Where oh where Wednesday: Waterloo

"Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war. Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore. Waterloo, couldn’t escape if I wanted to. Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you. Woah, woah, woah, woah, Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo."

We can all hear the music as we read the words. It was the song that won ABAA the Eurovision Song Festival and catapulted them into international attention. Interesting that a song about an epic defeat became their victory. It was definitely not their “Waterloo”. 

We still use this term for all sorts of situations. As in the song, if you have to face your Waterloo, you must face the fact that you are finally and ultimately going to be defeated (ro you will finally give in). This one battle, and one could make the argument that it is because of the song, has entered our collective vocabulary. Many will understand immediately what you mean if you talk about your Waterloo. 

But do people know anything about Waterloo? It is after all a real place. It was a real historical event. As the new film on Napoleon comes out, perhaps the interest for this place will peak once again. But it has been here all the time. 

Waterloo was, at the time of the battle for which anyone remembers the place, a town in the United Kingdom of The Netherlands. It is actually in Belgium - now. Remember, Belgium did not become a recognized country until 1839 and the battle of Waterloo took place in 1815. This was a battle of coalition forces where the armies of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, together with three others clashed with Napoleon until the Prussian forces, who were allied with the others against Napoleon, also arrived and put an end to Napoleon. 

The battlefield was at the crossing of two major roads. It is less than 10 kilometers from Brussels and just outside of the village of Waterloo. Tourism began the day after the battle, it seems. Bodies and remains were found for years afterwards. Today there is a great mound with a statue of a lion at the top and groups stage a re-enactment of the battle regularly. 

The town of Waterloo itself has a population of less than 30,000. It is just south of the language border, lying in the French-speaking area of Wallonia. The name of the town is, however, from the Dutch language and is a combination of “water” and “loo” (which means clearing in a forest). 

In the nearby town of Braine-l’Alleud is the only major disc golf course, where the Belgian Open is played and anyone can meet their own personal Waterloo. I learned disc golf years ago (before the millennium) from good friends in the church in Minnesota and have continued to play whenever I can. I have set up a small course at our Bible camp. But I have yet to visit the course near Waterloo. 

Little Words

The last weeks have seen me trying to help someone who I have known for more than 20 years. We started reading the Bible together and I helped him out with moving, small things around the house, parenting tips (he is a single father) and more. 

Recently he was operated on a perforated intestine and almost died. His son - who is now a 26 year-old lawyer - reminded him after the operation that he had been given a second chance. You see, he has never been an easy person to live with. I have tried to remind him of an amazing truth I learned many years ago (as I mentioned a few weeks ago about pizza evenings with the youth group). The simple words “please” and “thank you” make the world a completely different place. 

While he was in the hospital a nurse came to assist him. She mentioned her name when he wanted to call her “miss”. Later, when I went looking for coffee, because we needed to wait for quite some time, she showed me the way. I thanked her and mentioned her name. A smile lit her face. It was nothing more than a simple “thank you”, but it meant a lot to her. Nurses have long days. 

So, we (his son and me) have given this man a challenge to learn these two simple sayings. He started his chemo this past Friday and immediately had some opportunities to practice. It is NOT something that comes naturally, although Ince you learn it, it can become normal. I saw this reality this past weekend in another way that we might not expect. 

This weekend was the COPA Benelux. The last COPA (the cup) was in 2019. Covid rules killed this indoor soccer tournament for the churches in Belgium and the Netherlands in the years between. We had people from 7 or 8 different congregations. We had 5 Fun teams and 5 Pro teams (each team being at least 5 people). We came with a Fun team from Maastricht. The Fun teams aren’t that serious and are often comprised of younger players. 

The COPA is also a time for members from the various congregations to see and talk to one another. It is a time to invite people we know who may or may not know Jesus to an event where we talk about and show what fun is like when Jesus is in our lives. 

During the play I remember hearing Luk Brazle, who played for Ghent Fun, calling out to the goalkeeper of Rotselaar Fun, “Good stop, Eva!” His teammate had just tried to score and the goalkeeper had kept the ball out. It was a great stop. It deserved the attention. So Luk made sure that the encouragement was there. 

Throughout the day you could hear and see these kinds of things happening. People thanking one another, enocuraging one another. During the Pro games I saw players admit when they had kicked it out, rather than wait on the ref. In fact, once their was a bit of a dispute about whose ball it was. The ref said one thing, a player said something else. Finally the opposite player simply said, “No problem. Their ball.” And the game continued. 

This is what people who know Jesus have discovered. Complaining may have its place in life, but it can only get so much done. And it seldom changes people. Gratitude changes hearts and situations the it is real. It doesn’t have to be big or flashy. It doesn’t really have to be noticed by anyone, except the person to whom it is addressed. Gratitude admits that YOU are not the most important at that moment, that someone else was needed. Gratitude allows humility to be present and grow. The same thing happens when we use “please”. 

Amazing that these are things we could learn early on in our lives. But we can still learn them later in life as well. Please keep A in your prayers as he tried to put his second chance to good use and learns to change his world. 

Thank you so very much for your encouragement of us in our lives and for how you show the love of God where you are. Enjoy your day of Thanksgiving this week, and remember that it is possible to practice this every day, in any month of the year. 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Whensday - King's Day in Belgium

It isn’t really celebrated here, but today, November 15, is King’s Day in Belgium. In the Netherlands King’s Day is celebrated across the country. There are orange flags everywhere and people set up spontaneous street markets to sell all sorts of second-hand goods and self-made food. Of course King’s Day in the Netherlands is at the end of April and often has beautiful weather. 

In Belgium most people may not even know that it is a special day. November 1 was All Saints day and everyone visited the graves of the loved ones who passed away. November 11 was just several days ago when the veterans were honored, mostly by those who have military family and know what it means. The same day is also the beginning of Carnaval for those who celebrate. Sinter Klaas (Saint Nicholas) is on his way to the country, arriving by boat and riding a horse. That happens on December 5 and 6. The children are especially waiting for that moment. So King’s Day in Belgium passes by without a sound. It is not even in the news. 

Mind you, King Philip of Belgium is a pretty quiet king. He takes his job seriously and is never boisterous, as the Dutch king sometimes has been. Many are waiting for the day that his eldest daughter will take the throne as the first queen of the country. Then Elizabeth will be able to celebrate “Queen’s Day”. In The Netherlands it went the other way around. Since the beginning of the 20th century there had only been queens. King Willem-Alexander brought the change from Queen’s Day to King’s Day in 2014. 

Around this day in 1946 the Dutch government was fighting with a fledgling Indonesia which was forming a new independent country. It would take several years before this fighting ended. The consequences of this struggle, with some Indonesians siding with the Dutch and others fighting deadly battles, have continued to this day. The Netherlands has a strong population of Indonesians who were evacuated from Indonesia to The Netherlands when the Dutch finally recognized Indonesia as a country. 

On November 15, 1948 the weather service recorded the warmest day of 17.3 degrees Celsius (63.1 F) in Maastricht. Today the temperature is not expected to rise above 10 degrees Celsius (49 F). 

Women’s day

This weekend our ladies in Maastricht organized a study and fellowship day for the ladies of the churches in Belgium and the Netherlands. It was great to see so many from the various congregations and cities. There were ladies present from 6 different congregations, from the northern part of the Netherlands to the western side of Belgium - all coming to the far south of the Netherlands, just past the eastern side of Belgium. 

Our little room did a great job accommodating the ladies for the day and our ladies did a great job presenting God’s word and time to share with one another about that word in their lives. The them was “Waiting for God”. The lessons were brought by four of our ladies, including one of our younger sisters in the faith. Shirley took care of setting up the room and making sure the lunch and coffee, tea and cookies were ready. 

It was great to see such a range of ages all encouraging one another. The youngest lady present was 11 and the oldest was 90 with all ages in between. It is exciting to think how beautiful God’s plan is of bringing family together. The lessons came from ladies who told about how they came to faith because of the faithfulness of others waiting on the Lord, about how God works through all sorts of situations to shape us into what He sees in us, about expecting and trusting the grace and strength of a mighty God and Father. 

Thank you for your prayers for this day! We were thankful to be able to organize this day, being able to see so many sisters that we do not see very often. 

Whatsit Wednesday - Mega Corporations

These days we all understand that we have to deal with mega corporations. Many of us use social media. We keep connected with family and friends through all types of channels. I can still remember MySpace and the Dutch version of social media in the beginning, Hyves. These days one has to be connected to several different social media channels in order to be in contact with the various groups. Young people won’t be found dead on some, and older people (Boomers) are not as savvy on others. 

Most of us use the internet to an immense degree. I remember thrilling in the chance to read an encyclopedia. I don’t know how many people still know what an encyclopedia is. But almost everyone knows what Wikipedia is. And if we have a question, the first thing we do is “Google it”. While these are all very recent innovations, the idea of mega corporations is not a modern thing (depending on how far back you want to go to define “modern”). 

The VOC was the “Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie” or the United East India Company, more often known in English as the Dutch East India Company. This company, established in 1602, became much more than a company. It was the first company in which you could be a shareholder, you could buy stock in the company (which could be bought and sold in what would become the Amsterdam Stock Exchange - but that is a different story). 

This company became a megalith with powers to wage war, sign treaties, establish colonies and even strike its own coins. It influenced all of Asia at the time and established markets and cultures that still resonate throughout the world today. Its atrocities resound throughout history as well and should sound a warning. But many are not willing to listen to history, often thinking it only a telling of old tales instead of a warning for future behavior. 

In more modern times we see a few other mega corporations under the Dutch flag. Unilever makes food under many different brands and is partially Dutch. ASML is a Dutch company that has been in the news most recently because of international tensions. They make machines that make chips - computer chips. Much of what they need for their machines is made in Taiwan. If Taiwan were to be taken over by China, the supply of computer chips (which are now used in almost everything) would cease to be as free as it is now. 

So while we are enjoying eating a bag of chips, googling something on our computer or phone or sharing some little tidbit on our social media, we might want to remember what such a corporation can do across the globe. 

Being taken care of

Giving to others is great. Jesus spoke truth when he said it is more blessed to give than to receive. And yet there are many times that we need to learn to accept help. How else will we be able to accept the amazing grace that God offers us. If we are always trying to pay things back, or feeling ashamed of receiving help because we feel we should do it on our own, then we cannot experience forgiveness or grace or how good it is to be part of a loving, helpful family. 

This is something that I remember learning long ago from the first Christians I came to know - my best friend and his family and friends. Pizza every week or so with the youth group sounded great, but I didn’t want to be beholden. My best friend’s father let me know: “This is what we are doing now for you. Later you will do this for others. We do it because God has done it for us. We just want to be like Him.” 

This past month our car needed plenty of TLC (and then some!). And we all know that car care come at a price. Thankfully, we are well cared for because of so many of you who support us, making it possible for us to be sharing God’s good news here. And we use our car an awful lot. This was something that our church family here also understood. They have either been a recipient of us traveling to them, or have seen how we use what God has blessed us with. 

Every 5th Sunday the congregation in Maastricht holds a special contribution. This is in addition to our regular giving. The members can share a need that we can all decide to contribute to, according to our own desire and ability to help, One of the members put us own the list. We were surprised by this attention and even more by how much was given to help us out. It is amazing to be a part the body of Christ! These brothers and sisters give from the heart. 

Those many years ago I learned that the best thing about walking with God is how thankful we can be. He blesses so immensely. He does that through what He has given - true grace and forgiveness and love and peace - as well as through His body, our brothers and sisters. We are indeed so thankful for all of you who continue to support us in prayer and encouragement and financially, making it possible for us to be here. Our trip to the US this past month was also an example of this giving love. And we are so thankful for the group of people we are working with here who also know this wonderful truth of the joy of giving. 

(That is our car back in 2018 when Stephan and Natalie came to visit).

Whodunit Wednesday: Jan Pieter Minckelaers

On the market in Maastricht stands a statue of a man holding what looks like a stick. He is clearly not from our time. Most statues are of people from the past and this is no different. I remember when we first moved to Maastricht, this statue was quite different. A flame rose from the stick in his hand. That made sense once I knew that this was a statue of Jan Pieter Minckelaers. 

Who? Minckelaers was the inventor of gas lighting. No, not gaslighting. Gaslighting is when you trick someone into thinking something that you want them to think. Often it is used to make someone feel guilty for something you yourself have done. Think of the movie “Gaslight”. There are lots of examples of gaslighting that have happened throughout the ages. But that is not what Minckelaers discovered. 

He literally was the one who came up with the idea of making street lights (and lights in houses even) using gas. Imagine, if you can, a time before electricity, before led’s and lighting that is so simple you can put it anywhere. Instead of using candles or oil lamps with wicks, people used lit gas. That meant that gas lines ran all through the city, into homes, everywhere. 

These days we might be worried about leaving the gas stove on when we leave the house - it would cause an explosion. But in previous centuries this was an amazing discovery. Light could be had at any time. You could turn it up or down. And yes, although it might have been dangerous, it was amazing to be able to see when it got dark at night. People could work in the evening. Streets became safer. 

Minckelaers stood on the market as a reminder of this wonderful invention. The flame was always burning. That is, until it got too expensive for the city to keep it burning. Then they put in a coin machine so that tourists or citizens of the city could pay to make the lamp go on. In the end, the city even removed that possibility. 

We heat our house using gas. We also cook on gas. And of course we put gas (diesel in our case) into our car. Our society may have moved away from gas, but not completely. We are told that electricity is the best thing since sliced bread, even though most of it comes from gas. 

In a time when gas prices have risen immensely, sometimes at the drop of a hat and for any possible excuse, it is not hard to confuse the idea of gas lighting and gaslighting. Now Minckelaers stands with an iron staff sticking out of his hand into the empty air. 

Across the country

Both Belgium and the Netherlands are small countries. We live on the far East side of Belgium and the church meets in Maastricht, the far South of the Netherlands. It only takes about 3.5 hours to drive across Belgium from East to West. And from South to North in the Netherlands would take perhaps 5 hours. When we were living in Texas, those distances were fairly matter of fact for many people. The same went for our time in California where we even now drive down to San Diego from Long Beach to visit family. 

This small size (if it were a house, it might be described as being “bijou”) means that the congregations in both countries can get together for activities much more simply than in places where the distances stretch out across the plains and mountains. This also means that the congregations work together quite often in various activities. 

Last moth the church in Maastricht organized a Youth Day. In order to make it easier for kids from further away - remember that we are at the ends of the two countries - we held there day in a town more in the center of Belgium. This meant that we were able to welcome many more kids for the day. It is important that our young people can develop friendships with kids from other cities around the country. 

When I have planned a song workshop, helping members of the church learn to sing or learn to lead singing, we also encourage members from various congregations around the country to attend. Twice a year a Family Day is planned for the churches in the two countries as well. In the Spring the churches gather in The Hague - this is mostly the churches in the Netherlands. In the Fall it is held down at camp and serves more of the Belgian churches. 

I remember helping out at a VBS various times when we lived in the US or were traveling during one of our Home Assignments. These were week-long opportunities to reach out to children in the city or direct neighborhood. This week a “VBK” or Vacation Bible Kamp will be held down at camp in the Ardennes. Instead of hosting kids from one city or neighborhood, this is a week for kids from all across the country. In this case only Belgium, since it is a school holiday win Belgium, but not in the Netherlands. This past weekend camp also hosted Fall Camp, which is a weekend at camp for teens which hosts teens from both countries. 

Within the next few weeks the same thing will be happening for different groups. The ladies of Maastricht (including Shirley) will be hosting a Ladies Day in Maastricht, welcoming ladies from around Belgium and the Netherlands for the day. It is thrilling to see how these activities reach out to church family as well as seekers who are interested in the good news of Jesus. 

A week later the church in Ghent is organizing an indoor soccer tournament for the churches. There will be players, young and old, as well as supporters from both countries. They will come to enjoy a day of sport and to see brothers and sisters again. Some players and supporters will just be getting to know the church. We hope to go with a group from Maastricht, both players and supporters. 

It is exciting to see how life in Christ means life in the body of Christ. It is thrilling to be able to take part in activities with brothers and sisters from around the country (two countries even) because we live in such a nice, ‘bijou’ place. Pray for all of these opportunities and thank God for how He makes us a family.  

Where oh Where Wednesday: Huy

Not far from where we have our Bible camp in the Ardennes is the city of Huy. Mind you, calling this a city is a bit of a stretch. I remember one evening in Maastricht (a city of 120,000 inhabitants) that some Chinese students asked where the city was. They were quite sure that Maastricht was simply a village. And compared to Beijing that was certainly true. 

Huy, located in the French-speaking province of Liege, has a population of just over 20,000 - a town as we would call it. The town we live in (Lanaken, made up of 7 villages) is about the same size. And yet Huy is one of the oldest cities in Belgium to have the rights of a city. Situated oil the Meuse, as is Maastricht, it originated around a Roman ‘cat rum’, just as Maastricht. It was evangelized in the 6th century by Saint Domitian, the bishop of the city of Tongeren (which we looked at recently). 

In the Middle Ages Huy was extremely prosperous because it had an economy based on metallurgy, tanning, woodworking and wine. By the 10th century it was part of the larger Prince-Bishopric of Liege. But in 1066, the same year that the Normans conquered England at the battle of Hastings, Huy was the first city north of the Alps with a city charter. 

Around this same time a man named Peter the Hermit convinced people to head out on what was to be known as the First Crusade. The city remained important throughout the ages, being fortified by Louis XIV as well as the Dutch. It only started its decline as heavy industry left in the 20th century. And yet it is known for some interesting spectacles and people throughout the ages. 

John Joseph Merlin supposedly invented the roller skate in the 18th century. He was from Huy (and might be an interesting story for another time). Le Pere Pire, a Dominican friar who helped refugees after WWII was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1958. And every year cyclists attack the ‘wall of Huy’ in the one-day cycling classic of the La Flèche Wallonne (The Walloon Arrow or Waalse Pijl). 

These days people know Huy for its beautiful attractions and for the nuclear power plant of Tihange. If anything goes wrong at Tihange, we are in the middle of what would be the affected area. Until then, we enjoy the beauty and the history that is this area of Belgium. 

Devo’s and Delays

The end of October, beginning of November is an active time for us. Although Halloween is not really a European thing, it is catching on here. People here like to dress up, although it is usually in February or March for Carnaval. We, of course, have different memories of Halloween, as Stephan was born on that day 34 years ago. 

But the end of October also (still) brings “Winter Time” as we set the clocks back and everything gets very dark in the morning. The latitude where we live already means that the winters are quite dark (as the summers are quite bright). But moving the clocks back only makes it more of a challenge. We will be waking up in the dark and kids will be coming home from school in the almost-dark of an early evening. 

The end of October is also when we hold our Fall Camp down at camp. Since all Belgian schools have a Fall Break in the week that includes November 1, we have the perfect opportunity to hold a weekend camp. The weekend means that the Dutch kids, who had their Fall Break two weeks earlier, can also come. And in the last few years, tow sisters in the congregation in Ghent have organized a VBK (Vacation Bible Kamp) for younger kids for the whole week of Belgian school vacation. 

Those of you who know Sue Foster will already know of this as she is one of the organizers of the week. Our colleague, Karla, is often also involved teaching the kids. Her oldest daughter, Shareya is the other organizer. This year Shareya contacted me and asked if I could help in teaching some of the young men (the week is for 8-14 year-olds) how to organize a devotional. So I will be going down on the Monday. After teaching the kids some discgolf, I will work with a group of young men teaching them about presenting God’s work in truth. 

This reminds me of long ago when I first presented a “lesson” on a Wednesday evening at Eastside church of Christ in Colorado Springs. I was amazed that I was trusted to present some thoughts as a young man. I was also touched by the responsibility and necessity to make sure that what I was saying truly came from God’s word. That feeling of responsibility and desire to present only God’s words has stayed with me all these years. 

Later in the month, the ladies of the congregation in Maastricht are organizing a Ladies Day for the ladies of Belgium and the Netherlands. They will be looking at waiting on the Lord. Are we willing to put up with the delays that the Lord puts in our lives? How do we deal with them? Some of our younger sisters will also be presenting their thoughts. It is exciting to see how God forms us, tests us and challenges us as we strive to follow Him in all of our days. 

We are thankful for all of the opportunities that God has given us and still gives us to grow in faith and help others in their walk in faith. 

Whensday: Revolt of Eburones

Not far from where we live is the oldest city in Belgium, Tongeren. On the market stands a statue of Ambiorix. Perhaps you have heard of Asterix and Obelisk - the cartoon heroes of France. These two comic heroes are Gauls and fight against the Romans. Ambiorix, of the statue in Tongeren, is the real thing. 

The Eburones were a Gallic tribe in what is now Belgium and parts of the Netherlands. They figure largely in Julius Caesar’s “Gallic Wars” around 54BC. They were also called “Belgae” or “Germani”. Ambiorix and the Eburones were the tribe which decided to finally kick back against the Romans. Ambiorix was able to kill a large contingent (about 6000) of Roman soldiers before trying to get other Gauls involved. In the end Caesar used competing tribes to try to wipe out the Eburones. His history says that he succeeded. 

The city of Tongeren, called Atuatuca Tongrorum by the Romans, was the capital of the Roman province in what became Belgian Limburg. Its importance for the region lay in its being a Roman capital for the province and being settled on a major highway (literally, the roads the Romans built which were higher than a simple road). The city came under Saint Servatius (who was buried in Maastricht) in the 4th century. In the 17th century the city was burnt to the ground by Luis XIV’s troops and was not really rebuilt until 1830. 

When the major roads also moved away from Tongeren, the city languished and died, in comparison to the cities of Maastricht and Liege. But it is still a major tourist destination and boasts a lively antiques market every Sunday. The most important part of the city for us is that several of the members of the congregation live there. Our young Ukrainian couple live right downtown. Another Belgian family live in a small village considered part of greater Tongeren. 

From the time of Julius Caesar (think of the opening scene of the movie “Gladiator”) to the present, Tongeren remains an intriguing city. 

(The picture is of the wedding at the beginning of this year of a young Ukrainian couple which took place in a restored old building in Tongeren).

Young and old

When I first came to the Netherlands I was a university student. It was a summer campaign in the summer after my first year. A whole group of us from York College went to the Netherlands and helped with an evangelism campaign in the various cities. It was this campaign that put the desire in my heart to serve God in these areas. 

When Shirley and I finally moved to Europe, 10 years after that first campaign (which was also when we started dating), we had both been on campaigns in the Netherlands in the years following. Shirley had been to Italy and the Netherlands. I had spent two years working with Jim Krumrei. In that time I also worked with evangelists down in Belgium. Mark and Jill Brazle, Larry and Gayle Good and Blair and Susan Roberts were a team. They also had apprentices working with them and I worked together with those apprentices. 

I remember the feeling of being able to depend on the wisdom of these older brothers and sisters. We were learning, being mentored. I felt so young and knew that they were much older. As it turns out, some of them are only 10-15 years older. Although this may seem a lot to some, as you get older, you realize that it isn’t that much. 

This past weekend I was honored to help with the wedding of Jan and Margriet. Mark Brazle was there to perform the service and Jill sang with me and her son, Luk (my colleague) in a small choir. Jim and Ruth were there (they are now in their 90’s) as well as other members I have worked with throughout the years. I almost felt young again. It was good to see and hear again from these various brothers and sisters who had so shaped my life in Christ. 

At the same wedding, I was able to be with Luk and his wife, Holly. I enjoy our opportunities to work together immensely. Luk and I first worked together long ago when he - as a 12-year-old - taught me how to work with some windows down at camp. He was a technical kid even then. Later, when he returned to Belgium as a young man, we sang together in Listen Up!, spreading the gospel through song. Now we encourage one another mostly at camp. 

We were also with another young couple, Jelmer and Rebekah, with whom we worked this past summer for Teen Bible Camp. And there were several others, young and older, who are all actively engaged in their local congregations spreading and living the good news of life in Jesus Christ. It was exciting to see and realize that God is able to use us all in various ways and times as He see best - as long as we are willing to allow Him to work in our lives. 

Age matters in what we can do. Age sometimes matters as far as how wise we might be or how much experience we might have. But in the end, age doesn’t matter as to if we can work together or not. Every time I get together with members of the church - like we did at this wedding - I am reminded of how beautiful God’s design is and how mighty He is. 

(Thanks to Luk for the picture of the singing group)

Whatsit Wednesday: Mennonites

We have often explained that ‘Pennsylvania Dutch’ isn’t Dutch at al. It is “Deutsch” which is German. It is the Amish in Pennsylvania who are most well-known for the clothing restrictions, horse-and-buggy, and family values. Interestingly, the Amish are a subset of a group known as Anabaptists. Mennonites come from the same theological and historical foundations. 

Whereas the Amish are named after the Swiss leader Jacob Amman, the Mennonites are named after Menno Simons. And all of it begins back in the 16th century at during the reformation. Menno Simons came from Friesland, an area in the Netherlands, and began as a Catholic priest. After his brother was killed for his religious beliefs, and after examining his own beliefs and coming to the conclusion that he could no longer be a Catholic, Menno joined the anabaptist movement. 

As the movement progressed, despite severe persecution, followers ended up taking Menno’s name. They became Mennonites. In the Netherlands these groups of believers were called “doopgezinden’ or baptist-minded. They were persecuted and even killed because they believed that people needed to be able to believe in Jesus Christ before they could be baptized. The anabaptists (which also included Zwingli, the Amish, the Mennonites and the Hutterites) believed similarly that one needed to be re-baptized as an adult, even if one was baptized as a baby (which was what was happening in the Catholic Church as well as the protesting Lutheran and Calvinist churches). 

I remember following a tourist tour in Haarlem and the tour guide pointing out the anabaptist church which was hidden behind other houses. The church members had to meet in secret or they could be caught and persecuted. Their property would be taken from them and they could be executed. This struck me at the time as quite strange, since this all took place in the religiously tolerant country of the Netherlands. But it has always been clear that all cultures can become quite intolerant at times. 

The main beliefs of the anabaptists and thus the Mennonites have remained the same throughout the centuries. They have been staunch pacifists, perhaps because of the very violence they experienced and were at first willing to use. Menno’s brother was killed for his beliefs, while the anabaptists in Münster (in Germany) were willing to force people to be re-baptized in order to establish the New Jerusalem. But the Mennonites have been known for their pacifistic views for quite some time. They did not fight in the First or Second World War (or in the American Civil War). They also are unwilling to accept oaths, since Jesus says: Let your yes be yes and your no no (Matthew 5:37). 

Because of these views and the persecution that came with their faith, Mennonites have often moved around the world, seeking more peaceful places. As they went, they took the gospel with them, often choosing to move somewhere in order to preach, knowing that they would never return. They have a strong mission emphasis in their teaching and lives. 

Besides these views, they also believe in simplicity of life and an emphasis on the family structure that God created - in the nuclear family as well as in society and the church. Although the Amish, which was a more conservative group of anabaptists, eschew technology, Mennonites do not. They do emphasize that things should not take our lives over, focusing on God and people rather than things. 

Most recently in my experience, I have noticed that Mennonites also emphasize and excel in a capella singing. This is interesting considering the history of singing in the Netherlands. But that is for another time, another topic. 

Talking Time

This summer at Teen Camp we added a new element called “Talkin’ Time” where the campers, split into guys and gals, could talk about some things that might be on their hearts. It is important to be able to talk. And everyone does this in a different way. I remember many conversations I have had with brothers in the church while taking a walk or fixing something in a house. As a matter of fact, time down at camp working on the facilities have been some of the most important conversations for many. 

Sometimes we never really know when an “important” conversation is going to take place or is taking place. That is why it is so important to be prepared at all times and to be ready to listen first. Colossians 4:6 encourages us to have salty talk and that we be ready to answer everyone. 1 Peter 3:15 says that we should always be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have. The most important element in these conversations is listening first. How can I say something that someone needs to hear if I do not even know what they are saying. 

Many of my conversations are not even face to face. Most recently I have had some conversations with our former neighbor who is now in prison in Antwerp. He can call me, but I cannot call back. So when I see his number, I pray for wisdom and prepare to listen first. I do not always have as much time to speak as I would like, but I try to make every moment count, to be an encouragement and pass the wisdom of God on in the situation. 

Some other conversations this past week have had to do with health. I am sort of a caregiver to a few seniors. One of them is our sister in Christ, Nel. The other two have come into my life through the years. One gentleman started reading the Bible with me years ago. It is only now, as he is facing some serious health questions, that he wants to really know more about prayer. The other conversation is with a 92 year-old woman who is thrilled that it is possible to talk directly to God. We pray together every time I visit her in the nursing home. 

It is often difficult to know how blunt one can be in a conversation. I usually ask if someone really wants to know an answer before I try to give one. This means, once again, that listening is the beginning of speaking. It also means that there has to be some sort of relationship. We know each other. That is why we can have a conversation. Although I might say that I am preaching, I am not simply proclaiming. We are talking together about what is important. And yes, if difficult things need to be said, then they must be said. This is where love and care is truly shown. 

Please continue to pray for the conversations we have with our neighbors, people we are studying with, church members, young people from camp and people we meet during the day. Every conversation can be an important moment - in our lives and theirs. 

Whodunit Wednesday: Martin Van Buren

Maarten Van Buren, the 8th president of the United States didn’t even use English as his mother-language. He came from the town Kinderhook and spoke Dutch. Kinderhook means “Child’s Corner” in Dutch. Dutch was of course quite prevalent in the early days of the United States. New Amsterdam, which became New York, was settled by the Dutch. For a time, speaking Dutch was looked down upon, but later it became fashionable to have Dutch ancestry and be able to speak the language (or parts of it). 

Van Buren spoke Dutch from the beginning, but also spoke English, of course. Because he was fairly old for the time (54 years old) when he ran for president, he used the phrase “Old Kinderhook” for his campaign, to show that something was quality. “Old Kinderhook” meant that he, and all that he touched, was from quality. You could trust it. Shortened, this became “OK” and soon became the way to show that everything was good, or okay. 

Now, even in Dutch, we can say “okay” although we spell it “oké”. It doesn’t always mean something is good quality. Sometimes it means it is mediocre. “How was the movie?” “Ah, it was okay, but not my favorite.” And yet, even in the Netherlands and Belgium, a stamp of OK on an item is a stamp of approval. And all of this because a Dutch-speaking American politician was proud of his roots. 

Father's fun

Recently we have been having fun. This past Saturday we had a great day in the sun with our young people. We wanted to take the time to do several important things: show how important Jesus is for real life, connect with some other youth from around Belgium, show that having fun is something God has made possible. Christians know best how to have fun, since God is the creator of fun. 

On the second Sunday of the month we had a Games Day at the building after services. More than 20 members and kids stayed afterwards and had fun playing all sorts of board games and card games. Everyone is already looking forward to the e next second Sunday Games day. This was a time of bonding between young and old, Dutch-speaking or not. Fun can be had in every language and at every age. 

The youth day we organized this past Saturday was built around the theme of ‘Build your House”. We wanted to look at what Jesus says about the wise and foolish man as well as examine how we can be living stones to the cornerstone of Jesus. 

We moved the location to a community center close to Mario and Tonia, which meant that kids from other congregations could reach it more easily (Maastricht is a good way away from where most people live). Our age-group was fairly young: from 7 to 13 years-old, because that is the age of our kids in Maastricht. We were thrilled to welcome 8 kids from various other congregations for the day. 

The sun shone brightly, the rain stayed away and the kids enjoyed the time inside and out. Our two 13 year-olds prepared the first games outside. Scott brought the first lesson outside as well before we all headed inside for lunch. After some more play time outside the kids headed inside for some practical lessons focused on how we work together. Have you ever made a tower out of flat pieces of paper? These kids came up with some great ideas. 

By the end of the day we were thrilled with how God could touch so many hearts in such a short time. Several “shy” kids blossomed throughout the activities. All of the kids helped each other in the end. And the lesson points came through loud and clear. Fun was had by all in a way that God was glorified and amplified. We pray that a good bit of what was mentioned and done will stay with the kids in the coming days and weeks. 

In November we are looking forward to joining a football (soccer) tournament with a team from Maastricht. This is another time that we can experience having fun and getting to know others around us, sharing the joy that comes with being a child of God. Before that, several teens will be heading down to camp for Fall campo and the young kids will be able to experience a week at Vacation Bible Camp. Pray for our young people and for all of the team members making these sorts of activities possible. 

Where Oh Where Wednesday: Haarlem or Harlem?

In October 1982 I moved to Haarlem, the Netherlands. I had been there on a campaign the summer before with a program from York College called the Master’s Apprentice Program (MAP). Now I would be working with the evangelist in Haarlem (Jim Krumrei) for 2 years in the same program. 

I have never been to Harlem, in Manhattan. We had some travel time while visiting Sean and Jill this past Spring, but we didn’t make it to Harlem. Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan. We were staying down in Chinatown, not far from where Sean and Jill live and work. Most people think of Harlem as a black neighborhood, considering its history in the 20th century. 

Originally, Harlem was a Dutch village, organized in 1658 in New Amsterdam - which would become New York. It was named after the city in the Netherlands. It has been home to large Jewish and Italian populations as well as the African-American migration in the beginning of the 20th century. Harlem in the 1920’s and 30’s was the place to be in many ways. 

Haarlem - in the Netherlands - is the capital of the province of North Holland. It received its city rights in 1245 and the first walls were built in 1270. It is sat on a thin strip of land which is above sea level and surrounded by bits that are below sea level (which is much of the country). The nearby airport of Schiphol is built on what is literally “ship hollow”. It is home to the painter Frans Hals and was famous for tulips, printing and beer brewing. 

I remember learning to speak Dutch among the local stores and listening to playing children. Learning how to talk about my faith with people who were sometimes interested and often not, taught me plenty about people and myself. I was thankful for the areas close by that also afforded respite and comfort. 

From Haarlem I could bicycle to Spaarndam where the statue of the boy with his finger in the dike stands. The statue is based on a book written by an American who clearly did not know what a dike looked like. On the other side of the city I could bike out to the dunes and the sea to watch the sun rise. Or I could head downtown and enjoy the busy market on market day, walk past the cathedral or consider the history that you can simply breath in wherever you walk in the city, like the smell of a sharp cheese. 

It was in this city, on the steps of the city hall, that my colleagues Ruud and Karla were married. Not far from the city hall is the home of Corrie ten Boom. Just a short walk further and you are among the canals where in the Spring a market is held throughout the night to sell flowers. Two years is not very long in a lifetime, but for a young man it was a time to fill up on amazing memories. 

We are still very thankful for the church in Haarlem, being able to share time with our brothers and sisters there whenever we can see them - even if it is elsewhere. Most recently we were able to send time with members of the congregation during Family camp. Jim and Ruth Krumrei, who are now in their 90’s, came to Family Day just 2 weeks ago. 

I haven’t visited Harlem yet. But I hope that we get the chance some day. Whether Harlem or Haarlem, both places are full of intricate, complicated, enticing history. 

We are the church

A few years ago we held a questionnaire in our neighborhood asking people about church. We asked if church had a place in society, and if so, what? Most people were very clear about the first part of the question. Yes, certainly, church had a place in society. And then they spoke of how having a place that was quiet, a place where people could contemplate life, was absolutely necessary. Most people, when they thought of ‘church’ thought of a building in the neighborhood. A place to go. 

People also talked about how the church should be a place that taught values and norms for society. When they were asked further if they attended a church anyway, most admitted that they did not. Several commented, “Yeah, I guess that isn’t very consistent of me.” They understood that if they thought church should teach values, that they would have to attend in order to receive that teaching. 

We of course think a bit differently about church. We are the church. It doesn’t really matter where the church meets. When people are with us, they should be able to experience and feel the presence of God and His grace and love. That is why we look forward to all sorts of different activities with the church all around Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Most recently we were down at camp with at least 10 different congregations for Family Day, organized this year by the church in Ghent, Belgium. We were able to sing, share meals together, play or walk, and share conversations about how God is working in our lives. It was a time of fellowship, but also of showing body strength (she last week’s thoughts). 

Last week we had a games day in Maastricht. Our young Ukrainian couple, Andre and Adriana have started these to encourage the church members. We stayed after services and played together - some card games, a board game and more. This is a time that we can also invite others. I learned as a young Christian that Christians know best how to have fun. Fun was, after all, designed by God. 

This coming weekend we will hold our Youth Day with the church from Maastricht. But we decided to hold it elsewhere so that more kids could come. And immediately we are looking forward to at least 6-8 kids from other areas. This is an opportunity to be church and be the body of Christ in a different way. We are so thankful that we are able to organize these types of activities and that God is using these to touch people’s lives. 

No matter where we are, if we are children of the King, then we are also the church. When we are gathered - whether it is a few our many, whether it is at a game or going to a movie or attending some other activity, whether we have a sign saying that a church is meeting or not - we are the church. We pray that we are sharing God’s presence and love in all of these moments. 

Whensday: Union

Belgium and the Netherlands have long been at the forefront of what has become the European Union. The treaty of Brussels signed in March 1948 set up the Western Union, a military union of France, United Kingdom and the three Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) set up in September of the same year. In 1957 the Benelux, France, Italy and West Germany signed the treaty of Rome, creating the European Economic Community (EEC). Within this community they formed a customs union, making trade easier. 

The United Kingdom, Denmark, and Ireland joined the EEC in 1973. The first elections to a European Parliament were held in 1979. In 1981 Greece joined and soon after the Schengen Agreement made open borders possible. This meant that travel within the outer borders of Europe could be done without passports. 

I remember the first time that Shirley and I came to the Netherlands on campaign in 1981. A visit to (West) Germany meant a stamp in your passport. When I came to the Netherlands from 1982-84, some of the most interesting stories and experiences in my life were because of border crossings (ask me sometime about sleeping on the way to Switzerland). So when Shirley and I visited in 1987 to research returning to work with the church, it was interesting to see the changes. 

The European flag was adopted in 1986 and Portugal and Spain were added to the group. In 1990, as the Eastern Bloc was falling apart, East Germany was reunited with West Germany and was added to the community. By 1992 the 12 member states were ready to sign the Treaty of Maastricht (which came into force in November 1993). This treaty set in place the basis for the European citizenship, a single currency and common security policies. 

The single currency finally showed up formally in 2002, the Euro supplanting all the other currencies, like the guilder, the franc and the mark. We had moved to Belgium in 1991 and we remember vividly the ease that came with a common currency - not having to carry three different currencies because of where we live on the border. But it also meant that prices - of almost everything - doubled. 

Currently the EU consists of 27 countries. There had been 28, until the United Kingdom exited. There is quite a list of countries waiting to join the EU as well. To think that three little countries joining themselves in the Benelux showing that cooperation was useful could have been the start of such a union. 

Body strength

Our bodies are amazing creations. God has created us to be able to do amazing things, even when we are damaged. Our bodies are made in such a way as to heal and recover. Most of that is down to the design and how everything works together. It is often important that we allow our bodies the time to recover. 

I have been acutely aware of this in the past year and most recently due to a strain of a muscle and, just last week, a hernia operation. Physical therapy and stretching did wonders for the muscle. Doctors using laparoscopic surgery took care of the other. This week I am taking it easy and recovering, but our bodies are amazingly well designed.

The past few months have also been difficult in other ways. We learned that our nephew, a new father of one and soon-to-be-father of a second, passed away at the age of 26. And we hurt for his wife, his brothers and especially for his father and mother (Scott’s brother and sister-in-law). We had not been able to visit with them when we were in Indianapolis. 

Less than a month later we received news that Shirley’s brother unexpectedly passed away. We had seen him on our visit to the States and enjoyed being able to spend time together. The news of his passing hit hard. It felt like a blow to the stomach for Shirley. Her family (she comes from a family of 8 kids) has been reduced to just three. 

Last week we received a call from Scott’s youngest brother that his brother, Marc had passed away. We were able to follow the memorial service held in Colorado Springs yesterday evening. We had also missed seeing Marc on our visit to Colorado while we were in the States earlier this year. His passing seems a bit surreal. 

It is at times like this that we are thankful that God has designed the body so well. We are not made to be alone, to work alone. We are made to depend on one another, to help in the recovery and healing of one another. One part cannot work without the others. That is how the body of Christ, the church, is designed and truly works. We are so very thankful for family and spiritual family. 

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians talks about this body and how we are dependent on each other (1 Cor. 12:12-26). Thank you for being there as part of this body. Praise God for His design and His amazing love, in times of distress and in times of joy.

Whatsit Wednesday: Firehose

The last week has been a warm one in our area. This coming week the temperatures have cooled down (both in Fahrenheit and Celsius) with plenty of rain. So, while some may have been thinking of fires last week, they do not want to see another drop of water this week. 

But those two things obviously go together. Fires have always been a problem for those who build. We must have fire to keep warm, but how do you keep warm and safe at the same time. And if you yourself are quite safe with a fire in your house, what about your neighbor? If fire breaks out in their house, it could spread to yours. As cities grew, this was a very real concern. 

Some of the worst disasters have been due to fires in cities. London burnt down and had to be rebuilt. San Francisco burnt down and had to be rebuilt. Chicago Burt down, supposedly because of a cow and a lamp. The city had to be rebuilt. Modern high rise flats have shown that they are disasters waiting to happen if a fire breaks out. And of course we can build with better, flame resistant materials, but fire remains a danger to all living in the city. 

Which is why we for a very long time have had people willing to work at putting fires out. Where in the past it may have been a bucket brigade from the village, all villagers helping one another, it soon became a group of dedicated people willing to work hard to put any fire out. But how to bring the water to the fire? 

This is where the firehose came into play. Amazingly, it was designed in Amsterdam at the end of the 17th century by Dutch painter and inventor, Jan Van der Heyden and his brother. The made a better design for a pump, but also designed the hose so that they could better reach the flames. The hoses were made of leather and sewn together like a boot leg. 

Later improvements were made in the centuries to come, making firefighting easier and more efficient, though still very dangerous. These days we are all thankful for the men and women of the local fire brigade (like our brother-in-law) and for the materials that have been designed to better keep us all safe. 

An eventful day

Some days just stay etched in your mind. I remember hearing from people who could remember everything that happened on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. I remember watching the first landing on the moon and know exactly where I was when the Challenger blew up. In the Netherlands people remember where they were when they heard about the Bijlmer catastrophe (plane flying into a block of flats) or when the fireworks blew away a whole neighborhood in Enschede. In Belgium people remember the time hearing of Dutroux (a man who kidnapped and killed young girls) or the gas pipeline explosion near Ath. 

Some things just stick in your mind, become part of the tapestry of history of a place. That is what this date is for many in the world. September 11 brought some major changes in the world which are still reverberating today. We stood watching the news on the television repeating, “What? What? Oh no!” The boys were not quite sure what was happening and why we were so upset. It seemed at that moment that the world was falling apart. 

And yet, that was a very eventful time for us in general. When we first came to Belgium it was to work with the church in Maastricht, the Netherlands. We lived for a year in Antwerp, Belgium to get into the language and still be able to be with a congregation before we would start things with a new team in Maastricht. 

We were able to get a permit to stay in the country which was renewed every year. When we looked into how we would work things with the team, it was easier to stay living in Belgium rather than move into the Netherlands.  So we found a place to live, close by the border, and continued renewing our permit. This worked well for us and at one point we were able to get a 5 year card, instead of renewing every year. 

But coming up on 2000 the government decided that they needed to change things concerning foreigners in the country. It was not a problem to be working for a company, but religious workers were not going to be allowed to stay any more. We were informed that we would need to leave the country. 

Around this same time, the opportunity to become a Belgian opened up. Both the US and Belgium technically allow dual citizenship and the more we looked into it, the better it looked. The process to become Belgian was fairly simple. We wanted to be sure that we would still be able to get back to the US if needed, so only Scott went through the process. We heard the good news right around September 11 in 2001. 

Now it would be possible to stay in the country and continue our work with the church in Maastricht and churches in Belgium. As with the apostle Paul, we would now be able to use both nationalities, both citizenships. We would now be able to move freely within the European Union and preach the gospel. This was a real blessing that we could not have foreseen. And it came at a time when we wondered what was happening with the world. 

Clearly, God has a different perspective on what is happening in the world. We have good friends all around the globe who experience things others may never even hear about. Have you heard of the struggles in Sudan? Of the elections in Kenya? Of the hurricane that basically wiped much of St. Maarten away? Of the tsunami in Indonesia? And so much more (including a war in Ukraine). Or most recently, the earthquake that has killed thousands in Morocco? It may seem like the world is ending. It may look like there is no way forward. It may feel like God has forgotten. But we know that this is not true. We have seen so many times before (look at all the times in the Old Testament) that God has been faithful. He knows what is going on. He can use even this time for His glory. 

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5

Whodunit Wednesday: Temperatures

It’s going to be a warm September day. Not that it is all that common for a September day to be so warm here. It is not unheard of, but 30 degrees - which is considered tropical - is pretty warm. And then our living room gets even much warmer. We have lots of windows that let in light, which is a good thing in the dark winter months. But on a warm day, light means warmth. 

But how can 30 degrees be warm? It is under freezing! Of course here in Europe we use a different scale for temperature. In Europe we use the Celsius scale (or centigrade), which goes from 0-100 degrees (the points where water freezes or boils). It can of course also go further. Temperatures below freezing become negative temperatures, for example -10 degrees. Although Belgium gets negative temperatures, its is nothing like what people in other places get (like in Minnesota or North Dakota in the US). Temperatures past the boiling point of water simply go higher than 100. 

In the Untied States a completely different scale is used to measure temperature. The Fahrenheit scale says that water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. So 0 degrees in Fahrenheit is quite cold, well below the freezing point. On the other hand, someone using the Fahrenheit scale might say that it is 104 degrees outside. A European would amazed that anyone could even be outside in such temperatures - well above the boiling point (on the Celsius scale). 

So where did these scales come from? Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in the 18th century. He originally used a 0-100 scale as well, but he measured the freezing point of a brine and the body temperature of a human (which is right around 96 degrees Fahrenheit). But by the 20th century it was the freezing and boiling point of water that was measured and became the beginning and ending points. 

Fahrenheit was born in Poland, but was of German heritage. At the age of 15 he moved to the Dutch republic where he lived the rest of his life. So he can be claimed by Poland, Germany and the Netherlands. In any case, it is still going to be a very warm day today. 

Family time

You have heard me talk many times about family. It is still amazing to me how God created family and uses it so wonderfully. Family is God’s design for how we work best. We need each other. We grow by struggling with relationships together. We learn from one another. We practice love and hope and courage when we care for one another. We see what is real by seeing it in the examples of those around us. Family is simply amazing. 

And that is true whether we are talking about blood family or God’s family. Not every family works as it should do. But it is family that shows us how things can and should be. So I keep my eyes open for family moments and I relish every moment that teaches me another truth through family. 

This month we have several church family moments coming up. This Saturday we will be down at camp with members of the church from around the Netherlands and Belgium. The church in Ghent is planning the Family Day. We are looking forward to seeing some of the teens we had at camp, some of their parents, and many others from various congregations. It is always a great day - and we should even be getting some sunshine to go with it (a real blessing in Belgium)!

We already had our singing evening this past Friday in Maastricht. The last Saturday we are planning a youth day. This week Shirley and I will be dropping in on our young Ukrainian couple for a study and some games. We were planned to see them last week, but the car broke down. We are thankful for good garages and the funds to take care of things so that we are now able to visit them. 

In the Fall we are looking at starting up some Saturday walks in the neighborhood to encourage the church and also share the gospel. In November we look forward to the COPA Benelux - an indoor soccer tournament with teams from the various congregations. The last one was held in 2019. (The picture is from 2015!) We may not be playing this time (although we might), but we will definitely be there to encourage all who attend. Family time is always good. 

On the other side, we are also thankful for family in difficult times. This past week Shirley heard that her youngest brother unexpectedly passed away. It hurts to know that we cannot be there, although we know this is simply reality. But it is good to know that there is family there to care for one another. Roger - Shirley’s brother - had a whole family of co-workers who cared about him and cared for him. His children, whether they were from his loins or not, feel the loss and are there for each other. Please keep them and Shirley in your prayers. 

Take time to look around and see how God is using family in your life. Be thankful for the connections that are there. And know that God’s design for family, the church, is just what we all need - at all times.