Laying the weapons down

Today is another holiday in Belgium. At the beginning of our street is a statue of sorts. It is the Belgian lion and in front of the lion is a short stand which is hardly even noticeable most of the year. But on this day you can see it quite well since there is a flame on its top. This is the monument to the fallen soldiers of the village. There are two and they died in WWI. Today is Armistice Day, November 11. 

It is a day which is celebrated in Belgium, but not in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands they celebrate their fallen on May 4. In the US this day in November is called Veteran’s Day, although it does not always fall oil the 11th. For the Belgians it is always on November 11 because that is the day that the armistice was signed. It was a day to put down all weapons. In Dutch, the word is literally “weapons stillness” (wapenstilstand). 

In our world today there are many places that are trying to reach an armistice. One of our young Ukrainian brothers in the church in Maastricht heard recently that his father died in the fighting in Ukraine. We know others who want to see the fighting stop in Israel and Gaza and Lebanon. Fighting continues in areas of Sudan and South Sudan,Yemen, Syria and Irak, or civil conflicts in Libya or Myanmar.  

For some of us those may all seem to be far-away conflicts, the “far-from-my-bed show”. And we might think that it is normal as long as it is NIMBY (not in my back yard). But there are other conflicts every day in our own lives. Conflicts between parents and children, between family members who don’t like each other anymore, between people who think differently politically. 

Perhaps some of these conflicts must exist. Some would look at WWII and say that it was necessary to end the evil which was growing in the world. But are all conflicts of the same magnitude? Is it really necessary to pull out the heavy artillery when your husband leaves his socks on the floor or your wife leaves the drawer open (even if both are for the “bazillionth” time)? Sometimes we need to look at what we are fighting about and see if there is another way of dealing with the situation. 

We pray that we are able to be peacemakers as much as possible, without giving up our desire to see righteousness prevail. We want to take the time to examine situations to see what weapons are necessary. Because sometimes it is diplomacy instead of attack or defense. This is a day to think about laying the weapons down. 

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

Whensday: War and peace

Right around this day in 1940 the 2nd great war began in our area. No one knew it was to be World War II. They simply knew that planes had bombed the bridge or their city to bits, killing many. And the war had begun. The village next to ours, where our colleagues live, was one of the first places in Belgium to be bombed. The cemetery in town is still a silent witness to how many families were impacted. 

In 1945 the war ended in this same period. May 4 is remembrance day in the Netherlands, when all remember the fallen in war. May 5 is the day to celebrate victory and liberation. The area around Maastricht was the first part of the Netherlands to be liberated. People were extremely thankful top the US soldiers who had come to help them throw off the invaders. 

A cemetery outside of Maastricht, in Margraten, is a witness to the many soldiers who lost their lives in this struggle. Many Ditch families have adopted graves in this cemetery, knowing that the soldiers’ families cannot be there to care for the grave. So they take care and let the families know that all is well. 

For now, in the area around Maastricht and where we live in Belgium there is peace. It had not always been that way. This area was a hodge-podge of small barons and religious powers who fought over which strips of land belonged to whom and were under which authority. Since the end of World War II there has been peace and prosperity. 

But peace is relative. In the past decades the area has welcomed refugees from what was Yugoslavia, from Afghanistan, from Syria and from Ukraine. The congregation in Maastricht has two sisters in Christ who originally came to the Netherlands as refugees - one from Iran, the other from Armenia. The church family is now also home to 4 Ukrainians who have settled - at least for now - in Belgium. Most recently the congregation has welcomed a Syrian couple on Sundays. 

And although their countries may or may not still be at war, these people have found true peace. It is not to be found specifically in a certain place, but in the life and family of Jesus Christ. We are so thankful to celebrate every Sunday the liberation that has come through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The members in Maastricht understand this very well - being made into a family from so many different places, finding peace together.  

Whensday: When Belgium went without a government

Do we need government? For plenty of people this is a real question. When people have to deal with red tape or bureaucracy, the real frustration can cause us all to wonder if government is good for anything. 

Politics in Belgium is quite complicated. There are 3 different levels (federal, provincial, city) but there are then also three different areas: Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels. All of these levels make for more than enough bureaucrats and an amazing amount of red tape to swim in. There are elections at various times for the various levels of government, and each level vies for the most attention and money and power. 

In 2010 federal elections had to come up with a new federal government. Belgium is a multi-party system and there is never a clear majority. This means that parties have to work together. And that is in each level of government. The immediate results didn’t give a clear combination of parties. Neither the left side of the spectrum nor the right had enough seats, even when working with others within their side of the spectrum. 

This stalemate of sorts was not strange. It had happened before in Belgium and The Netherlands as well. In The Netherlands, they had had a “purple” government. The left is typically red, the economically liberal right is considered blue -  together they were purple. So waiting for the parties to figure out how they would work together was not a strange thing. 

But it did become a sort of a competition, with the world as spectators. It took more than 500 days (589) before a government was finally formed and installed. So what had the country been doing in the almost two years of no government? Just about everything as usual. The previous government’s decisions were continued, no new decisions could be made and all of the bureaucrats would be staying anyway. 

It was an interesting lesson. I remember some Dutch friends worried that Belgium would descend into civil war. But I knew that most Belgians simply want a good coffee or beer, enough French fries (they are not French, but Belgian) and some peace and quiet. This was exactly what people were able to enjoy during that time. 

In 2018 Belgium started on the path to breaking its own record, this time lasting 653 days without a government and ending up with a “Vivaldi” coalition in October 2020. Vivaldi is the composer of the Four Seasons because there were now 4 groups in the coalition (Greens, Socialists, Liberals and Christian Democrats). Maybe the next elections will last even longer. 

Where oh where Wednesday - Francorchamps

This Sunday the roar of Formula 1 cars will pierce the air around where our Bible camp is located. Spa-Francorchamps, where the Belgian Grand Prix is held, is about 30 minutes away from camp in Solwaster. So this weekend the Dutch driver, Max Verstappen, as well as all the rest of the F1 coterie will be present to chase their cars around this winding track in the “mountains” of Belgium. 

The first time went down to camp, back in the 80’s when I was first in the country as a trainee, one could actually drive on a part of the race track. I can even remember driving the track myself shortly after we first arrived as a couple in 1991. But it wasn’t long after that the track was closed to public driving and a route was made going around the track. 

Back at our camp we not only hear the roar of the F1 race in August, but at other times we can watch all sorts of oldtimers race right along the road which passes our camp. There is an oldtimers race every year passing through the small village of Solwaster. Any other time, we simply hear the roar of motorcycles who like to hit the hill near our camp. Or we hear the tractor of the local dairy farm pulling the feed wagon up to the lowing cows in the fields. Any other time, we simply enjoy the peace of the countryside.

Where oh where Wednesday - Margraten cemetery

Just up the road from Maastricht, about 15 minutes away, is a solemn place where history connects the US and Europe and solemn solitude tries to break through the raucous chaos of everyday to remind that there are some things more important than others. Here the fields are sown with white stones laid out in beautiful rows. 

Margraten cemetery is a monument to the US soldiers who died in World War II liberating the Netherlands. About 90 minutes to the south is where the Battle of the Bulge was fought and the fields turned red. Here outside Maastricht Us forces cam to liberate Maastricht, one of the first places in the Netherlands to be freed from the enemy. 

The soldiers buried here did not all die here. Some died further away and on various days. Walking among the stones, you can read their names and dates. You ca be amazed at the variety of men who fought for their country. There are crosses, stars of David and stones. There are young men and older men. As you stand among the white rows, lines stretching out softly over a hill toward the trees, you are aware of the sacrifice given. 

Presidents have come here to show their support for Europe. Every year on May 4 the fallen are remembered. Dutch families adopt the graves here so that the fallen soldier’s family know that all is well cared for, even now.  

When you walk here it is easy to remember that this was horrible. That we are glad that it is over. Then we drive on to the next city and life continues. War continues. Soldiers and citizens die once again. There is a peace that must come from somewhere else than a memorial, as important as such a memorial is. Every Sunday we remember - in a beautiful and solemn ceremony - how important it is that One died. But do I just walk away and continue? Or do I let it change my life, daily?

Conversations II

Everyone in the world its experiencing Corona and the consequences that it brings. This should be something that binds us together, a common experience. But as with many things, it also has the possibility to divide us. It amazes me how often a conversation devolves into another complaining session or argument about corona rules and Covid-19 news. But more often this year we have also experienced conversations about the things that really matter. 

You see, there are always challenges, things happening in our lives that push us to the extreme or color the future dark gray. We can always find something to complain about, whether it is the latest political policy or election, the most recent natural disaster or the newest war-torn area of the world. I don’t mean to sound flippant or make light of these things. I am simply stating that we can always see gray, because there are always bad or difficult things happening in our lives. 

The question is not whether these things exist or will continue. The question is: how are we going to meet them? These are the conversations we have been hearing and sharing in these months of 2020. Of course a conversation often begins with the weather; we do after all live in Belgium and the Netherlands. There is a lot of weather to talk about. Then the discussion often moves to the gray matter - how difficult this year is, what is happening to me or my family, how can people cope. It is then that I try to remember the hope that I have and release that into the words circling between us. We have a real hope. We KNOW what is going to happen, how things are going to finish and who the winner is. And that knowledge and certainty gives us stability and peace. And people need peace; we all need peace in turbulent times. It is then that I am so thankful to know the Prince of peace. 

Our conversations through the summer were more often in person, but have now moved back partially online. But they continue. Every month H. and I discuss politics and peace. He has often mentioned that he envies that very peace that Christian can have. He wishes that he could have the same. “I would love to believe in God,” he says, “but God doesn’t exist.” I reminded him this month that this peace is indeed also for him. More recently I have had similar conversations with J. 

In other conversations we are looking at the word of God and what that means for our lives. We have been getting to know Jesus in the book of Luke with E. every Thursday. Why would Simon Peter fall at Jesus knees and say, “Go away from me, for I am a sinful man.” (Luke 5)? Who are we and how does God see us? Does that matter? J wonders what her identity is. If it is her work, then how does she deal with intrigue, lying and cheating, and general unethical behavior by others - often towards her? What if people do not see you as you think you should be seen? 

I am so very thankful for peace and hope that only come in Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers for us as we share conversations with the people around us. Sometimes it starts by talking about the walnuts that have fallen from the tree in our yard. Where will it go? We want to continue seeing the beauty and hope in each and every day. We want to keep seeing people as God sees them. 

What kinds of conversations have you been having lately? Let us know what has been going on in your life, how God has been using you in His kingdom and blessing you. 

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.   1 Peter 3:14-16