Some have asked about the train crash near Brussels. We were not on this train and don't personally know anyone who was. But if you're interested in a report you can take this link.16 February 2010
train crash
Some have asked about the train crash near Brussels. We were not on this train and don't personally know anyone who was. But if you're interested in a report you can take this link.
12 February 2010
Flemish Catholics reticent about beliefs
I subscribe to a newspaper called Flanders Today. It is a Flemish news source in English. I thought the following excerpt from an article might give insight into the religious climate of Belgium (Flanders in particular).
Flemish Catholics reticent about beliefs
The figures are worrying for church leaders, since the polls targeted active church-goers rather than those who are only nominally Catholic. “I think they’re right,” said Kerk & Leven editor Bert Claerhout in De Morgen. “Certainly for young people, it’s not easy to speak up for your beliefs.” The problem helps explain why half of the respondents were in favour of Catholic schools, with a return to catechism lessons.
The article can be read in its entirety here.
17 January 2010
10 November 2009
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 pala
te 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.
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.
26 September 2009
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.
13 September 2009
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.
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.
07 September 2009
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).
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).
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