Hang on!

“Hang on!” When you hear those words, they could mean two different things. 

“Hang on!” Could be like the poster I saw when I attended York College so many years ago. It was of a small kitten holding on to a branch of a tall tree. Hold tight - help is on the way. That was the thought. This past weekend I was down at camp with 6 young people for Winterkamp. We talked about New Years’ resolutions and how to keep them going throughout the year. In my lesson on Sunday I talked about the apostle Peter and why I like his example so much. 

Throughout his life we see Peter as someone who was passionate about almost everything he did. So when he messed up, he often did it in a big way. But he never gave up. He picked himself up and kept going, knowing that Jesus (the one he messed up with so often) loved him. So I know that I do not have to give up - even if I have messed up. I can pick myself up and continue on, knowing that Jesus loves me. 

Hang on! That is what a lot of 2020 and 2021 looked like for many. This past year was a bit different, but still held a lot of this sentiment. 

“Hang on - here we go!” This is something I can remember from some exciting activities in the past. A rollercoaster just getting to the top of the hill before the scary, exciting, scream-inducing fall. Holding onto a bar, my feet in skis in the water, just before the boat pulls away with a growl and I have to try to stay upright and feel the thrill of sliding over the water (just before splashing face-first into the spray). White-water rafting. Driving a car for the first time or riding a motorcycle. Bicycling down a hill, racing against my brothers. Jumping across a chasm or the creek at camp, hoping not to fall. 

The excitement that comes with new moments, something dangerous, difficult and yet wonderful arriving at that moment. That is also where we stand now. This is a new year with new challenges and new blessings. We can face it because we walk with the one and only Almighty God who loves us deeply. So let’s go! 

It was a great weekend. We enjoyed many good conversations, watched some amazing fireworks on a night that was completely clear - even though it was supposed to be raining - and got to know each other better. We each of us headed home to different challenges, thankfully with still a little time to rest after a weekend of excitement. I am thankful for young people willing to get together and help one another. I am thankful for a place like camp that we can do these things. And I am so very thankful for a wonderful God who also says, “Hang on!”

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

A different perspective

M.C. Escher, Belvedere, 1958

The last two days I have had a few conversations that have struck a chord. I have to admit that I have been struggling to see how to plan my days and activities because it has become very hard to plan anything. Every week there is a possibility of new rules and changing realities. 

Don’t get me wrong, in some ways things are busier than ever. We are meeting with more members than before corona in our mid-week study and are enjoying the studies together immensely. We have been looking at “Is Genesis History” and talking about the beauty and truth that we see in God’s amazing creation. As mentioned last time, the study on Thursday mornings in Luke has been exciting. It is always a thrill to see someone discover who Jesus is - even if we are only seeing it through a screen on the computer. And there have been many more conversations. 

I have also been recording songs with others so that these songs are available to more members of the church. I have even had the chance to sing with some folks elsewhere in Europe and with video's with people from around the world. (see our songs at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl3c31jfr3xUjLulb9OCHgg/playlists)

But when it comes to planning, I just get bogged down in my mind, basically thinking: “What does it matter. We can’t plan anything anyway.” But yesterday my best friend mentioned in his prayer (it is so good to be able to pray together even though we are thousands of miles and times zones apart) that these trying times are exactly the times God uses to do amazing new things. So I should be looking for, awaiting the amazing that always comes from God’s hand. 

And today someone else in a different conversation shared the same type of thought. Even though we cannot plan, we must look ahead and be prepared for the new realities. We need to look at these new challenges as new opportunities. People are still in need. Truth still needs to be told, The love and grace of God are still what the world needs - every day. 

So I will continue to struggle to look for how to use these weird, strange, frustrating amazing times. Pray for us. We are praying for you. We know that we are not alone - ever. Not only are we in this together as the body of Christ, it is almighty God, our King of kings who is leading us through each day. 

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

Enjoying the struggle

About a month ago our car “died”. There are times when things go wrong with your car that you simply fix them. But there is a moment when the costs outweigh the benefits. We were long past that moment with this car (which had served us well for about 5 years). The motor stopped and it was going to cost more than what the car was worth simply to figure out what was wrong. So we were suddenly car-less.

It’s amazing how much your life is planned around your mobility. We live in a village. There is a supermarket fairly close by. We can walk or bike there. But of course you have to be able to carry what you purchase. Sean still needed to get to school, but we had a bicycle for that. All of Scott’s appointments, however are in Maastricht, which is seven kilometers away. Sunday mornings are then also a challenge.

But challenges can bring out the best in people. Before we had much of a chance to even ask for help, help had been offered on all sides. Brothers and sisters in Christ made sure to pick us up on Sunday mornings. We were offered the use of a car from colleagues in Antwerp. And when the bus schedule didn’t work out, someone was there to get us home. It is so exciting to see the desire to help. It is an immense comfort and encouragement.

For daily tasks we still needed a way to get around and we were pleasantly surprised by the offer of a moped from a friend. He offered the moped, with helmet and a tank of gasoline (and we all know what is happening with the price of gas). Of course a moped brings certain challenges as well, but more about that another time.

In the meantime we also were presented with financial help from various sources close by and far away so that we could purchase another car. Finding the right one is a task in itself, and we were thankful for the help of our brother in Christ, Jan Blaakmeer. Hours of driving around looking at possible cars, hours of scouring the internet and calling in various languages about cars finally resulted in a good find.

When this first began, the day that the car broke down, you wonder what will happen. But, to be honest, I was mostly intrigued to see how God would use this time. We have seen how he takes care of things, how he turns struggles into triumph. And this was a simple, everyday problem. The question was never IF it would be solved, but HOW and what we could learn along the way. It has been wonderful to see God’s hand in all of this. Although it may seem strange to say it, we are thankful for the struggle. James put it this way: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds.”

Try again

What do you do when you’ve put a ton of effort into a project and it flops? I am still trying to figure that one out.

This month we wanted to get our course “Getting to know the Bible” going again. We first offered the course back in November. For that effort we distributed about 2000 flyers and knocked doors. We ended up with a good group for both sessions of three lessons. This time we distributed over 2500 cards inviting the neighbors, put up posters in all the local stores, knocked some doors and . . . welcomed no one to the one session of three lessons which we had planned.

We of course have been praying for these efforts, as have many of you. Sean was more upset for me than I was, I think. He kept mentioning how I had put so much effort into it, that it was disappointing that no one came. He was right. But I know that we need to keep on trying.

So we have set anther date (end of April) when we will once again offer the course. The cards we distributed mentioned that the course would start soon. This time we will also get some press releases in the local papers and knock some more doors. And we will pray, as we have from the beginning.

Sometimes it is hard to know if I should share the struggles that go with these efforts. But to be honest, I am glad that I can share this. We cannot do this alone. And, thankfully, we are not doing it alone. Thank you for your prayers.