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)

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.