There where God is

This past week, as with most years, I was down in Gemünden, Germany for the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS). This is a week of Bible study with people from around Europe sitting at the feet of teachers from around Europe and one or two from the US. It is always a time of intense conversation and thinking as well as relaxing walks and even fun goofiness on the Thursday evening. 

It has always struck me how amazing and good it is to be with brothers and sisters from various places talking about the truth of God. This past week we were talking about the presence of God, how we see this in science, in beauty, in suffering and how we lear to follow Jesus in this Way. It struck me that there is no place where God is not; there are loci everywhere where God IS, together with His people. 

This is the very experience we have had throughout the years we have been blessed to serve in the area of Belgium and The Netherlands. We are blessed to be here because people in many places give their finances, encouragement and prayer so that we can be here. This past week reminded me of this truth as well. I was working through our financial statements in preparation for doing our taxes for the US and was reminded of all those who are it possible for us to be here. 

After this year we will no longer have financial support from the S. 11th and Willis congregation. They were the ones with whom we started our married life and were always a missional group of followers of Christ. Although this congregation has now folded into another in Abilene, Texas, we hold the memories and encouragements from through the years close to our heart. 

Another group of followers who have long supported and encouraged us is the congregation in Muscatine, Iowa. They, too will be dialing back their financial support in the coming year. Knowing the hearts of many of the members there we pray that they will not lose their focus on the mission of God around the world as they strive to discover how best to use the funds God has given into their care. We are thankful to be connected in many ways to the living fellowship there and to remember with joy how we are welcomed with open arms when we come “home”. (Find them here)

In a continuation of this movement towards the North we land at the Woodbury congregation in Woodbury, Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul area). This is a group of people who have encouraged us from the beginning and worked through many changes to keep us in their prayers and minds and hearts. Every group of followers changes throughout the years as new people are added to the body and others go to their reward - waiting for the rest to join them soon. Woodbury continues to look for ways to pass on the grace of God in any way possible not only to the surrounding area 9which has changed immensely through the years) but also throughout the world. (Find them here)

Our sponsoring congregation and encouragers from the beginning are the members of the Lord’s body in Long Beach, California. It has always amazed me to see how this group has struggled through the various changes that come through the years, but always trying to focus on grace and salvation to any and all who come. This family makes sure we are linked to the others who financially support us, so that all goes well on the front. But they also continually share their hearts with us as well, praying for our needs. (Find them here)

Most recently (in 2023) we have become linked to the Oldham Lane church in Abilene, Texas. Although we still need to get to know this congregation better, we are thankful for their willingness to help us financially. We look forward to getting to know them better the next time we are in the US (normally that would be in 2026). 

Besides these various groups of people, we are also blessed with the encouragement, financial support and spiritual mentorship and friendship of various individuals and families. The Eck’s first visited us as students to work with us I this area and continue to support this work. The Bundy’s have supported and taken part in work in many places around the world including Belgium and continue to encourage, support and be an example to many, including us. The McNeill’s traveled in the past, experiencing this very idea of God’s people everywhere. Their hearts continue to be with the people they know and the people God knows in places around the world. The Cron’s and the Jablonski’s in California, and the Stovall’s now from Iowa, have remained strong encouragers and supporters throughout the years. In years past other families have helped, visited, encouraged and worked together with us, including the Skarin’s, Tornij’s and Rampton’s. 

God is in all places. He is here in the group of followers in Maastricht who also support us daily in their spiritual encouragement and monthly in their financial support. We have a connection with God’s family all over Europe, through to Asia and Africa, down through South America and even in Australia. God wants his family to be everywhere. And He is able to use any and all of us to make this possible. We are thankful that He has used us and continues to use us, with you, to reach people who do not yet know Him here. 

Know that God still wants to use you wherever you are now and that He is able. We are so very thankful for God’s faithfulness and for so many of you who have helped so many hearts here. 

The youth these days

This past Sunday we were blessed to visit the congregation in Rotselaar where I preached. I the past we would visit this congregation regularly on a Sunday afternoon to practice singing. We have always had a good working relationship with the congregation and have a good relationship with many of the members in other capacities. This includes Bible camp. 

Many of the kids we have had come through Bible camp are now young people or even grandmothers. One of the sisters on Sunday was showing off her granddaughter. She mentioned that she herself was only small when she first went to camp with us as directors. And now she herself is a grandmother. It is amazing how quickly the time flies. 

But this of course also means that her kids are old enough to have kids of their own. Her son was also at our camps through the years. He was first a camper, then a counselor and then an assistant director and planner for the youth. Now he is also a father. His little sister has also been helping as a counselor in the last few years. It is exciting to see how people grow up. 

And yet, not everyone who came through camp has remained faithful or followed the Lord. There were a few people at the meal after services yesterday who came through camp, but are no longer attending or doing anything with their faith. This is hard to see and we continue to pray for all of the kids we work with every year. 

We pray that as they grow up into young adults, fathers and mothers, even grandmothers, that they hold onto what they have learned from the people around them. We pray that we, and all the people we have in a team for a week of camp, are good examples for all of the campers who attend. We know that a week of camp is only a week, but can mean so much more. We also know that our example needs to continue far past that week of camp. 

Bible camp was immensely important in my spiritual growth, but it was not the only influence. We hope and pray that we can continue to be a good influence not only for the kids at camp, but the kids in our congregation in Maastricht and the adults we have contact with every week. This past week we celebrated the graduation of one of our kids from the kid’s class to the adult’s class. He received a Bible and we all prayed over him. He joins two other young men in the congregation. Later this year we will graduate a young lady.  

We all were kids once. People were an influence on us as well. Now we want to be those people who are a good influence for the kids around us. Do you remember who was an influence in your spiritual life? How can you be that person to the young people around you now (no matter how old you are)? 

For kings and all those in authority

Some days seem bigger than others, but all days belong to the Lord. One of the things that hit me again last year was how little we all know of what is going on in the world and how important things can be for others. Our congregation in Maastricht is quite international, so we hear of things happening all over the world. And we pray for God’s guidance and strength each and every day. 

Elections in Belgium and Netherlands can lead to changes in government. Or the government can still be struggling to form, in the case of Belgium. Wars and conflicts are taking place not only in Ukraine, but also in Syria, Sudan, and many other places. A combination of government and dangerous struggles is present in Kenya or Ecuador. And we (in Maastricht and perhaps for you as well) have family in each of these places. 

We pray for leaders in Brazil, in Iran, Syria, Sudan or the Philippines. We think about what is happening in Germany or Italy, Ecuador or Venezuela, Suriname or the United States. We are part of a body that is around the world and active in all of these places. And it is good to bring each of these places and situations before our Lord in prayer. 

It may seem repetitive or maybe useless, wondering if world leaders, kings and queens, dictators and tyrants are ever going to listen. But God - our King of kings - has asked us to pray for these leaders and situations, reminding us that He is truly in control. We are not the ones who know what is happening or what can happen (despite all the people telling us their opinions about what is going to happen). 

As “big” things are happening in the world, father and mothers are still trying to be good parents, showing their children what God looks like and what is most important in life. Neighbors are still looking for help and people still want to know more about Jesus and why He is called the Christ. Our Father is still in control of each and every moment, and we can give Him these moments every day. 

Today will influence many - not necessarily because of political changes - because God is working through each of us in all of our various places and moments. We want to live for Him and we pray for leaders and kings that we will be able to live in peace. 

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Working together

This past weekend we heard that the congregation we attended from the first Sunday of our married life has decided to merge with another congregation in the city. South 11th and Willis church of Christ has been one of our supporting congregations for most of the time that we have been here in Europe. And they were a shaping force in our Christian lives, being a very mission-minded congregation from the beginning. 

We are so thankful for the time that we had with all of the members there (and the contact we will continue to have). And we are thankful for the other congregations that are part of the web of support that God has placed around us. This past month when we visited Stephan and Natalie to meet Sophia and celebrate her birthday, we made it a point to visit the Green Valley congregation who we had visited in the past when we were in Indianapolis. It is always encouraging to share the love of God with our brothers and sisters around the world. This time Scott was able to preach one Sunday and teach on another. 

One of the things we talked about while in Indianapolis visiting with Green Valley was how to help missionaries on the field and what the relationship between missionary and supporting church can look like. We mentioned how encouraged we were when our supporting congregation in Long Beach, California shared that they are always praying for us. While we of course need funds, it is the spiritual support that we feel immensely . 

We have enjoyed this kind of support and family from the congregation in Muscatine, Iowa as well. We have been hoping for years that Rudy and Pam Schellekens might even visit and use the time to reach out in the Netherlands. Rudy and Pam both worked in Rotterdam and The Hague in the past and are also a major influence on our lives serving God wherever we go. 

Our relationship with the Woodbury congregation in Woodbury, Minnesota (a suburb of Minneapolis-Saint Paul) started many years back and has continued throughout our time here in the Netherlands and Belgium. We actually began with a congregation which later merged with the congregation that - together - became Woodbury. We try to follow the goings on every week by keeping up with the weekly bulletin and even sitting in online once in awhile on the men’s breakfast. 

These relationships have taught us and the members in Maastricht about how we are all a family of God, working together wherever we are. The church in Maastricht also shares with us financially and spiritually. Most recently, when they understood that we were losing some financial support due to changes in the US, they raised their level of financial help. This was something we also were thankful for in Abilene, Texas when we picked up a new family in the Oldham Lane church of Christ. 

Besides all of these congregations, we also have various individual donors who not only send us funds, but more importantly keep in contact in various ways, supporting us spiritually. We are a family, working together. As we are preparing for a week of Bible Camp (we are directing the week for the youngest kids), we are thankful for a team made up of members from 3 different Dutch congregations, serving kids from all over Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Realizing that God works through community, through a body, using the talents and resources of many to help even more come to life in Him - this is immensely encouraging. We are thankful for a mighty God who can use us all in so many ways to do His will, wherever we are. 

(Photo of a Sunday evening class in Muscatine, Iowa last year)

Amazing love

As children of God we are witnesses daily to an amazing grace and amazing love of our loving Father. It is exciting to see how this works out among the household of God as well, each of us members of this body of Christ. The last few weeks and this past weekend have been very good examples of this reality. 

This past weekend was a day down at camp for the congregation of Maastricht. Everybody who could make it, planned to get down to camp. This meant that some would offer their car to bring others. Some would take care of coffee and tea when we got there. Our Ukrainian brother, Alexander, had spent the last weeks gathering Bible questions that we would discuss - and he would lead the discussion. All of us brought our hearts for one another and for the Lord. 

Although the weather reports had given rain (not unusual for this time of year in Belgium), everything stayed dry and we even finished the day with beautiful sunshine and warm weather. It was a day of real fellowship: singing to the Lord together, sharing thoughts from the Word of God, helping one another, playing basketball or frisbee or simply having some good conversations. This is a family that truly cares for one another. On Sunday we held our monthly potluck and people stayed again, including a few visitors for the day. 

In the past weeks we have also felt how strong God’s family is all over. On May 5 Shirley got a message that her sister had been taken to hospital in Omaha, Nebraska and probably would not make it through the night. But she did. In the following days and weeks, it has been an up and down struggle with a body that has had top deal with a lot in the last years. 

In these weeks, we asked for prayers and our brothers and sisters around the world have been praying. Sometimes being far away, we feel we can do nothing. But we all can pray. And that is far from nothing. We are so thankful for all who have been praying and continue to pray. Mary (Shirley’s sister) has recovered enough to be able to be operated and moved to a critical care facility where we pray that she can really recover. 

In the meantime, Shirley ahs made plans to fly to Omaha to help and be with her sister. Sisters here have offered to help with costs. Sisters in Omaha have offered to pick Shirley up on Sundays so that she can worship with this wonderful family into which God has placed us.  

Shirley will be in Omaha fro May 27 through June 10, arriving back here on the 11th just in time to get here bag ready to leave again on June 17 for our visit to our new granddaughter. That visit will also be a great meeting of family as we will also get to see Sean and Jill, together with Stephan and Natalie. The last time we were all together was in 2018. 

All of these moments are only possible because of God’s grace and His wonderful family. Thank you for your prayers and support. Thank you for your faithfulness in His family. Isn’t it wonderful to experience in so many ways, every day, this amazing love and wonderful grace! 

(The picture is of our day down at camp. We are missing three others who had already had to leave). 

A living body

The church is called the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12). Often when I hear people who do not believe ask why God doesn’t do anything, I remind them that He is doing things - through His body, the church. We are very thankful that God can use us in many ways, wherever we are. That has always been our desire: to serve Him in His Kingdom, wherever we are in the world. 

We are thankful that we are able to serve where we are in Belgium and the Netherlands because we are connected with other parts of the body of Christ around the world. We have had four different congregations in the US supporting us for many years, besides the individuals who also support us. This is certainly financial support, but is also support through encouragement and example. 

In 2023 we heard from one of our supporting congregations in Texas that they would need to reduce their support for us. They have been our ‘home’ congregation from the moment we were married and moved to Texas. We have always been thankful for their financial support and for the examples of mission-minded Christians that we saw in them. 

Since we were losing some support, we started looking around last summer and were introduced to Oldham Lane church of Christ while we were in Abilene. We were thankful to be able to talk to the missions committee and meet some of the elders as well as experience a Sunday evening worship time together. This year we received word that this congregation will be assisting us with financial support. Last night we had a video-call with the elders and missions committee. We look forward to getting to know this part of the Lord’s body and that they can get to know the body in Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Another piece of good news came when the congregation in Maastricht decided that they wanted to increase the amount that they support us financially. It was extremely encouraging to hear the brothers talk about the need to help us and how much they knew we were doing. One of the ways they will increase their help for us is by paying for our gas each month. We drive quite a bit in our work with the church here, so this is a real help. 

So let me take the time to thank all of those who help us financially throughout the year - many who have done this for many years. We have congregations helping us: Maastricht, Woodbury in MN, Muscatine in IA, S 11th and Willis in TX, Oldham Lane in TX and Long Beach in CA. We also have various individual families who help us regularly as well as some who help incidentally: the Crons, Bundys, McNeills, Ecks, Stovalls, Ramptons, Tornij's and Jablonskis. 

And then there are innumerable people who pray for us every day, every week, every month. We may not know your name, but we feel God’s grace, mercy and strength in our lives and know that this is also because you are speaking with our wonderful Heavenly Father about us and the work here. Thank you!

Talking to God

This past week we were down at camp with the teen group looking at how to swim against the tide, or live upside-down. This was based on the various things that Jesus teaches in Matthew 5-7, including talking about telling the truth, how to treat others, dealing with anger or desires, and how we look at what is most important in our lives.

The group of teens we had were a real encouragement to us all, really getting into the lessons and putting them into practice each day with one another. The full week of (mostly) rain couldn’t stop the fun. In fact, they even had a water-fun day in the middle of the rain. They were already wet, after all. 

We also talked about prayer during the week and had plenty of opportunity to put the things we learned into practice. During the week one of the campers fell and broke her collar bone, but it was fairly late. We had to wait the night out and she was able to go home in the morning to be treated. We also practiced being kind to one another and worked on how we use our tongue. 

During this week, I went off for the afternoon to lead a funeral in Eindhoven of a dear sister in Christ. We were able to share time looking at her life and combining two families: her blood family and her church family. We were so thankful to be able to share what she had learned in her life with Christ and to see how God had used her characteristics in her new life. Her family (who are not believers) were pleased to see that her church family also knew who she was. 

When we got home from camp and were able to catch our on emails and messages and more (there is no internet at camp and poor reception), we were confronted with the news that our young nephew (25) had passed away, leaving behind his wife, son and son-on-the way as well as his parents and brothers. We are so thankful that we know that God not only hears us, but is very much aware of what is happening and what we need. 

This is also what we are talking about this week down at Family Camp. I will be teaching one of the lessons based on “Give us today our daily bread” but am also teaching the teens every day for the second lesson of the day. Today’s lesson was on God’s kingdom. It is thrilling to see how these young people are willing to examine what the Word says and to talk about how God can be part of their lives. 

Thank you for you prayers and blessings for my birthday, for the messages we have already received about our family, and for the prayers offered for our camp weeks. We are so thankful that we have these opportunities to share what God has brought us and taught us. Know that God knows who you are and is listening. Now we need to ask ourselves if we are willing to listen top Him. 

Thanks!

I know, Thanksgiving is well past. But remember, we do not celebrate Thanksgiving here. And I know that we all understand that giving thanks goes far past one special day in November in the United States (or a similar day in October in Canada). As is usual, some of us here got together - online - for “Thanksmas” - a day to celebrate and see each other in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We did get to see each other - on a computer screen, but there was no pumpkin pie, turkey and all the rest. There was some good fellowship. It reminded us all that giving thanks is for every day. 

That’s why we want to take the time to let you know how thankful we are for the brothers and sisters who make it possible for us to be here, brothers and sisters who work together with us through prayer. We are immensely thankful for these congregations and individuals who have for so long been a part of this effort in Belgium and the Netherlands. Even in a year that has been abominable in many ways for many, God has blessed in beautiful ways. 

One of the blessings of this corona year has been our contact with one of our supporting congregations in Minnesota - Woodbury church of Christ. Every Friday morning the brothers gather for a men’s breakfast. Scott was able to attend some of these when we were back in Minnesota on Home Assignment (the last time in the summer of 2019). But since corona rules came into effect, the brothers have to meet online, which meant that Scott could also meet with them. Morning in Minnesota is afternoon in Belgium. So a new connection has been opened up. 

This congregation is also where Scott and Shirley spent time while on Home Assignment with a young couple from the congregation.This couple helped develop an app which Scott will now be using for Bible study with brothers in Belgium and the Netherlands (check out Edji.it). It was designed to help teach reading and more, but can be used in many ways. This is a blessing which we hope will bless many more in our outreach here. 

When we first married and moved to Abilene, Texas, for Scott to finish his studies, we became part of the 11th and Willis congregation. This group was influential not only in helping shape us as a Christian couple, but also in shaping our desire for missions. They have always been completely supportive of members who want to be and are active in reaching out with the gospel, no matter where they are. Because of this congregation we have also been able to let congregations in Europe know about what God is doing in Kenya and Burundi. God’s family is everywhere. 

And that means that God’s family is also along the Mississippi River in Iowa. The church in Muscatine has a unique connection to the work here in Belgium and the Netherlands. Not only do they support us as well as our colleague in Ghent, Sue Foster, they are also home to Rudy and Pam Schellekens who were both influential in both Scott and Shirley’s training in missions. During the first lockdown, we were able to meet with them on Sunday’s (Sunday morning in Iowa being Sunday afternoon here). 

And throughout the years, from the very beginning of our time here, the Long Beach church of Christ has been our supporting congregation. There has always been a group of members there who pray specifically for us and the needs mentioned here. They email and ask how things are going - being specific in their questions because they know what is going on here. During this year we have been able to follow the worship time there on Facebook. 

In addition to these four congregations, there are several individuals who not only financially support the efforts here, but who regularly check in with us to see how they can help in any other way. Some have lived here and know people we work with. Others simply love the Lord and know what it means to reach out with the gospel in any way possible, no matter where you are. You know who you are and how God is using you, too. 

We have had to readjust how we work this year. We have had to re-evaluate how we can reach people with the gospel and how we can encourage and equip members in faith and grace. As far as changes go, 2020 has been a doozy (is that how you spell that?). But we are so thankful that we are blessed with brothers and sisters in these congregations who for years have been adapting and changing with the challenges that God allows. They - you - know that as long as we are keeping our eyes on the King of kings, that we will be able to do what He wants. 

Thank you, Father, for your amazing family in all the world. Thank you that you want to use us as living stones to build a temple of praise everywhere we are and in every day and moment that we live here. 

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. Colossians 1:3-6

Sing and be Happy

You have heard me say it before, but I’ll say it again – I am so thankful for what God has given us in song! Singing brings heart and mind together. When we sing together, we bring our hearts and minds together. What a blessing and encouragement!

In March we organised the second Song Workshop in Antwerp – time to learn new songs for any congregation, to learn how to read music, to learn the bass line or other part from a specific song. It was a great day of encouraging singing and hopefully preparation for more in many local congregations.

On some Monday’s Shirley and I get to visit with Mario and Tonia in Aarschot for a study. Often we will finish the evening in song – no matter how late it has gotten. And on the first Wednesday of every month we welcome some members from the church in Liege for an evening of singing (often in three languages). This month Mavis Antwi was able to come as well. She is from Scotland, but is doing an internship in Heerlen (outside Maastricht) and made sure to be active with us for the three months she is in the Netherlands.

In May we are organising a concert with Harding University Chorus. Harding will sing with two local choirs and Laus (a group of Dutch-speaking church members) for a varied group in a church building that has been turned into a home and laboratory for blood studies (wonderful symbolism there!). Be praying for the singers, the listeners and all hearts involved, that they will be touched with the words and heart of God.

Whatever your heart is – lift it up with God in song. Are you alone? Sing it out (even if it is only in your heart). Better yet – get together with others and share those hearts and minds in glorifying and extolling our gracious Father.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13

Check out a few pictures here.

La La La and Who’s who?

One year ends, another begins, and life keeps moving on. We might have to learn how to make our fingers write (or type) that new number, but a lot of what we do remains the same. Our desire and task is to live daily in the will of God – especially in the little things.

A lot of what we are doing has to do with language, singing and relationships. At the end of 2016 we were invited by the congregation in Eindhoven to come for their monthly singing and help out with learning new songs. So now we get to meet with Christians from Liége, Maastricht and (soon) Hasselt on the first Wednesday of each month and then again with the members from Eindhoven on the third Wednesday. Learning new songs, enjoying singing together and encouraging one another is an amazing blessing for which we are so thankful.

We are also looking forward to Harding Chorus travelling in Europe. Besides hitting Germany France and the UK they will stop by Maastricht for two days and a concert. We have put together a program with local choirs as well as with the group Scott leads, called LAUS. We hope to not only touch hearts with the songs we sing and through the hearts of the singers, but also to let the neighborhood better know who we are as followers of Jesus. Think about us in your prayer time working up to May 16 and thereafter as well.

Multiple languages is simply a reality in Europe, and as more people arrive from various areas of the world looking for a safe place to live, we want to make the most of this opportunity to let people know who Jesus is. Last year we helped translate a basic book from Let’s Start Talking designed for beginning speakers. The plan was to use these with refugees.

Although we have not been able to begin this yet in Maastricht, in Eindhoven they have a group of refugees as well as a group of internationals looking to learn Dutch better. This means that we are looking at how best to get the normal FriendSpeak materials in Dutch as well. In Maastricht we are watching closely and praying about how best we can do this here. Would you pray with and for us?

Prayer is such a strength. It is in prayer that our relationships become clear. Every Wednsday morning at 7am Jan C. and Scott are together to pray for one another, fo r families, the church, the world and so much more. Brothers and sisters in Long Beach and Woodbury continue to encourage us as well as we take time together praying. What a blessing to know that we are a family and that God is in control. God’s design is glorious!

So we continue with our weekly activities. We meet five times a week with various groups to see what God is telling us in His word. Some of these are Christians and we are encouraging one another to live for Him. Others are those who are seeking God, but don’t always know where to look for what He really desires. Still others are simply trying to figure out how to get along in the relationships they have. We want to keep trying to be an example and a guide in these relationships.

As we look forward to the rest of 2017, we are excited about how God will use us. We just finished looking at 2016 at Ardennen Bible Camp and were excited by how much camp is being used not only for our summer activities, but also throughout the year by various congregations. We were thrilled recently by the news from our brothers and sisters in Long Beach who shared a gracious gift of $6000 to help make a needed renovation of our kitchen possible! This year we are planned to help out with at least two weeks of camp in the summer.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

the last bit of armor

Last night we got together again with the folks from the church in Liége. Every first Wednesday is singing in Maastricht and we have made this a time to sing together with the church from Liége, strengthening our ties, our language skills and our fellowship in the Lord.
We are always encouraged and challenged by the things said and sung in these times together. But last night I was particularly struck by something Clement brought up. He lives outside Brussels, meets with the church in Liége and also with the French-speaking church in Brussels and Namur. He speaks Flemish and delights in visiting and encouraging older members of the church wherever they are (he himself is above 70 years old).
Last night he took me aside to tell me about an opportunity to pray. On September 18 he will help with an evening in Namur about 'The art of Loving like Jesus'. He coveted the prayers of the church in Maastricht for this effort. Prayer is an essential element of reaching out. How can we expect any effort of ours to be effective without the strength and guidance of the Lord?
I was reminded of 'my' tomatoes and the parable of Jesus in Mark 4:26-29. We plant and God gives the growth. In Ephesians 6 we are shown the armour of God. The last bit, in verse 18, says: '...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.' (ESV). Not an afterthought, but part of the planning for Clement - as it should be. We are so thankful for the various groups who are praying for what we are doing here as well. Let us pray!

Update on Ruud

Typical Ruud

NL vertaling beneden
This past Monday I put up a request for prayers and so many of you responded. It is encouraging to know that we are a family of many, spread all around the world! I wanted to take some time to thank all of you who have been praying for our colleague and brother, Ruud Verheijen.
Ruud has had extreme and chronic pain for several years, due to rheumatism and a car accident (with attendant mistakes in care and follow-up). This past Monday the doctors were going to test a possibility for helping his pain. They specifically deadened certain nerves (a bit like the dentist does before working on your teeth). Ruud was to walk, stand, sit and see how well this helped. It helped … for about 5 minutes before the pain returned.
This told the doctors that a further process of actually burning the nerves would not be useful or helpful for Ruud. So the procedure for this coming Monday was canceled and Ruud was informed that he will need to learn to deal with his chronic pain. This is not new for Ruud. He has had years to accept that he has pain and learn to deal with it.
In October he will begin sessions at the “Pain Clinic” where he will be given advice on how to arrange his life around the pain that is part of his life.
In all of this, Ruud is an example of trust and faith in God’s caring hand. God has told us that He will be with us at all moments, giving us strength to carry on and, even more, be useful and mighty (2 Cor. 4). I am so thankful for Ruud’s faith and example, for God’s care. Please continue to pray for Ruud and his family as he and they work through this time. Praise God for His faithfulness. Pray for peace, comfort and days of refreshing as well as strength and insight into living with this situation.
Thank you for being a family!

Op mandag vroeg ik voor gebeden en velen reageerden daar op. Het is zo een aanmoediging te ervaren dat we een gezin van velen zijn, verspreid over heel de wereld. Ik wilde even de tijd nemen om jullie te bedanken die voor ons collega en broer, Ruud Verheijen, gebeden hebben.
Ruud leeft al jaren met extreme en chronische pijn vanwege zijn rheuma en een auto ongeluk enkele jaren geleden (samen met de fouten die gemaakt werden bij de behandeling). Op maandag gingen de dokters iets uittesten om zijn pijn mogelijk te verlichten. Ze gingen specifieke zenuwen verdoven (een beetje zoals de tandarts dat doet met je tanden). Ruud moest lopen, staan en zitten en zien of de verdoving hielp of niet. Het hielp … voor ongeveer 5 minuten voordat de pijn terugkwam.
Zo wisten de dokters dat een verdere behandeling van de zenuwen ‘verbranden’ niet de gewenste effect zou hebben en Ruud dus niet zou helpen. De procedure voor maandag, 3 september werd dus afgezegd en Ruud werd geïnformeerd dat hij moet leren leven met dechronische pijn die hij heeft. Dit is niets neiuws voor Ruud. Hij heeft al jaren gehad om te aanvaarden dat hij pijn heeft en om daarmee te leren leven.
In oktober mag hij naar de “Pijn Kliniek” waar hij advies zal krijgen over hoe zijn leven aan te passen aan de pijn die deel uitmaakt van zijn leven.
In dit alles is Ruud een groot voorbeeld van vertrouwen en geloof in de zorgende hand van God in zijn leven. God heeft ons verteld dat Hij er op alle momenten zal zijn in ons leven, om ons kracht te geven en, nog meer, dat wij bruikbaar en machtig kunnen zijn (2 Cor. 4).Ik ben zo dankbaar voor het geloof en voorbeeld van Ruud, dankbaar voor de goede zorg van onze God. Blijf alsjeblieft bidden voor Ruud en zijn gezin terwijl hij en zij proberen dit allemaal te verwerken en een juiste plaats geven. Loof God voor Zijn trouw. Bid voor vrede, troost en comfort en dagen van verlichting zowel als kracht en inzicht in het leven op deze manier.
Bedankt dat we een gezin zijn!

So…. Who is He listening to anyway?

Today we got some more rain … and I was thankful. We have been going through quite a dry spell here in Belgium. At one point they were telling us that we would need to have 14 straight days of rain in order to get to where we should be. Imagine Belgium without rain! So we have been praying for rain.

But many of my friends and family have been praying that rain, snow, storms and weather would cease. Tornados and flooding have caused terrible troubles in too many places. And so we have been praying with our friends and brothers and sisters in other countries.

But who is God listening to? What is best: rain or drought? And this is “simply” weather. What about when someone is sick and/or dying? When I am praying for my son’s safety and he is praying to have good fun? Does God hear me more than you? To whom does He listen?

For me the question has been more – what do I ask. I know He is listening to me – even the most inane things I might say or think. He cares about all of that. I know because Jesus told us so. And Jesus shows me what is important, how to ask, what to see as most important. Jesus asked for what he wanted, but he left all in the Father’s hands. “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Paul, too struggled with what he desired. Wouldn’t it be better to leave this life and go Home? But there is still so much to be done! (see Philippians 1:21-24). Perhaps instead of praying for rain, I should pray for strength to help those struggling with drought.

We are missing the rain, so I will continue to ask my wonderful Father for rain – as I will continue to ask for strength. And when the rain comes, I will remember to give thanks (and not complain about how wet it is!).

Prayer opportunities

Not that you need to hear from me to know that there are so many wonderful opportunities to speak with God, but I wanted to share these things in our work for which we would greatly appreciate your prayers.
- Last year I told you about the opportunity we had with our colleagues in their village. Karla was asked to help with the Catholic confirmation group by teaching them about the Bible. I was able to help out during a weekend retreat where we talked about faith. This year they have asked me to help again, specifically to talk about prayer and what it is. So I will be able to talk to these young people (and also to the adult supervisors) about how and why we can pray. Talk to the Father about this. So many people miss out on what prayer really can be and this is an opportunity to give this to these young people who aren't even yet sure if they want to know who God is.
- P. called Ruud (Karla's husband) last week and told him he wanted to be baptized. Ruud called me and we discussed how we should continue. We made an appointment to talk - so that he could see what we were saying and we could see what he was thinking. He lives up around Nijmegen - a good 2 hour drive from us. We went up last Sunday and talked for several hours, finally leaving, understanding that P. would let us know what he was going to do. He called this past Friday to let us know that he is very serious about his desire to give his life to God, but that there are a few more questions he is examining. He has a yearly vacation in France at this time, so this will give him a good opportunity to think, pray and study. Pray for P. and his wife, N., as they are making this consideration for their life.
- We have a new couple in the congregation in Maastricht. Philip is a Christian from Togo, via Germany, and his wife, Susanne, is from the Orthodox church. They are bringing a regular visitor who just moved to Belgium. Susanne's desire to know the Lord in her life, along with the visitor, along with two other regular visitors are all putting a strong emphasis on the decision we all make to belong to our King, Jesus. This has also been good for our young people. Pray for our discussions and the decisions of those considering giving their lives to God.

Thank you for your faithfulness and encouragement!! It is so good to know that we are striving together to have a wonderful family in our Father's kingdom.