Youth Activities

One of the things that has always thrilled me about the work in Dutch-speaking Europe (Belgium and the Netherlands) is two well the various churches work together top organize events for the youth. A congregation may only have a few young people, or they may only have a few of a certain age group. But when the congregations work together, the young people can know that they are not alone. And workers from the congregations can work together and get to know one another as well as the young people. 

This year we have already had three youth activities: a youth weekend in Ghent in January, a Console weekend in Antwerp in February and this weekend a Girl’s weekend held in Belgium. Next weekend the boys will be welcomed in The Hague to play some sports on the beach and get to know one another. 

In April there will be a sports day for young people of all ages, near the center of Belgium. This will be at the end of a Vacation Bible Kamp held down at our campground in the Ardennes for kids from 8-14 years old. Scott will be helping teach this group from 1 Timothy. Later in the month the congregation in Maastricht is organizing a youth day in Belgium for younger ages (7-15 years-old). This is because “our” kids (the kids from Maastricht) fall into this age group. But this is also a chance for younger kids to experience a youth activity and meet other kids from congregations around Belgium or the Netherlands. 

At the end of May a CYC (Challenge Youth Conference) is being organized for the 2nd time in Belgium. Last year there were about 70 participants. This is a place where the youth can gather internationally. It is always exciting to meet young people from different areas and countries. We are thankful for members who are willing to work with all of these efforts and are blessed in ways to be able to help. 

We will be working with the youth day organized by Maastricht, the VBK and then later in the summer the Benjamin Camp week of Bible Camp. In addition we will be organizing a day out for the congregation in Maastricht in May. In September we are planning as a congregation to organize a singing day for congregations in the REA (French-speaking and German-speaking as well as Dutch-speaking) and will organize the Family Day at camp on September 14. These are also all opportunities for young people to take part with their families. 

Keep all of these young people in your prayers and pray for all of those organizing and working with them as well. We are so thankful for so many who have a heart for those around them and know that God is working mightily in all of us in so many ways. 

Living Stones

In December we always enjoy the people that make the month so special: Shirley’s birthday brings to mind how we met and our many adventures together, our wedding anniversary speaks to how we have grown together, Stephan and Natalie’s wedding anniversary is the very next day (it has already been 5 years) and Christmas brings us together with all sorts of family. So we share meals and moments and enjoy the end of the year looking forward to the beginning of a new year.

As January approaches we shift our focus to new and continuing activities. What is exciting about these moments is how we see God working in us all together to do His will. Shirley and I welcomed 2018 with members of the church from Eindhoven and otherwheres. Later in the month we held our first Wednesday singing on a Friday and decided to make a meal of it. We met with 22 people from our congregation in Maastricht and the church in Liége to share together and sing – in whatever language possible. It was great to see how ‘Aunt Nel’ (as we call our sister from Maastricht) made such an effort to fellowship, even though she can speak no French or English and they could speak no Dutch. The 3rd Wednesday of the month found us singing again, this time at our monthly singing in Eindhoven.

As the year progresses we will be working on various projects that include members from around the Netherlands and Belgium. At the end of the month we hold our annual Ardennen Bible Camp meeting and Family Day. Much has changed down at camp because of a generous legacy from our sister from Brussels. In February there will be time at the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) in Germany and I will work further on a mentoring program with a brother in Haarlem. March will bring a new song workshop for the Dutch-speaking congregations – learning new songs and encouraging members to sing by offering tools to sing and lead singing.

Buildings in Belgium are made of brick – stone by stone. Each stone matters. Peter understood this image well and emphasizes how we all are being used to build this temple of praise for our Lord. Let yourself be used, wherever you are, together with those around you, for a building of praise.

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

LIGHT in the Lowlands, April 2014

This first quarter of 2014 has been busy, challenging and extremely encouraging. Although we cannot fit all the news in this newsletter, we would love to share what God is doing in our lives. Feel free to take a gander and ask any questions you might have. And let us know how God is forming you!

Click on the pictures over on the right if you would like to see some of the pictures from our youth weekend this past month. Thank you for taking the time and for your encouragement!