first Friday was Easter weekend and most people could not be there. This made it possible for more people to come. And we were especially thankful that we finally saw our brothers and sisters from Liege again. It has been maybe 2 or 3 years since they have been able to attend this, although we saw them last year at camp for a day. 

The Wednesday after we were in Eindhoven for the 3rd Wednesday of the month and our singing with the church in Eindhoven. We had quite a group their meeting as well. It is always so encouraging to be able to share time singing together of God’s love and faithfulness. Our singings are always a balance of learning new things and singing songs to encourage one another. This time we even were able to find helpers for the camp we will be leading in the summer. 

On the Saturday (just past) we headed to Haarlem in the north to help them with their singing. We haven’t been able to be with them since February. This time we took the train up, which was restful. We ended up with a group of about 16 from all around the area. We were especially thankful that we were able to see a young man and his family that we grew up with and had not seen in perhaps 15 years. He now has three kids. We also saw a couple we love from the Den Haag area. 

Following the singing we spent some time with our Russian brother and sister and his visiting mother and went to look at flowers in the area. This is the tie of Keukenhof and the tulips and the flowers were amazing. It is beauty like this that makes you sing of the wondrous love of Jesus. But it is also the beauty that we see in our brothers and sisters at such times. We are so thankful that God gives us the opportunity to meet with so many congregations from around Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Soon we will be leaving for our Home Assignment (April 28) and we are looking forward to all the singing and visiting we will be able to do with brothers and sisters from around the US. We hope to see some of you soon and join in singing the grace of God together. 

Fun

My best friend’s father always said that Christians know best how to have fun. God created fun, so those who know God know best what fun is. And if you knew Ron Carter or my best friend, Bret Carter, you would understand completely how true this is. And it is something I have found to be true throughout my life. We have fun at Bible camp. We have fun at sport days. We have fun playing games. We have fun telling jokes - even dad jokes. 

This past weekend was a weekend of fun. Shirley’s birthday was on Thursday and we enjoyed laughing together. I made dinner. Or at least, I warmed up the meat that I bought at the store. I also warmed up the potatoes and made a salad - all with Shirley’s help. But it was delicious and we enjoyed the time together. We have always been able to laugh together - even if a lot of it might be me laughing at my own jokes. Shirley has gotten pretty good at dad jokes as well (as have our sons - to their own chagrin). 

On Saturday the congregation organized a sport day to have some more fun. You have heard me talk about the soccer tournament that many go to. But there are plenty of us who actually like playing basketball as well (or we even prefer it). So we planned a sport day for those who wanted to play basketball and had a soccer ball along for the chance that it might be needed. 

Although this is exam time for plenty of young people, we still hoped that some would take the opportunity to take a break from studying and come sweat for a few hours. And we had a good small group to play some 3x3 (or half court) ball. I was happy just to be able to keep up with some of the younger ones who attended, but it was fun. Encouraging one another, experiencing some good ankle breakers and even getting in a lay-up here or there. 

Sunday was the birthday of another of our members in Maastricht, but its was also a 2nd Sunday. That means games in Maastricht. Our Ukrainian couple bring all sorts of games to play, we eat a meal beforehand and simply enjoy getting to know each other while laughing. This time we played a few hands of Uno Hearts. It takes a bit of learning and a good bit of humility. You never know when you might end up with too many cards of the wrong color. But it is all good fun. 

Next week we will hold our church Christmas Get-together. This year we chose for secret Santa’s (instead of a white elephant sort of game). We will enjoy a good potluck meal together and sharing gifts and encouraging Bible texts with one another. This too is part of having fun. When we can go home having laughed, feeling appreciated, knowing that others care about us - then it is a good day. 

On Christmas we will probably be welcoming some of our young couples to our house for a delicious meal (which they will also help make) and some fun games together. It is always good to share laughter and the love of family. God knows what fun is all about and it is good to share it with those who know Him. 

(Photo is our Christmas Get-together last year)

International thanks

This past weekend we were able to celebrate ‘Thanksmas’. This is what we here call the day that the Americans, Canadians and those linked to such get together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Since it cannot be done on a Thursday, we find a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year it was actually very close to Thanksgiving - the Saturday following. We had just been able to talk to our son, Stephan, his wife, Natalie and our granddaughter the day before on a video call. They had been gone on Thanksgiving, so the Friday was better for all. And the following day we were with friends in Antwerp celebrating and eating turkey and pumpkin pie. 

This event brings several different cultures together, but all of whom have a link to the Thanksgiving in some way. Some Dutch or Belgian husbands or wives are linked through their spouse. This means that the kids also get a taste of the day. Some church family has been involved for many years. And sometimes people are invited to simply share the food and fellowship. 

Years ago we brought our Chinese professor friend, Jia (who passed away unexpectedly this year), to share as part of our family. Others have also brought guests. This year we had 5 Chinese visitors who came with their colleague - an American who was living in Belgium but has moved with his family to China for his job. Now he was back in Belgium for a few weeks with his colleagues for a work visit. And they were excited to be able to experience this American holiday.

I spent some time speaking with Justin (his English name). He was thrilled with the singing we did as well as the food differences. It turns out that his parents have also become Christians - in China. But he assured me that the songs they sing sound nothing like what we sang. And he asked if every family at Thanksgiving sings like this. I assured him that at least this group did. 

There are all sorts of holiday traditions. Our son runs a 5K Turkey Trot (with some of the in-laws). Our other son, who lives with his Belgian wife in New York City, has spent time in the past with friends who invite them to a sort of family gathering. This year they spent time on a walk in Central Park. We have previously invited our neighbors and members of the congregation in Maastricht to celebrate with us at our home. It is always a time of meeting, blending families and cultures, and sharing the many things we are thankful for. 

What did your Thanksgiving look like? 

(Photo: games after dinner and before dessert)

Whensday: 2000-2025 in the Didohof

The last several weeks we have been feeling how full our little room on the street, Didohof, can get on a Sunday. Back when we started, of course, things were different. We first met as a congregation in a community center on Sundays. It was an upper room and we were a group of about 10. Within a few years we were meeting in a larger room downstairs. But it was still only available to us on Sundays. 

At one point, one of our regular visitors mentioned a room that was open next to her apartment. We called and were able to arrange to rent the room from then on. It was a new millennium and we had a room that we could use every day of the week however we wanted. It was an upper room again, but that didn’t really matter. That first year we had apprentices from York College who helped with our evangelism and outreach (Sue is still working with the Dutch-speaking work today, in Ghent, Belgium). 

In the following years we have hosted youth weekends here, concerts with singing group Listen Up!, study evenings teaching people how to read the Bible. Song workshops with a group from Harding where we also sang at the local nursing homes, and much more. We have seen members come and go, moving on to other congregations or different countries. We have seen kids grow up and give their lives to the Lord. We have even had some baptisms in the room using a blow-up swimming pool (getting the water out is the real challenge). 

We have a main room, a kitchen (which doubles as a children’s class during the Sunday morning Bible class) and two restrooms out in the hall. This coming Sunday is a 4th Sunday, which means that we hold our potluck (every 4th Sunday). We are able to warm up meals that we share with one another and can move the chairs before setting up tables to enjoy the fellowship together. It is exciting to see how everyone helps one another. 

In these years people in the neighborhood have come to know that we are here, although they do not always know who or what we are. A few years back we walked the neighborhood with a questionnaire about “Church and Society”. It was intriguing to hear if people even knew who met in the room. This coming year we will be repeating the questionnaire to see what people know about the group that meets. 

Our direct neighbors certainly know plenty about us. Some have noticed how we help one of our shut-ins who lives just across the way. Others hear us singing on Sundays and other days when we have a singing. Some have even come to our singings as well. If nothing else, the neighbors recognize that there are more cars parked in the street on Sundays and days when we have something planned. 

We can seat about 40-50 people if we put out all of our chairs. As mentioned, these past few weeks we have had more visitors than normal, pushing our attendance on a Sunday up near that 40 mark. During a Listen Up! concert we even had standing room only. We are thankful that God has blessed us with this space and for how we can continue using it to glorify Him. 

(Click on the photo for more pictures of our building and family throughout the years)

Family Day at Camp

I come from a family of 8: my parents and 6 kids. When we were growing up, that was not that remarkable. There were larger families. When I first came to the Netherlands, a family that large was quickly becoming the exception to the rule. As a matter of fact, I remember people remarking to some friends of ours with a large family, “Don’t they know how babies are made?” This was meant to shame them and point out that they were creating too many children. It was a time when people were talking about how the world population was causing problems for the world, including climate and poverty. 

These days it is remarkable to see a family with more than 2 kids and some young people are even saying that they do not want to bring a child Ito the world (either because of cost or environment or that the world is such a bad place). And yet the beauty and blessing of family remains constant (along with some of the troubles and struggles). But family can be more than just your parents and brothers and sisters. 

I know some families that, when they have a family reunion must decide which part of the family is invited and where to organize the event. There can be hundreds that come. There are families with 17 children - and if they all have children and grandchildren, then the list of invitees gets quite large quite quickly. And even then, family can be more than blood relatives.

This past weekend we were blessed to head down to camp again for Family Day. This is organized each year by a different congregation, usually in Belgium. Maastricht organized it last year and this year the church in Eindhoven organized the day for the first time. They have organized the Spring get together in The Hague before, but had not yet organized the Family Day at camp. 

This was an amazing day of family in Christ. There were more than 80 present for the day, pushing the limits of what our camp hall can accommodate and making for some amazing singing. There were people present from at least 8 different congregations and visitors as well. We sang in two different languages and I heard people speaking in at least 4 languages. 

This is a time to see people from other congregations who we don’t often get to see. We had a group of about 15 from Maastricht. There was a group of about 10-12 Ukrainians present as well (including “our” 3 from Maastricht). Once the wet weather had lifted and the sun began to shine - just in time for the lunch - everyone headed outside, kids running around with a ball or chasing two of the dogs who also came along, parents standing around in groups talking and laughing. We even had a challenge getting a camera drop down from a tree where it had become stuck (in the end a good prayer brought a favorable wind and the drone fell to the ground). 

This whole day reminded me that there are so many in the world who do not know this blessing of family in God. Blood relatives either aren’t present or for some reason keep their distance. We know so many people who are left alone. And then we are thankful that we know that we are still family. And we want this family for everyone we know. They say blood is thicker than water, but Jesus’ blood is thicker than any blood from family. Proverbs 27:10 talks about a close friend and faraway relatives. Jesus states it even better: “Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) And He willingly lay down His life for us (John 10:14-18).

We are so thankful for the family we have in the Lord, not only here in Belgium and the Netherlands, but around the world. Are you looking for family? Look to God's family. 

(The photo is when we were trying to retrieve the drone. You can find more pictures by clicking on the photo)

Sing and be happy

This month is a month of singing. We are thankful that we can help congregations in their singing. We enjoy the time together as much as they and we all learn something from one another. This has always been a part of our ministry and as long as I can sing it will remain so. God has put a song in our hearts and singing is what we all will be doing together when we finally get Home. 

This month we have several opportunities to help in singing. The congregation in Haarlem (about 2,5 hours north of us) asked me to come and help them learn new songs and learn how to sing better. We went up at the end of August and will return near the end of September. This is a mix of learning music notation - what is a fermata, what is the difference between ff and mp, why do we breathe at a comma - and remembering that singing for God is about singing with your heart and your head. 

I always want to remind people that God made us to sing. Singing is divine, built for who and what we are. It is the only thing that touches mind and soul at the same time. You can literally feel the sound in your body, but you need to pay attention to the words you are singing. So taking time to look at the words in a song, making sure we understand it, is just as important as learning the rhythm or tempo or harmony. 

The group in Haarlem was excited to learn new songs and to learn more about singing. It was also a great time of fellowship, especially for us. We do not get to see the members of this congregation very often, although many of my Dutch roots come from here. I worked as an evangelism apprentice here when I first came to the Netherlands and learned my Dutch in this city. 

This past weekend we were in Cologne, Germany for a day of singing. Every February Uli and I see each other at the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) in Germany. He is from the congregation in Cologne and I am from Maastricht. We started getting together for a singing back in 2014 when we talked about including Aachen again in some way. Aachen is in the middle between the two cities. We organized a singing and have kept this up (with some exceptions during corona years) every year. We have been in Cologne twice, in Aachen twice and in Maastricht three or four times. 

This singing day n Cologne brings us together with another congregation. We had 6 members from Maastricht attend (it would have been 8, but two were incapacitated, including Shirley). The group also included a refugee couple and a visiting couple from the neighborhood. We sing and speak more in German, but this time we also sang some in French. When we started members from Liege, Maastricht, Aachen and Cologne all attended, making it quite international. This time in Cologne we remembered that in heaven we will all be able to sing together in whatever language it will be. 

This coming weekend several of the members from Maastricht will join others from around the Netherlands and Belgium at the Family Day at camp. So we will get to sing and once again enjoy the wonderful fellowship of being together. This time we will simply take part in the singing, rather than lead any of it. But a week later we will be in Eindhoven for our monthly 3rd Wednesday singing there where we also help with learning new songs. Often people simply need to learn a song and see that they can sing it. 

We enjoy singing songs that members in the Netherlands and Belgium have written, songs written by Russian brothers and translated either into English or Dutch (or German), or new songs crossing over to Europe from other areas of the world. It is exciting to see how the song that God has put in our hearts continues to pour over into words of praise to Him. 

(You can find more photos of our time in Haarlem and Cologne here.)

BBQ Days

Summer is usually days of sun, fun, sports and fellowship for many people. If the weather holds out, one could walk through any neighborhood and catch luscious smells wafting through the air as families and friends wait for a good meal. Sitting in the sun, laughing together, sharing the time with one another. And we even have summer in Belgium and the Netherlands, so we also have beautiful bbq days. 

This past weekend was our church barbecue. We have several members who have their birthdays in July and August, so we get together to celebrate. Especially since many of our members are gone in those months doing Bible camp or on vacation. This special day means that we can get together, invite friends and enjoy the fellowship with one another. 

We always offer our house since we have a yard that is large enough to put everything - two tents to sit under in case it is too hot or too wet, space to play for the younger kids, and a nice area to go walking after a meal for those who desire such a walk. Everyone brings the meat they like and a few other dishes - just like our “liefdemaal” (love feast = potluck) which we hold every 4th Sunday. But this barbecue is a time to meet one another in a different setting. 

For some, our backyard is like being on vacation and may be the only time they really get out of their house to a nice place. More importantly, we all have a good time getting to know one another. It is a time to invite family members who do not believe but are more than willing to attend a bbq. This past week we had almost the whole congregation and some fiends and family. 

In the coming month we will also have some good fellowship opportunities, but then in different forms. The first Saturday in September I will lead a singing with the church in Cologne. Several of our members and members from around the Netherlands will also attend. It is always good to meet brothers and sisters from other cities and countries. The second weekend of September will find us all back down at camp for Family Day which will be organized this year by the church in Eindhoven. 

We are so thankful for these days and the family that God has placed us in. What times of fellowship have you had so far this summer? Do you have some days coming up? Who will you be seeing? 

Whensday: Gemündener Follies

You might have noticed that I missed writing on Monday AND on Wednesday. This is because I am down in Gemünden, Germany for the annual Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS). This is a time to meet with people from around Europe and receive lessons on all sorts of Bible topics. This year was quite different in that we even had an art session halfway through the week (see my picture). 

What did not change was that Thursday evening brought the world-famous Gemündener Follies. As our host Patrick would say, this is a low-level talent show. But we all enjoy it immensely anyway. I got to write some verses for a Hee Haw song and sing them with Paul Brazle and Brady Smith. I also sang a Ukrainian song with Carol Brazle and Brady and Stephanie Smith (Stephanie’s father translated the song into English: While on the Sea). 

Every year, or almost every year, Paul and I close out the show with a version of “our” Camp Gemunden song, based on the song which starts, “Hello, Mudda, hello Fadda, I am here at Camp Grenada…”  I have most of the lyrics for past years in my guitar case. Paul and I have been doing this for quite some years. I remember that we even did it via video during the corona version of ABSS. Each year we re-write the lyrics based on the speakers of that year, trying to rhyme and be funny at the same time. 

The joy of a week like this is being able to see people we don’t see often and meeting new folks from around Europe as well as be challenged by good Biblical lessons. This year, as with most years, there was a contingent from the CEM program in Marseille. The young men and ladies, some with delightful French accents, took part in the lessons, the follies and simply serving one another during the week (at meal times, for example). Everyone laughs on Thursday evening and then joins in eating ice cream (dedicated to Doyle Key who had for so long been a part of this event). 

As the weekend starts, the first session transitions into the weekend session. Families are able to arrive, the group from Marseille heads off on their long journey home and the lessons and fellowship continue with another varied group. I have been thankful to have heard about works in Vietnam and Estonia as well as see young people I have known from a young age attending as young adults (from Romania and Marseille). 

One of the lessons was focused on how we can see God in all things around us, including beauty. The Gemündener follies remind us that laughter and joy speak loudly of the presence of God in reality. 

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. 

Fun and family

This past year we have tried every second Sunday to have a time of games after our services. This was an idea of our young Ukrainian couple. Those who wish can stay for a cup of soup and some sandwiches followed by some time with board games. But it is much more than just fun. 

One of the first times we had two or three different tables. One had some games for the younger kids, another for kids who weren’t so sure about games, and a third where most of the adults sat, laughing and talking. And that is what has happened each second Sunday. A group sits around a table and laughs together, getting to know one another better. 

Last month it was the first time for one of our university students. It was fun to see her laughing and to hear how glad she was to get to know the others in a different way. This month we had to move the Games Sunday one week behind since the Ukrainian couple had been off to the first 20+ camp in decades. This had been planned and fell on the second Sunday, so we moved everything to yesterday. 

This time we also had a guest - an evangelist from Kenya who is visiting congregations and people he met when he first came to study in Belgium more than 10 years ago. In the meantime his family has increased by 4 sons and he has planted several works in the western part of Kenya. But to see him laughing and talking during games was a thrill. 

These kinds of games give people a chance to show a different side of themselves. It gives more time to simply talk about life as well (before and after the games). So we get to know each other a little better every month. We play games where you work as a team (like yesterdays game of Sequence), or where you have to be able to take some loss and still be happy. That is the joy of such a time. We are just family having a good time and getting to know one another better. 

Listening for God

This past weekend I was privileged to teach at the Fall European Singles Retreat (ESR) in Gemünden, Germany. As I mentioned to someone who asked - I taught in English, not in German. The retreat is for singles from around Europe. We had people there from Germany, Romania, Belgium, Netherlands and the US. There were three people who had never attended before and had found the information at the website. The theme was “Listening for God”. 

What a challenge to think about how we listen for God, why we want to listen for God and what that looks like. In the end we also talked about how - even if we can hear God, are we listening “to” Him? This group had lots of questions and good and intense conversation time - especially at the campfire on the Saturday evening. But it is also a group that likes to laugh. 

I have always enjoyed being able to be with this group. Singles are at a different season in their life and have different questions in their walk with God. The Single’s Retreat has always been a good place to share those questions and encourage one another in faith. 

The first morning I went out for a walk as the sun was rising. I love walking in this area. The campground where the retreat is held is in the middle of the German hills. I am usually here in February for a different Bible study week, so seeing the trees with leaves was a bit different. But the beautiful quiet, the birdsong and blanket of silent mist, the peacefulness remains the same. 

God wants us to walk with Him. The most important thing that we can hear, and that he continuously tells us, is that He want to have a relationship with us. HE is making this possible. If we are listening, He continues to say this. He tells us through people (I am telling you right now), through the beauty of His nature, through songs that we hear and sing and through our conscience and minds that have been filled with His words. It is not that God is not speaking. It is that we need to listen. We can check what we hear by comparing it to His words in the Bible. 

And when we hear God - “Please come to me. Follow me. Turn around. Don’t fear, I am here. I am the mighty one. You can have true, abundant life in ME.” - we can truly listen “to” Him and do what is good and right and precious. Then we will truly be listening. Are you listening?

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”  Luke 6:46-49