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)

Technology Time

One of the things we have experienced since the covid measures imposed on people around the world is the blessing of technology time. At the beginning of the measures, when people were often restricted to their homes, many people turned to digital technology for all sorts of things. For some this meant that they became addicted to YouTube videos or gaming. For churches who were not able to 0meet together, this meant a scramble for ways to remain in contact with one another. 

Looking back on the years that followed we are thankful in Maastricht that we were able to continue meeting together. For many churches this was not always possible. In Belgium the churches were forbidden to meet together, so many met online together. In Maastricht we also were part of this digital congregation. As the measures were removed, many found this connection extremely useful, although for some it had become a crutch. 

Where some people ended up experiencing the ease of “church in your pajamas” as a time to remove themselves from fellowship, others realized that they would be able to get together more often because of these digital tools. 

Our Wednesday Bible study through the years moved from our home to the home of a sister who had more difficulty traveling to the building to the home of another member who was less mobile. This meant that we often could not get many members to the study. With our digital meeting we now are able to include almost all of our members, even during a heavy snow storm like last Wednesday (6 inches is “heavy” for us). 

Most recently we were even able to finally connect one of our older sisters who is computer illiterate to the sister’s study on Friday mornings. It has not been without difficulties. How do you explain to someone who has never used a computer as communication where the “red button” is (which is hidden until you move the “mouse” or “cursor”). Thankfully, it is possible and starting to work. 

We are thankful for the courage that appeared in each of the members during the time that fellowship was restricted (working within laws and rules, but doing all to facilitate fellowship). We are also thankful for the new ways that we have found to be together even more, encouraging one another in faith. We now use three different apps to stay connected and communicate. We use another app to meet online when needed. And we use other digital tools (including our website and a YouTube channel) to reach out. 

You can find our website here.

We recorded song to help one another sing and learn new songs.

Our instagram is something that is still being developed.

We are in this together

As the corona lockdowns loosen around the world we have been making plans for how to go forward in the coming months. Our enthusiasm for the possibility of seeing one another again and being able to do many things that have been restricted for so long has to be tempered by the laws of the land (two countries in our case) and our desire to do what is best for all concerned. We want to untangle this mess in the best possible way and turn it into something very useful.

In The Netherlands - where we meet as a church - congregations are allowed to meet together again from today, meaning that Sunday, June 14 would be the first Sunday. I already saw some Catholic churches in the city holding mass today. Only 30 can gather, and the normal restrictions must be followed: 1.5 meter distance, hand-washing, no greeting by handshaking or kissing, etc. 

In Belgium churches are also allowed to meet again, with up to 100 people. But only if they can do this while keeping the minimum distance and refraining from any kind of touching. And in both countries there is to be no singing! So, while we have had a challenge to sing together in our skype/zoom gatherings, we are now going to have to figure something else entirely for the coming weeks. 

For our congregation in Maastricht we will have to wait until the 21st of June because the border between Belgium and The Netherlands doesn’t open until June 15. About a third of our members live on the Dutch side while the other two thirds live just across the border in Belgium. So when the border officially opens, we will finally be able to gather together - even if it does mean all sorts of special rules and changes. 

As with so many of you who have already started through this process, we have discussed with one another if we will wear masks or not (we will in the beginning), how we will partake of the Lord’s supper (we figured this one out) and how we will sit while keeping enough distance from one another. We have also had to think about a protocol for hand-washing, toilet usage, and how we can share a time of coffee afterwards. But we will finally be able to be together and that is the most important thing at this time. 

One of the biggest struggles I think we as congregation will face is the injunction against singing. We are a singing church. Every service ends with a prayer after which we all head over to the coffee table and during which at least one brother our sister usually continues singing one of the songs sung during the service. A small group often forms of others who - coffee cup in hand - stand around and sing some more. This is not yet allowed, since the thought is that singing too easily spreads the virus. Still, we will find a way to keep the words of the Lord in our hearts and heads - together. 

And while we deal with these realities we are also making our plans for our summer Bible camp weeks. We had heard a few weeks ago that these would be allowed to continue. Now we are trying to make sure our teams will be able to attend and getting everything ready. Until this last week and news of the borders, we were not sure if kids and team members from The Netherlands would be able to attend. Now that that hurdle has been taken, we can move on to the normal tasks of getting lessons and activities ready. 

And all the while we are aware that we continue to be vigilant in trying to be safe. We know that there are some who have greater fears for the virus - correctly since they are part of a high risk group. There are others who have greatly missed being with others and will need to let the floodgates loose as they get the chance to talk to others. We want to look to one another and see how we can serve each other, care for one another.

This is a daily desire, a daily struggle. There are all sorts of struggles we must face - how to do what is right and good. And often it is not the big things, but the little things that will make a difference - even on the world stage. We continue to try to keep our focus on what is eternally fundamental: our salvation and that of those around us.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11

Conversations

1st Friday conversations

Isn’t it amazing how God loves to talk? Look at the Bible. It is full of amazing stories. God has been telling us His story for a long time. But He also loves to listen. He is constantly asking us to talk to Him (pray) and has promised us that He is listening - very closely. Listening and talking are part of being with God (goes along with that walking bit I talked about recently). 

Our lives have changed a bit in our most recent season of life. We (Shirley and I) have more possibilities to go together and listen to conversations, take part in conversations. I am so thankful that we have these chances. Sometimes we are meeting with members from the congregation in Maastricht - on Wednesday evenings, Thursday mornings with the men or Friday mornings with the women (or Monday evenings further away). Sometimes we are singing and speaking to one another in spiritual songs - on first Fridays or third Wednesdays. 

But more recently I had also added some other options. On Tuesday morning and evening I hold a consultation for those who have questions about God or the Bible. The Dutch allows me to make a play on words and offer a “Speaking hour” when they can come talk - about any question they might have. Mid-March I was going to start with a Bible study group in the city. That has been put on hold for a bit (corona), but we will see how that works out in the coming months. Modern technology and social media makes these kinds of meetings possible. 

But everyday we notice that there are opportunities to listen and speak - if we pay attention. And technology also makes this possible. And even necessary in ‘Corona” times. We call a member of the church who is housebound at the moment. We email or whatsapp other members who can use an encouraging word. We get a text message from people looking for help, or offering help. Everywhere, people are speaking. I hear the cashier repeating her litany and try to remember to look her in the eye and wish her a good day, thanking her for her work. I wave at the car behind me that just let me in, thanking them for their kindness. I listen to the young one tell all about the funny story (that he told me yesterday three times already). 

God wants to talk to me and you. He is always listening to me and you. And we are made in His image, made to be able to listen and speak. What conversations have you had recently? How has ‘social distancing’ affected your conversation?

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.                 Hebrews 1:1-2

Tales of Travels

In the coming days I will attempt to update you on our travels and visits why we are in the US. I am still learning how to use a smartphone and have never been good at selfies, so any pictures you see of us were probably taken by others. But we will try to share some pictures as well, so keep an eye on our photo site if you are interested in those. 

We start with “The Tale of the Hotel/Motel” 

Our trip began before we ever stepped foot on an airplane. First we had to get to the amazing flying machine. This is the tale of how that came to be and what ensued. 

Early in the morning we were already rushing about, scrambling and scurrying as one does at the last minute. The house had to be made ready to lay dormant for two whole months. 

Surprisingly, an amazing amount of work needs to be done for dormancy – perhaps a bear would know about things like that. Everything needed vacuumed (well, not everything, but you get the idea), foodstuffs had to be put away or eaten, dusting, wiping, scrubbing and bed-making-upping had to be finished. You see, the vacancy will only be partial. Halfway through our absence, the house will receive guists. At the end of our time away, just before we return, good friends will also enjoy the house. So everything had to be ready to use, but as empty as possible. 

By midday we were as ready as we were going to be, and anyway our ride to the train station had arrived. Yes, we were taking the train to the airport. Once at the station we figured out how best to motivate our bags along – this was something we would be doing a lot of, so we had to discover the best method. We had done well in keeping our bags to a minimum, though not a bare minimum – we were after all going to be gone for two months, beginning in the Spring and ending in the heat of summer. But balancing one little bag on a big bag and rolling the other two worked quite well. 

On the train we had to be careful tht the rolling bags didn’t run away, but we arrived at Schiphol with no real drama. It had been a pleasant if not quiet ride (we sat in the area meant for bicycles). At the airport we had arranged to have our hotel pick us up at the airport (yes, we were already doing a hotel and had not even flown one foot). Since our flight was very early, and we would have to be very very early to be on time, we had decided to spend the night in Zwanenburg. 

A city of swans – that is what one imagines. And once we found the water, we were not disappointed. Which was more than we could say about our hotel, which was actually a motel. Mind you, the town itself is very quaint and quiet. Our room at the hotel had to be accessed via an outside door, past other hotel guests enjoying the late evening sunlight and then opening our door into our room. But we had a room and we were thankful. 

Plus, we had swans, and shoarma, and seats. This was important after we had taken a short walk around Zwanenburg and then into Halfweg, walking halfway into Scott’s memory of when he used to bike past this area on his way to Dutch lessons in Amsterdam. Walking down memory lane is always energizing, but we hadn’t eaten since leaving home, so we were very pleased to find a shoarma restaurant open and serving. 

Back at the hotel we were frustrated to find the internet not working. Most of society today runs on the internet and we still had to check in to our flight. But that would have to wait for the next day, which was fast arriving and would come even faster for us. We awoke at 4:30 and got everything ready for the bus to the airport which would leave at 5:30 for our flight at 7:30. Sitting near the check-in desk meant that we had internet, so all was right with the world, just as the bus arrived, loaded our luggage and we departed in the cool morning sunrise of the Netherlands, on our way to America, via Great Britain. But that is another tale. 

Will we see you?

From May 14 - July 9 we will be traveling in the US, visiting congregations and family. We would really like to see you if that is possible. Check out the places we will be and let us know if we can get together.

May 15 - 18 in Omaha, NE

May 18 - 23 in Muscatine, IA
We are looking at the possibility of a Singing Workshop at this stop.

May 23 - June 2 in Minneapolis (and area)

June 3 - 10 in Colorado, first in Colorado Springs and from the 7th in Denver.
The Miller Street congregation (in Wheatridge) is hosting a Singing Workshop with us on June 8!

June 11- 17 in Abilene, TX
We will be mobile, so let us know if we can get together. We stay the night of the 17th in Dallas if you would like to meet.

June 18 - 23 in Indianapolis, IN

June 23 - July 4 in Long Beach, CA and area

July 5 - 9 in New York City

We look forward to seeing old friends and building new relationships. We are so thankful that God is making this possible through your generosity!