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)

The body of Christ

A congregation, the church, as Paul talks about the church in 1 Corinthians, is a body. We all need each other. While we are gone to the US things will continue here in Maastricht because we are a body and a family. It is Jesus’ church. 

We are head out to the US on Wednesday morning early and we are looking forward to being able to see so many people we haven’t seen in four years or more. We will also get to meet lots of new people. But the last month has also given us the chance to see and welcome visitors from the US here. 

Raymond Blasingame, an elder in the 11th and Willis congregation that supports us from Abilene, Texas, dropped in for about a week. We were able to share our city, our village and the congregation with him. We also shared a great day with an old Belgian friend and got to see what our golf course in Maastricht is like. 

On Sunday Raymond shared the good news of being family in Jesus Christ and told us about brothers and sitters in other countries. This coming Sunday the congregation in Maastricht will have the opportunity to share financially with Sam’s  Place in Kenya. 

Not long after Raymond moved on to Kenya and the Philippines, we visited with folks from our supporting congregation in Minnesota. First Jared Hawley spent two days with us and we were able to share our Christian family here once again. He was able to spend a Sunday and spent the afternoon at a games day organized by our young Ukrainian couple. 

Last week we were also able to meet up with Dale and Vicki Hawley (uncle and aunt of) in Cologne for a few hours. They were on their way back from visiting with other missionaries in Greece and we were thankful to be able to see them as they passed through. We talked of life, family and how God blesses us in so many ways. 

As we plan to leave, the brothers and sisters in Maastricht have showered us with love and care making sure that we get to the airport on time, sending greetings to our supporting congregations, and covering some of the costs that we will have for this trip. It is good to kno0w that there are good brothers and sisters who will continue supporting one another and growing in faith. 

The body of Christ - it is not just symbolic. Together all of us as brothers and sisters in Christ work together, wherever we are, to accomplish His will in His Kingdom. It is amazing to be a part of this and to experience this daily. 

(Coffee time in Maastricht after worshipping together on a Sunday)