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. 

There is a season

A time to toil, to mourn, to dance, to embrace, to search or throw away … there is a time. I want to share some of the things God has been doing in our lives as the Fall season began, but I must first unburden my heart over a sorrow and a joy.

This past week, as we were on a visit with Shirley’s family in Omaha we received news from California that our dear sister, Wanda Martin, had unexpectedly passed away. Should our passing ever be unexpected? But Wanda has always been there, from the first time we met the church in Long Beach. Our Stephan showed off superhero pajamas together with her son, Daniel. We remember the kids sitting at the kid’s table, saying grace before the meal. Wanda has always made sure that we were taken care of, when we are here in Belgium or back ‘home’ on assignment in California.

And now she has gone Home, truly. We are so very thankful for that assurance, for the certainty that we have of seeing her again. So we praise our Father for His salvation and we find comfort in this truth and reality. Even as we miss Wanda for now.

These assurances are what motivate us in our daily life, in our activities together. God’s grace is why we so want to share with those around us. And God gives us those opportunities. In September Scott organized a Men’s day, since the men’s retreat was not possible due to work down at camp. Instead of spending a weekend together the men got together to talk about and practice a time of prayer in Antwerp. Instead of the beuaty of the Ardennen, we were blessed with seeing how God wants to live in the city, where so many can experience His grace. 

Both in September and October we had an opportunity to sing. We gathered in Aachen again with members from the church from Cologne to sing in the rain. It was a bit wet and cold, but our hearts were warm. We have, however decided to gather next year at the building in Maastricht. In October Scott organized the Song Workshop for the 3rd time. A time to learn how to sing, learn how to read music (thanks to Luk Brazle teaching) and a time to record new songs so that members can teach them at their home congregations.

At the end of the month we headed to York College for Scott’s 35 year reunion. This was definitely a time to embrace and laugh and sing. Friendships that truly have lasted so many years and have been the basis of a life in the Lord are very precious. It was good to look back at how God brought us together, at what that time has meant to us. It was good to be reminded of how God is active in our lives. And it was great to sing!

So we enjoyed a few days together, laughing about past exploits and getting to know each other again. ‘Friends’ was a group, but it was also who we were, and are. You can watch the concert here – if you are willing to put up with cracking voices and our stories. It was good to be together.

Here are some pictures of our quick visit to the US to see family and church family.

Sing these wonderful truths together with us, hear some challenging truths and enjoy the YC chorus here.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:11-13