The Advanced Bible Study Series (ABSS) is a wekk-long seminar of Bible lessons to encourage and equip workers and Christians in Europe. This mid-week in February has always been a time of growth and encouragement to us when we get to go. We see co-workers from around Europe, enjoy some real meat in the lessons, have time to ponder difficult situations and share in some really good fellwoship with Christians from around Europe.
This year Scott presented a set of lessons on "Suffering and Glory" from 1 Peter. There were over 40 people present from Croatia, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, England, Ukraine and the US. This time Stephan was also able to attend since it was during his school vacation. (Sean stayed home with Shirley who was sick) Next year Scott will be helping to organize this event with Doyle Kee from Switzerland.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Shirley's neck
We got the results from the tests on Shirley's neck today. She has some advanced arthroses (wear and tear) of the neck. This is bothersome and rather early for her. More to the point, it may have also contributed to the real problem.
She also has three hernia's (a bulging of the stuff in between the disks) - between C5-C6, C6-C7 and between C7-D1. A hernia is not a problem on its own if it doesn't push agains a nerve. Unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening with two of Shirley's hernias. So the hernias are causing pain, causing the feeling in her arm to go away and even at times causing a loss of motor function.
She will continue to take it easy, take some medicine to reduce the swelling and some pain medication to be able to sleep at night. She is still able to function fairly normally during the day (the doctor's words), but should refrain from things that hurt.
A bit frustrating realizing that the arthroses is already present, but also nice to know that this isn't all in your head (although WE knew that!). The hernia can be reduced (the swelling) so that it doesn't push on the nerve, but this takes a long time. Thanks for your prayers. Continue to pray for comfort and courage.
She also has three hernia's (a bulging of the stuff in between the disks) - between C5-C6, C6-C7 and between C7-D1. A hernia is not a problem on its own if it doesn't push agains a nerve. Unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening with two of Shirley's hernias. So the hernias are causing pain, causing the feeling in her arm to go away and even at times causing a loss of motor function.
She will continue to take it easy, take some medicine to reduce the swelling and some pain medication to be able to sleep at night. She is still able to function fairly normally during the day (the doctor's words), but should refrain from things that hurt.
A bit frustrating realizing that the arthroses is already present, but also nice to know that this isn't all in your head (although WE knew that!). The hernia can be reduced (the swelling) so that it doesn't push on the nerve, but this takes a long time. Thanks for your prayers. Continue to pray for comfort and courage.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Sing and be happy!
At the end of January we always hold a meeting to satisfy the requirements for the group that runs camp. But since we have to get together, we always figure it is a good time to fellowship, so we sang! There has been a group of young people in Maastricht lately who love to sing and they came with. After all the coffee and tea, cakes and crumbs, they were still singing!
We already planned a special Wednesday evening to learn new songs with them with the congregation in Maastricht. What a joy to share this joy in the Lord!
We already planned a special Wednesday evening to learn new songs with them with the congregation in Maastricht. What a joy to share this joy in the Lord!
January Newsletter
Click here to download a pdf version of the newsletter. You can also simply read it here on the site and click on the pictures to view more of our pictures.
LIGHT in the Lowlands
Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the Netherlands
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
Dear brothers and sisters, family and friends,
When a new year begins, you feel like getting going, getting started - unless things just don’t seem to get started. This month has been a month of expectation and preparation for us, although plenty has gotten under way as well.
Youth and outreach
As in years past, 2007 will also have its share of activities focused on our youth and the youth in Belgium and the Netherlands. In Maastricht we are getting into the swing of holding a fun activity and a lesson activity every month. We are especially thrilled that our young people invite their friends as well to these activities. In January we planned a study evening so that I could summarize the first lessons from the “Getting to know the Bible” series. In addition to these local activities which are starting to really take off, we also have our youth weekends. Haarlem hosted a weekend this month which was focused on “The Internet” - how to use it safely and wisely.
Along a different tack, I mentioned last year that Karla, our colleague, had an opportunity to work with the local Catholic church. This happened because the people planning the activities for these young people don’t know anything about the Bible and knew in the village that Karla and Ruud do know about the Bible. So Karla was asked if she would present a lesson about what the Bible is. Along with this opportunity she is helping to form the activities for these young people. I was then also asked to help with the planning of a weekend, since I have experience in that area.
This whole situation is fairly unusual to say the least. I wondered if the Catholic church would mind someone from another church teaching the young people. So far, this has not been a problem. And we actually are looking forward to any conversation which might arise. It is good to know what you believe and why you believe it. But most of this is also for February and March, which means praying, preparing and waiting. Karla will present her lesson at the beginning of February and the youth weekend is at the end of March. Please keep these efforts in your prayers as well. We want to know Christ, and we want others to know Christ - and the power of his rising and life.
Lessons and church activities
In February I will present a series of lessons at ABSS (Advanced Bible Study Series) which is held each year in Germany. This is a good week of challenging lessons and good fellowship (and this is usually the only place we get to see snow!). It will be a challenge to prepare these lessons, hoping that they will also be an encouragement to those who come. But I know that I always learn so much more when preparing lessons.
In the meantime, it has also been exciting to see some recent changes in the congregation. Shadira has begun keeping up the website and Willemien keeps track of the birthdays. These may seem like small things, but they are very important. Our website is one of the ways we keep in touch with each other and birthdays are times of prayer for us as a congregation.
- Shadira at her birthday party -
Our young brother, Tim, recently stepped up and helped out wonderfully on a Sunday morning. He is one of a group of 30 or more young people between 18-30 who really want to encourage each other in their growth in the Lord. This is something that Tim has missed. It shows how important it is to make and keep contacts with your Christian brothers and sisters. In the coming months we are planning a new program with this group of young people (“we” being Luk Brazle, Ruud and Scott, and the young people themselves). We are looking forward to how this will develop and grow and what it can mean for the congregations throughout Belgium and the Netherlands.
My regular lessons reading the Bible have not yet begun in earnest due to sicknesses, but will begin fully in February. I have begun studying again with the international students and will keep you up to date on all of this next month.
PRAYER WARRIORS
Please keep the following in your prayers.
- My reading in the Bible with LJ, the Chinese PhD student.
- Our contact with young people in the village of Ruud and Karla (Veldwezelt).
- Development of a program for our older youth (18-30) and helping them to grow in their faith.
- Our upcoming youth activities in February and March. These contacts are going well, with our own young people and their friends.
- The “Getting to know the Bible” series coming up in March - for good visitors.
- Shirley and Ruud both deal with pain on a daily basis.
ON THE FAMILY SIDE . . .
Winter just can’t figure out if it wants to drop in or not. While we have heard of freak winter storms in the US, snow in California etc - we have been waiting on anything nearing freezing temperatures. In fact. the trees have begun blooming again and the flowers hardly went out of bloom. We had a few days when we thought it might have arrived (winter, that is), but then it simply whimpered off into the night. Stephan and Scott will be going to Germany in February and hope to see some Winter (and snow!) down there at that time.
Still, no real winter can have its advantages. Sean is able to get outside more when he wants, Shirley can dry clothes a lot easier at times, and biking to school is not such a hassle. So we are not complaining too much. We all enjoyed the Christmas break immensely, spending plenty of family time together. It is nice that this is still possible with two teenage boys. They enjoyed going to Antwerp to shoot off fireworks with the Brazles on New Year’s eve. We also had some good game time (we like Masterpiece, Trivial Pursuit, Boggle, Clue and cards) and the guys still got to play plenty with their friends. As a matter of fact, Stephan and Sean made another movie together (this one with a nerf battle) which will probably on line pretty soon.
Back to school has gone pretty well so far. Sean doesn’t really like going to school, but he does just fine. Stephan doesn’t mind going, and he is starting to pull things up. He took the PSAT in December and we have been communicating with school s in the States. This has helped him to realize that time is going faster than he might have thought. We will take the SAT and the ACT this Spring and look at some schools during our furlough this summer. This has also been a wake-up for Shirley and Scott - Stephan is already 17 and is growing up fast!
Shirley’s news this month has been a bit less cheery. In December we knew that there was something wrong, but didn’t know what. We still don’t know what, but we know that the pain has increased in her back and arm. She has been to the physical therapist and will go in for an EMG and CT scan at the beginning of February (keep an eye on the website for current info). This doesn’t keep her from doing most of what she wants to do, although it probably should! She cannot use her right arm without pain and is not always sleeping very well - but she is surviving and continues to be the joy in the house.
Scott has been able to go out to dinner a few times with various organizations he is part of: Chinese with the parent’s committee, french fries with the men after going carting, and johnny cakes on Shadira’s birthday. So he has been pretty happy. He of course has also had to have his teeth worked on (one of the times was an hour long!), but he is still alive.
- carting and chatting -
DID YOU KNOW?
Tidbits of information about Belgium and the Netherlands
That although the peoples of Belgium have been around since before the Romans arrived that the country of Belgium is only 176 years old?
Belgium became a separate country in 1830. At this time Belgium separated itself from the Netherlands.
That the Netherlands has a history stretching back to the 16th century, but it has only been a country in its present form for 191 years.
The Netherlands became a constitutional monarchy in 1815.
Belgium has always had a king while the Netherlands has had a queen since before the 1st World War.
EXTRAS
What’s coming up?
FEBRUARY
ABSS study week
Console weekend
MARCH
Getting to know the bIble
Youth day
APRIL
Youth weekend
THANKS!
- For the cards, calls, emails and holiday greetings
- For all those getting things ready for our furlough
- For your continued prayers and encouragement
We pray that you are enjoying the things that God has brought into your life, knowing that with Him all things are good.
LIGHT in the Lowlands
Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the Netherlands
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
Dear brothers and sisters, family and friends,
When a new year begins, you feel like getting going, getting started - unless things just don’t seem to get started. This month has been a month of expectation and preparation for us, although plenty has gotten under way as well.
Youth and outreach
As in years past, 2007 will also have its share of activities focused on our youth and the youth in Belgium and the Netherlands. In Maastricht we are getting into the swing of holding a fun activity and a lesson activity every month. We are especially thrilled that our young people invite their friends as well to these activities. In January we planned a study evening so that I could summarize the first lessons from the “Getting to know the Bible” series. In addition to these local activities which are starting to really take off, we also have our youth weekends. Haarlem hosted a weekend this month which was focused on “The Internet” - how to use it safely and wisely.
- learning about the internet and having fun! -
The feeling of expectation and preparation definitely applied to our outreach. We want to present the ‘Getting to know the Bible’ series again in March, so we have to prepare the invitations well ahead of time. In February we will have those printed and distributed so that we can personally invite people in March. We hope to have some good visitors for this series again, making some inroads into our local neighborhood.Along a different tack, I mentioned last year that Karla, our colleague, had an opportunity to work with the local Catholic church. This happened because the people planning the activities for these young people don’t know anything about the Bible and knew in the village that Karla and Ruud do know about the Bible. So Karla was asked if she would present a lesson about what the Bible is. Along with this opportunity she is helping to form the activities for these young people. I was then also asked to help with the planning of a weekend, since I have experience in that area.
This whole situation is fairly unusual to say the least. I wondered if the Catholic church would mind someone from another church teaching the young people. So far, this has not been a problem. And we actually are looking forward to any conversation which might arise. It is good to know what you believe and why you believe it. But most of this is also for February and March, which means praying, preparing and waiting. Karla will present her lesson at the beginning of February and the youth weekend is at the end of March. Please keep these efforts in your prayers as well. We want to know Christ, and we want others to know Christ - and the power of his rising and life.
Lessons and church activities
In February I will present a series of lessons at ABSS (Advanced Bible Study Series) which is held each year in Germany. This is a good week of challenging lessons and good fellowship (and this is usually the only place we get to see snow!). It will be a challenge to prepare these lessons, hoping that they will also be an encouragement to those who come. But I know that I always learn so much more when preparing lessons.
In the meantime, it has also been exciting to see some recent changes in the congregation. Shadira has begun keeping up the website and Willemien keeps track of the birthdays. These may seem like small things, but they are very important. Our website is one of the ways we keep in touch with each other and birthdays are times of prayer for us as a congregation.
- Shadira at her birthday party -
My regular lessons reading the Bible have not yet begun in earnest due to sicknesses, but will begin fully in February. I have begun studying again with the international students and will keep you up to date on all of this next month.
PRAYER WARRIORS
Please keep the following in your prayers.
- My reading in the Bible with LJ, the Chinese PhD student.
- Our contact with young people in the village of Ruud and Karla (Veldwezelt).
- Development of a program for our older youth (18-30) and helping them to grow in their faith.
- Our upcoming youth activities in February and March. These contacts are going well, with our own young people and their friends.
- The “Getting to know the Bible” series coming up in March - for good visitors.
- Shirley and Ruud both deal with pain on a daily basis.
ON THE FAMILY SIDE . . .
Winter just can’t figure out if it wants to drop in or not. While we have heard of freak winter storms in the US, snow in California etc - we have been waiting on anything nearing freezing temperatures. In fact. the trees have begun blooming again and the flowers hardly went out of bloom. We had a few days when we thought it might have arrived (winter, that is), but then it simply whimpered off into the night. Stephan and Scott will be going to Germany in February and hope to see some Winter (and snow!) down there at that time.
Still, no real winter can have its advantages. Sean is able to get outside more when he wants, Shirley can dry clothes a lot easier at times, and biking to school is not such a hassle. So we are not complaining too much. We all enjoyed the Christmas break immensely, spending plenty of family time together. It is nice that this is still possible with two teenage boys. They enjoyed going to Antwerp to shoot off fireworks with the Brazles on New Year’s eve. We also had some good game time (we like Masterpiece, Trivial Pursuit, Boggle, Clue and cards) and the guys still got to play plenty with their friends. As a matter of fact, Stephan and Sean made another movie together (this one with a nerf battle) which will probably on line pretty soon.
Back to school has gone pretty well so far. Sean doesn’t really like going to school, but he does just fine. Stephan doesn’t mind going, and he is starting to pull things up. He took the PSAT in December and we have been communicating with school s in the States. This has helped him to realize that time is going faster than he might have thought. We will take the SAT and the ACT this Spring and look at some schools during our furlough this summer. This has also been a wake-up for Shirley and Scott - Stephan is already 17 and is growing up fast!
Shirley’s news this month has been a bit less cheery. In December we knew that there was something wrong, but didn’t know what. We still don’t know what, but we know that the pain has increased in her back and arm. She has been to the physical therapist and will go in for an EMG and CT scan at the beginning of February (keep an eye on the website for current info). This doesn’t keep her from doing most of what she wants to do, although it probably should! She cannot use her right arm without pain and is not always sleeping very well - but she is surviving and continues to be the joy in the house.
Scott has been able to go out to dinner a few times with various organizations he is part of: Chinese with the parent’s committee, french fries with the men after going carting, and johnny cakes on Shadira’s birthday. So he has been pretty happy. He of course has also had to have his teeth worked on (one of the times was an hour long!), but he is still alive.
- carting and chatting -
DID YOU KNOW?
Tidbits of information about Belgium and the Netherlands
That although the peoples of Belgium have been around since before the Romans arrived that the country of Belgium is only 176 years old?
Belgium became a separate country in 1830. At this time Belgium separated itself from the Netherlands.
That the Netherlands has a history stretching back to the 16th century, but it has only been a country in its present form for 191 years.
The Netherlands became a constitutional monarchy in 1815.
Belgium has always had a king while the Netherlands has had a queen since before the 1st World War.
EXTRAS
What’s coming up?
FEBRUARY
ABSS study week
Console weekend
MARCH
Getting to know the bIble
Youth day
APRIL
Youth weekend
THANKS!
- For the cards, calls, emails and holiday greetings
- For all those getting things ready for our furlough
- For your continued prayers and encouragement
We pray that you are enjoying the things that God has brought into your life, knowing that with Him all things are good.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
A nice story
I have been reading the Bible with a Chinese PhD student since Fall last year. We have read through John and finished Luke last night. LJ always has very good questions and comments on the story and on what it means for life. She says herself that she believes in God, even though that is not a common thing.
Last night we read the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. "Whoa!" she said when we finished. "That's quite a story. But I see it as a very nice story." Her emphasis was on the 'storyness' of it. She has stated various times how hard it is for her to accept some of the things that we are reading. And from the beginning I have let her know that she is not alone. In this text we even see the disciples who just saw Jesus in Emaaus and then are surprised to see him alive when they return to Jerusalem!
Jesus dying is something that many people may not like (it is gruesome and extremely sad) but are willing to accept. After all, we see examples everyday of man's injustice to man. But a resurrection? I realized last night how difficult that is when I saw it through her eyes. In the West we are used to hearing the story (and perhaps accepting without thought and thereby latently rejecting it). She is coming from a different place in thought.
As we left the library she reminded me that there are things in Asian thinking that are difficult for Westerners to understand as well. "So don't be upset if I cannot accept this right now," she said, with hope in her eyes of being able to understand it at some later date. It has been good for ME to look at this 'nice story' and see what I really accept and believe and what it means to my life.
Last night we read the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. "Whoa!" she said when we finished. "That's quite a story. But I see it as a very nice story." Her emphasis was on the 'storyness' of it. She has stated various times how hard it is for her to accept some of the things that we are reading. And from the beginning I have let her know that she is not alone. In this text we even see the disciples who just saw Jesus in Emaaus and then are surprised to see him alive when they return to Jerusalem!
Jesus dying is something that many people may not like (it is gruesome and extremely sad) but are willing to accept. After all, we see examples everyday of man's injustice to man. But a resurrection? I realized last night how difficult that is when I saw it through her eyes. In the West we are used to hearing the story (and perhaps accepting without thought and thereby latently rejecting it). She is coming from a different place in thought.
As we left the library she reminded me that there are things in Asian thinking that are difficult for Westerners to understand as well. "So don't be upset if I cannot accept this right now," she said, with hope in her eyes of being able to understand it at some later date. It has been good for ME to look at this 'nice story' and see what I really accept and believe and what it means to my life.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Stephan free running
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Let's get started!
Just before Christmas we had the chance to take a break at a bungalow park. A good book, good company and some good snacks - what more do you need? Well, a great indoor pool and some things to jump over (see the rest of the pictures under the set 'Vennebos') help things along. We had a very restful and renewing time. Now we are ready to jump in to the new year. What will we discover this year? I don't know, but I know it's going to be great if God is leading!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Early Christmas
We received some special presents from Yayoi and "Mama", Ken Yamashita's sister and mother. We met them this past summer before Ken's wedding. It was a wonderful time of new relationships and challenging conversations (we don't speak Japanese and "Mama" doesn't speak English). These beautiful cups and some delicious Japanese candy made a great start to the Christmas day. Now we just have to translate the letter we also received - and we're looking forward to it!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Learn Dutch!
Just ran into this over on Joel Muller's site. Amazing! If you want to learn Dutch, here are all the makings. Go here and have fun.
End-of-year summary
Click here to download a pdf version of our end-of-year letter with pictures. You can also simply read it here on the site and click on the pictures to view more of our pictures.
Sing
Listen Up! spent most of the year trying to finish up recording their second CD.
They spent 14 trips to the studio to record 12 songs with 5 voices.
In the meantime they also performed 3 times during the year.
OUCH!
Sean visited the physical therapist, the hospital, the doctor and the orthodontist more than 20 times this year. Of course most of those were his trip to the physical therapist. Sean’s leg started growing faster than the rest of his body which gave him a bit of pain. Now his body has caught up!
His soccer injuries were definitely not to be ignored either. He had to have a finger x-rayed and a sonogram for his leg after being kicked inappropriately. Mind you, we were VERY HAPPY that we were able to get him into soccer at all. He is now recovered from his most recent injury to his ribs. We’ll see what comes next.
295
The number of young people in total who were present at the 7 youth weekends, 5 camp weeks or weekends, and 6 youth days.
These young people came from at least 10 different cities from all around Belgium and the Netherlands.
The weekends were held in four different cities and organized by the various local congregations and a ‘youth team’ which Scott helps with.
Sing
Listen Up! spent most of the year trying to finish up recording their second CD.
They spent 14 trips to the studio to record 12 songs with 5 voices.
In the meantime they also performed 3 times during the year.
OUCH!
Sean visited the physical therapist, the hospital, the doctor and the orthodontist more than 20 times this year. Of course most of those were his trip to the physical therapist. Sean’s leg started growing faster than the rest of his body which gave him a bit of pain. Now his body has caught up!
His soccer injuries were definitely not to be ignored either. He had to have a finger x-rayed and a sonogram for his leg after being kicked inappropriately. Mind you, we were VERY HAPPY that we were able to get him into soccer at all. He is now recovered from his most recent injury to his ribs. We’ll see what comes next.
295
The number of young people in total who were present at the 7 youth weekends, 5 camp weeks or weekends, and 6 youth days.
These young people came from at least 10 different cities from all around Belgium and the Netherlands.
The weekends were held in four different cities and organized by the various local congregations and a ‘youth team’ which Scott helps with.
Bridegrooms and brides were also part of our year in 2006. We are far from celebrating any of this for our own children (at least, that’s what we hope!), but our family is broader than our blood relatives. We were pleased to take part in or celebrate in a special way 3 very special weddings this year.
Björn and Stephanie were students in Maastricht when they were part of the church here. We are so pleased to be able to see them continuing to grow in the Lord and together. Ken Yamashita is our Dutch-Japanese brother. He married his Dutch sweetheart, Elizabeth, and we were able to meet his mother and sister in the weekend of the ceremony. Paul and Iva married in Prague, but Listen Up! was pleased to be able to sing for their reception when they returned to the Netherlands.
LESSons were a major part of the year, as with each year. Lessons for the Wednesday evening studies with the congregation, for youth weekends, for camp weeks, for studies with international students for the PEL and for outreach.
In this year we spent at least 88 hours reading and studying the Bible in English. Scott and Shirley both take time to meet regularly with people who are interested in bettering their English using the Bible. Scott also volunteers teaching a beginning English course at the Red Cross center for asylum seekers (refugees).
23 The number of meetings in which Scott has taken part as member, secretary or chair. Some are more interesting than others, of course. There are meetings to decide how the Bible camp will be run and better used. There are organizations where Scott takes part in the local community (school and local newspaper). And there are meetings with the brothers to help decide where we are going.
We distributed 5000 FLYers in the neighborhood of our meeting place while we enjoyed the company of three Canadian students and their supervisor. From these cards we had 7 good visitors to our course on “Getting to know the Bible.” We will be repeating this course in 2007, so keep this in your prayers.
But numbers only tell a part of the story, as you all know.
Sean’s year was pretty much dominated by the struggle around playing soccer. Early in 2006 his body was protesting against all the growing going on. His legs and knees were always hurting and Sean worried that he might never get to play soccer. After working with a physical therapist to loosen up his joints, things were looking up, until the Fall when we realized that his team in Belgium would be playing games on Sunday mornings. But in the end, we were able to find a team in Maastricht - the Dutch teams play on Saturdays. This hasn’t stopped the pain (see “Ouch” on the other page), but has increased the pleasure of being able to play.
This year for Stephan has pretty much been a year of new and old, growing up and still having fun (yes, those two go together!)
Stephan continued being the gracious, loving young man that he has always been - making friends among the adults as well as being a good friend in his own circles. He has tested himself with basketball, training his body and trying to persevere. He too, like Sean, has had to make some difficult decisions, since his team plays all their home games on Sunday mornings. But he knows where his priorities lie. He has built on his frinedships through sport, camp, weekends and everyday evenings together.
Shirley was able to travel a bit this year. As usual she was blessed by the Ladies retreat in Germany in March, but she also spent some time traveling at other times through the year. She went to Paris with her neighbor/friend, to Amsterdam and Haarlem with the ladies from the church and to the west of Belgium with Scott. This year has been a time of finding new boundaries as she has also discovered the internet. She was able to plan the special few days she and Scott spent together as well as the end of year break with the whole family.
This has been a challenging year with blessings for Scott. His teaching continued as normal with lessons for the camp weeks, youth weekends and studies both international and otherwise. Getting the CD ready with Listen Up! and starting some new activities in the neighborhood (like working with a local newspaper) were real challenges. The moments of peace with Shirley and the boys were very welcome. This was also the first year in the last five that Listen Up! did not do any concerts around the holidays so that the families could spend time together.
We have been VERY blessed (again!) this year. Isn’t it great how God takes care of that each and every day! As we grow together, getting to know each other better each day, we are so thankful for the grace that God shows us. And we are thankful for how broad our family is. This year we enjoyed so many times with our Christian family (Family Day at camp, a ‘family reunion’, bbq’s) as well as the times we spent together. We have such a wonderful God!
Björn and Stephanie were students in Maastricht when they were part of the church here. We are so pleased to be able to see them continuing to grow in the Lord and together. Ken Yamashita is our Dutch-Japanese brother. He married his Dutch sweetheart, Elizabeth, and we were able to meet his mother and sister in the weekend of the ceremony. Paul and Iva married in Prague, but Listen Up! was pleased to be able to sing for their reception when they returned to the Netherlands.
LESSons were a major part of the year, as with each year. Lessons for the Wednesday evening studies with the congregation, for youth weekends, for camp weeks, for studies with international students for the PEL and for outreach.
In this year we spent at least 88 hours reading and studying the Bible in English. Scott and Shirley both take time to meet regularly with people who are interested in bettering their English using the Bible. Scott also volunteers teaching a beginning English course at the Red Cross center for asylum seekers (refugees).
23 The number of meetings in which Scott has taken part as member, secretary or chair. Some are more interesting than others, of course. There are meetings to decide how the Bible camp will be run and better used. There are organizations where Scott takes part in the local community (school and local newspaper). And there are meetings with the brothers to help decide where we are going.
We distributed 5000 FLYers in the neighborhood of our meeting place while we enjoyed the company of three Canadian students and their supervisor. From these cards we had 7 good visitors to our course on “Getting to know the Bible.” We will be repeating this course in 2007, so keep this in your prayers.
But numbers only tell a part of the story, as you all know.
Sean’s year was pretty much dominated by the struggle around playing soccer. Early in 2006 his body was protesting against all the growing going on. His legs and knees were always hurting and Sean worried that he might never get to play soccer. After working with a physical therapist to loosen up his joints, things were looking up, until the Fall when we realized that his team in Belgium would be playing games on Sunday mornings. But in the end, we were able to find a team in Maastricht - the Dutch teams play on Saturdays. This hasn’t stopped the pain (see “Ouch” on the other page), but has increased the pleasure of being able to play.
This year for Stephan has pretty much been a year of new and old, growing up and still having fun (yes, those two go together!)
Stephan continued being the gracious, loving young man that he has always been - making friends among the adults as well as being a good friend in his own circles. He has tested himself with basketball, training his body and trying to persevere. He too, like Sean, has had to make some difficult decisions, since his team plays all their home games on Sunday mornings. But he knows where his priorities lie. He has built on his frinedships through sport, camp, weekends and everyday evenings together.
Shirley was able to travel a bit this year. As usual she was blessed by the Ladies retreat in Germany in March, but she also spent some time traveling at other times through the year. She went to Paris with her neighbor/friend, to Amsterdam and Haarlem with the ladies from the church and to the west of Belgium with Scott. This year has been a time of finding new boundaries as she has also discovered the internet. She was able to plan the special few days she and Scott spent together as well as the end of year break with the whole family.
This has been a challenging year with blessings for Scott. His teaching continued as normal with lessons for the camp weeks, youth weekends and studies both international and otherwise. Getting the CD ready with Listen Up! and starting some new activities in the neighborhood (like working with a local newspaper) were real challenges. The moments of peace with Shirley and the boys were very welcome. This was also the first year in the last five that Listen Up! did not do any concerts around the holidays so that the families could spend time together.
We have been VERY blessed (again!) this year. Isn’t it great how God takes care of that each and every day! As we grow together, getting to know each other better each day, we are so thankful for the grace that God shows us. And we are thankful for how broad our family is. This year we enjoyed so many times with our Christian family (Family Day at camp, a ‘family reunion’, bbq’s) as well as the times we spent together. We have such a wonderful God!
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
October-November Newsletter
LIGHT in the Lowlands
Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the NetherlandsOCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2006
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19
Dear brothers and sisters, family and friends,
It is wonderful, exciting, a bit scary and amazing to see how God can and wants to use us every day!
- Stephan, Willemien and Ruud -
There are so many things that have been done these past two months and I could list them all, but instead I want to tell you about our colleagues, Ruud and Karla Verheijen. You prayed for Ruud last year after the summer camp season - he had a car accident which landed him in the hospital for quite some time with a broken hip. He now knows that he also has severe rheumatism, five hernias and the broken hip wjhich is not healing because of the rheumatism. In the meantime, bills continue, their four girls continue growing up, and the church is a daily desire in their lives. So what do you do when you can’t or shouldn’t be doing so much?
When Fall camp arrived at the end of October, Ruud made sure that all the young peopl who wanted to go had a ride. His car can seat seven people, so whether he drove or not, his car took kids down to camp. At the end of November when the next youth weekend was held, he and Karla encouraged their daughters to go. They don’t do this because they have to, but because they love God with all that they are and want thier children to know that love as well. It is their ideas and encouragement that gets the youth activities in Maastricht going and continuing. Because of their example, their daughters regularly invite their own friends to activities also.
Ruud is the one in the church who glues the mebers together. He is always issuing some good challenges, pushing the members to stretch themselves in their faith. And he is the first one to call, email or just talk to someone to make sure they are doing okay.
They are both just as excited as I am with the studies with LJ, who is weekly asking who God is and what it means to follow Jesus. They know when my studies are and are praying for me. They know the othe rpeople we study with and take every opportunity to get to know them better and tell them about God.
So a month full of pains, a house full of teenage girls and the cares that come with them, a table full of bills that need to be paid - these are all challenges to see the mighty and loving hand of God in their life. They don’t always have a smile on their face and are sometimes just plain tired, but they keep on holding on because they know who God is.
We are so thankful that we have co-workers like Ruud and Karla. This is what it means to lead a life with Christ. Every child of Christ is a member of the body - and this body of Christ is ACTIVE and able, with His might, to do amazing things!
We want to thank so many of you, who also share in this work through all that you do. It is so good to see God’s hand working in our lives and the lives of the people here.
PRAYER WARRIORS
Please keep the following in your prayers.
- Pray for Ruud and Karla as they struggle with Ruud’s health issues. They are such an example of faith - to us and those around them.
- Continue to pray for “LJ” from China who is studying the Bible and hearing the story of Jesus in its entirety for the first time. Pray for her heart and the Holy Spirit working in her.
- Praise God for our outreach in October and November. We were able to reach a few people this time and look forward to the next time we hold this class. Keep this in your prayers as we continue to talk with those who followed the course.
KID'S KORNER
Communication
There are so many ways to communicate. Talking, body language, looks that can kill. But there is also technology to help with communication. These days you can email, MSN, sms, chat, or even write a letter.
Sean and Stephan both have friends from the youth weekends they chat with. Sean has a cell phone, but since he can’t use it at school and the time costs too much, it has basically become a fancy toy.
As you have been able to read here, they both also put up videos. Sean keeps a blog and they like keeping in touch. But neither of them ever really writes a letter.
What communication methods do you use most? Do you ever write letters? Communicate with us!
e-mail Stephan at: greenleaf@tele2allin.be
e-mail Sean at: dudeis2cool4u@hotmail.com
ON THE FAMILY SIDE . . .
October and November flew by - and we aren’t even really in Fall yet! The weather here has been extremely mild for the year. They have even been talking about heat waves (for this time of year). Mind you, our visitor from Ghana didn’t find it to be much of a heat wave. But we have enjoyed the soft weather and the things we could do.
Sean has been enjoying his soccer team and enduring school. He does well with both, but it is obvious which one is his favorite (which is no surprise). He has had to put up with some pretty hard beatings recently, though. In October he was kicked from behind and had to be taken off the field with a calf injury. We had a sonogram done just to be sure that nothing really bad was done, but the pain lasted a good week and a half. In November he was injured again - again while making a goal. This time the goalie slid into him with his feet held high. He ran straight into Sean’s chest, putting holes in his shirt and bruising a rib. Sean was carried off again. His greatest pain however was that they didn’t allow his goal and even gave the other team a free kick. Thankfully his team is on a winter stop right now so he has plenty of time to recover (and it is going quite well). And you thought American football was rough!
In the meantime Sean continues to make crazy videos when he gets a chance. Most recently he was asked by the webmaster of the Genk soccer team (professional team that Sean supports) if Sean could take videos of the games. He had seen a video that Sean had made of one of the matches and liked what he saw. So Sean’s desire to become the next Peter Jackson or such is well on its way. MOst importantly, he enjoys himself with these things and it lets his creativity out.
October was of course also the time for Stephan’s birthday. He had two friends over for a games and video evening. It is amazing to think that he is now 17! Where has the time all gone? But it is so thrilling to see how he is growing up (and at times thoroughly frightening trying to let go). Stephan has, with typical dizzying speed, gone through several different interests and rediscovered old ones again. He took a PSAT test in preparation for the SAT coming up in the Spring. There are no firm plans, but we want to have all avenues open. Interestingly enough, language was the hardest part of the test - not reading or such, but simply understanding the terms in a math question. We are working on that.
Shirley struggled with some recurring pain in the neck and heel. We checked out the possibility of rheumatism and found that she needed some special soles in any case. These have helped to take the heel pain away. Thankfully, this was not enough to stop Scott and Shirley from spending a day together in Utrecht. We were able to hear some great music, visit some nice shops and spend some good time together.
We also enjoyed the visit from ‘our Canadians’ at the end of October, beginning of November. Eric Nyrose, who worked with Scott 20+ years ag0, brought a three of his students for a few days work in Maastricht. We enjoyed catching up on the years gone by as well.
THANKS!
- For your responses on the blog, your cards and calls and your encouragement
- For your prayers for the work here, we really need your support.
What’s coming up?
DECEMBER
Youth and family activities
JANUARY 2007
Youth weekend
Camp meeting
“Get to know the Bible” course
International studies
We pray that these days have been a blessing to you as you experience God each and every day.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Rescue 9-1-1
This past weekend we had a youth weekend in Eindhoven with the theme "Rescue 9-1-1". We wanted to not only let the young people see the need for being rescued, but also that we can be part of the rescue team. It was a pleasure to be able to be with this group again - helping teach, laughing, learning new things. Almost all of the things we did in the weekend had some connection with the theme.
We went swimming and were confronted with 'rescuers' (which is what the lifeguards are called in Dutch), although thankfully no one needed it (other than being told not to run along the edge of the pool!) Back at the building we heard from a woman about refugees and how they are helped, what their situation is. The we also put together some shoeboxes for kids who don't get any presents. The young people had used their own money or had collected their own things to put in these boxes. It was encouraging to see their willingness to share in this way. That evening we watched Tom Hanks in "The Terminal".
- filling boxes of shared goodies -
But even back in Maastricht I was struck by this theme as we finished off the "Get to know the BIble" series. The people who attended really don't know their situation (even though they say they do) and how close rescue really is. It has been encouraging to meet and study with the Chinese woman who is really quite interested and willing to hear. On Sunday our visiting brother from Ghana (Donkor has been studying in Maastricht for the last three months) also talked about the need to realize that Maastricht was dying. We need rescue and the Rescuer is ready. He wants us to help out and see the urgency!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
A song in our heart
This past weekend was a singing one - and we enjoyed it tremendously! On Saturday we had a Family day organized by the congregation in Antwerp. The theme was "Sing with the Lord" and they had planned some singing and some listening to a group from Paris. Unfortunately, the group from Paris couldn't make it (we hope to hear from them in the future) because of car trouble. But that meant that we had lots more time to sing!
Paul Brazle had asked Johan Huyghebaert and me to prepare one of our favorite songs and share that. Later, because we had extra time, we were able to let others also share their favorite songs and why they meant so much. And then we sang! It is amazing what God has given us in song - simply the ability to mix emotion with understanding, heart with head, is so fulfilling. It was a great day of fellowship.
The next day Karla Verheijen had a concert with her choir from the village they live in. Mozart and (Michael) Hadyn enlivened the afternoon. Wonderful soloists and a great choir. Afterwards we went to the community center to spend some time together. Several members of the church came to the concert to support Karla that day. Some came from three hours away! It is great to be a part of this family.
Oh and by the way, I have even gotten started on that novel! Probably won't make the 50,000 before the end of the month, but who knows.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Getting to know you
The past few weeks have been really busy, but good. Let me quickly update you on what has been going on (since I haven't done that yet!).
- "Our" Canadians-
At the end of October/beginning of November we had a group of students from ABC (Alberta Bible College) visit to help us out and take part in a ministry experience. What that meant for us in Maastricht was that they helped us distribute some new cards in our neighborhood, talked to our young people, and played some discgolf while I talked to people along the way. It was great getting to know them and we are so thankful for what they were able to do.
- after distributing -
To be honest, distributing has never been one of my favorite methods. When I first came on campaigns (way back in the early 80's) with a group from York, we distributed thousands (over 70,000 if I remember right) folders in all sorts of places. You remember a lot of stairs and doors, but don't meet a lot of people. Of course, when you can't speak the language, there isn't much else to do about that.
Still, getting several thousand folders out into a neighborhood is still a good way to let people know that you are there.
We passed out a card that looked like a favorite sticker on many of the mailboxes here. The real sticker says "NO - I don't want any unaddressed advertisements / YES - I want the weekly newspapers". Our card said "NO - I don't want an eternal search / YES - I want real life in Jesus". On the back of the card we list the various activities of the congregation.
Along with this card we also distributed a card inviting them to a course we designed to "Get to know the Bible". When I went around the neighborhood to invite people personally and see if they remembered the cards, I was actually surprised by the results. Almost no one remembered the sticker-like card (which was designed to be remarkable). But several people remebered the invitation. That was also why they let me know quite quickly that they were not interested - but the had seen it.
I also had some good reactions to the card / invitation from the editorial team of the neighborhood newspaper I work with. They had all seen it and I was able to talk with them about it on a trip we all took together. But the best reaction so far has been from a woman who got the card from her mother. She saw that we haev a ladies club and was interested. I let her know that we were beginning a course on getting to know the Bible. She came to that, went to the ladies club two days later and completed the three-day course that evening. We are looking forward to getting to know her better. Please keep this in your prayers.
Pray also for the continuation of the course. I repeat the first three lessons next week and then move on to lessons 4-6 for those who are really interested in finding out what is in the Bible. Thanks for stopping by and for your continued support and encouragement! It is great getting to know so many people and seeing how wonderful our God truly is.
- "Our" Canadians-
- after distributing -Still, getting several thousand folders out into a neighborhood is still a good way to let people know that you are there.
We passed out a card that looked like a favorite sticker on many of the mailboxes here. The real sticker says "NO - I don't want any unaddressed advertisements / YES - I want the weekly newspapers". Our card said "NO - I don't want an eternal search / YES - I want real life in Jesus". On the back of the card we list the various activities of the congregation.Along with this card we also distributed a card inviting them to a course we designed to "Get to know the Bible". When I went around the neighborhood to invite people personally and see if they remembered the cards, I was actually surprised by the results. Almost no one remembered the sticker-like card (which was designed to be remarkable). But several people remebered the invitation. That was also why they let me know quite quickly that they were not interested - but the had seen it.
I also had some good reactions to the card / invitation from the editorial team of the neighborhood newspaper I work with. They had all seen it and I was able to talk with them about it on a trip we all took together. But the best reaction so far has been from a woman who got the card from her mother. She saw that we haev a ladies club and was interested. I let her know that we were beginning a course on getting to know the Bible. She came to that, went to the ladies club two days later and completed the three-day course that evening. We are looking forward to getting to know her better. Please keep this in your prayers.
Pray also for the continuation of the course. I repeat the first three lessons next week and then move on to lessons 4-6 for those who are really interested in finding out what is in the Bible. Thanks for stopping by and for your continued support and encouragement! It is great getting to know so many people and seeing how wonderful our God truly is.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
NaNoWriMo
For those of you who don't know what that is (and that could be quite a few!) - National Novel Writing Month is in November (and isn't really "National", since I can take part). In the month of NOvember there are a bunch of crazies who try to write at least 50,000 words before the end of the month.
I have wanted to get back into writing for some time. At the end of the summer I tried my hand at some "flash" writing (2500 words a day, 10 days in a row). This is different cake - especially since I haven't even gotten started yet!
Fortunately, it sounds like I am not the only one. Unfortunately I am not the only one who can say that I am really busy (I am - especially this month!), or that I have lots of rquirements for my time. In any case, you may not hear from me here for a little while (suprise, surprise for those of you who check in every day and are terribly disappointed to find the same post - still!)
But I may let you read my novel when it gets done.
I have wanted to get back into writing for some time. At the end of the summer I tried my hand at some "flash" writing (2500 words a day, 10 days in a row). This is different cake - especially since I haven't even gotten started yet!
Fortunately, it sounds like I am not the only one. Unfortunately I am not the only one who can say that I am really busy (I am - especially this month!), or that I have lots of rquirements for my time. In any case, you may not hear from me here for a little while (suprise, surprise for those of you who check in every day and are terribly disappointed to find the same post - still!)
But I may let you read my novel when it gets done.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Discgolf and time together
This weekend the boys are off to Fall Camp and for the first time in a long time I am not responsible for anything during this weekend. That means that Shirley and I can spend some good time together, alone. We are looking forward to it.
In the meantime, check out this video I put together on the discgolfing we are trying to get started here in Maastricht. We hope to be able to use this also to meet people and connect them. The text is in Dutch (I will be using it for a newspaper article as well) but I think you can get the gist of things :-)
Time to go be alone together now.
In the meantime, check out this video I put together on the discgolfing we are trying to get started here in Maastricht. We hope to be able to use this also to meet people and connect them. The text is in Dutch (I will be using it for a newspaper article as well) but I think you can get the gist of things :-)
Time to go be alone together now.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
BBQ fun
This past week we had a great get together with the church at Shadira's house. Shadira is a single mother trying to make it in a difficult situation. Most of her family lives more than 2 hours away and are not christians. It would be easy to come with excuses to stay away from activities with the church. She doesn't have a car, and if she wants to come on the scooter, she has to leave one of her girls at home alone - or have them go alone on the bus. But she has made a grand effort recently because she said she knows how important it is for her real life and for her girls.
To make sure that she is able to take part in the Bible study at least once a month, we hold the study out at her house. This past week we held a bbq along with a time of prayer. It was not only great fun, it was a great family time. The young people came out to the barbecue and jumped pogo stick or just sat and talked. The adults sat inside and shared time together. At the end of the evening we sat together and talked about our burdens and our blessings (thanks Luk and Holly!). We are so glad to be part of this family and to see how God is using family to strengthen his children.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
A unique opportunity
I mentioned recently in our newsletter that our colleagues, Ruud and Karla, were presented with a unique opportunity. Karla had been painting their garage doors and receiving all sorts of commentary from passersby (they live along a busy road), when a man from her village approached her with a question. He was a member of a committee in the local Catholic church that organizes the activites and teaching for the cnofirmation service of the young people in the village and wondered if Karla would be willing to give some Bible lessons to the young people.
(Confirmation is when a young person – typically 12 years old – accepts as their own the faith their parents have chosen for them when they were babies. This ceremony is a confirmation of their baptism as babies. At least, that is the theory for spiritual Catholics. As most people are simply traditional Catholics, this ceremony, along with first Communion at age 6, are stepping stones in life and an opportunity to have a party.)
It was obvious that the members of the village knew who Ruud and Karla were and their desire to know and live what they find in the Bible. When Karla mentioned that she of course could not do anything that would not be biblical, the man had no problem. He himself did not even believe in God. The other members on the committee (two women) did, but had very little Bible knowledge. They were more than willing to let Karla teach the young people about what the Bible is.
So Karla will be presented with the opportunity to really let these young people see what God’s word is. In addition, the members of the committee want to visit the congregation where Ruud and Karla attend – to see what kind of people these are who are simply Christians.
God can be so amazing!
(Confirmation is when a young person – typically 12 years old – accepts as their own the faith their parents have chosen for them when they were babies. This ceremony is a confirmation of their baptism as babies. At least, that is the theory for spiritual Catholics. As most people are simply traditional Catholics, this ceremony, along with first Communion at age 6, are stepping stones in life and an opportunity to have a party.)
It was obvious that the members of the village knew who Ruud and Karla were and their desire to know and live what they find in the Bible. When Karla mentioned that she of course could not do anything that would not be biblical, the man had no problem. He himself did not even believe in God. The other members on the committee (two women) did, but had very little Bible knowledge. They were more than willing to let Karla teach the young people about what the Bible is.
So Karla will be presented with the opportunity to really let these young people see what God’s word is. In addition, the members of the committee want to visit the congregation where Ruud and Karla attend – to see what kind of people these are who are simply Christians.
God can be so amazing!
Friday, October 06, 2006
September Newsletter
LIGHT in the Lowlands
Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the Netherlands
September 2006
Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another withut grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to sevre others. 1 Peter 4:7-10
Dear brothers and sisters, family and friends,
God continues to amaze us with how He does things, things we would never expect. This month has given us plenty of surprises and blessings.
Youth
Since school starts up again in September and since it has usually been at least two months since the young people have gotten together at summer camp, we usually plan a youth weekend in September. We call it a Kickstart because we want to get things going again. This year we decided to organize one in Maastricht again. It has been about four years since we last organized a weekend here.
You have to understand that, although we have a room we meet in on Sundays, it is not suitable for hosting a group of young people all weekend long. But we figured that we could spread out the kids between our house and the Kok family (just down the street from us). We had specifically chosen this month because the weather is still good and if we needed to we could do things outside. Besides, we figured, most of the time there aren’t more than 20 kids. The Friday the weekend was to start I was still getting calls of young people who were planning on coming. We ended up with 31 - a real surprise and blessing!
We were able to take care of the numbers (the Kok’s attic was one big mattress for the girls, the boys stayed at our house and the older girls over at the Verheijen’s) and it was just great to see how happy everyone was to see one another again. We spent a day in an open air museum called Bokrijk where we took the kids back in time about 100 years. Our theme this weekend was: “Jesus - now?! “ We wanted to look at how Jesus is still just as current today as 2000 years ago, if we stick to Jesus and not what has been made of him.
It was a fantastic weekend. The Sunday morning was as full as we have ever had it and the meal afterwards was great because all of the members were more than willing to help. It was great to see how everyone worked together, just like we had experienced at the end of the summer with the Family Day at camp.
On a separate note, the catholic church in Karla Verheijen’s village knew of Ruud and Karla’s knowledge of the Bible and desire to tell others and approached them to help teach the catechism. This is a unique opportunity. Karla explained that she could not teach anything that was not from the Bible an that there were probably major differences between what she believed and the catholic church. This means that she will be able to present a lesson on what the Bible is to the young people of this village, but also that she has piqued the interest of the people on this committee as to what the Bible is! Keep this in your prayers!
Studies
September also brought the international students back to the university and the weekly Bible studies have begun. The first evening I met “LJ” from China who was very interested in Christianity, simply to know what it is. We made an appointment and meet now regularly to read the gospel of John and talk about who God is, who Jesus is and what this means for LJ. It has been exciting to share the beauty of God and see the same excitement in LJ. What a wonderful God we have!
Planning ahead
We hope to start a new course in the neighborhood about “Getting to know the Bible”. Most people here have never really read the Bible. Pray for these efforts. We look forward to what our awesome God is going to do.
PRAYER WARRIORS
Please keep the following in your prayers.
- Praise God for His blessings during the youth weekend. Keep the young people here (10 in our congregation) in your prayers that they continue to grow in faith.
- Pray for Karla and the lesson she will present as well as the discussions she has with the catechism committee. They also want to visit the congregation - what an opportunity!
- Pray for “LJ” from China who is studying the Bible and hearing the story of Jesus in its entirety for the first time. Pray for her heart and the Holy Spirit working in her.
- Pray for our outreach in October and November. We hope our neighborhood will also get to know God with a course on getting to know the Bible.
KID'S KORNER
My room
Not everyone has their own room. When Stephan and Sean were younger, they shared a room. It was barely big enough to turn around in, but they only slept there. Now they each have their own room.
Stephan’s room is kind of Japanese. He has a metal high bed, some Chinese tables and a Japanese futon underneath the bed, bamboe mats and such. Sean’s room is mostly blue and white (Genk’s colors) and has wooden furniture. He has a big poster from Pirates of the Carribean and little posters from Racing Genk (prof soccer team).
What is your room like? Do you have your own room? How is it decorated? Let us know.
e-mail Stephan at: greenleaf@tele2allin.be
e-mail Sean at: dudeis2cool4u@hotmail.com
ON THE FAMILY SIDE . . .
September is always marked by the beginning of school. But after the first week or so of newness, most people get stuck in and get down to business. The boys are no different.
Sean was pleased to see his friends again (some of them leave for the whole summer) and has been able to adapt to the new schedule and homework this year. He gets home, goes up to his room and finshes his homework. Then he has plenty of time to play, make movies etc. He even asked if we could change his room around to make it more conducive to getting his homework done. So one Saturday we got together, shuffled bed, desk, dresser and couch around and voila - a new room. He has been very happy with it so far.
Sean has also been very pleased with his new team. As I mentioned last month, he was looking at not being able to play soccer since in Belgium they play on Sunday morning. But we found a team in Maastricht (the Netherlands) and he was immediately accepted with open arms. As a matter of fact, he has already scored several goals. The team is doing well and he is enjoying himself, so that has been great. In between school and soccer, Sean has kept plenty busy making movies (about soccer of course). If you haven’t seen them yet, go to Youtube and search “Sean Raab”. His latest crazy vid is called “Soccer Battle”.
Stephan has started the school year with typical quietness. Things just happen, as they should. “How was your day?” “Mmm,” he answers. But after a bit more questioning and listening you hear the whole day and the good and not so good. He is having a good time learning more about cooking as well as the other normal things like Dutch, French, English, Math, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), music and PE (the best part of the Friday!). It has been great to see him doing some of the cooking at home. Scott continues to encourage him in this since he hardly ever cooks and wouldn’t know how to do much more than a good omelet.
Stephan is also still very busy with his basketball team and has already scored. Unfortunately we are not always able to be there, but we have seen one of his games already and look forward to seeing more. IN the meantime, Stephan continues with his myriad interests including guitar, bmx, Japanese (comics) and most recently, free running. You can see some of the things he has been doing on Youtube by seraching under “lovedoctersar”.
And the parents have been enjoying the amazing things their children can do! We were very pleased to have a bunch of kids in the house for the youth weekend and are looking forward to some visitors at the beginning of November. More about that in next month’s newsletter. Shirley and the ladies from the church went to Amsterdam together for a wonderful day. We don’t have any videos to show you (other than the one on the blog: ravenraab.blogspot.com), but that doesn’t mean we aren’t alive! And loving every minute of it.
EXTRAS
THANKS!
- For your emails and comments on the blog. It is good to hear from you!
- For your prayers for the work here, we really need your support.
What’s coming up?
OCTOBER
Youth activities
Family activities
Fall camp
NOVEMBER
Outreach and new course
Youth days
It is great to see how each day can be a new experience, something challenging and exciting. Enjoy each day as it comes, knowing that it’s God’s day .
Love in Him,
Scott, Shirley,
Stephan and Sean Raab
Reaching out to the people of Belgium and the Netherlands
September 2006
Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another withut grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to sevre others. 1 Peter 4:7-10
Dear brothers and sisters, family and friends,
God continues to amaze us with how He does things, things we would never expect. This month has given us plenty of surprises and blessings.
Youth
Since school starts up again in September and since it has usually been at least two months since the young people have gotten together at summer camp, we usually plan a youth weekend in September. We call it a Kickstart because we want to get things going again. This year we decided to organize one in Maastricht again. It has been about four years since we last organized a weekend here.
You have to understand that, although we have a room we meet in on Sundays, it is not suitable for hosting a group of young people all weekend long. But we figured that we could spread out the kids between our house and the Kok family (just down the street from us). We had specifically chosen this month because the weather is still good and if we needed to we could do things outside. Besides, we figured, most of the time there aren’t more than 20 kids. The Friday the weekend was to start I was still getting calls of young people who were planning on coming. We ended up with 31 - a real surprise and blessing!
We were able to take care of the numbers (the Kok’s attic was one big mattress for the girls, the boys stayed at our house and the older girls over at the Verheijen’s) and it was just great to see how happy everyone was to see one another again. We spent a day in an open air museum called Bokrijk where we took the kids back in time about 100 years. Our theme this weekend was: “Jesus - now?! “ We wanted to look at how Jesus is still just as current today as 2000 years ago, if we stick to Jesus and not what has been made of him.
It was a fantastic weekend. The Sunday morning was as full as we have ever had it and the meal afterwards was great because all of the members were more than willing to help. It was great to see how everyone worked together, just like we had experienced at the end of the summer with the Family Day at camp.
On a separate note, the catholic church in Karla Verheijen’s village knew of Ruud and Karla’s knowledge of the Bible and desire to tell others and approached them to help teach the catechism. This is a unique opportunity. Karla explained that she could not teach anything that was not from the Bible an that there were probably major differences between what she believed and the catholic church. This means that she will be able to present a lesson on what the Bible is to the young people of this village, but also that she has piqued the interest of the people on this committee as to what the Bible is! Keep this in your prayers!
Studies
September also brought the international students back to the university and the weekly Bible studies have begun. The first evening I met “LJ” from China who was very interested in Christianity, simply to know what it is. We made an appointment and meet now regularly to read the gospel of John and talk about who God is, who Jesus is and what this means for LJ. It has been exciting to share the beauty of God and see the same excitement in LJ. What a wonderful God we have!
Planning ahead
We hope to start a new course in the neighborhood about “Getting to know the Bible”. Most people here have never really read the Bible. Pray for these efforts. We look forward to what our awesome God is going to do.
PRAYER WARRIORS
Please keep the following in your prayers.
- Praise God for His blessings during the youth weekend. Keep the young people here (10 in our congregation) in your prayers that they continue to grow in faith.
- Pray for Karla and the lesson she will present as well as the discussions she has with the catechism committee. They also want to visit the congregation - what an opportunity!
- Pray for “LJ” from China who is studying the Bible and hearing the story of Jesus in its entirety for the first time. Pray for her heart and the Holy Spirit working in her.
- Pray for our outreach in October and November. We hope our neighborhood will also get to know God with a course on getting to know the Bible.
KID'S KORNER
My room
Not everyone has their own room. When Stephan and Sean were younger, they shared a room. It was barely big enough to turn around in, but they only slept there. Now they each have their own room.
Stephan’s room is kind of Japanese. He has a metal high bed, some Chinese tables and a Japanese futon underneath the bed, bamboe mats and such. Sean’s room is mostly blue and white (Genk’s colors) and has wooden furniture. He has a big poster from Pirates of the Carribean and little posters from Racing Genk (prof soccer team).
What is your room like? Do you have your own room? How is it decorated? Let us know.
e-mail Stephan at: greenleaf@tele2allin.be
e-mail Sean at: dudeis2cool4u@hotmail.com
ON THE FAMILY SIDE . . .
September is always marked by the beginning of school. But after the first week or so of newness, most people get stuck in and get down to business. The boys are no different.
Sean was pleased to see his friends again (some of them leave for the whole summer) and has been able to adapt to the new schedule and homework this year. He gets home, goes up to his room and finshes his homework. Then he has plenty of time to play, make movies etc. He even asked if we could change his room around to make it more conducive to getting his homework done. So one Saturday we got together, shuffled bed, desk, dresser and couch around and voila - a new room. He has been very happy with it so far.
Sean has also been very pleased with his new team. As I mentioned last month, he was looking at not being able to play soccer since in Belgium they play on Sunday morning. But we found a team in Maastricht (the Netherlands) and he was immediately accepted with open arms. As a matter of fact, he has already scored several goals. The team is doing well and he is enjoying himself, so that has been great. In between school and soccer, Sean has kept plenty busy making movies (about soccer of course). If you haven’t seen them yet, go to Youtube and search “Sean Raab”. His latest crazy vid is called “Soccer Battle”.
Stephan has started the school year with typical quietness. Things just happen, as they should. “How was your day?” “Mmm,” he answers. But after a bit more questioning and listening you hear the whole day and the good and not so good. He is having a good time learning more about cooking as well as the other normal things like Dutch, French, English, Math, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), music and PE (the best part of the Friday!). It has been great to see him doing some of the cooking at home. Scott continues to encourage him in this since he hardly ever cooks and wouldn’t know how to do much more than a good omelet.
Stephan is also still very busy with his basketball team and has already scored. Unfortunately we are not always able to be there, but we have seen one of his games already and look forward to seeing more. IN the meantime, Stephan continues with his myriad interests including guitar, bmx, Japanese (comics) and most recently, free running. You can see some of the things he has been doing on Youtube by seraching under “lovedoctersar”.
And the parents have been enjoying the amazing things their children can do! We were very pleased to have a bunch of kids in the house for the youth weekend and are looking forward to some visitors at the beginning of November. More about that in next month’s newsletter. Shirley and the ladies from the church went to Amsterdam together for a wonderful day. We don’t have any videos to show you (other than the one on the blog: ravenraab.blogspot.com), but that doesn’t mean we aren’t alive! And loving every minute of it.
EXTRAS
THANKS!
- For your emails and comments on the blog. It is good to hear from you!
- For your prayers for the work here, we really need your support.
What’s coming up?
OCTOBER
Youth activities
Family activities
Fall camp
NOVEMBER
Outreach and new course
Youth days
It is great to see how each day can be a new experience, something challenging and exciting. Enjoy each day as it comes, knowing that it’s God’s day .
Love in Him,
Scott, Shirley,
Stephan and Sean Raab
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Nuts
Last year was terrible. Our walnut tree in the backyard hardly let fall a nut all Fall (sorry, couldn’t resist). Whereas other years gave us plenty of crunch underfoot whenever we walked out toward the canal, last year only presented us with rotten nuts in the pod. So I wasn’t really prepared for this year’s crop.
Yesterday I went out with a box to pick up the few nuts I figured would be under the tree. I had seen a few as I went out that way to take Snuffles for a walk. But I wasn’t prepared for what I found – nuts everywhere! Grass doesn’t really grow underneath the walnut tree, but there is plenty of moss and other ground cover. The more I looked, the more I found. Nuts hiding under every little leaf. I would clear a section, move on to the next, and when I turned around found even more in the section I just cleared. I felt like Hammy from “Over the Hedge” – “I found my nuts!”
Now we just have to make sure they get dried. We are hanging them in sacks in three different areas around the house, trying to fighure out which is the best place to dry them: in the boiler room, in my office (which always has the window open) and upstairs in the attic. We’ll see what we get out of it. Come on by if you want some walnuts – we’ve got plenty.
Yesterday I went out with a box to pick up the few nuts I figured would be under the tree. I had seen a few as I went out that way to take Snuffles for a walk. But I wasn’t prepared for what I found – nuts everywhere! Grass doesn’t really grow underneath the walnut tree, but there is plenty of moss and other ground cover. The more I looked, the more I found. Nuts hiding under every little leaf. I would clear a section, move on to the next, and when I turned around found even more in the section I just cleared. I felt like Hammy from “Over the Hedge” – “I found my nuts!”
Now we just have to make sure they get dried. We are hanging them in sacks in three different areas around the house, trying to fighure out which is the best place to dry them: in the boiler room, in my office (which always has the window open) and upstairs in the attic. We’ll see what we get out of it. Come on by if you want some walnuts – we’ve got plenty.
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