Study and fellowship

Some of you may have noticed that we missed “Whensday” this past Wednesday. That is because I was off in Germany for a week of Bible studies at ABSS or Advanced Bible Study Series. This study week began about 50 years ago in the Belgian city of Verviers, not far from where we hold our Bible camps. A French-speaking church meets in Verviers. 

When the study week moved its locations to Germany after a few years, calling it by its original name of “Concentration” didn’t quite fit in a German context. So it was changed to the current Advanced Bible Study Series or ABSS. It remained a week of deeper Bible studies meant to help European Christians deepen their knowledge and faith and also serving as a great networking time. 

When I was an apprentice living and working with Jim Krumrei in Haarlem, the Netherlands in the early 80’s, I spent my first two times down at this study week in 1983 and 1984. It was a time to see other apprentices in Europe, get some good biblical training and even get some snow (that came much more easily to Germany than to Belgium). 

Since then, we have tried to make it in February. Shirley of course had to skip a few years as the boys were growing up (although they also came with us some of the time). After the boys left home we still had a dog. This year was the first real time that Shirley could have come along, but the week was also planned just a week away from the Ladies Retreat, which is also in Germany and organized by various congregations in Europe. This year the Ladies Retreat is being organized by the ladies from Switzerland. 

ABSS brings teachers together from around Europe and always includes at least one from the US. Although the lessons at first glance may not seem to be organized together, they all seem to work well together. This year was no different. We heard from a teacher from Marseilles about the gospel and the Romans, the kingship of Jesus. We heard from a Scottish brother working in Birmingham, England about the signs surrounding the death of Jesus on the cross. The main lessons on Galatians came from a brother from Alabama while a brother from Canada taught us online in the evenings about the Holy Spirit. 

In addition to all of this it was good to have some lessons from Gijs Bardoel who is now working with the church in Antwerp and whose mother meets with us in Maastricht. It has been good to see how Gijs has grown in faith and continues to desire to reach out in faith to all those around him. 

We had participants of several different nationalities, including Dutch, Belgian, German, Swiss, French, Ukrainian, English, Scottish and American, as well as various mixtures. The lessons are always in English, but we all try to help one another in understanding. The Thursday evening follies (“talent” show) is presented in the universal language of laughter. Paul Brazle, who has organized the event for the last 30 years or so, joins me in writing a song based on the teachers for the week to close out the talent show. 

Last week Shirley had to make do without me in the house. This week (from Thursday to Sunday) I will have to make do without her in the house as she goes to the Ladies Retreat with three other ladies from Maastricht. We are thankful for these times of learning, teaching and growth in faith. Pray for all who attend and for those organizing. 

(picture is from a few years back)

On the Family Side: Seeking, sleuthing and saying goodbye

In 2023 we were blessed to visit some of our family. Every three years we try to make it back to the US to visit with supporting congregations and family. We aren’t always able to visit all family because our supporting congregations are not really in any of the places that our family lives. The last time we visited Scott’s father was in 2010 on what we remember as our “Road Trip”. This was also the last time that our oldest son, Stephan, traveled with us. 

Last year we were able to visit Scott’s mom and even checked in with an aunt that he had not seen for more than 40 years. But we were also able to stop in to our oldest son, Stephan, again just before he became a father and we became grandparents for the first time. We hope sometime this year to be able to visit and meet Sophia in person, perhaps before or on her first birthday. 

On Shirley’s side we were working through some detective work trying to find more information on her older sister. Shirley had only met her sister once in her life. Through a DNA site, we were finally able to find more information and the news that her sister had passed away in 2020. We are still looking into more information about her father’s side of the family as well as her mother’s side. 

Unfortunately, we were not able to meet with all of our family. Some of the brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces had moved or were sick when we came through. For some this meant that our previous visit would be the last time we saw them. Scott’s brother and a nephew passed away in 2023 without us being able to visit them. 

We were thankful that we were able to see Shirley’s brother before he too passed away later that year. This year we are praying that we will be able to see Shirley’s last sister again. She is struggling with health problems. It is difficult to be so far away and wanting to be able to help. We are so very thankful for a family in Christ who continues to keep us and our loved ones in prayer. 

Thankfully, we are still able to be connected in many ways to family. We have a video call with our oldest son almost every week. Sean, our younger son, and his wife Jill, jump online with us at least once a month as well. So we can hear one another, see each other and share what is going on. Shirley emails her sister every day so that she knows what is going on and can be an encouragement. We get a picture every month of our granddaughter, Sophia, so that we know what she looks like and can see how she is growing. 

Both of us grew up in a time of airmail letters (thin pieces of folded paper filled with writing on both sides) being the only way to communicate over distances. So we know how special it is to be able to be in touch with our family that is far away. When I left for university, my mother knew that she could not expect to see me until the holidays - IF I could get a ride home at that time. 

Imagine what it must have been in the past when people moved across the globe. Even today peoples are moving far away from their families. Our young Ukrainian couple in church are far from family and friends in this somewhat strange country of Belgium. They are learning the language, but we know how they still miss family and friends. It is good to be connected in every way that we can. We are so very thankful for the contact we can have with our family, our kids and our loving church family. 

Please be praying for us for the following things we are looking at in the coming months: 

- We would love to be able to visit our granddaughter Sophia. Pray that we can find a good time in our schedule and the means to do this. Also pray that all stay healthy. 

- We would love your prayers for Shirley’s sister’s health and for Shirley’s peace of mind at this time. 

- Praise and thank God for family and for technology which makes it possible to be and stay connected.

(The picture is of Scott's mom when she was in high school)

Whatsit Wednesday: Carnaval

Yes, I know. It is Valentine’s Day. But to be honest, Valentine’s Day is an import in Europe. It is a much more recent thing that only entered the culture because of the commercial possibilities of selling all sorts of things to people. In our section of Europe there is a much more important and embedded holiday at this time of year: Carnaval. 

Mind you, not everywhere celebrates Carnaval. In the Netherlands it is only the provinces of Brabant and Limburg (“below the river” is what they say) where the general population is culturally and historically Catholic. In Belgium, which is almost completely culturally and historically Catholic, Carnaval is also not celebrated everywhere. It is certainly celebrated in Belgian Limburg where we live. 

Carnaval actually begins in November. On the 11th day of the 11th month, things kick off. The “11” is considered the crazy number or hour - since it is not 12. There is a good sermon in there somewhere about why 12 is considered perfect, but that is for another time. In November all of the Carnaval organizations make their plans and start things off. And there are lots of organizations: schools, the scouts, ladies groups, activities for seniors and more. Each neighborhood or village has their own Carnaval group. 

In the winter months leading up to February the time is filled with readying the float, making your costume, planning what you will do, visiting other groups, choosing a prince and saving some money for the big day. Everything really starts on the Friday before Ash Wednesday. Carnaval is tied to Easter. Ash Wednesday is 42 days before the Passion and Easter. For several days, there are parades, festivals, loud music, dancing and lots of drinking. Everyone can do all sorts of crazy (and unholy) things on these days before the days of fasting begin. 

You might be familiar with some of this if you ever watched the Disney version of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. In the movie, Quasimodo is chosen as Prince Carnaval and they go to unmask him - but it is not a mask! This is a time to poke fun at the government or institutions. It was historically the one time of the year that criticism could be made of such institutions without fear of attack. 

Some people enjoy the music, the color and the frivolity. But I have been told that you have to be born into it. I was not. It clashes with principles in my life with God as King, my desire to serve Him in every aspect of my life. But it is a reality that one has to deal with in this area. The stores close down, the streets are blocked for the parade (and every village closes on a different day) and one can see people in various-colored costumes heading to a party somewhere. During the day it is often whole families. In the evening it is always young people and adults. 

Today, Wednesday, all of the frivolity ends and the time of fasting begins. Many will go to a Catholic Church to get their ash cross on their head. Some will truly consider fasting and thinking about other things in this time. It may last about as long as some of the New Year’s resolutions lasted. But Carnaval will be put away until it is awoken again on the 11th of the 11th this year. 

A living body

The church is called the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12). Often when I hear people who do not believe ask why God doesn’t do anything, I remind them that He is doing things - through His body, the church. We are very thankful that God can use us in many ways, wherever we are. That has always been our desire: to serve Him in His Kingdom, wherever we are in the world. 

We are thankful that we are able to serve where we are in Belgium and the Netherlands because we are connected with other parts of the body of Christ around the world. We have had four different congregations in the US supporting us for many years, besides the individuals who also support us. This is certainly financial support, but is also support through encouragement and example. 

In 2023 we heard from one of our supporting congregations in Texas that they would need to reduce their support for us. They have been our ‘home’ congregation from the moment we were married and moved to Texas. We have always been thankful for their financial support and for the examples of mission-minded Christians that we saw in them. 

Since we were losing some support, we started looking around last summer and were introduced to Oldham Lane church of Christ while we were in Abilene. We were thankful to be able to talk to the missions committee and meet some of the elders as well as experience a Sunday evening worship time together. This year we received word that this congregation will be assisting us with financial support. Last night we had a video-call with the elders and missions committee. We look forward to getting to know this part of the Lord’s body and that they can get to know the body in Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Another piece of good news came when the congregation in Maastricht decided that they wanted to increase the amount that they support us financially. It was extremely encouraging to hear the brothers talk about the need to help us and how much they knew we were doing. One of the ways they will increase their help for us is by paying for our gas each month. We drive quite a bit in our work with the church here, so this is a real help. 

So let me take the time to thank all of those who help us financially throughout the year - many who have done this for many years. We have congregations helping us: Maastricht, Woodbury in MN, Muscatine in IA, S 11th and Willis in TX, Oldham Lane in TX and Long Beach in CA. We also have various individual families who help us regularly as well as some who help incidentally: the Crons, Bundys, McNeills, Ecks, Stovalls, Ramptons, Tornij's and Jablonskis. 

And then there are innumerable people who pray for us every day, every week, every month. We may not know your name, but we feel God’s grace, mercy and strength in our lives and know that this is also because you are speaking with our wonderful Heavenly Father about us and the work here. Thank you!

Whodunit Wednesday: Willem Johan Kolff

The last while I have been spending quite a bit of time in hospitals and health centers. I am a caregiver (in Dutch the word is literally “coat carer” and means one who takes care of the extras) for a few people and one of them has been struggling with cancer and other health issues. So I have often either been taking him to his appointments or visiting him in hospital. 

Hospitals have always amazed me. I was in hospital as an 8 year-old and we usually went at least once a year as a family because one of us would get strep throat (sending the rest of us into the cycle). Hospitals to me were a place of amazement as well as worry and wonder. I react quite strongly to smell and that is the worst part of hospitals as far as I am concerned, but one I have been able to overcome. 

Amazing things can happen in a hospital. These days it is normal to see all sorts of machines - not only in the patient room where various fluids are administered intravenously, but also simply being driven around the hospital from the one room or area to the next. Operations can be done today that people could only have dreamed about even in my younger days. 

Back during WWII young Dutch doctor Willem Johan Kolff in Groningen was frustrated that his 22 year-old patient was dying of renal failure. This caused him to look into possible solutions. By 1943, in the middle of the war and his activities working with the resistance, he developed a dialysis machine built from orange juice cans, used auto parts, and sausage casings. His 16th patient, a 67 year-old woman, was successfully treated in 1945. 

Kolff moved to the US in 1950 and became a US citizen, so you might know his developments in hemodialysis as coming from an American. Hs is known as the father of artificial organs, working on artificial hearts and kidneys especially. Today people in hospitals around the world are saved because of this Dutchman’s ingenuity and desire to help people who are sick. That is what still amazes me when I walk around hospitals today and see in how many ways we are able to help people. 

Do I deserve it?

There are various songs that talk about the grace of God. Some of my favorites talk about how grace means that I do not deserve it. About how amazing it is that `God would even think of me in giving His grace. That He doesn’t wait until I am “better” to offer me grace. He gives His most wonderful gift of life exactly when I need it - when I am dying. 

God through the apostle Paul puts it into words well in the letter to the Romans in chapter 5 and verse 6 through 8: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I have thought about this quite a bit in the past months. Many of my discussions and contacts with people are things that look to be going nowhere if I were looking at my life and task here as a job. In a job you are focused on production. I have worked at a pizza place, a hamburger place, a hotel as room service and as a teacher. I have needed to sell as many pizza’s as possible on my shift, make and serve hamburgers at the drive-thru and at the counter and hope that visitors to the hotel order room service so that I could get tips. Even as a teacher my work was measured by my production. 

As an evangelist the same thing can be done. Supporting congregations might look at a certain area and compare it with another. How many people are coming to the Lord in that country? Not as many in this country over here. We need to encourage the worker there to be more productive. Or we need to move our funds elsewhere. These are all normal thoughts and considerations. And they are thoughts in my head as well. I worry about whether I am using my time wisely. Should I be putting more time into people who clearly seem to not want to hear any good news? Should I just drop them and move on to others? Am I wasting my time and productivity? 

Then I wonder about how long God had to wait for me. I look at so many in the church and realize that God must have worked a long time on them (and me). If I think about all the people He put into my life, I am truly amazed. Amazed that He could love such a sinner as me. He put a lot of resources into my life. I know that some of the people have probably never heard anything about what they did in my life to bring me to a life of faith in this loving God. 

In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus tells a story about sheep and goats. I have shared this often with the young people here. The people in this story who are non-productive are those who do nothing and are not even aware of what they have not done. Those who are praised as good servants are those who have helped in daily matters for people who are often overlooked. 

Some of the people I spend time with seem to me to be quite obstinate. I have spoken to them often of the love of Christ, have shared and read the Bible with them and have prayed with and for them. They remain obstinate and deny the need for any help from this God. And still I continue to help them as I can. 

A man in prison calls me almost every day. He claims that he is the pope and has a strange way of looking at God. But he also prays for me and the contacts I have with others. It is difficult to visit him in prison (90 minutes away and with the usual bureaucracy). Another man is struggling with cancer and health issues. He has no one in his life because he has turned all away through his vitriolic way of talking with most people. A woman thinks that she can and needs to buy every kind of contact - even now that she is in a nursing home at an advanced age. She has no children, but she has money. She has recently begun to learn how to pray, simply talking to God. 

These are people that take time. I wonder sometimes if it is “worth” it. Then I remember God’s grace and mercy in my life. God wants us to be gracious as He is gracious, to show mercy as He shows mercy. That means even when they don’t seem to be listening. As a matter of fact, that is exactly when it is needed - when they do not understand the value of what is being offered. 

We have a walnut tree in our yard. If you didn't know what walnuts were, you would never think to pick up these ugly, dirty things rotting underneath the tree. Sometimes people cannot see the beauty of what is being offered. Sometimes we cannot see the beauty of what is before us. I thank God for His grace and mercy with me, for the people He brought into my life. Many of you are those people. Thank you for being full of grace, even when you could not see where it was leading. Please pray for us as we try to do the same in our lives here. 

Wild wonderful Wednesday

Once again, I am going to do something a bit different om this Wild Wonderful Wednesday. It is the first 5th Wednesday of the year (try saying that five times quickly!). And while we often have taken a walk somewhere, even if it is through our personal history (like this time), this month I would like to take you on a walk through our reading habits. 

Shirley and I both like to read or watch detective stories. Sherlock Holmes (in all versions, classic or modern), all of Agatha Christie’s characters (although the Belgian Hercule Poirot has a special place) and many other detectives make for fun and educative reading. We do not mind what the setting is. We have read Brother Cadfael mysteries set in the 13th century, Inspector Monk mysteries set in London of the 19th century, or Inspector Pitt mysteries set a bit later in the same city. 

On our last Home Assignment, David Cron took us downtown Los Angeles and mentioned a series with Detective Bosch which is set in LA (and we visited a building from one of the books). It was interesting to me that detective Bosch’s first name is Hieronymus. He is named after Jheronimus of Aken or Hieronymus Bosch, who was a Dutch painter from Brabant in the 15th century. The detective is not a painter, but the painter’s works are rather grotesque - which types of scenes detective Bosch often has to deal with. 

Last year I read a whole series about Owen Archer who is - can you guess - an archer who becomes a detective of sorts (or spy or apothecary) in the 14th century. It is wonderful how books can take you anywhere at all. The Foundation series from Isaac Asimov will even take you into outer space in the future. It’s science fiction, but it is basically a detective story. 

And these books have taken me to Canterbury, York and London. They have taken me to Shrewsbury and over the border into Wales. I have traveled with Maigret to Paris of the past or with Bosch to Los Angeles. Ray Bradbury has even taken me to Mars. Truly wild, wonderful destinations, all from the comfort of a nice, dry couch on any wet, dreary Belgian day. 

Where have you traveled in your reading? What do you like to read?  

Planning for the future

Ardennen Bijbelkamp (Ardennes Bible Camp in English or ABK for short) has been active in Belgium and the Netherlands since 1965 when a group of brothers and sisters bought land in the village of Solwaster, n9t far from the tourist town of Spa, Belgium. In all those years dedicated brothers and sisters have made good use of the location and the ever increasing facilities to spread the gospel, train up young men and women and have a place of growth for the churches in both countries.

My first contact with the camp was in 1981 when we first visited during a campaign from York College. In the two years I worked as an apprentice for evangelist Jim Krumrei (1982-1984) I helped as a counselor, teacher and organizer of camp activities. When we returned to Belgium and the Netherlands (in 1991) we jumped right into working with every opportunity we could at camp, including Fall camps, summer camps or maintenance of the grounds and buildings.
At some point I also stepped into a role helping design curriculum and then into a position on the board. ABK is an association set up with the various congregations in the Netherlands and Belgium. The association, with members and a board, helps to run the camp administratively and meets every year for a formal meeting in January. This year was no different except that we had a change in the board. This is a big thing, because the board has been the same for quite some time.
The president of the board is my colleague, Ruud Verheijen. He has noticed his health causing him some problems the last years and, looking to the future, knew that it was time to pass the baton. So he stepped down and we welcomed a new board member this past weekend. Robin Huyghebaert has been active in camp activities since he was 16 when he planned the first Winter Kamp. He also keeps up the website and directs camp regularly.
At this formal meeting (which is held in an informal manner, as you can see in the picture), we looked at how things went in 2023 and looked ahead to 2024 and further. We discussed one of the difficult decisions we have had to make in raising prices. Camp has always been focused on making sure that all can attend, and thankfully we can still do just that - even while raising prices.
It was exciting to have several of our young people at the meeting who are also very active in camp and youth activities. There is a dedicated group of brothers and sisters throughout the congregations who remain interested and active in ABK. This year we look forward to the normal camp weeks (3 youth weeks and a family week) as well as 2 VBK weeks (for 8-14 year-olds) in the Spring and Fall, a normal Fall weekend and hopefully a new camp week for 20+.
We are also looking at some major changes in the facilities as one of the first actual buildings will be demolished and replaced by a better building which will house new bathrooms and rooms for the team members who come to help run a week at camp. Although the renovations will not begin this summer, we hope that they will be finished by next summer’s camp weeks.
Camp remains an important part of mentoring, training, encouraging and teaching young people and all members of the congregations in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the beginning years it was also used extensively by the French-speaking churches. We continue to pray that this will return. In the meantime we are thankful that the French-speaking churches are still able to attend the Family Day organized every September. This year the congregation in Maastricht is organizing this special day at camp.
What are some of your memories of Bible camp? What place did Bible camp take in your spiritual formation? 

Interested in photos from camp? Look here. (Choose a year to look at and click the green button. Check out 1983 for fun.)

Where oh Where Wednesday: Curaçao

Many people have a certain picture in their mind when they think of a Caribbean island. Palm trees blowing softly in a warm wind as the seas gently roll in onto the sandy beaches which invite you to sit with a drink in your hand enjoying the sun. And some islands in the Caribbean probably fit this description. But I was surprised by the description of Curaçao given by inhabitants. 

Curaçao is one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) which are part of the kingdom of the Netherlands but lie just off the coast of Venezuela. Curaçao may have gotten its name early in its colonization in the 16th century because sailors who were left there with scurvy recovered after eating vitamin C rich fruit om the island. The island was then the island of healing. Another reason given for the name of the island is that this was the name of the indigenous people who lived there. 

During the 80 years war with the Spanish in the 17th century, the mighty Dutch navy took the islands from the Spanish. From that point forward the Dutch East India Company (the VOC) started colonizing the island. The capital, Willemstad, was established and settled. The city, and the island, were perfect for commerce of all types, including piracy. And of course the slave trade was well represented. 

The city of Willemstad is now a world heritage site and tourist destination. Its colorful houses show up in many pictures or movies about the Caribbean. The population of about 150,000 are from ethnicities. The slave trade, trade with South American countries, indigenous populations and all sorts of European peoples make as colorful a mix as the buildings along the blue seas. 

What surprised me the most was hearing that most of the country is quite desolate and dry. In the 20th century when Venezuela found oil, Shell set up a refinery on the island. But there is also a salt winning further inland. The coast looks like an ideal tourist destination, but driving into the middle of the island brings you to dry areas with cactus and stone. 

Many inhabitants of Curaçao come to the Netherlands to study or further their economic situation. The island inhabitants were first part of the Netherlands Antilles, but are now simply part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Although the Antilles guilder is used as currency, everyone is familiar with the euro. In the city and on the island people speak Papiemento and English, although many will also be able to speak or understand Dutch. 

The link between Curaçao and Maastricht is personal for us. Although a disgraced governor of Curaçao found a job in Maastricht back in the 19th century, we made a link when we helped a young family move to Maastricht from The Hague at the beginning of the 21st century. We also have worked together with a sister in the church in Eindhoven who is originally from Curaçao. Through her we also have contact with brothers and sisters in Alabama who have good contact with the church in Willemstad. You can find more information about the church in Willemstad at this link .

Technology Time

One of the things we have experienced since the covid measures imposed on people around the world is the blessing of technology time. At the beginning of the measures, when people were often restricted to their homes, many people turned to digital technology for all sorts of things. For some this meant that they became addicted to YouTube videos or gaming. For churches who were not able to 0meet together, this meant a scramble for ways to remain in contact with one another. 

Looking back on the years that followed we are thankful in Maastricht that we were able to continue meeting together. For many churches this was not always possible. In Belgium the churches were forbidden to meet together, so many met online together. In Maastricht we also were part of this digital congregation. As the measures were removed, many found this connection extremely useful, although for some it had become a crutch. 

Where some people ended up experiencing the ease of “church in your pajamas” as a time to remove themselves from fellowship, others realized that they would be able to get together more often because of these digital tools. 

Our Wednesday Bible study through the years moved from our home to the home of a sister who had more difficulty traveling to the building to the home of another member who was less mobile. This meant that we often could not get many members to the study. With our digital meeting we now are able to include almost all of our members, even during a heavy snow storm like last Wednesday (6 inches is “heavy” for us). 

Most recently we were even able to finally connect one of our older sisters who is computer illiterate to the sister’s study on Friday mornings. It has not been without difficulties. How do you explain to someone who has never used a computer as communication where the “red button” is (which is hidden until you move the “mouse” or “cursor”). Thankfully, it is possible and starting to work. 

We are thankful for the courage that appeared in each of the members during the time that fellowship was restricted (working within laws and rules, but doing all to facilitate fellowship). We are also thankful for the new ways that we have found to be together even more, encouraging one another in faith. We now use three different apps to stay connected and communicate. We use another app to meet online when needed. And we use other digital tools (including our website and a YouTube channel) to reach out. 

You can find our website here.

We recorded song to help one another sing and learn new songs.

Our instagram is something that is still being developed.

Whensday: Greenwich Mean Time

The BBC has a very recognizable way to announce the hour on the hour. The pip-pip-pip signaling the hour on the radio is known around the world. Anyone who has listened to BBC recognizes the sound. I first lived in the Netherlands in 1982 when I came to Haarlem to work as a missions apprentice under Jim Krumrei. At that time, learning Dutch, living on my own, far from family and in a new country and culture, it was nice to have something a little bit familiar. That was the BBC. 

In my apartment in the attic of the church building in Haarlem I had an old radio. It was amazing. These days everything can be found on the internet, but then it was great to have a radio that received long wave. This is not FM or MW (middle wave), but LW (long wave). It wasn’t easy to tune in. A lot of screechy, scratchy sounds until you passed by a clearer voice and stopped to see if you could recognize the language. You could hear radio stations from all over the world. My favorite, of course, was the BBC World Service. I could listen to radio plays and news in English. 

And Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is the time to which every other time is pegged. That was how I knew that to talk to Shirley (we were dating at the time) I had to figure 7 hours backwards. If it was 10am for me, it was only 3am for her. We still pay attention to the time difference, of course. We are set up pretty well with our sons since they are 6 hours behind. Our dinner is their lunch. We can eat together during our video chat. 

In 1924 that the BBC started using the pips to mark the hour om radio. BBC World Service still marks every hour with the 6 pips. In the Netherlands, the national radio service used 3 pips before the hour. I still use the pips to readjust the clock in my car which for some reason is not radio-controlled and runs fast. These days everything is digital, but my car its still analog and the BBC still sounds the pips. Those pips still give a feeling of ‘home’ and security when I hear them, bringing back memories of listening to the radio and thinking of people far away. 

Getting stronger, staying strong

It is a new year. Sometimes we use this time to decide to do new things. Sometimes we use it to get back to things we had wanted to do. It can be a time of new beginnings. The same is true for us. We often don’t realize that our bodies are getting bit older. I am often surprised at what I look like when I walk by a mirror. So we want to stay healthy and maybe even get stronger. 

Both Shirley and I try hard to eat well. We pay attention to what we eat and try not to overdo anything. Mind you, we also don’t stress out too much if we do something special every once in a while. The holidays were times to be with family and friends and enjoy those times, not obsess about how many sweets or fats we were eating. But we do try to keep things healthy. 

Both of us also try to keep our bodies physically healthy. Shirley has been trying to get a walk in every day and she takes me along with her when I am at home during the day. We both used to0 be able to do this with the dog, but Chester has been gone almost two years now. So getting out, in wind and rain and snow and cold has been a challenge. But it feels good. 

I try to keep up on some exercises for my core. While I will probably never have a six-pack (and don’t care that I do not), I want to make sure that the sitting I do doesn’t take over my body. Sometimes this means pushing myself to do things I feel less thrilled about doing. But it always feels good afterwards. And I notice that having this basic health helps in everyday life as well. 

The same applies to our spiritual life. We have been Christians for more than 40 years. We could (and sometimes do) get a bit ’squishy’ with our Bible knowledge or application. It is easy to think you have already figured everything out or have already read enough. And yet, every time I read the Bible - and there is not a part I have not read before - I am struck by what the father of my best friend always said: I always come across something new. We all live in seasons and God’s word applies to those seasons. So some things we only realize or learn in later life. 

Recently we have shared with several of the people we are mentoring weekly how we read and apply in our lives. Reading a bit of the New Testament with a bit of the Old Testament helps to keep things in perspective and helps in understanding the Old Testament beter. Reading the gospels again and adding bits of Proverbs or Psalms keeps things well-rounded and focused on Jesus, our King. 

And just like any exercise for our body, if we only watch a YouTube video about it or read about it from a guideline, it will not help our body. An exercise is only useful when we actually put it into practice. So too with our Bible reading. It has been exciting at the beginning of this year to see so many in the congregation in Maastricht doing just this. Not only have there been plenty of good questions about the Word, there have already been some good struggles in application. And it is clear that we, and others, want to keep it up as we continue into this new year. 

What are your habits for staying spiritually healthy? 

Whatsit Wednesday: Submarine

Many people don’t know that a good bit of the Netherlands is below sea level. “Nether” land is the land that is below or down or under. So the Dutch have always had a back for dealing with water. Dikes are a common thing in the landscape. Windmills were used to pump water out of areas, leaving land that could be used for housing and agriculture. And the Dutch navy was a thing to be feared in its day. 

Cornelius Drebbel was a Dutch engineer and inventor in the 17th century. He must not have been content with conquering water in all the normal ways that the Dutch had done, because he invented the first operational submarine - in 1620. Born in Alkmaar (where the cheese market courts tourists still today) he went to school in Haarlem where he learned engraving and was interested in alchemy. 

He first worked as an engraver and mapmaker, but this didn’t bring in enough money. At the end of the 16th century he patented  a sort of perpetual clockwork and later made a sort of magic lantern. He seemed to be a man of all trades who had an interest in many things. 

At the beginning of the 17th century he and his family moved to England, probably at the invitation of King James (of the Bible). Drebbel was accomplished in glass grinding and may have been the one, later, who taught Christiaan Huygens who was an astronomer and mathematician. It was while he was in England that he developed the submarine and worked on torpedoes and naval mines. 

Drebbel also developed a solar energy system, air conditioning and the predecessors of the barometer and thermometer. Then he developed harpsichords that played using solar energy. As mentioned, he had interests and capabilities in many fields. 

The submarine he developed for the Royal Navy (of England) in 1620 was a wooden frame covered by leather. His 3rd attempt or model could carry 16 passengers and stayed submerged for 3 hours. This model was demonstrated to King James I and could travel from Westminster to Greenwich and back. Drebbel even took King James in the submarine, making King James the first monarch to travel underwater. Still, the navy didn’t consider the contraption useful enough. 

Looking ahead

We have entered a new year, although we tend to look at things along the school year. So what does our coming year look like? That is what some o the members asked me yesterday after a wonderful worship time together. As I mentioned then, we cannot know what is coming, but we can know that God will be with us through everything that comes up. 

Here are some of the things we are looking forward to in 2024: 

We will continue holding our Games afternoons after worship on the 2nd Sundays. This has become a great time to get to know one another and to mix the generations. 

We are looking forward to various youth weekends and youth days in the year. The first one is planned for the end of January for kids 10 and older and will be held in Gent. We don’t know if any of our kids will go, but we are thankful for the various churches planning days and weekends. Basically there is some sort of youth activity somewhere in Belgium or the Netherlands each month. In April the church in Maastricht is planning another youth day like we held in the Fall of 2023. This year we hope to organize two of these days, one in the Spring and another in the Fall. 

Shirley and I are both looking forward to various seminar moments. February is the month for the Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) in Gemünden, Germany. Shirley might come along for the first time in a long time. We always had to leave one of us home for the dog in the past. In March, Shirley will be off with some of the ladies from Maastricht to the Ladies Retreat, also in Germany. 

Our involvement with Ardennes Bible Camp (ABK) will continue this year. The annual meeting is at the end of January. This year we are installing a new commission and planning some changes. I will be teaching at the Spring Vacation Bible Camp (VBK) in April and will lead the Benjamin Camp (8-11 year-olds) in the summer. We will also attend and help at Family Camp. The congregation in Maastricht will organize the Family Day at camp in September. 

We are also a singing congregation. We continue to meet every first Friday of the month to sing together and encourage one an other in song. Every third Wednesday Shirley and I go to the congregation in Eindhoven to sing with them. We may finally be able to set up a singing day in September with the congregation in Cologne and Liege (which we have missed for the last few years because of covid measures). And at the end of the year we want to reach out to our neighborhood and see how we can use our singing to encourage others. 

Along the way we are looking at a “Thanks Walk” on certain Saturdays throughout the year. This will be an opportunity not only to meet people in the neighborhood, but to encourage them to be thankful, as we hope that we are as well. We hope at some point in the year to maybe be blessed to travel to the US and see (and hold) our granddaughter, Sophia. We just missed meeting her in 2023 (she was born a few weeks after we passed through Indianapolis). In all of these activities and moments we will are thankful for the people in our lives, in the church, and those who help in so many ways. 

We do not really know what the year holds. No one does. We make plans and work toward doing what we hope to be able to do. We lean on God’s strength in each moment that we are given. And we are thankful for the grace and strength that He provides in each day. Keep close to Him and choose to follow Him every day. 

Whodunit Wednesday: Lambert Adolphe Quetelet

With a new year come all sorts of New Years resolutions. Often people are concerned with their health and what they look like. This means that diets or losing weight are often at the top of the list of these resolutions. Trying to figure out if you are at a healthy weight has for years come down to your “BMI” - your Body Mass Index. 

Wikipedia tells us: “BMI is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height, and is expressed in units of kg/m2, resulting from mass in kilograms (kg) and height in metres (m).” BMI can be used as a general rule of thumb to classify people in broad groups, but its limitations have come to light through the years of its use. It is limited in predicting health when used on people of shorter stature or those with a high muscle mass. 

Amazingly, this index was devised between 1830 and 1850 by Belgian astronomer and mathematician Adolphe Quintelet. He never intended the index to be used as a medical assessment, but instead was interested in the “average man” and what would be considered as a social ideal. A decade later these ideas would be used by proponents of Eugenics. 

The modern term “body mass index” was coined in 1972 by Ancel Keys as he discussed the topic of obesity. He mentioned that the index could be used for a broad population, but not for individual studies or evaluation. In the end, Quetelet’s formula has been used to discuss obesity in populations, but is not used as much anymore to determine one’s own individual health. More nuance is needed in an individual evaluation. 

So, be resolved. Make decisions to be healthy or to take more exercise. Just don’t get lost in the larger group or broader calls for what “you” need to do. And remember to continue to put your focus own what matters most in life - knowing God and following Him every day. 

Old and New

We love getting all of the Christmas or end-of-year letters with family pictures from so many of you whether it is digital or cards and letters. Thank you!

Our year was quite a mix of various activities and feelings. We celebrated our anniversary (as we so often do, since December is too busy), welcomed visitors from supporting congregations, visited family and supporting congregations, worked with camp, youth activities and church activities, welcomed a grand baby in the middle of the year as well as a new brother in Christ at the end of the year, said goodbye to a sister in Christ and prayed for many who are struggling with their health. Let me take a few minutes to run through some of the highlights. 

Travel:

Since our anniversary is in December, which is a very busy month, we tend to celebrate in January when things have settled down. We started out 2023 with a few days away in the city of Den Bosch and were blessed with some snow. 

In May and June we of course traveled throughout the US visiting church family and family. We hit all of our usual stops, but were also blessed this time to visit upstate New York, Connecticut and Chicago. We stopped through Sioux City, Iowa and the area of Graham, Texas as well. Thank you so much to all of you who put us up and put up with us. 

Later in the year we had a few French-speaking stops. We visited a concert of an acapella group we have known for some time in Lille, France. The week after we celebrated the 60th anniversary of our brother and sister in Christ from Liege, Belgium. We are so very thankful for the possibility to travel, to be mobile. When our car needed some much needed repairs near the end of the year, the congregation in Maastricht stepped up and helped us with those costs. 

Hello and goodbye:

A year is often full of hello’s and goodbye’s of all kinds. As we traveled, we were thankful to see friends and meet new people. But we also said goodbye in a more permanent way to people in our lives. We celebrated a sister’s life in Eindhoven as she went Home to her reward. Scott lost a nephew and brother in this year and Shirley lost a brother. 

But there were also hello’s in the year. We welcomed our first granddaughter, Sophia Ruby halfway through the year. At the end of December we welcomed Erik in new birth to a life in Christ. Many of you also lost loved ones and welcomed new ones. We are so thankful for family to share these difficult and wonderful; moments with. 

Active:

A whole year of activities is difficult to summarize. You can find a lot of the activities that we were involved in by checking out our pictures here. You can always find this site through the link on the blog: ravenraab.blogspot.com. 

Shirley went to the Ladies Retreat in March and the ladies of Maastricht organized a Ladies Day in November. These are times to bring together sisters from all around Europe or from the Netherlands and Belgium. It is so good to know that we are part of an amazing body of Christ. 

We welcomed two visits from our supporting congregations. Raymond Blasingame came from the 11th and Willis congregation in Abilene, Texas, stopping through on his around-the-world trip. Later we welcomed Jared Hawley from the Woodbury congregation in Minnesota. This was all before we were also able to visit so many on our own trip to the US. We are so thankful for so many who are so faithful in reaching out everywhere in the world with the gospel. 

Ardennen Bible Camp is a big part of what we do here. We spent a day down at camp as a congregation, meeting with our French-speaking brethren from Liege as well. We directed and taught at Teen camp and Family camp as well as helping with VBK (Vacation Bible Kamp) in the Fall. 

Our church family made good use of plenty of times to get together and encourage one another. We had a bbq at our place, organized a youth day for youth from around Belgium and the Netherlands, took a team to the COPA Benelux and had fun together every 2nd Sunday playing games. It is wonderful to share such a fellowship with this group of people who are so excited about helping one another grow in faith and love. 

Festive times were also part of our activities in the year. We helped with and attended a wedding, shared Thanksmas and Christmas and ended the year with an evening together to usher in the New Year in the Lord. We are thankful that God can use us in so many different ways and that this means that we get to see so many parts of the family of Christ. 

(This was New Year's Eve and a group of us went to our sister, Nel, to sing to her so that she was included in the festivities). 

On the Family Side:

We were of course very excited to be able to see family this year! Our last visit had been in 2019. Technology is great and we are very thankful for being able to see the people we get to talk to, but it doesn’t beat a hug. So being able to see and hug our family members was especially nice. 

Since we have returned from our trip plenty has happened as well. Stephan and Natalie welcomed Sophia Ruby to their family on June 29. We look forward to the day that we will be able to hold her  in our arms and really see her face. They are adjusting to life as parents and doing well in their work and family life. We are thankful that they are near Natalie’s family. 

Sean and Jill have very much adapted to life in the Big Apple. It was exciting when we visited to be able to see the places they experience every day. Sean has been working at a local school as assistant coach and, most recently, pre-kindergarten teacher. This is in addition to his continuing work with his music. Jill manages an upscale vintage clothing store and continues to use her photography and filming skills. 

Some of the biggest changes in our family life include losing family members. As mentioned, Scott’s nephew passed away. He was a young father waiting on the arrival of a second son. Since then his young son has arrived and we pray for his wife and sons as they miss him. Shirley’s brother, Roger passed away unexpectedly, as did Scott’s brother, Marc. We are thankful, once again, for family of all sorts who are there to care. 

As you look back on your year, consider how God has blessed you. Look at what you are thankful for and state it, to yourself and others. A new year has come, but as several have mentioned to me recently that is only a date on a calendar. We only really have the day we are living in. God is giving us time now to live. We pray that we will fill in those minutes with a life that will glorify Him and help others. We are so very thankful for this abundant life in Jesus Christ.