Day 3: Church and Cultural Experiences

Police Story as promised from yesterday, we have the scoop from Jeb:
"Nathan and I were stopped by police on our nightly walk around the village.  The man spoke to me in Flemish and I said 'we only speak English.' Thankful they both spoke English.  They thought we looked suspicious since there is a horse attacker still at large.  Thankfully Nathan had his wallet to prove we were Americans.  They didn't understand why we would travel all this way to visit this village.  We told them we were staying with friends. They were friendly and wished us a good evening."

We had a wonderful worship time at the Evengelical Church of Diepenbeek (they like to sing a lot!).  Jeb was recruited last minute for drums and did so well, the praise team asked him back for later during the week.  Even the church in Diepenbeek is becoming multicultural; we met two women from the Philippines as well as families from Iran and the Netherlands. 

Milt preaching Psalm 73 with Hans translating.

Jeb in the praise band.

After the service, our team began prepping the church building for tomorrow's beach-themed VBS "Fun in the Son."   Our spiritual theme for the week is discovering who Jesus is, and tomorrow the children will be learning that Jesus is King.

Donating oxygen to VBS

In the afternoon, our group split for some sightseeing: 
Milt, Val, Nathan, and Jeb visited Tongeren, one of the oldest cities in Belgium.  Some highlights were the Basilica and ancient Roman walls.  They also got to fellowship with two couples from the church for lunch and ice cream later.

Vivianne's steak & fritz

Doors are smaller here!

Coffee break in Tongeren

Milt in Tongeren

Can you find Valerie at the Basilica?

Jeannine drove Sheri and Stephanie an hour to Monschau (which means "look at the mountain") in Germany. The views on the way in were gorgeous! We strolled through the village, took a tour of Jeannine's vacation rental house, and indulged in German waffles with ice cream.  We also found a park & played on the see-saw. Today provided several opportunities for us to have deep conversations and pray together. Willy, Jeannine's husband didn't come with us, but spent the day painting. He is very gifted artist.

Overlooking Monschau

Main street

See-saws are still legal here!

Willy painting

Praise: We are currently expecting 15-20 kids for the VBS program!!
Prayer: Please pray for more opportunities to encourage, challenge, and partner with the church during this week.  Please pray for continued unity within our team and as we merge with the Belgian team as well.

Stephanie & Sheri

Day 2: Settling in and Exploring

For a few of us (Jeb, Nathan, and Stephanie), this is our first time in Belgium; consequently we are learning a lot about the culture even in our first two days.

Realization #1: Belgian cars are very small!  As we have several tall people in our group, it can get pretty squishy.  Nathan has experienced riding in the trunk a couple times which ironically gives him more room :)

Realization #2: Belgian food is to die for!! Both of our hostesses, Jeannine and Vivianne, are excellent cooks.  Yesterday Milt, Val, Nathan, and Jeb along with Vivianne and Ivan went out for waffles and pancakes topped with chocolate and ice cream. Below is Sheri and Stephanie's dinner.

(Brief update from the gang at Vivianne and Ivan's house from yesterday): They also played Mexican Train dominoes, a favorite game of those in the Diepenbeek church and took a stroll in the countryside.

Despite being still somewhat jet-lagged, we had a great time this morning at the Diepenbeek cell group meeting.  Milt challenged everyone to be salt and light in our various communities and to share the love and hope we have in Jesus Christ. Valerie demonstrated how to share the Gospel using Dean Collar's gift cube, and everyone was given time to practice.

This afternoon, we drove to Vaals, Netherlands which has a point where you can stand in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium at the same time. We also climbed stairs/rode an elevator to the top of a very tall tower overlooking all three countries. One of the highlights of Vaals is the Labrynth, an extremely difficult hedge maze (picture Harry Potter in the Triwizard Tournament).  We split into pairs to race against each other. It took most of us 2 hours to find our way to the end, but our astute and wise leaders (Milt and Val) navigated to the end 37 min. sooner than the younger generation (naturally this comment is of our own free will and we are under no coercion whatsoever).  We ended our trip with waffles and naps in the car ride back through part of Germany.

On another note, Jeb and Nathan got stopped by the local police while out on their walk.  Check back tomorrow for the full story!

Tomorrow, Milt will be preaching from the Psalms. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to speak through him and the translator.  Another prayer request is for the Belgians who will be helping with the VBS.  Our Bible teacher for Wednesday and Thursday (Gospel days) has had to step down due to a family emergency.  Please pray for a replacement teacher and interpretor for those days.  Also, please continue to pray for children to attend during the week.   

Sheri & Stephanie

"We Made It!"   Diepenbeek, Belgium

Hello from Belgium!  Our trip began with a one hour delay due to weather, but that meant we had more time to watch movies on the plane!  We arrived in Brussels at 8am (2am our time) and were welcomed by some wonderful friends and some unexpected sunshine.  Luc, Ivan, and Vivianne managed to creatively cram our luggage into their two cars, and we departed for Diepenbeek. 

After a delicious breakfast of coffee and pasteries, we spent the rest of the day with our host families.  Having nothing on our agenda today allowed us to recouperate from a largely sleepless night.  Sheri and I (Stephanie) managed to squeeze in a power nap!  We also had the opportunity to explore Hasselt and visit Jeannine's fabulous art gallery.  Our day ended with dinner by the water and coffee at a restaurant rooftop overlooking the city at sunset.

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.

Saturday

Another day off to rest! Whew!

Ok, that’s not entirely accurate. There was very little rest.

Today the plan was to go into Bokrijk, their equivalent of our Colonial Williamsburg. And the plan required us to get an early start – earlier than usual! After so much physically-demanding labor all week and nights of less-than-adequate sleep, it was difficult to wake up for this, but we all did and are glad for it.

Bokrijk is a park where they have consolidated buildings and villages from areas of Belgium from many years ago – some back from the 1100s (a church we went into!). The architecture, building materials, and of course period-dressed employees of the park all contributed to the atmosphere of antiquity, as did some of the park workers in the buildings who were cooking or making yarn or doing various activities in the manner they would have been done way back in the day. It was pretty neat to see, and was also just a good time for the team to bond together some more along with our Belgian hosts who guided us through: Chris, Ivan and Vivianne.

Milt practiced his Dutch on the Baker in Bokrijk

He enjoyed talking to Milt so much he grabbed him for a picture.

After a short rest back at various hosts’ homes, we attended an outreach event that the Diepenbeek church had been sponsoring and promoting (and for which we had helped pass out several thousand flyers throughout Diepenbeek!). The event was competing against awesome weather and an important soccer game on T.V., but I believe that the event was a success in that we did see a couple of unbelievers there, at least one of which Eddie got to talk to about the bible and Jesus Christ and her eternal destination (oddly, she believes in reincarnation but she has no idea why she believes this). To pull unbelievers into an event like this would be difficult in America, too, but in Belgium I this is truly God’s work. Pray for those that attended that do not know Christ that they would consider the words of the message, the actions of the believers there, and be drawn to Christ.

Dr. Hank Gelling

The speaker seemed really good although it was hard to judge his message as it was in Flemmish but Eddie was very happy with it. Watching Dr. Henk Gelling speak even when you can’t understand him is really interesting, however, as he is an animated and expressive speaker, and you could see the audience connecting with him. The topic of his speech was how 2009 was the year of “angst” (fear) but 2010 could be the year of “hoop” (hope) – a hope found in Christ, of course.

Erin and Adry perform

Imagine our surprise when we read the flyer about Dr. Hank Gelling speaking... and there would be music provided by an American performer. Who's performing we ask? Oh! That's us! LOL. What would we have done if Erin hadn't been with us? She has a beautiful voice, and she and Adry, who played the guitar, chose a few songs and practiced for about 10 minutes in a hallway after the Zutendaal Bible study. And they pulled it together beautifully.

Milt and Val with Pasquale and his fiance

Milt shared the gospel with Pasquale at a Bible Study 6 months ago when Milt was visiting. Soon after Pasquale came to the Lord. He and his fiance (also a believer) came to hear Dr. Gelling speak and were able to visit with Milt and Val for a bit, too.

It is wonderful to me to see the hearts of the people here in the Belgium church so concerned about evangelism and reaching their friends, families (who don’t take kindly to their sons or daughters becoming Christians – we’re seen here kind of like a cult) and neighbors. It can be discouraging when you lose the perspective of who is really in control of things here, and who is responsible for the success of any of our work. Please lift up these soldiers of Christ in your prayers, to be encouraged, strengthened and renewed as they continue persevering here.

Friday

It is finshed!

While the significance of this phrase is much more meaningful in the context of Jesus saying this the cross, we also said it on Friday. The necessary work on the church has been done for our trip here and Eddie says it "is very, very good" with a satisfied smile. Friday's work was mainly cleaning up (not just the work site, but th church interior, into which we dragged a lot of dust and dirt, and Megan also cleaned out the baptismal), storing stuff in the renovated shed, clearing out debris from the work areas, and a last minute project to provide better drainage for the driveway next to the church. This also contributed to Eddie's satisfaction with the work done as this last-minute effort fulfilled his promises of what he would do for the tenant who rents a room above the church.

So, what does the end result look like? Here are some good before and after photos!

Street view of Diepenbeek church building

Driveway area as we got started working.

The finished driveway area



Erin & Sheri painting the back walkway wall

Finished back walkway area painted and cleaned out

Back side wall before work

Back side wall done - the top isn't painted because Eddy

rebuilt that part of the wall and it has to 'set' for a couple

weeks before it can be properly repainted

The rear wall of the church buiding before

The rear wall after

I don't have a real 'before' shot of the shed,

it was packed with stuff. But this is after emptying

and during roof removal

This is the shed all cleaned out

The back yard first day of work

The back yard when we finished

Friday afternoon, most of the folks went to Genk to do some shopping and to reconnect with a man there that Milt has been witnessing to for years. Stein (I'm guessing at spelling, it's pronounced Stain) is 31 years old and just had a serious heart attack this past year. Just before we left Milt went to him and said he just couldn't help but think about this heart attack and what would have happened to him if he had died. Stein exclaimed, "I knew you were going to say that!" At least he is clear on the issue! Heis still not ready to put his trust in Christ, but promised to continue reading what he and Milt write back and forth and to continue thinking about it. More of a surprise was when Stein's girlfriend suddenly opened up to Val right before we left. The conversation had been pretty light, but as our departure time approached she suddenly went deep in conversation. Please be praying for her!

Milt & Stein (sp?)

Shopping for chocolate

Lot's of chocolate was procured in order to ensure our bags would be full for the ride home. We've got a 50lb limit on the bags, so we are all looking through our things to see what we can leave behind, and how we can repack to make it all work.

That evening, we had a wonderful dinner together as an entire team at Ivan and Vivianne's house. Other than the quick lunches at the church, this was the first time our entire team was able to be together for a dinner meal, around one table, and it was nice to relax and enjoy a great dinner together.

After dinner, there were two bible studies: Milt to conclude his two-part series on Marriage and Relationships at the Diepenbeek church, and Scott to teach a lesson from Mark 6 on How to Serve with Super Powers in a small church group in Zutendaal. Both seemed to hit home in the right way and serve our brothers and sisters here n Belgium well. The people here are hungry for the word. The Word of God is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do to! (2 Tim 3:16-17 an Eph 2:10b)

Sheri shares soulariam witnessing tool with Zutendaal church

Zutendaal church

The church at Zutendaal is a small group of believers (15-ish) in a town that is spiritually not too unlike the rest of Belgium. One difference is that the town is a site of an alleged miraculous appearance of Mary (the mother of Jesus, not just some recent fortuitously-named woman). This seems to be a pretty important thing in Zutendaal where folks will make what I can best describe as religious pilgramages to the site where this appearance was supposed to have happened, but in spite of the rigor of the pilgramage, it has no spiritual significance - at least no positive one. Those here in Zutendaal who claim to be Catholic are just Catholic as the rest of Belgium for the most part: by name only.

The Zutendaal church was started essentially through the brave and visionary actions of two folks there who have been going door-to-door to spread the gospel for the last several years. It is amazing to see God working and bringing together a wonderful group of believers to shine aganst the darkness of their community and country!