fish dinner

This month is going to be a bit tight financially. I'm sure this has happened to some of you, missed a bill last month, had some quarterly things come due, and so on. Our pantry is starting to look a bit bare (but not quite Mother Hubbard bare). We are far from poverty stricken, but the prayer "give us this day our daily bread" is in vogue at our house. I pulled some cheap fish called pangasius (that's fully grown iridescent shark to all you aquarium enthusiasts) out of the freezer. I made some herb roasted potatoes, steamed some frozen veggies, and baked the fish quite simply with some garlic, dill, and lemon juice. Everyone (accept perhaps daughter #2 who has a palate quite difficult to please) really enjoyed the meal.

To recap, money's tight, there are not many options in the pantry, we pray "give us this day our daily bread," and we have the best meal we've had in a while.

life lesson: I think I could get into this depending on God thing.

missions

I was recently asked to make a video promoting missions as a core value of God's kingdom for InterVarsity at South Dakota State University. They have a program for freshmen called "Life on the Road" that I helped start a couple years ago. If you want to watch this video you'll get a little of my story, a little bit of Scripture, and a view of Gent. A few of you lucky IV alums will see yourself in a couple of classic photos.

the waiting isnt' over...still

A few weeks ago we had our final appointment at the city administrative building. Of course final is only a word we hoped to be able to use. And as it turned out our hope was in vain.

On our arrival at the administrative building I felt a sense of power. The room was full of people from many cultures and places who all held a piece of paper with a number. When I took a number some months back I was treated to a 2 1/2 hour wait. But not today. 8:30 would see me on my way to holding my identity card. We were called into an office and heard these soul-deflating words, "First, I have some bad news."

It turns out that the day we waited 2 1/2 hours the lady who began processing our family made a pretty big mistake. She didn't keep any of the paperwork (for which we had labored a great deal--medical forms, FBI check, birth certificates complete with apostilles, etc.) for Trina and the kids. And in addition we needed to have someone come to our house (again) and this time see if our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of 6. I was sent to another building in the administrative complex. Remarkably, it would only take about 2 weeks to complete the appointment at our house. And, yes, our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of six. They tell us it shouldn't, but it could take up to six months to process the rest of that paperwork.

Well I received the letter in the mail that says I can go pick up my card (haven't done it yet, maybe Monday). And when we get a letter officially saying our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of six Trina will go back in with all the other forms that should have been kept almost four months ago. And then perhaps that will be our final visit of the year. You see, we have to go through a renewal process every year.

Life lesson: If you are an American missionary there is no final appointment at the Stad Huis.

why fight it?

My seven month old daughter is sweet. She smiles at our friends (who think she never fusses). She has a wonderful laugh (which you may have heard on Facebook). But her behavior I want to tell you about today is fighting sleep. If you're a parent you've probably seen similar behavior.

Here's what she does. We lay her down for a nap. She might be quiet for a moment, but sometimes she immediately rolls to her stomach, does a push up and reaches for the crib (or is it prison?) bars. She will stand up and yell at us. We can lay her back down, but she may perform this maneuver repeatedly. The most interesting moments are when she has completely worn herself out and stands there crying (sometimes with pacifier in place and eyes closed). Sleep is the enemy and she wants the world to know it will not defeat her. She fights against the very thing she needs most.

When she gets a little older (like my 3 year old daughter) she will understand that a nap, though not the most exciting part of the afternoon, is sometimes necessary. And when she gets to be the age of her parents she may wish for napping opportunities.

It occurred to me that sometimes I behave toward God's will the way my daughter behaves toward naps. Perhaps you do as well. We as humans fight against the very thing we need most. As we get a little more mature we begin to understand that God's will is sometimes necessary. And I hope we reach the point where our deep wish is to embrace God's will. Rich Mullins wrote, "I'd rather fight you for something I don't really want than take what you give that I need." Let's be people who love God's will (and take naps when we need them, too).

something bigger

Getting involved with an IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) movement outside the United States has made me more aware of my ministry being a part of something God is doing around the world. Take a look at this video giving an overview of the history of IFES.

mussels

I got a message on Skype this morning. "We might go to Blaarmeersen [that's the really nice park near our house], do you want to join us?" That simple question culminated in a traditional Belgian dinner of mussels (and frieten). This was perhaps our most spontaneous day since moving to Belgium. What we thought might just be a morning at the park became a whole day with friends (isn't Flemish culture nice). Here is the evolution of our day.
-We realize that we probably need to take a simple picnic lunch.
...we realize we don't have bread.
...I bike to the bakery.
-We walk to the park and enjoy conversation while the kids play (OK, I played almost as much as I conversed).
-It rains.
...we take shelter, some of us under playground equipment, some of us in the restaurant at the park (where we all eventually found ourselves).
-We treat the kids to ice cream and have a soda as we continue to talk, and the rain quits (and starts and quits).
...the wasps (who already showed interest in our picnic) now set their minds on our ice cream and sodas, so we decide to move.
-We start to walk around the lake.
-It rains again.
...we take shelter under trees.
...the trees try their best, but we realize this rain is going to last a while and the trees are not helping much.
...we continue our walk in the rain (with the girls on the stroller under a towel and the rest of us getting wet).
-We make it home and have tea and hot chocolate to warm up.
-We get into a conversation about traditional Belgian food.
-Our friend, Tom, says, "I could make mussels for us if you like."
...we walk to the grocery store and get the needed supplies.
-We hang out at home until it's nearly supper time.
-I bike to a frituur while Tom makes the final preparations on the mussels.
-We have a pleasant dinner.
-We talk some more after dinner before our friends leave.

I had intended to work on a fundraising project today. Instead of hours in front of the computer I got a relaxing day with friends. I say relaxing because the rain and wasps and extra trips to get food didn't deter us even slightly from enjoying ourselves. And while I still need to do some fundraising I also remembered we're here in Belgium to be with people.

Funny thing is when the evening settled down I sat in front of the computer to get a little start on my project. What did I find but an email from some new friends saying they'll be in town tomorrow and could they visit. And I replied, "We would be delighted."

Life lesson: You are what you eat. And we not only ate a traditional Flemish dish, but perhaps we tasted the Flemish way of life.

the waiting isn't over

If you've been in touch with my family the last year or so then you know that I've got some experience in the business of waiting. A while back (after 10 months of waiting) my visa finally arrived and we could move to Belgium. Well, here I am on my brand new (second hand) leather (or leather-like) couch in Gent, blogging. We've been here just four weeks. One of the main emotions we felt on arrival was relief. At last the waiting was over. At least that's what we thought.

Since then we have waited at city hall (for 2 1/2 hours), waited for buses to arrive at our stop (but the wait time is decreasing as we learn the system), waited for the bus to reach the end of it's route so we can ride in the other direction we meant to go in the first place (we've only done this twice), waited for our furniture to be delivered from the second hand stores where we made purchases, and we are still waiting for city hall to send us a letter to tell us when our appointment will be to finish the process of registering in Gent, and for the end of July when the next round of language classes start at the university.

That's the forest view. Here's one story in tree view detail (and if you're the sort of person who would naturally tune me out when I start to ramble on with unnecessary details please skip the italicized part of this post). I found out on Sunday May 31 that a level 1 language class began on Friday the 29th. I decided to do what I could to try to get in that class. Monday was a holiday (Pentecost) and the university (and just about everything else in Gent) was closed (this will be important later). So Tuesday I got on a bus (the right one and in the right direction this time) early enough to visit the office and hopefully sign up before the class began at 9:00. I didn't recognize my stop so I went one stop too far. I got off by city hall. Having spent 2 1/2 hours there recently I knew they had an information desk. I decided they might know where the faculty (what we'd call college) of languages was located. I said "Hallo, spreekt u Engels?" The woman said she did, but she didn't seem to understand anything I asked. Finally when she understood I was looking for a Flemish language class she said "You'll have to ask there," and pointed to the "take a number and wait 2 1/2 hours for your turn" area. I politely said, "Dank u," and left. I began walking back toward the university area. I came up with an idea. Find someone who looks like a student and ask for directions. Of course this person had to be male (cause I'm so scary), not too cool looking (cause I'm so ordinary), and carrying a back pack. I found the guy. Not only did he meet the qualifications I'd set, he was also studying (it's exam time) and I knew I had a student. When I asked him if he could direct me to the faculty of languages he said that's where he was going (but he couldn't talk because he needed to study). I thanked the Lord and walked with the young man. After walking several blocks he asked where I needed to be. I explained and he told me I needed a different building, the language center. So he sent me back the way we'd came. I politely said, "Dank u," and turned around. I walked until I was quite positive I had walked too far. I turned around again and walked some more. I walked until I was quite positive I had walked too far. I decided to return to my original plan--find the faculty of languages. I finally did and went to the office with the info symbol above it. The man had some info for me. But I knew when I left him I was going to the wrong place, you see, I do not need English classes. But I went to the department of English anyway. I figured there I would meet someone who's English was probably superior to mine and who would also know where to go for a Flemish class. I found someone and got very good directions to the language center (even knew how many meters it was after I made the last left turn). I walked until I was quite positive I had walked too far. I turned and walked back until I was quite positive I had walked to far. I turned and walked very carefully this time, making sure I looked at each sign on each building. Finally I found the sign I sought so long. There was no front door. You actually had to turn into something like an alley and then you could see the door. Well unfortunately it was after 9:00 and the class was in session. I went to the office and to my dismay the sign indicated 10:00 was the beginning of office hours. I wandered the building a bit listening for basic Flemish like, "Waar is het toilet?" I didn't find the class. Since I had to wait another 40 minutes or so I decided to walk to one of the several bakeries I had passed and let my waiting be sugar-aided. I came back and waited and enjoyed my little treat (this would end up being the highlight of the morning). At 8:50 I decided I should stand by the office door in case a line formed (and a small line did form with me at the front). At about 10:02 the man behind me made a very astute observation. Office hours began at 14:00 on Tuesday. I had been looking at Monday (you know how those 3 day weekends mess you up). I left quite defeated (but at least I was sugared up). I took some information about language classes from a display and decided I would call at 14:00. They told me I couldn't join the class. And now I'm waiting for the class that begins 29 July. (If you read all that you got quite a detailed look at the tree. Thanks.)

The waiting isn't over. And perhaps it won't be until God returns or calls me home. The Bible is filled with waiting--waiting for a promised child, waiting for a promised deliverer, waiting for the Messiah. And today I think everyone I know is waiting for something. Friends are waiting to meet their new baby girl (and the wait is almost over for them), my mother-in-law is waiting for the end of our three year commitment and the return of her grandkids, other friends are waiting for their funding to come in so they can leave for the mission field. And you, reader, are waiting for ____________________________ (fill in the blank). I think waiting is good.

Read the words of the psalmist (Psalm 130:5-7)
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

Life lesson: When I wait what I really wait for is God to prove himself faithful. So I will wait in hope.

Some of you have told me you're watching for updates here, and I promise a post of substance will be coming soon. But for now I want to show you a picture. We had our first meal from the frituur just over the bridge from our house. What you see in the picture is our leftovers. We started with 5 cheeseburgers and 2 extra large frieten. Boy was it good.

there is no plan b

[I originally wrote this for my newsletter. But I got some news that made me decide not to keep it in there. And since I thought this was all pretty significant in my walk with Christ here it as as a blog post.]

I had a conversation recently that might represent what some of you are wondering. This question arose: “What are you going to do if you don’t get your visa?” Well, I pondered that question long after the conversation was over and I came to this conclusion. I am not making a Plan B. I thought of people in the Bible who received promises from God and then waited. Abraham came to mind. God promised Abraham that a son would come from his own body and that his descendents would number as the stars. When waiting became too hard Abraham and Sarah tried Plan B. Ishmael was the result. But God remained faithful. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah. And through him God’s promise was kept.

In God’s special timing I heard a sermon from Genesis 15 the very next Sunday titled “The God Who Makes Promises and the People Who Believe Them.” Here’s the outline. 1. The Lord God makes gracious promises. 2. The Lord God’s promises often appear doubtful of completion. 3. The Lord God’s promises when trusted and rested in give us a relationship with God.

When I look at how God has worked in history I have to say 9 months waiting for a visa is not very long. I believe God’s call for us is as sure as his promise to Abraham. And with that in mind we will wait in hope and faith for God to move. And while we wait we’ll work on language learning, chase the last of our funding, and serve the area InterVarsity groups whenever I have the chance.

Life lesson: Challenging questions can either discourage us or make us cling to God's promises.

[Last week I was told that my visa was on the consul's desk waiting to be signed (and that's the news that kept this post out of my newsletter). Hopefully it comes this week.]

If you'd like to hear the sermon take this link:
http://www.firstfreesf.org/messages_mp3-pdf/Genesis%2015%201-16%20Mar%208%202009.mp3

tap water

If you're looking for something good to do during the season of Lent consider drinking only tap water and supporting blood:water mission with the money you don't spend.

http://www.bloodwatermission.com/index.php

Saint Murphy

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. You know this adage as Murphy's Law. In the months (and months) of waiting for our visa (and house sale, and all the other things that need to happen before we can move to Belgium) it has seemed like lots of things have gone wrong. My previous post "8 months to give thanks" was an effort to change my heart from one that focuses on the Murphy's Law list in my life to one that is full of thanksgiving to God. But today life added something to my Murphy's Law list. My wife is sick, and I had to back out of teaching at a student training event tonight, and I'm very disappointed. I'm not asking for your sympathy, and she's wouldn't either. But sometimes we feel like we've been assigned an angel named Murphy as our guardian.

It's tempting to make a big theological deal about things that go wrong. While, it's a good idea to ask what God is up to when you are sick, when you can't pay a bill, or when your vehicle breaks down (even the really nice new van you borrowed from your brother-in-law so that you wouldn't have to deal with breakdowns on your trip to northern Minnesota). But it is just as good an idea to ask what God is up to when your child is born with no complications, when you lose 5 pounds, or when your car runs fine (even though you haven't changed the oil in about 5000 miles). But instead of offering a theological foundation for suffering (and all the little things that get on our Murphy's Law lists), or sharing my list with you, I'm going to introduce you to a character who knew how to respond when Murphy's Law seemed to run rampant.

The prophet Habakkuk looked at the world around him and asked "How long, O LORD...?" God dialogues with him, reassuring the prophet that he is indeed involved in the affairs of the world. But it is Habakkuk's final response in chapter 3 that really instructs and inspires.

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Life lesson: If I rejoice when there are no grapes on the vine (or money in my account) I will be strong in the LORD, and instead of blaming Murphy for everything going wrong, I'll thank him because I have had another occasion for joy. And I think people just might notice that.

8 months to give thanks

Our new baby girl, Elisabeth, is 3 weeks old today. When she was 6 days old we submitted her passport application. (We were quite the spectacle trying to get a week old baby to open her eyes in front of a white screen for a passport photo. The staff at Harold's Photo are probably still telling the story.) We went to the post office in Brookings (rather than the "big city" of Sioux Falls) and one of the clerks (Lowell, armed with small town helpfulness) let us go through the passport application process even though it was later than the posted time for accepting applications (and we'd like to thank everyone in the line that formed after we began for their patience). Just 13 days later we received her passport in the mail. That's fast.

Here's what remains in the paperwork process before we can board a plane bound for Belgium. In their haste the bureaucrats forgot to return Elisabeth's birth certificate with her passport. So we need to
1. Get another birth certificate for Elisabeth.
2. Get an apostille (a special seal that makes a document "more legal") from the South Dakota Secretary of State.
3. Wait for the arrival of my religious worker's visa.
4. Submit the family reunification visa application (connecting my family to the visa for which we currently wait).
5. Wait again (and this part should only take a few weeks as it gets processed in New York).

We have been waiting three days short of three months. That is significant because a representative at the consulate told us the visa would take 2-3 months (to the American mind that's slow). She has three days to be a woman of her word. Before that we waited five months for a paper needed to start our visa application process to arrive from Belgium (to that same American mind that's slow, too). So we're at the eight month mark.

Eight months of waiting, and still some waiting to do. For my mental and spiritual health I'm going to offer a list of eight things that cause me to be thankful for the wait.
1. We had our baby in Brookings (bucking the trend of Brookings people coming to Sioux Falls to have their babies) with doctors and nurses we've come to love and respect through the births of our other three kids.
2. We got to spend another Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families.
3. I have been able to speak, lead a Bible study, and participate in prayer ministry at several InterVarsity conferences and campuses.
4. My kids have had some really great birthday parties getting one more chance to invite friends and cousins.
5. I'm starting a men's discipleship group with some of my friends.
6. We were able to secure a beautiful home in Gent and friends over there (including some we've yet to meet) are filling it with things it takes to run a household.
7. God is using Sunday worship services at the church we're now attending to challenge us and give us his peace.
8. My son get's to participate in another season of Junior Bible Quiz.

Life lesson: God has instructed his children this way: "in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) I guess everything includes paperwork and bureaucracy.