Another great youth day

The past two years the congregation in Maastricht has decided to expand our focus on our youth. Youth activities in the church are organized generally by the various congregations in Belgium and the Netherlands and spread throughout the year. But all of these weekends begin at qo years old. Our young people were younger. 

In the past we have also organized “Dieno”days (servant days with a play on words to include it sounding like dinosaurus). These were even for kids as young as 4 years old. So we decided as a congregation that we wanted to have a day for our kids, knowing that there were also other kids in the congregations of this age who would also be interested. 

Our age spread was actually from 7-13 at the time. So we planned a youth day utilizing our members who were very interested in the task and in the spiritual welfare of the kids. One of our members brought her grandkids to the first one, which was held in our backyard. But we realized from the beginning that doing the day in Maastricht (in our backyard in Lanaken) meant that parents had to travel quite far, since we are on the edge of both Belgium and the Netherlands. 

So in 2023 we moved the day to a community center in the village of one of our members - in Herselt, in the middle of Belgium. This meant that parents even from theWest could get to the day, spend some time in the area, and head home with their kids at a reasonable time. And more parents lived closer to this central area. The community center was well-suited to our needs for the day as well. 

The day in the Fall of 2023 went well, so we planned two for 2024 - again in Herselt - one in the Spring and one in the Fall. We have a great team working together from the congregation and the parents of the kids are quite happy that there are activities for their kids (even the younger ones). We focus the lessons on the younger and older ages, splitting the ages up for the 2nd lesson. 

This past weekend was the Fall Youth Day. Being in Belgium we always having to hope and pray that we can work well with whatever weather we get. This time the weather was not great, but it was also not terrible. We were thankful to have Rudy and Pam Schellekens visiting who could also help out. Some of the kids got sick at the last minute and could not come, but that is the reality of working with kids. 

The theme of this day was the elements which help us to grow in faith - based on 2 Peter 1:3-11. It always amazes me, although it should not anymore, how well children can learn and remember. Even the boys who have trouble sitting still are actually listening! We are so thankful for being able to work together with such a great group of brothers and sisters from the church in Maastricht for these days. We already have the next ones on the schedule for 2025. 

Thank you for your prayers for these activities, for the team and for the kids. You can find some pictures on our picture site. 

Choosing to grow

We spent this past weekend down in the Ardennes at Fall Camp. About 20 years ago this was a weekend for families and the youth. Then we focused more on the youth. Now, the last two years, we have put the two back together again. It is a challenge to meld activities for parents with kids, little kids, young teens and older teens – but it is worth it.

For years we have been telling our young people the truth of what it means to follow Jesus. And they have been listening. They want to follow, they want to do what is right. When we all get together, it gives us all the opportunity to really put that into practice – and that is what we need! How can I follow if I don’t have any examples? How can I follow if I am not challenged with difficult options (for example: help someone, or go play)?

At our camps, we always have ‘corvee’ (pronounced: core-fay) or kp-duty (kitchen police – washing up after a meal). Everyone signs up for a turn at corvee and sometimes the camp director has to ‘volunteer’ folks for their chance. Not this group. The young people were some of the first ones signed up. They came to me throughout the week to ask: What can I do to help?

Of course it is also nice to be able to get away with your friends and talk about things that interest you. I enjoyed seeing this group encouraging one another. Besides the talk of music, movies, sports and school, there were discussions about struggles, about fasting and praying, about how better to encourage one another. Some of the young people were the example for me, rather than the other way around.

It was only last year that Gijs gave his life to Christ. In the meantime, he has looked at how better to focus his life on this Jesus whom he is following. What things are most important? How to combine work with faith? How to be more active in the local body of Christ? It is exciting to see!

One of the walks this week was to a rock. I tell people when we get there: That is where we are going (looking up to the top of this rock). Some groan. Some want to start clambering up the rock right away. But there is a path – a winding, climbing path. You have to keep climbing. Along the way, you can look down and see how far you have come so far. Once up top, you can gaze below and wonder at how high you have climbed! And then you can turn around and continue up the path – even higher and further.

Perseverance, continuing, looking ahead and up, staying focused, enjoying the journey along the way – this is what I see on weekends like these. It is so good to be part of the family of God and be able to share this, not only with mature brothers and sisters, but also with those who are becoming mature and those who are still looking for the Way. 

The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 (remember to at least read the whole chapter)

A view of a few of the newest activities

The past two months have kept us pretty busy. Here are a few of the highlights with some pictures to go with it. We are so thankful for how we are able to be used, for the way God is forming us as well.

At the beginning of April Scott went to the European Singles Retreat in Germany to teach on ‘Final Destination: Aliens on our way home’. Singles from all over Europe meet twice a year to encourage one another in their walk with Christ. Scott taught about how our citizenship is in heaven and our culture should be from Christ.

Check out some pictures here or on facebook. For more info see the website.

Two days after the Single’s Retreat Scott and Shirley made a whirlwind tour to Colorado for the wedding of Scott’s best friend, Bret Carter, where Scott was best man. We were only there for 5 days, but were able to get in some quick family visit time as well as meet the bride and her family, meet brothers and sisters from two congregations, and refresh friendships. 

Two days after arriving back in Europe Scott left for a two-day retreat with the Catholic kids from the next village. He and Karla verheijen have been working for years with these groups to encourage the yougn people, their parents and the group working with them to focus on a real life with Jesus Christ. The year’s activities culminate for us with this two-day retreat, which inevitably challenges us with the same question we hope to present to those around us: Am I a cultural Christian, or is Jesus really my life?

the 'new' car

At the end of April Scott headed down to camp to help with some of the work being done there.But before heading down, we had to figure out a car solution. Our car unexpectedly died on the way back from the Single’s Retreat. With all of the activities in between, there had been no time to deal with this need, but now we had a week to look around and a borrowed car to add mobility. Just before the work days at camp we found a ‘new’ car – which looks remarkably like our ‘old’ car and is actually 10 years old (but within budget and with far fewer kilometers). The first test was driving down to camp. The car worked well (and continues to do so) and we got some good work done down at camp. 

The same day of work camp Sean presented his first real EP for his band, Karma Police. This was paid for by the winnings from the contest last year (‘Imagine’) which also saw them go to Romania to perform. More music is on the way. You can hear their music here and purchase their ep. You can also find them on facebook where you can see some of their video's. 

Singing in 4 languages

The first weekend of May saw Scott and Sean driving over to Thayngen, Switzerland for the yearly indoor, international soccer tournament. Scott would present the thoughts around the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, and both ‘boys’ would play soccer. This tournament is an amazing opportunity to bring Christians and friends together from all over Europe, showing what my ‘dad’, Ron Carter (and my best friend, Ron’s son, Bret) always said: Christians know best how to really have fun.

The next weekend the congregation in Maastricht had planned a day down at camp. Philip Dela taught us about how we can forgive – even when we do not feel like it. His original lesson had been on how ‘Christians’ in Africa had taken revenge on Moslims, killing them and dragging them through the streets. This was done, because Christians had also been killied. How should we respond? And where do we find the strength to do this?

Typical of our Maastricht family, we also used the day to write some new songs about forgiveness. One of these songs was written by 3-year-old Liam with his daddy. The Sunday morning after the day at camp all of the new songs were sung. We were pleased to welcome Jia, our Chinese-Maastricht PhD-living-in-Germany who was visiting us for a few days. She let us know a week later that the tune from Liam was still stuck in her head.

The last two weeks have been full of our normal activities as well as the smell of paint. Scott promised Shirley years ago (we won’t go into how many years) that he would paint the ceiling – changing the brown to a shiny white. The paint had been waiting, we simply needed to get it on the agenda - a hard enough task! Although it is not yet finished, we are well on our way.

We pray that you, too, have enjoyed some moments that have challenged your faith and your life in Christ, that you have found some times to share with family and friends, that you have been blessed by the physical blessings in your daily life and that you have been able to be used in many expected and unexpected ways. We have a wonderful and amazing God!

Youth weekend

Goede lessen
Originally uploaded by sraabs.

This past weekend we had about 40 people in our house - we are so thankful that God blessed us with a place like this to be used for Him! The church in Maastricht organized a youth weekend on the theme "Music man!" talking about why it is important to know what we are listening to.

The boys stayed at our place while the girls stayed over at the Verheijen's house. Sean and Stephan were glad to have their rooms full (literally: Sean had 5 in his room, Stephan had 6 and there were two in the playroom donwstairs!) During the together times it was packed, but exciting.

We went to a "bare-foot-path" where we walked through the woods, over stones, through rivers and all sorts of things - all on bare feet. It was great. (check out our photo site for more pics). In the afternoon the young people split up into groups and wrote their own songs, based on any text they wished from the letter of James. These kids continue to surprise and impress us! What wonderful songs!

On Sunday the meeting room for the church was packed full (overfull) with all the youth and several visitors (including my Chinese Bible student!). The singing was great, as was the fellowship. Afterwards we ate together and finished up the weekend with a concert from Listen Up! For this even more people showed up to make it standing room only.

What a blessing God has given us in music, in song, in his family and his Word!