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. 

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)

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)

COPA Benelux

This past weekend we were united in fun. Really. Every year the COPA Benelux - an indoor soccer tournament for teams from around Belgium and the Netherlands - is organized. In Maastricht we try to form a team to play, but the last few years this has not been possible. So this year three of us from Maastricht joined three from Gent and one from Haarlem to form a team. We are FUN United.

You see, the teams are split up in Pro and Fun. The Pro teams are serious. They usually have people who know how to play, are basically fit and are serious about winning - although they are also there to have fun. Christians know how to have fun. God made fun. The other teams, made up mostly of kids (at least 10 years old), people who don’t know that much about soccer and older people make up the Fun teams. 

This year there were only 3 fun teams and 7 pro teams. But the fun teams definitely had fun. Our team did not win any games, although we made some of them fairly exciting. Still, we got third place. (This is where one would put an emoji sticking his cheeky tongue out). It was fun to play although my body definitely feels it still, two days later. We had some beautiful goals and plenty of screaming to root one another one. 

In between matches I always enjoy meeting new people and checking in with people we do not get to see very often. There were some players from Antwerp that we only see during this tournament. And it was good to check in with them. One of the other Fun teams was from Den Haag. As a matter of fact, last year I won the Fun tournament as part of their team. This year they also won in a thrilling final that only ended after penalty shootouts. 

I am always thankful for people around the country who make the effort to put something like this together. This is a place where young people can get together. It is a time when older people can connect with younger people in a different way. It is a moment when everyone sees that perseverance and fairness are part of having fun. It was great, nearing the end of the day, when we all gathered to sing praises to God and hear a pep talk. Like Luk Brazle always mentions - soccer and singing go together. We love singing to God who gives us such fun moments. 

The photo is of FUN United. You can find more photos of the day here. 

Blessing in Bible Camp

One of the most important moments in my spiritual life was when I went to Bible Camp. For me that was a Carter camp, run by Jack, Dave and Ron Carter in Colorado. It is still being run today (run by Bret Carter and Julie Oehlert) and is called Kamp Koinonia. These camps bring all sorts of memories and touch lives in so many different ways. 

As scenes of the Texas flooding filled my news feed, I thought of our Bible camp a few years back and the flooding here (more on that later this week). But I also thought of all of the ways that these camps have taught and are teaching young people and parents about the grace and glory of God. God is here always and we will all experience amazing wonderful times, and difficult challenging times. But He is there to guide us through. That is what I remember learning at Bible camp. 

When I first attended, I was not a Christian. I was a believer in God, but my life did not belong to Jesus Christ. And my life at times seemed to be falling apart. My parents were divorcing, my relationships within my family were strained and I didn’t know what was going to happen. It was camp that was part of what taught me that God is everywhere, all the time. 

Camps like these teach us that Christians know what fun us. As a matter of fact, Christians know best how to have fun. When we love one another and are in tune with God and His will for us and our hearts and bodies, we can really have fun and experience really joy. That is one of the things I learned when going to camp and one of the things I try to pass on in 0our Bible camp weeks here. 

This weekend Shirley and I will be down at Ardennen Bijbelkamp leading Jongerenkamp. This is the 15-20 year-old week and our week is almost full (21 campers). We will be looking at our identity in Christ and will be enjoying getting to know these young people. We pray that we will be a good example to them as so many were for us in the past. 

We have been praying for Kamp Koinonia, Midwest Bible Camp, WCYC, Flaming Pine, King’s Kamp and many more that we have experienced in the past and know are taking place in the coming weeks. We would appreciate your prayers for us and the kids in the 4 weeks of our camp, starting this Saturday and running through August 16. I will not be posting next week (although I may post the Where oh Where Wednesday early), but you will know where we are. 

(You can find pictures of all the years we have been doing camp on our picture site)

What about your tongue?

We are so thankful for the opportunities we are given to work with young people and the members of the church in Maastricht. For the last two years we have organized a youth day, putting together a team from Maastricht and inviting kids from across Belgium and the Netherlands. We organize the day in the middle of Belgium so that it is more accessible for people than going all the way down to camp (which would be easy for us). 

This past weekend we organized the day around the theme of the tongue and what we learn in James 1 and 3. We had a smaller group (Vacation Bible Camp had just taken place e the previous week and this weekend was King’s Day in the Netherlands), but it was a great day. The sun came out to play and we enjoyed working together to learn about how to use our words in a good way and not be used in a bad way. 

James 1:19 has always been a verse to challenge me: Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. In my younger years I was always quick to anger and slow to listen. But thankfully God has changed my heart and ways bit by bit as I have grown in grace as well. This is something we want all of our young people to know and experience - growth in grace. 

Thankfully we have a great team. Shirley organizes the food with Tonia. Tonia’s husband Mario takes care of the 2nd lesson for the older kids. I usually take the first lesson and welcome, which takes place outside. And Paul and Deysi come up with great visual activities for the second lesson for the young kids and a craft activity for everyone. 

Everyone works well together and the kids have enjoyed the days we have organized. Now we hope and pray they also remember the lessons we have tried to pass on. Hearing good things doesn’t help if we are not doers (James 1:22). We learned about how just as fierce and terrible things can be done with small words, so too amazingly beautiful things can be done with simple small words. How are you using your words today? 

(The picture is of how anger can boil over. Empty it out and fill it with clean water - the living water of Jesus.)

Taking care of family

The end of the year is often a time for family and caring for family. The holidays take many off traveling until the new year. We always find it to be a time to share family with those around us. Of course as we have lived overseas most of our family is far away. This simply means that we find other ways of getting together or seeing one another. We look forward to being able to speak to the boys around Christmas via video-calling. 

But there are plenty of people around us who also ar not able to travel to family oir be with family at this time. So we want to make sure that we can all share that together as family. This year we will welcome several from the congregation in Maastricht to our house on Christmas for a Christmas dinner. A couple from Ghana will bring some special dishes to share and our airman will bring a friend who also is without family while stationed overseas. 

We are looking forward to some game time, amazing food and wonderful conversation. This will be the second Christmas for our granddaughter and we are excited to see how much of the time she experiences. She is becoming quite a character. After our afternoon with our guests we will look forward to video’s with family. 

We are thankful for the family we are part of all over the world. Yesterday we were all together as a church family and enjoyed good food, conversation and “white elephants”. We pray that you, too, have the opportunity to share what you have with those around you. 

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. 

COPA Benelux 2024

Each year an indoor soccer tournament is organized for the churches in Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a fun opportunity to get together in a different way and to show how much fun can be had by Christians together. It is also an opportunity to invite friends to a different kind of activity. 

In past years the congregation in Maastricht has put together a team. As a matter of fact, we were the first ones to win in the Fun league (we have never had a team in the “pro” league). But in the past years it has become a bit more difficult to field a team. Last year we were part of “Fun United”. This year I signed up individually and was assigned to the team from The Hague - Den Haag Xtra (they said I was the “extra”). 

There were 7 pro teams and 4 fun teams, which is quite an increase from the previous years. It was great to see so many taking part. Halfway through the day we stop to have time to sing together, hear a short devotional thought and pray together. Each game is officiated by the players themselves. It was exciting to see the players being honest and helping one another, even those on the other team. This is what it looks like when Christians get together to have fun. 

And in the end Den Haag Xtra were the Fun champions! I was the goalie for the
games and enjoyed being able to help the team to this victory. It was fun to encourage, to have some good conversations between games and just to have fun together. Next year we will try to put together a team from Maastricht and see if we can bring the trophy home again. 

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. 

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. 

Benjamin Camp

Today we have been home for a few days after our week with the Benjamins. It was a challenging and energetic week and we are still trying to get back to normal energy levels. Thank you all for your prayers for the team and the kids. This year we had a few kids at camp for the first time and we had several brothers and sisters, brothers and brothers, cousins and more. We had 15 boys and 9 girls, with the boys being a very active group. 

We are always so very thankful for a good team to take care of everything. While Andrew and Scott had to deal with quite a busy and loud group of boys in the evenings, the teachers (Lucinda and Karla) were able to get their messages about the miracles of Jesus across very well. And along the way we all tried to not only teach the kids the practice of doing what they were being taught, but giving them an example as well. 

What do you do when your friend or someone in your room doesn’t treat you well? How do you use your words? Is it okay to attack someone who has threatened your brother? What does it mean to forgive one another? Is “sorry” enough? How and when do you share your things? Is it okay to just “borrow” from someone if you want to? When is it important to be quiet and listen? When should you speak up? These were all very important and practical questions for the week. 

In the meantime we also had a great week of activities. We had a water day on the warmest day of the week, played inside on the following day when it was pouring down rain amid thunder and lightening, and went walking in between the moments of rain on another day. We were thankful for the rain, the sun and the possibility to keep going no matter what. 

This week the teens are at camp and we are praying for the campers and the team helping them for this week. Next week is Family camp where I will bring some of the lessons and see some of the campers once again. We are so very thankful that we have this possibility of helping young people grow in faith and helping Christians grow in service and sharing their faith. 

Once we get our pictures from Benjamin Camp I will post the link here as well. 

Bible camp birthdays

Since Saturday last we have been down at camp. This was actually posted early, along with the Wednesday post, because I knew that we would not be able to post normally. This time of year is always busy with Bible camp - and it is often the time that I get to celebrate my birthday. 

I remember as a kid that I was alternately happy and sad that my birthday was not during the school year, but instead during the summer vacation. That meant that no one from school really knew that it was my birthday. It also meant that I didn’t get to celebrate it in any way with school mates. But on the other hand, I didn’t have to celebrate it with anyone I didn’t really want to. So that was a blessing. 

Here in Belgium (and in the Netherlands as well) birthdays are times for the birthday boy or girl to invite people over and serve them. One should usually stay at home because people will be calling to wish one a Happy Birthday. This who come over (and they are often expected to simply come over) are to be welcomed and served coffee and tea along with cake - by the birthday boy or girl. When you are young you bring small treats for the whole class if your birthday is during the school year. 

I have seldom had to do any of this. That is because I am usually down at Bible camp on my birthday. The Benjamin week is usually the 4th week of July, which would include my birthday. Although I do not always direct the Benjamin week (or teach), I have done for quite some years. In fact, the first summer we arrived I taught the Benjamins. 

This year Benjamin Camp starts on Saturday, July 27. So I will have welcomed the campers with a small treat and they will probably have sung for me. There will be others during the week who also celebrate their birthday. The beauty of such a day is that you are with good friends in a beautiful place celebrating a life with and in God’s love. 

In the congregation in Maastricht we pray and sing for those who have celebrated a birthday the week before the Sunday. Of course I will miss “my” Sunday since we will be at camp. But I expect I will still be “put in the circle” the Sunday after we get back from camp. It is good to know that we are part of family in so many places. And it is exciting to know that God is willing to have used us and still uses us in so many ways wherever we are. 

The photo is of my birthday in 2012. I am the crazy guy with the crown. You can see more photo’s of that week by clicking on the photo)

Work camp

Beautiful weather, a place we all love and a great group of young and older people working together. That is a really good work camp. Every year at the Ascension Day holiday (Thursday and Friday are free days for many people), we get a group together down at camp to get done what needs done before the full summer weeks of camp begin. 

There is always the normal cleaning that needs done and the maintenance of the buildings and terrain. Spiderwebs to be removed, windows to be cleaned, a kitchen to be completely cleaned and lots of grass to be mown. These are the normal tasks. But this year we have some bigger changes that also needed taken care of. 

More than 40 years ago we were able to find a set of beds from the Dutch military. They were changing to longer beds and the ones they had (already longer than normal) were being dropped to whoever might be able to use them. This was perfect opportunity for us as we needed at least 16 bunkbeds for the new dormitory we had built at the time. Now, the beds have more than done their duty and both the beds and mattresses were showing their age. It was time to renew. 

So we have been able to purchase new beds and mattresses. This is a great thought, but it also needs to be done. Break down 32 old metal beds, throw out the old mattresses and build new beds with mattresses in their place. Thankfully we had a very enthusiastic crew. The first evening saw all of the new beds placed after the old ones had been removed. The second day saw the old beds taken off and the mattresses found their way to the recycling park back in my village. 

In the meantime the other most visible project was also taking shape - the new basketball court was getting a lick of paint. Now no one will have to guess where the free-throw line is or if they just scored a 3-pointer. The lines were painted on this newest addition to the camp terrain. Last summer was the first that it could actually be used and it was used immediately and by every single week of camp. Every age has found it fun and useful - if not as a basketball court, then as a great place to sit in the sun. 

We had a young man return for this few days of work who has not been to camp for about 9 years. He worked together with his two young nephews, who can be a handful - as he was when he was their age. We also had the help of 4 young Dutch kids who live in Switzerland and come to camp almost every year. This camp gets into your bones once you have been. 

And that is what we are planning on in the coming years as well. The plans for the coming year are to rebuild the oldest section to include new toilets and showers, a new kitchen and a section of bedrooms above the kitchen for the team leaders. Each year camp is being transformed into a place that can be used more often. And it is being used throughout the year by the various congregations. 

In less than two weeks the congregation in Maastricht will also have a church day down at camp. We are so very thankful for all the people that have made camp what it is throughout the years and for how `god is blessing this tool now as well. 

(Click on the picture for more pictures)

Thanks

You now it’s not about the Friday and how black it is, what deals you can get. And you’re not waiting for today and all the cyber deals you can find. It has been great to see all the people we know getting together with other people we know, sharing time together. That is what it is about. 

Thanksgiving, as we have mentioned before, is not a holiday here. It is a uniquely American thing. And I am thankful that it is part of our DNA. As I jumped onto social media shortly, I was able to see so many of you all up to date and with family. It is fun to try to figure out who is who now, as kids grow up. It is good to see families together who very often cannot be together. 

We were thankful to be able to get online with Sean and Jill (and Pierre) to share some time and get caught up on what is happening in our lives. They were off to celebrate the day later with friends. We are glad that they have people to share this day with. Earlier in the week we had been able to see Stephan and grandbaby Sophia. We were thankful that Stephan, Natalie and Sophia were able to spend the day with Natalie’s family and the baby cousins were together. 

Although we do not celebrate Thanksgiving on the day (some years we have invited our neighbors), we do get together with others in Belgium and the Netherlands somewhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We call it Thanksmas. This year it will be on December 16 and we are looking forward to the good food and the wonderful fellowship that we are able to enjoy at the time. 

This is what it is about. That is why I am also so thankful that we can truly share this kind of fellowship throughout the year. Yes, that one time in the year is special. But yesterday we met with our spiritual family again - as we do every week. Our 4th Sunday’s are potluck, so we also got to eat. Spending time together, remembering that the people in our lives are the most important things - that is what it is about. Thank you for sharing your time and lives with us. 

Father's fun

Recently we have been having fun. This past Saturday we had a great day in the sun with our young people. We wanted to take the time to do several important things: show how important Jesus is for real life, connect with some other youth from around Belgium, show that having fun is something God has made possible. Christians know best how to have fun, since God is the creator of fun. 

On the second Sunday of the month we had a Games Day at the building after services. More than 20 members and kids stayed afterwards and had fun playing all sorts of board games and card games. Everyone is already looking forward to the e next second Sunday Games day. This was a time of bonding between young and old, Dutch-speaking or not. Fun can be had in every language and at every age. 

The youth day we organized this past Saturday was built around the theme of ‘Build your House”. We wanted to look at what Jesus says about the wise and foolish man as well as examine how we can be living stones to the cornerstone of Jesus. 

We moved the location to a community center close to Mario and Tonia, which meant that kids from other congregations could reach it more easily (Maastricht is a good way away from where most people live). Our age-group was fairly young: from 7 to 13 years-old, because that is the age of our kids in Maastricht. We were thrilled to welcome 8 kids from various other congregations for the day. 

The sun shone brightly, the rain stayed away and the kids enjoyed the time inside and out. Our two 13 year-olds prepared the first games outside. Scott brought the first lesson outside as well before we all headed inside for lunch. After some more play time outside the kids headed inside for some practical lessons focused on how we work together. Have you ever made a tower out of flat pieces of paper? These kids came up with some great ideas. 

By the end of the day we were thrilled with how God could touch so many hearts in such a short time. Several “shy” kids blossomed throughout the activities. All of the kids helped each other in the end. And the lesson points came through loud and clear. Fun was had by all in a way that God was glorified and amplified. We pray that a good bit of what was mentioned and done will stay with the kids in the coming days and weeks. 

In November we are looking forward to joining a football (soccer) tournament with a team from Maastricht. This is another time that we can experience having fun and getting to know others around us, sharing the joy that comes with being a child of God. Before that, several teens will be heading down to camp for Fall campo and the young kids will be able to experience a week at Vacation Bible Camp. Pray for our young people and for all of the team members making these sorts of activities possible.