Sweet sisters

We are part of a fairly diverse family of God in Maastricht. I have always been so thankful for the hearts of everyone who is here, their willingness to help one another and intentionally be family for each other. This is especially evident in the sisters of the congregation. 

This past weekend several of our ladies went to the Ladies Retreat which is organized every year in Germany for English-speaking ladies or those who which to attend (there are other German-speaking or French-speaking retreats for ladies as well). It is encouraging to see how some of our ladies attend and encourage one another. 

Some of our ladies do not go to these sort of events, mostly because they cannot handle the travel or the sleeping accommodations. But others because of the situations at home (young children, unbelieving husbands, work schedules). The ladies who go and the ladies who stay both encourage one another, sharing about the weekend, supporting one another. 

This family encouragement continues throughout the year. Some of the ladies meet every Friday morning for a Bible study together. Some of the ladies take time on a Sunday to visit our sister who cannot attend and care for her. Others keep connected via social media or an old-fashioned telephone call. Some even write cards and letters. We have grandma’s, wives, working women, students, single women and daughters - all of them daughters of the King. 

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage the older women in the church top help the younger women in the church. Just as with the men, we know that we all can learn from each other. Older members can catch the excitement and energy of younger members. Younger members can learn from the experience and wisdom of older members. This is what I see happening and it is exciting. 

Recently we have had a woman from the neighborhood visiting. She comes for a Bible study on Tuesday, but on Sunday she comes to worship, even as she is discovering what it means to follow Jesus. She sits in the row where several of our ladies sit together and they have wrapped her in their arms. During the coffee yesterday it was great to see sisters connecting with her and encouraging her. 

This coming weekend the ladies have planned a Ladies Day for the neighborhood. They want others to know this great love that God has for us. Please pray for this effort and their continued desire to share the love of Jesus with all of those around them.  

(Photo of the Ladies Day organized by Maastricht sisters November 2023)

I wanna be like you!

Good examples are indispensable for growth. When you are learning things, watching someone do it right, and having them teach you, is the best way of assimilating what you want to learn.

This past week was Missions Emphasis Week at South 11th and Willis church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. This congregation has been ‘doing’ missions for the 65 years they have been at this address. I don’t know about all of those years, but I can remember all of the examples we saw.

We arrived in Abilene on a Saturday and attended Willis the next morning. That Sunday we were asked out to lunch by at least two couples (if not more). We were taken on a driving tour of some nice areas of Abilene before being taken to a lovely meal. And it wasn’t even because we were such a wonderful new married couple (we had been married that very day before). It’s just how the family at Willis is.

When we arrived, the congregation had already supported a mission effort in the Northeast for a longer period. They were already active in missions in Africa and with the deaf. And they took care of their members and their neighborhood. They had young members who had done short-term evangelism in New Guinea, Africa, and Europe – and they continued to support them.

What does it teach you when you see a congregation set their budget in such a way as to make sure that they can continue supporting missions all over the world? And they are not picky. What I mean is – it is easy for a congregation to get focused on one area of the world. It makes a bit of sense, since the congregation can then gain a deeper knowledge of that area of the world. But Willis has always had a principle of supporting the person. They support their own members who are called to serve – no matter where they are called to serve.

I remember seeing funds raised in a special contribution – because it was needed. Above and beyond the budget. This could be for a chair for those sitting with a loved one through the night, for clothes for those who had less, or a missions need. When there was a need – voiced by any of the members to the family – all looked for a way to help.

In our own situation we were offered a place to stay, had a car loan co-signed (we didn’t have any relatives to help), and found jobs because of these family members who continually focus on the heart of Christ. I don’t know how many of these brothers and sisters specifically thought about their example, but they indisputably formed us through their example.

When one of the members started a Bible study in the neighborhood he asked for any members who wanted to join them in the effort – but he was quite clear: only come if you are willing to be active in sharing your faith. “If you aren’t telling people about Jesus now and here, what makes you think you will do it anywhere else?” That was a good question.

When we started getting ready to come to the Netherlands and Belgium, Willis was right there beside us. And they have remained there all along. But in the typical fashion and example we learned from them they have continued on. Besides supporting us in Europe, this congregation continues to have efforts in Africa, with the deaf (both local and overseas) and within the refugee community locally.

That was something I learned a long time ago from this family: the job is never done and it is not always about doing big things. Sometimes it is just about taking someone home for a good lunch.

We are so thankful for this congregation and all that God continues to do through them. 

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 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. Colossians 1:3-5

Lead or get out of the way

This past week I was privileged once again to be able to attend the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) in Gemünden, Germany. This is a mid-week and weekend session of Bible studies with various teachers and leaders from around Europe and the world. It is not only a great time to ‘feast’ on good spiritual food (with some good challenges), but is also a wonderful time to see old friends and make new friends from around Europe.

The lessons this year seemed to be centered around leadership. How do we become leaders – which processes do we face along the way and how can we be aware of them? What is leadership exactly? What does it look like? How do we respond to modern idolatry, taking a stand and being an example? We listened to Craig Young, Patrick Boyns, Doyle Key and Jim McGuiggan.

One of the things that stuck with me was the idea that God is a giver. He so enjoys giving to all and especially to His children. And in His giving, He is wanting to save everyone – all the world. Of course we know this as Christians. But it is so good to be reminded again.

And He so wants to reach the world with His wonderful love and grace that if we do not - if we are standing in the way not allowing ourselves to be used – then we are blocking Him, keeping Him from doing that which He will do. And He will do it (bring His grace) even if we have to be moved out of the way so that He can reach others.

I do not want to be in the way – I want to be part of this wonderful, gracious, giving God’s plans to bless the world each and every day and into eternity. And He can use even me! And you. Join me in following Jesus as he brings grace to those around us.

Here are some pictures from the part of the week I was present (I went home on Friday, but some stayed through the weekend).

Who's the king of the jungle?

MY dominion, my decisions, whatever makes ME content. We don’t really think of things in that way in our lives, but this is what is truly happening. And let’s be honest, when it’s all about ME, I think I’m happy. But is my life really better? And the world around me?

At the beginning of the month we drove down to Marseille, France – Sean, Shirley and our colleagues’ daughter, Semiye. Chretiens en Mission (Christians on Mission) or CEMété is a week of active serving and learning. Each day is filled with lessons in the morning, activities in the afternoon and a mealtime with new friends and church members in the evening. Each day offers various opportunities to serve in ‘big’ and ‘little’ ways. It is a time of hearing, and then experiencing, that living for Jesus Christ is real and everyday.

These days in the warmth of Marseille (wonderful after the overly cool weather in Belgium) challenged us to consider how good it is to be in God’s dominion instead of having him in our dominion. Jesus talks about kingdom and how the world can be turned upside down if we step into God’s control and do things as He intended. Afternoons trying to speak and understand French (easier for some than for others), get to know people, look for chances to encourage and serve – putting into practice what we heard in the morning – all helps us to experience the reality of life with Jesus Christ.

Singing was a major activity in the week. The whole group (more than 40?) formed a chorus that sang at various homes around the city - meeting and encouraging seniors, mentally handicapped residents, autistic children, residents of a home for the blind and many others. The singing itself was a challenge, but trying to converse with people afterwards was often the real challenge.

In one home I was talking to a son (perhaps 40 years old) who could speak English and translated for his mother sitting next to him (84 years old). When he heard we lived in Belgium, he said, ‘My mother is Belgian.’ We turned to her and asked, ‘Spreekt u Nederlands?’ (Do you speak Dutch?) In an instant, the afternoon was completely different. Francoise (the woman) lit up, realizing that she could speak Dutch to us (she was originally from Antwerp and had married a Frenchman). Semiye, who had wanted to be an encouragement but spoke very little French, lit up at the possibility to have a real conversation. Emmanuel (the son) was thankful that his mother had someone to speak to in Dutch, since her most recent friend, who spoke Dutch, had passed away a few months before.

Sometimes we think that we know what is best, that we know what we can do. But we do not always value things the way that God does. In our eyes, speaking French was the highest value at these moments. When actually, here was a woman who needed someone who could speak Dutch, in the middle of Marseille. When we simply keep trying to be the children God has made, serving others, looking for ways to help – God will provide the opportunities. It is this realization that reminded me again how good it is to live my life in God’s dominion instead of thinking I have it worked out. Trusting Him and serving others – this is love as God created it and lives it.

Who is your king? What do you really want in your life? How can you get it? Good questions with one best answer.

Check out some more of our pictures from the week.