Sunday and Goodbyes

Sunday was our second church service with Diepenbeek, and our last day to be with the people of the Diepenbeek church. Pastor Milt taught, worship together got a little boisterous, ah... it was nice.

Chris and Gaby with the nursery kids. They do have the quilt sent from out church on the floor in the baby area for the little one to crawl and lay on instead of the cold linoleum floor. I have a pic of it that I can't find at the moment, if I find it I will post it!

The older kids Sunday school room. I couldn't get the young man on the right to look at the camera! We did present the kids of the church with a DVD/CD player with funds raised by Mrs. Zellner's 1st & 2nd grade class back in Chantilly. Another Diepenbeek church family donated an extra TV they have, so the kids will have that for their class! I also framed the picture of Mrs. Zellner's class for them to hang in their room.


Pastor Milt preaching with Valare translating.



The congregation seen from the worship team.

Sunday afternoon Milt, Val, Hugh, Scott and I had a very special treat. Eddy had been threatening for years to make Rabbit stew for Milt. I think Milt was a little nervous about pushing to try it, and Eddy was a little nervous Milt would really hate it... but Scott and I jumped on that and all week called Eddy's bluff and asked when we were going to have our rabbit stew?? So, on Sunday, Eddy made it for us. He also made another stew - pork I think - in case we hated the rabbit. But I have to say, Yummy! I didn't have Option B.

It was a beautiful afternoon and we sat at an outside dining table with Milt, Val, Hugh, Eddy, Gaby, Nele, Chananja, Albert, Scott & I, talking and eating. It was a good time that will stay with me as a great memory for a long time.

Rabbit Stew! Bottom of the plate is rhubarb fresh from the garden we could see from the table, and soo sweet. Top of the plate are two kinds of potatoes with creamy mushroom sauce.

Many of us had teased Milt about how discussions of Belgium often turned to food. "What? Is it all about the food??" we'd kid. Well, I have to tell you... it's not all about the food. The people are people just like us -and they are wonderful. The church is encouraging and sweet. And, well, the food is sooooooo goood, there's sooo much of it, and they always want you to eat more.

Val, Nele, Chananja & Hugh at our outdoor Sunday lunch.



Eddy, our chef for the afternoon, and Gaby.

Sunday evening was the much-anticipated Mexican Train dominoes! So many from the church turned out, we were organized into groups where we played a few rounds, then swapped seats and played a few more. It got loud and funny quite quickly. I don't even remember who won the night... I do remember that twice, Milt was eager and ready to go 'out' and I went 'out' right in front of him. That was pretty much when it got loud and crazy. Ultimately his score was much better than mine, but I got to enjoy those moments! :-)

Some of the Mexican Train dominoes tables...

After the games and chatting were winding down, we all stood in a circle around the room. We sang "I Have a Light" which had been sung several different times during the week and is one of the things that will stick with me. And we prayed together before leaving.

It as bittersweet. At the time I was, and I know several others from the team were also, tired, physically and emotionally a bit spent. I kept looking around thinking how I want to remember everything and everyone, and how I feel about these people and all I have taken in in the past eleven days, and at the same time I knew I couldn't hold onto all of it, and that I wouldn't really be able to explain it to everyone back home.

I Have a Light

I have a light

and it always shines.

It shines in the day

and it shines in the night.

When the dark days come

and the sun isn't bright,

I will be shining,

for I have a light.

(repeat above)

Oh my light is the Lord.

Oh, Jesus by name.

My light is the Spirit,

who leads me to change.

My light is the Father,

who gave up His own.

My light is the hope

I'll be with Him

in a heavenly home.

Monday... Saying Goodbye...

Oh Monday morning was so very hard. Getting up and out way too early with all our stuff repacked, carefully watching the 50lb (approx 22kg on our Belgian bathroom scale) per bag limit, was the easy part.

We all met at the Hasselt train station where everyone was saying goodbye to their host families, except Scott and I since Eddy and Chananja were escorting us as far as the Louven train transfer. There were many tears and slow, heavy footfalls getting on the train. We were all on the train except Erin and Sheri who were still firmly in Jeanine's grip. Val and I exchanged looks and Val said, 'We may have a problem getting them away from her.' Just about the time we were getting worried they would miss the train, they pulled themselves away, got on the train in seats facing each other and rode in silence to the Louven stop. Our host families stayed at the station, tears running down their faces, and waving their hankerchiefs as the train pulled away.

We all said goodbye to Eddy and Chananja at the Louven stop. Eddy had been our director through all the physical work. Scott and I had had many memorable meals ("What's the meat Eddy, I really like it" "Horse. It's a treat to have it." "Promise you'll never tell my daughter I ate it, and it was my favorite, ok?") and several walk and talks that opened our hearts to him and Gaby and to the people of the Diepenbeek church. To see this strong, active, smiling man with tears in his eyes as he hugged everyone goodbye was really tough.

Ivan and Vivianne had met at the first train station and loaded all of our luggage into their minivan (it filled the van leaving only the front two seats open) and driven it to the airport where they would meet us and give it back. So we had one more goodbye to go. They met us at the Brussels airport gave us our bags and another round of hugs, tears and goodbyes. Vivianne's vivaciousness was subdued, Ivan was stoic and misty-eyed. The last of our Belgian hosts were gone.

The only pic I got of our farewell committee on the train platform

It's now been almost two weeks since we've returned from Belgium, and Scott and I are now feeling that we have processed the trip much more and are more able to respond coherently when people ask about the people and the experience.

I also saw Sheri for the first time since the trip in Sunday School this morning and we right away hugged and asked how being back home has been. We have similar conflicting feelings that it's hard to believe we were only in Diepenbeek for 11 days, and at the same time it seems so long already that we've been home. Real Life is back.

It was a wonderful, and hopefully not a once in a lifetime experience. All of us have been bonded to this little church half a world away. We care for and want to lift them up, and they feel the same for us. We pray for each other, we keep in touch through the wonders of email and facebook. And one way or another, we'll see each other and worship together again.