Haunted Halloween?

I remember several of my costumes as a kid for Halloween. My mom was amazing at coming up with some really creative solutions. We always had great costumes made of pretty much everyday things. I was a scarecrow, a cowboy, an astronaut. The knowledge that creativity can get you quite far has always stayed with me and served well for youth activities and more. 

I also remember the year that we all had to dump our candy out together on the table at home after trick-or-treating because some wacko was putting razor blades in candied apples. That was pretty much the end of homemade candy. It was the beginning, for me, of realizing how nasty the world could be. 

When I gave my life to Christ, my view on a lot of things changed. One of them was Halloween. I like dressing up in costumes, but it seems all of the holidays that do that are a bit deranged. Halloween in the US and Carnaval here in Belgium are examples. But 1989 changed my whole outlook on Halloween. That was the year we received a very special gift. 

Shirley had struggled all day and was tired. In the end, forceps had to be used, but our son, Stephan, was safely welcomed into the world. I remember standing in a room in the maternity section with windows on two sides so that family could see the newborns. My attention, however, was fully on this wonderful new life that God had given us. Even the surprise of seeing all sorts of masked individuals tapping on the glass (another father was with me in the room and his family was greeting him) could not throw me off. But it did remind me that this was still Halloween. 

Not long after that we moved to Belgium, where there was no Halloween. For years we did not even have to think of any of it (although we of course did have to deal with Carnaval - in February or March). It was only later when the boys were older that they realized they might be able to get something from neighbors by going trick-or-treating. They didn’t dress up, just went door to door. People didn’t know what to do, so they gave them money (a practice done here on January 6 at the celebration of Three Kings). Their friends were impressed. 

Not too many years later, stores started figuring out that money could be made off of this new American holiday. Costumes could now be sold in October as well as in February (for Carnaval). Candy could be sold. Presents could be given. Okay - presents aren’t part of Halloween, but who knows? 

So Halloween made its entrance into Belgian and Dutch culture with an economic vengeance. Kids still don’t go door to door to get candy (people would not know what to do), but haunted houses and the scary bits have definitely entered the calendar if not the culture as yet. 

This day for us still means that little boy cradled in the palm of my hand and the man he has become. We are so thankful for Stephan, for his wife, Natalie and for the life they have together. 

(The picture is of Stephan with neighborhood friends on his birthday in our backyard)

Where oh Where Wednesday - Colonies of Belgium and Netherlands

Last week we talked about colonization. The Dutch were busy early on - during the Golden Age. Although we might not always recognize it, we run into remnants of that time and expansion in many places. Hoboken, Harlem, Bushwick and Flushing in New York (which was first New Amsterdam) are good examples. But Australia was also first known as Newe Holland and New Zealand is very clearly from the Dutch “Nieuw Zeeland”. 

But names are not colonies. As mentioned the Dutch colonized in many places around the world due to their commerce and trade. Indonesia was a major colony in Asia. In the new world, the Dutch colonized Surinam (the north of South America) and several Caribbean Islands. 

Indonesia fought for their independence. Surinam became independent but is still dependent in many ways. The Caribbean islands - Aruba, Saint Martin and Curaçao were all part of the kingdom of the Netherlands until most recently when Curacao became its own country. 

In the Netherlands you can still feel the influence of these times in some of the food and peoples in the country. When Indonesia fought for freedom, some Indonesians fought with the Dutch and had to flee to the Netherlands. They brought their culture with them. The Dutch enjoy Indonesian meals and have made them their own - a bit like Americans have assimilated Mexican meals into “American” culture. Loempia, spicy sambal and rice (including a "rice table") are all considered very Dutch any more. As well as a good “cup of Java” (Java is in Indonesia) - coffee. 

Food from the Antilles has also been popular, although perhaps less of a recognized cuisine. Most recently the Dutch have had to deal with various parts of their history colliding when “zwarte Piet”, the black helper of Saint Nicholas, was taken more and more as a symbol of racism by Dutch people of Surinam or Caribbean heritage. “Black Pete” has been around for hundreds of years. But is it appropriate? That is the question some are still dealing with. 

On the Belgian side, it was all about Congo in deep dark Africa. Although the Belgians did not truly bring any of the African cuisine with them to the “home country”, they did bring chocolate. And, like in the Netherlands, there are some, though far fewer, who have raised questions about “Zwartte Piet” who is also part of the Belgian Christmas tradition. 

In the area we work - the south of the Netherlands and East of Belgium - we do not have as much contact with people of color as one might have in the large cities of Rotterdam or Brussels, for example. But these days our world is a global place. The congregation in Maastricht has members of all colors and backgrounds. Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Brazil, Curaçao, Ecuador, Germany, Netherlands, Nigeria, Ukraine and the United States (with its diversity) are all represented. God’s family is amazing!

Fall camp activities

This coming weekend we will be holding our Fall Camp once again. This is a weekend organized mostly for teens (12 years and older) but also through the years for families. One of the first times that Shirley and I can remember going together down to camp was at a Fall Camp. We slept in a small caravan next to the dining hall - if one can call it that at the time. We woke to freezing icicles on the inside of the caravan and joined the rest in the dining hall to endure the dripping ceiling caused by condensation and cold. 

Things have changed quite a bit through the years for Fall Camp. What we have been able to do with the facilities because of the efforts and giving of so many in the church here in Belgium and the Netherlands as well as partners in the US has greatly increased the use of camp. Now we have a warm, dry hall, topped by a second floor used for teaching and playing games. 

This weekend a group of young people will gather at camp to once again encourage one another and enjoy the beauty of God in the nature surrounding the camp buildings. We have a good group of young people, including several Ukrainians this year. Although they are not especially happy to be away from their home, they are thankful to have made new friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

Following the weekend a new Vacation Bible Camp will start. This is the second year for this camp week, meant for kids from 8-14 years old. It is a full week in the Fall vacation week for Belgian kids. This week is not the vacation week for kids in the Netherlands, so the camp is almost exclusively Belgian. It is a great time for the young people who have first met during the summer camp weeks to see one another again and encourage one another after the beginning of the school year. 

Good relationships are so very important for all young people. The world is never an easy place, and now it seems often to be even more difficult. To have friends who are not only interested in faith but living it daily is extremely valuable. These camp moments make sure that our young people have these opportunities. Thank you for helping to make this possible and for praying for these young people and the camps they attend.

Whensday - Belgian and Dutch colonization

Before New York was called this, it was called New Amsterdam and the Dutch were the ones there. There is an amazing, thrilling history there, during what is called in the Netherlands the “Golden Age”. 

The 17th century saw an enormous period of growth for the Netherlands. It was during this time that the Dutch East Indies company and the West Indies Company spread their business and influence throughout the world. These colonies and areas of influence continued until after World War II in the 20th century. Much of this, then was before the Netherlands actually was what we now know as the Netherlands. 

In Belgium things were quite different. In 1800, the very beginning of the 19th century, Belgium was one of the few West European countries without colonies. Most of this was down to Belgium not having been a separate country during the major period of colonization by European countries. Belgium officially declared itself a country in 1830 (and was recognized in 1839). Before that time it was part of Spain, Austria, France and the Netherlands. 

King Leopold I did all he could mid 19th century to remedy this lack of colonization for the small European country. Hawaii was almost a Belgian colony, and Belgium tried to start things in Guatemala, Chihuahua (in Mexico), Brazil and Argentina. But none of these colonies every really got off the ground. 

It was under King Leopold II near the end of the 19th century and begin of the 20th century that the Belgians finally got their colony. This was mostly due to working together with Henry Morton Stanley. It was Stanley who ‘found” the missing Dr. Livingstone in deep dark Africa. “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Stanley wanted to continue his explorations and was able to do so under the Belgian flag. This is how Belgium finally got their colonization going.

By the end of the 19th century the Netherlands was still present in much of what the VOC (Dutch East Indies Company) had laid claim to. Many of these colonies would end up becoming part of the Dutch empire. After WWII many of these European colonies, including those from the Netherlands and Belgium, became independent. 

This I have learned

On the first Friday of the month we welcomed three brothers from the French-speaking church in Liege once again for an evening of singing in Maastricht. I always enjoy these evenings and getting to see our brothers. I especially enjoy seeing George and Leonie. They are a couple that has been working with the church for quite some time. 

The interesting thing about my conversations with George is that he speaks neither English nor Dutch. I speak very little French. But we communicate. Sometimes one of the other brothers comes over and translates. But often we simply try to make it work, doing our best with hands and feet. 

This time we also welcomed Richard Wolfe who was visiting in Belgium. Richard used to work with the church in Liege and still works with them from a distance (he and his wife live in Kansas). They left Belgium about a year after we arrived. I still remember some of his lessons and was always thankful for how he and his family served the Lord here and still do wherever they are in the world. 

This past weekend Richard was speaking at the church in Verviers (also in the French-speaking area of Belgium). Verviers is only about 20 minutes from Bible camp and we know the preacher there, although I have never visited the congregation or the building. For years Freed-Hardeman University has had an exchange program working out of the building there. I wanted to meet the church and I wanted to hear Richard’s lesson. But everything was going to be in French. If I can read French, I can do alright. But trying to speak French and understand when someone speaks to me is well outside of my comfort zone. 

Then I though of George and Leonie. They come every month to Maastricht - even though they know we will mostly be singing in English and Dutch. George just does his best. He knows that we are brothers. He loves the Lord and has always done his best to encourage those around with him the grace of God. I had experienced this often. 

So I drove to Verviers. Being a preacher helps when a sermon is in a foreign language. If you understand the names of the books of the Bible and numbers (one of the first things people learn in a foreign language), then you can follow quite a bit of what is being said. And I was touched by a great sermon. 

Afterwards several members introduced themselves and tried to make conversation. Some could speak some English. Others were able to speak German (which I can speak). Otherwise, we simply used hands and feet and the few words we could share. It didn’t matter. We were brothers and sisters together. 

God’s family is amazing. I am so thankful for George’s example of courage and faithfulness. I am thankful for the many times he and I have done our best to converse, no matter the difficulties. I am so thankful for the few French words I have in my vocabulary. Mostly I am so very thankful that God makes us a family. 

Whatsit Wednesday - Chocolate

“Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don’t need an appointment.” One of many memes or sayings you can find about chocolate. When chocolate is brought up in the US, it most often has to do with hot chocolate or chocolate chip cookies or some kind of syrup put on ice cream. Nobody is happy when the bite into a chocolate chip cookie and find out that it is actually an oatmeal raisin cookie. 

But if you want chocolate, Belgium is the place to be. The Netherlands has its own storied past as well - putting chocolate spread and chocolate sprinkles on bread - but it is Belgium that continues its love and obsession to this day. Chocolate comes from cacao beans, after all, which come from Congo, which was a Belgian colony. So it seems the Belgians colonized Africa for chocolate. I think most chocolate lovers can understand that perfectly. 

In Belgium, chocolate means pralines. Pralines come in a box. They are all shapes and sizes. They can be milk, white or pure and can come with gooey insides or smooth insides. Brand names like Leonidas, Guylian (the seashells and sea horses), Neuhaus (in Grand Central Station NY) and Godiva offer premium chocolate. You can even go to a special store to buy chocolates - a ‘chocolatey”. Mind you, for a Belgian, not just anything can be called chocolate. 

Years ago, a newspaper revealed that Cadbury’s was not made with cocoa butter. It was basically a bunch of sugar. Belgians were incensed. In 2007 Hershey and Nestle tried to convince the FDA in the US to allow them to use partially hydrogenated vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter and still call their product “chocolate”. 

So Belgians can be chocolate snobs, which is fine with me. I am one of those people who only likes dark chocolate - called “pure” here. I do not consider white chocolate to be chocolate and milk chocolate makes my tummy do loops. But dark chocolate (pure! Yummmm) just makes the day better. What do you like best and what do you consider a chocolate treat? 

Whodunit Wednesday - Soccer greats

In a little more than a month the World Cup will be held in Qatar. This is the World Cup of football (or soccer). Yes, it is being held in Qatar. That might help you understand why it is being held in the winter instead of the summer as usual. But, putting these discussions aside, most Europeans all have their eyes on these match-ups. Belgium and The Netherlands both have high hopes of going far. 

At the last World Cup (2018 in Russia) Belgium made it to 3rd place after having had a chance to go to the final. In 2014 it was The Netherlands in 3rd place, The Netherlands went to the final in 1974, 1978 and 2010 and were third place in 2014. Belgium have never made it to the final. But let’s be honest, these are small countries making it this far. 

When we talk football players, Dutch and Belgian names are often readily available and well-known. On the Belgian side, names like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaud Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard are known around the world - in English, Spanish, French or Italian. On the Dutch side, the names of Memphis Depay, Virgil van Dyke and Frenkie De Jong are well known in football circles. Historically the Dutch are also well represented with Johan Cruyff being perhaps the best known. 

Even several current coaches are former well-known players. Philippe Clement is a well-known former Belgian player who now coaches AS Monaco. Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst won the Champions league with Barcelona and now coaches Rangers. 

On the women’s side, the United States has always been a force to be reckoned with. But along with them, the Dutch women have held their own in recent years. The Dutch women lost in 2019 to the US. In 2023 the Dutch will once again be one of the teams to watch. Names like Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) and Lieke Martens (Barcelona) are well known. The Belgian ladies have been knocking on the door for the last few years, but still have a way to go.

For those who like and follow football, Belgium and The Netherlands have more than enough to offer. We will certainly be watching this winter (for the men) and next summer (for the women in Australia and New Zealand).

Let us reason together

This evening Shirley and I will be at a study in the home of one of our members. On this evening we will be looking further into the book of Ezekiel and how that impacts our daily life with Christ. We also take plenty of time to share our lives together and pray for one another and the needs in the church. 

On Tuesdays, Scott has reading the gospel of Mark with a mother and daughter in order to get to know Jesus. Tuesday afternoons Scott is usually off to a 91 year-old woman who says that she “inherited” him from his previous care for her boyfriend before the boyfriend passed away last year. They talk about the differences between what she experiences in the Catholic Church and what they read together in the Bible.

On Wednesday evenings Scott and Shirley go over to colleagues Ruud and Karla’s house where the Bible study for the week progresses online with the rest of the congregation. The most recent lessons have come from the letters to the Corinthians, showing us practical lessons that we can learn from the struggles of the church in Corinth. We are thankful for the hybrid nature of this study (in-person and online) so that more members can take part, since our membership is spread out in the area. 

On Thursday morning Scott and Ruud meet with another man to read in Acts and examine what the first christians looked like. It is important to see how the Bible shows us so many things that are practical for our daily lives today. The first Christians struggled with many of the same situations as we do today. Do we look like they do in our faith? 

Every Friday Shirley is online with the ladies of the congregation. They have more recently also decided to get together in person at least once every six weeks so that they can encourage one another that way as well. In December they plan a ladies time away. For some of our ladies this is the only time to truly get away and be encouraged ij Christian faith. 

These times of study are exciting and encouraging. On Sunday mornings one of the best moments is our coffee time together when we all stand around - cup of coffee or tea in hand - and tak about spiritual things and our lives in Christ. The topics that came up in the week, the things mentioned that day in the sermon, the challenges we have faced in the week can all be shared. Then we see how the word of God is not an intellectual pursuit, but a daily, practical necessity and beauty. 

Where oh Where Wednesday - Cologne

We live in what is called a Euregion. The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany all commingle in a relatively small geographic area. This was one of the reasons that we decided to come here to work with the church. Maastricht, in The Netherlands, was a crossroads, a place where various cultures converged. 

The three major cities of this Euregion are Maastricht, Aachen (in Germany) and Liege (in French-speaking Belgium). Maastricht is the smallest of the cities, with just 120,000 inhabitants. Liege tops out at about 200,000 and Aachen is the most populous with 250,000. 

But these are only the cities most directly within the Euregion. Within an hour of Maastricht are Brussels and Antwerp in Belgium, Eindhoven in The Netherlands, and Cologne in Germany. This last city is well-known for its cathedral and its scent. Yes, the term “cologne” or “eau de cologne” comes from this city (water of Cologne is a literal translation). The name of the city seems to have come from its Roman origins as “Colonia” - a colony. 

From the beginning of our time working with the church here, we have had a connection with the brothers and sisters in Cologne. They have a connection to the German Bible camp in Gemünden (about 2.5 hours from us) where we have often attended Bible study weeks. When our singing group Listen Up! was active, we often sang at German church activities, including a few times along the Rhine river in Cologne.

More recently the church in Maastricht and Cologne planned a yearly get-together to sing and encourage one another. We started by meeting in Aachen - about halfway between us. Later we organized the singing in Maastricht and then in Cologne. We have not been able to meet since the interruption of the corona years, but we look forward to singing together again next year. 

It is always good to not only know about brothers and sisters in the neighborhood, but to be involved with one another as often as possible. We are thankful for our relationship with the church in Cologne. 

(Photo: Singing in Maastricht with members from Cologne in 2018)

Whensday - Beginnings (NL)

This evening Shirley and I will be visiting the congregation in Eindhoven, returning to our monthly Wednesday evening of singing. The congregation here is a relatively young one as far as the history of the church goes in The Netherlands. Of course the congregation in Maastricht is even younger. We helped establish that congregation with our colleagues, Ruud and Karla back in 1991. 

The church of Christ in The Netherlands has an interesting history. Basically the first congregations began after World War II when American soldiers came back to the country to share their faith with the people they had liberated. Congregations were established in Haarlem, Utrecht and The Hague. Later congregations in Amsterdam and a military group in Soesterberg were added. 

In the 1960’s and 70’s buildings were purchased in Haarlem, Amsterdam and The Hague. The congregation in The Hague was at one time as large as 200 members and served a broad group of ex-pats and native Dutch. By the 1990’s the building in Amsterdam had been sold, the congregation in Schiedam (near Rotterdam) which had begun in the 80’s was rolled into the group in The Hague, and congregations had arisen in Groningen in the North and in Eindhoven and Maastricht in the South. 

Throughout the years there were efforts to reach any who were willing to put into practice what is found in the Bible about the first followers of Jesus. This has meant that various congregations are not always clones or copies of American churches. Some members have come to Christ on their own by reading the Bible and understanding what it is that God desires and then seeking a group of people who are living that very truth. 

At present there are congregations in six different Dutch cities from Maastricht in the South to Groningen in the North. The largest group is perhaps the Ghanian church meeting in Amsterdam, followed by the group meeting in Eindhoven. The congregation is also still meeting and strong in Haarlem and in Den Dolder (the continuation of the former US military group in past years). The church building in The Hague is still the largest building. Most recently it has hosted a group of very active Ukrainian refugees. 

In the past two months there have been 5 young people who have given their lives to Christ. Some of this has been as a result of work in and conversations during Bible camp. Others have been through the efforts of refugees currently living in the building in The Hague. 

Europe is an interesting and challenging field. It often resembles the first century in which the church grew up. God continues to use His own people in all areas to bring people to life in the eternal Kingdom of His love. We are thankful that we can be part of this history and that God can use us in any way possible. Thank you for your prayers for the efforts here. 

(This picture is of the Spring gathering this year at the building in The Hague)

A completed life??

Last week a friend of mine - an atheist who I talked to every week - decided that he had a "voltooid leven", that his life was complete. This is something that can be done in the society here in the Netherlands. “A completed life” means that you have decided to kill yourself. Society in general agrees that this is okay.

The man that I knew disagreed with me on lots of things that we talked about. Politics. Economics. Morals. But we also agreed on many other things. The value of people. That things are not the most important in life. Still, our world views differed greatly. 

I believe that God created us, is not the same as we are, and has the right to let us know how best to follow Him. I believe we have good evidence for this and a wonderful way to not only find truth, but to follow truth in Jesus Christ. This also means that our life here on earth is not all that exists. We are spiritual beings and look forward to eternity. 

My friend believed that we all were creations of chance, thrown together throughout the millions of years he believed had existed before our current age. He believed that we were basically noble animals, slightly better than most animals and often worse than all other animals. He believed that dying was the end of existence - despite the evidence he himself brought up concerning love, hope and the need to believe in one another. 

He was dying. We are all dying. He had pain and believed that dying quicker presented him with the answer to his pain. We talked about the reality - in my view - that there is a much worse pain than the pain he was now feeling, an eternal pain of the body and soul. 

I struggle to understand how a society can ask people to be “good”, to care for others, to do what is “right” and build on hope when this same society accepts and lauds the idea that there is nothing more than physical life and that each person can make a choice that is purely selfish, egocentric. 

Such a mixed message can only create a society of lost souls. People searching for truth and love and value, but unable to find it because they have blinded themselves to the very truth in front of them in every piece of nature. 

This society has always been present. It was so in the time of Jesus Christ, in the time of the first disciples, in the ages following as the church grew. And it is still present today - in every country around the world. And the answer, the antidote, the solution is still the gentle Healer who has come to present life. I pray that I will not tire of presenting this life as best I can. 

Whatsit Wednesday - Kinderkoppen

Perhaps it sounds a bit funny, or maybe even gruesome. In Belgium and parts of The Netherlands we walk and drive over “children’s heads”. That is the literal translation of “kinderkoppen”. So instead of kindergarten (children’s garden), it’s all about their heads. English speakers talk simply of cobble stones. 

They are found in many yards as a beautiful way to lay a path through the garden. In the front of the house they might be the basis of the driveway and the walk to the front door. The name comes from the size of the stone. Each stone is more or less square and the size of a child’s head. 

Amazingly, streets are still laid - on purpose - with these stones. They can be laid in artistic forms, are easy to replace if a section of road is damaged, and last a good while. They do not freeze and break open in the winter. 

Laying such a street, however is quite labor intensive. I remember when the city of Maastricht renovated the shopping streets, they had to have special laborers brought in from Portugal. These streets are section of downtown where cars are not allowed to drive. They are full of walking tourists and shoppers. 

Kinderkopjes may be beautiful and make nice streets and paths, but not everyone is happy about them. Bicycle races are well-known for their grueling sections of cobbled roads. Paris-Roubaix is a good example of this. The aforementioned shopping streets in Maastricht are a torment for ladies in high heels. So much so that the city made sure to also have a section of walking street with smooth stones - polished children’s heads. 

Old and new memories

This past weekend was Family Day at camp. Each year a different congregation in Belgium organizes this day where the various congregations can gather and encourage one another. In 2021 it was a minimal gathering because of corona, so this year the church in Roeselare wanted to have a day where we once again felt the fellowship of being in Christ. 

We had about 50 people from congregations from Knokke-Heist, Roeselare, Ghent, Antwerp, and Rotselaar in Belgium and Eindhoven and Maastricht from The Netherlands. In addition we had several Ukrainian brothers and sisters who have settled with the congregations in Eindhoven and Maastricht, who came to meet more of their brothers and sisters. 

We had hoped to see brothers and sisters from the French-speaking congregations on this day as well, but the weather was not all that conducive to travel or gathering outside. Still, we had a wonderful time together singing and listening to what is going on in the various congregations, how God is blessing and using us all. 

It was especially exciting to see some visitors from long ago. Just as during Family Camp a few weeks ago, a few former campers came back for this special day to share memories. It had been 21 years since they had been to camp. Things have physically changed - we have a new building and are planning on even more, we have expanded the grounds and have recovered well from the floods last year. But we are still the family we have always been. 

After the family gathering, a group stayed behind to evaluate this past summer and plan for the coming year. Camp is being used more than ever. A new week is being proposed for the young professional groups and a new week has taken its place among the regular weeks. We now have a Vacation Bible Camp during the Fall break in Belgium. 

In addition to the various weeks planned (6 different weeks and 2 different weekends), camp continues to be used throughout the year for all different groups. Churches come down for a retreat. There is a “Survival” camp for father’s and their kids - now twice a year. The French-speaking churches use camp for their youth activities. There are now also Spanish-speaking congregations planning to use it as well. This has always been the desire - that camp can be used by all of the churches to help all members grow in faith and faithfulness. 

Many of you have helped in the past to make camp what it is today. Some of you have been to camp before. We are so thankful for how God is able to use us and this place for His glory. Most recently two young people have their lives to Christ partially because of what they talked about while at a week of camp. Praise God!

Whodunit Wednesday - Fashion

(The picture is of Sean and Jill's dog, Pierre)

I remember when I figured out that Haägen Dazs ice cream was not some European brand (it sounds somewhat Danish), but simply American. It was at that time that I realized that things aren’t always what they sound like. 

This is also true when you think of fashion. Perhaps there are some (real fashionistas) who have heard of the “Antwerp Six” and know that Antwerp is a Belgian city. Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulenmeester and Walter Van Beirendonck were all part of the Antwerp Six. Others, like Diane von Furstenberg (who was born in Belgium) and Liz Claiborne, simply sound German or Amnerican. They are Belgian, as is Raf Simons, the head of Dior. 

Even brands can sound like something else. Scapa, which has an English aesthetic, is a Belgian fashion brand. America Today, G-Star Raw and Scotch & Soda, despite what they might sound like, are Dutch brands. Viktor & Rolf are two Dutch fashion designers

It reminds me of how beautiful I have always found the idea of a melting pot in the United States. People come from everywhere. You cannot tell from a last name where someone might be from. When we first came to Belgium and The Netherlands, our last name helped. Raab is originally a German name and the double “a” makes perfect sense in the Dutch/Flemish language. Even better, in the family of God, we can come from everywhere and still belong, no matter what your name sounds like. We just want to wear the right fashion. 

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.    Galatians 3:26-29

Wild Wonderful Wednesday

Today is a 5th Wednesday so I want to take you on a different kind of trip. The Netherlands is a country where the bicycle is more than welcome. Bike paths are everywhere in the cities and kids ride bikes from very early ages - even goin on their own to school across town. 

Admittedly, where we live in Belgium is not as bike friendly, but it is better than many places in Belgium - maybe because so many Dutch people live here. And although there is plenty of infrastructure for the bike, I must admit that I do noot use it as often as I might. But on a Thursday, I like to take the bike to my colleague, Ruud’s, house for our Bible study together. 

Ruud lives in the village on the other side of our “town” which population 13,500. Our village has about 1700 people. Ruud’s village is bigger with 3200. From our village to Ruud I can bike along a whole section free of the major road running North/South. Right out my driveway I simply bike to the paved road running along the canal which runs behind our house. 

I pass by two locks along the canal, passing a building supplies company on the right and a cellulose factory across the canal on the left. The road on the canal ends as I approach the local paper making company, Sappi (a South African company) where I have to turn right and climb a hill to join the main road. Thankfully I have a pedal assisted bike. Otherwise I would be walking this part of the trip. 

Up on the road I am able to bike on good bike paths, crossing the Albert Canal (which leads to Antwerp) on a bridge with plenty of space for cars, bikes and pedestrians. From this point I have a nice ride up a slight incline until I can coast all the way from the plateau into Ruud’s village. The journey takes me about 20-30 minutes (depending on how tired I am or how sweaty I want to get). 

After the study (we are looking at the book of Acts with E who is considering what it means to be a Christian), I can bike home, climbing the long hill I previously came down with such ease. But last week I decided to get some things done in the “city” - in Maastricht. 

From Ruud’s house I can bike right across the border, which is not really even recognizable as a border. You cross a bridge (crossing the Albert Canal again - this time the section going South to Liege) and bike along a mountain on the right. This is what some might call a mountain. I am from Colorado. It is a hill. Still, they have a ski hill on it in the winter. There is also a golf course here. 

Biking further into the city I pay attention to the right-of way. I am on a bike path, but just like any other traffic participant, I have to follow the rules. At intersections there are clear signs for who has right-of-way. “Shark’s teeth” (a line of triangles with the points toward the rider) painted on the bike path show that I must yield. At other points along this route, the red brick color of the bike path continues without any signs and the cars have the shark’s teeth. 

After passing the hill and golf club I come to a stoplight. There is a light specifically for the bicycles as well as pedestrians and cars. At this intersection there is also a light for the bus. Moving on when I get my green light I next approach a very large roundabout or rotunda. I have to yield here and also pay attention to the many “brommers” or scooters taking the bike path with me. 

These days there are all sorts of vehicles on the road. Back along the canal we always have top be aware of cyclists who are training. You know, Tour de France types on very skinny wheels flying by. They often do not have bells - and when they do, they do not always use them. So you have to simply be aware and be ready to get out of the way. 

But there is now also every kind of electrified vehicle. “Speed pedelecs” are VERY fast electric bikes. They can easily pass you going more than 50kmh. Then there are “scootmobiles”, used usually by older people out for a jaunt in the open air. Most often four-wheeled, they also silently sneak up on you with their older driver enjoying the speed of the electrified motor vehicle. 

Besides all of these vehicles, you may also end up with a mother pushing her baby buggy, or simply some pedestrians not wanting to walk on the sidewalk. But it seems most people get along just fine and the traffic is much safer than I have ever experienced in the States. During this trip I easily made it to my destination in downtown Maastricht. 

I needed to stop at the store, so I quickly parked the bike at the bike rack, fixed the lock and putting the key in my pocket (and taking my battery with me) walked into the store. You ALWAYS want to lock your bike in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam, there is a sort of saying: Lost your bike? No worries, just take the next one. While not everyone does this (and locks have gotten better), it is always good to keep your bike locked, even If you are quickly running into the store. 

As I leave the store, I walk my bike among the many pedestrians, listening to the many languages of the tourist who have come to Maastricht on this sunny day. I next want to visit an acquaintance in a nearby nursing home and afterwards turn my bike homewards. 

The whole trip will only cost me 30-40 minutes. It would be about the same if I were to take the car, because of traffic. I have often passed a bike only to have them pass me by as I am stuck in the traffic jam. This time I am the one passing the waiting cars. I bike back along the Meuse, amazed at how low the water is these days. You could probably cross the river on foot. 

This route takes me between the river and the canal. I cross the border back into Belgium in Smeermaas (another village that makes up our “town” - there are 7 of them) and ride further along the river. This section is beautiful - riding behind our local castle, past the wild cows that live here to keep the shrubbery in check, past the nests of the blue herons in the tops of the trees along the river. 

I get back home and haven’t even broken a sweat. Then I climb off my bike and realize that I have been exerting myself. That slight breeze always helps. But now the heat hits. Time for a cool glass of water and a sit in the shade before going into the house (where it is a sweltering 90 F). But it has been a good day and I am glad that it is so easy to get around on a bicycle. 

To give an idea of what it is like along this ride, here are a few video’s which are already online. 

This video is a walking tour, but it shows you the area along our canal. In fact, from 00:37 - 1:17 you can see our lock and the church in our village (our house is just down the street fro this church building). 

In this video (TURN OFF THE SOUND to skip the rude music) shows you the border crossing in Smeermaas, what the bike paths look like and what traffic is like along the canal and in Maastricht. 

Talk about it

I am an email guy. I know, I know - it’s old school. And yet I am old enough that I can remember how amazing it was to be able to keep contact with folks back in the States simply by this method. Back in the 80’s I sent airmail letters to Shirley - thin pieces of paper filled with tiny writing (to get as much in as possible) folded and sent with the post. Now I could simply write something on the computer, dial in, and send it via email. 

But I realize that things have changed. Although young people do have email accounts (perhaps because they must), they do not use them often. And others are so inundated by work emails that they do not want to look at an email after a day or week of work. So I have learned to use Whatsapp and Telegram. 

I even send text messages (called “sms” in Belgium) to those I know will not see their email or app. Sometimes this is the quickest way to reach someone. But I must admit that my fat fingers and “intuitive” text often make a mess of things. Still, it works.

The most important thing is that we can communicate. I have been so encouraged by how the members in the congregation in Maastricht take this to heart. The sisters have a group app where they encourage one another and keep in contact. Various sisters make the effort to call those who cannot be on the app group. The young members tend to be on Instagram more often, so one of them asked about an Instagram account for the congregation. She has set it up and maintains it. 

Other members are not tech people. They prefer a good conversation, face to face. So they make time to visit others in the congregation. Our church is made up of members from Belgium and The Netherlands, spread over a fairly wide area. Spending time together takes and effort and that effort is made. 

Others do it even more old-school: letters and cards, real mail (even if it is snail mail). Cards for birthdays, times of encouragement, anniversaries. These are often very important, coming at moments when encouragement is truly needed. One sister makes sure that cards are ready and signed by all the members. 

This is all done in a group made up of at least four different languages and various age groups. It takes effort to keep in contact with one another. It is much easier to wait until someone contacts you. But here we are learning, and putting into practice, how good it is to reach out and touch those around you. We share with one another how good God is in our lives. We share the needs for prayer in difficult times. We say “thank you” because we are thankful and “I love you” because we do. 

To borrow and adapt a phrase from a shoe company: Just say it. Today. In any way you can.

Where oh where Wednesday - Francorchamps

This Sunday the roar of Formula 1 cars will pierce the air around where our Bible camp is located. Spa-Francorchamps, where the Belgian Grand Prix is held, is about 30 minutes away from camp in Solwaster. So this weekend the Dutch driver, Max Verstappen, as well as all the rest of the F1 coterie will be present to chase their cars around this winding track in the “mountains” of Belgium. 

The first time went down to camp, back in the 80’s when I was first in the country as a trainee, one could actually drive on a part of the race track. I can even remember driving the track myself shortly after we first arrived as a couple in 1991. But it wasn’t long after that the track was closed to public driving and a route was made going around the track. 

Back at our camp we not only hear the roar of the F1 race in August, but at other times we can watch all sorts of oldtimers race right along the road which passes our camp. There is an oldtimers race every year passing through the small village of Solwaster. Any other time, we simply hear the roar of motorcycles who like to hit the hill near our camp. Or we hear the tractor of the local dairy farm pulling the feed wagon up to the lowing cows in the fields. Any other time, we simply enjoy the peace of the countryside.

Whatsit Wednesday - Door handles

“As dumb as a doorknob.” I’ve heard that one before. But are doorknobs really that dumb? And what is a doorknob? I had always heard of door handles, but a doorknob? I remember the movie “Bedknobs and broomsticks” but that was a bed knob - a knob on a bed. And door handles can certainly be different from country to country. 

When I was young and living in the US, we had doorknobs that had a little button in the center. If you went to the bathroom (the place where you could use the toilet and also take a bath), you could push the button and shut the door. This would lock the door so that no one would walk in on you. When you were ready to leave, you simply turned the handle and the door unlocked, popping the button out from its locked position. 

This type of doorknob was especially useful if you had little kids. The other type had a small turnable button that did the same thing. Problem was often that a small child could get the door locked, but could not get it unlocked, leaving him or her crying for help to anyone within earshot. 

This system was not only meant for bathroom doors. The front doo of our house worked the same way, although there was also a deadbolt on it to make sure that all was locked up safely. Still, you could have the door unlocked during the day, which meant that we could enter from outside simply by turning the handle and pushing the door open. 

Perhaps that sounds strange to you. “Turning the handle”? Here in Belgium and The Netherlands the doorknob on the outside of the house door is just that - a knob. There is often nothing to turn. (That is a picture of our front door) On the inside of the door is a handle. This can be turned to open the door. It can also be locked with the deadbolt that accompanies it. But the door is not open from the outside. Anyone wanting to enter must have a key or ring the bell to get in. Unless of course you are in The Netherlands where the letter box is also in the door. Parents wanting their kids to be able to get in would hang a string attached to the latch out the mailbox. The kids could pull the string, pulling the latch and opening the door.

Often this knob is not even on the side of the door, where an American might expect a handle to be. It could simply be a great big knob in the middle of a great big door. When you leave your house you simply pull on the knob, closing the door behind you. Your house is closed (though not completely locked). 

Handles, knobs, locks - things can be different in different places. The same has been true in all of the places God has brought us. Some cultures are easier to talk to about religious topics. In some places you can mention Jesus without anyone looking at you strangely. In other places, you might have to approach such a conversation differently. In all cases, God is the one who opens the doors if we are willing to follow Him and try - whether it is a knob or handle. 

Ukrainians update, God’s family

We have been blessed in Maastricht with various opportunities to get to know, help and be blessed by our brothers and sisters from Ukraine. Let me give you a quick update on what things look like for us. 

In Maastricht

Back in 2020 we welcomed Alexander Zotov to our congregation. He is a widower and preacher from the church in Kiev, now married to a widow in Belgium. He hand his son, Andrey moved to Belgium before the war broke out in full in Ukraine. At the beginning of the conflict, Andrey’s fiancee, Adriana, also moved to Belgium. She lives with our colleagues Ruud and Karla. 

These three Christians are a blessing to us in Maastricht. Most recently Andrey's cousin, Vlad, has joined us and lives with Andrey. They both bike to services on Sunday (and anywhere else they need to be). This is a good 40 minute bike ride. 

Andrey and Adriana also have family that moved to Eindhoven connected with the church there. We have been able to get together in the past year with those refugee brothers and sisters when we go to a devo/bbq night there or the monthly singing that we hold with the church in Eindhoven. Several of the young people also went to our Bible camp in the past weeks. 

Alexander has continued his work with the word by preaching and teaching in Maastricht. It is nice to have his knowledge, wisdom and desire to serve in the congregation. He has also helped us as we try to help others in Ukraine. He has contacts with those on the ground in Ukraine and we are able to help immediately and directly. So far the congregation in Maastricht has helped out with a brother who helps people who have problems with addiction and are even more affected by the things happening in the country. 

Elsewhere in The Netherlands

Back in the Spring the Dutch-speaking churches held their annual Spring get-together. This year we used the opportunity to look at how to deal with difficult times. Alexander was one of the speakers there, together with Oleksander, who is staying in the building in The Hague with his family. The day was encouraging and challenging as we worked through translating and dealing with various cultures and the challenging topic as well. 

Oleksander (whose nickname is Sasha - as are most Alexanders) is a youth minister from the church in Ukraine. He and his family left to be able to care for their daughter who has specific needs. Thankfully, they are able to stay in the building in The Hague. Unfortunately, this building has long needed some upgrades. But that has also been helped, most recently. 

The congregation in Muscatine, Iowa, held a special contribution jin order to help with the situation in Ukraine. They asked us how best to use these funds and we knew that they could well be used for the situation in The Hague. A new shower and washing area has been created in the building. 

Oleksander and his family are already reaching out in the community where they live. The past week and this week they organized a sort of vacation camp for Ukrainians in The Hague. About 150 people registered for these dates. Pray for how God will use these contacts and how He is using the members in The Hague mightily. Here is an article in Dutch (google translate it) that talks about Oleksdander. 

Camp

As mentioned, various young people form Ukraine attended camp. We at first had envisioned being able to host families at our Bible camp facilities. But the way that Belgium set up their refugee system made this nigh to impossible. Instead, we have been able to have any Ukrainian families send their kids or come themselves to the Bible camp week. 

There were several young people at our Youth Camp (15 years and older) as well as 4 young people at our Benjamin Camp (8-11 years) and 3 at our Teen camp (12-14 years). Add to this how God has used Russian brethren in the country to help out with translation and contact and I am thrilled at how God can make things beautiful from all situations. 

Thank you!

Thank you, Muscatine for your help with financing. Another part of your gift also went to helping a congregation in Ukraine which is welcoming refugees to their area. Thank you all for your prayers for refugees and church alike as we strive to show God’s grace and might in everyday situations. Praise the Lord for His might in making all things work according to His plan. 

Whensday - National Days

In the United States the whole country is celebrated on July 4th. This is Independence Day - they day that we celebrate our independence from the British, the beginning of our being a country. There are fireworks, family get-togethers, picnics and more. 

We remember sharing a few of these on several of our Home Assignments: outside of Minnepolis or Hudson with various members in different years from the Woodbury family (or what would become the Woodbury family), in Indianapolis with the family of our daughter-in-love, in California with the Jablonski’s. 

Other countries have their own national days and traditions. Belgium, being a very interesting set-up, has three different special days. The Flemish-speaking area celebrates their day on July 11. The French-speakers celebrate on September 27 and the National Day is held on July 21. This last is the only one where everyone has a free day. And of course we can’t forget the German-speaking day on November 15. 

Typically there are no fireworks or such, but families in the various communities do get together, since it is a holiday in that community. The National Day is a holiday for everyone - not just the specific language community. On that day, stores, banks and such are all closed.