Undivided 2012

During the Easter break approximately 2000 students from 45 in Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East will gather in Gyor, Hungary for Undivided 2012, IFES Europe's student evangelism conference. It will be a privilege to be a part of this event. Please take a look at this article written by my IFES Europe supervisor, Edith Vilamajo. She is on the planning team and has given a great summary and list of prayer requests. My main role is leading a seminar called "Dealing With Stress." But it will be great to hang out with students and colleagues from many countries, and to hopefully encourage the Belgian delegation.

new eyes

I have worn glasses since 6th grade. At some point after we move back to the U. S. I would love to have my eyes surgically corrected. We'll see if that happens. But here in Belgium my eyes have actually improved. When I looked at people in the U. S., I didn’t always see them as they were. I cared for people around me and I genuinely desired that they come to know Jesus. But, sometimes my vision would get blurry and instead of saying or doing things to bring people closer to Jesus I would get caught up in the hectic nature of daily life—working on my house, pursuing hobbies, paying the bills, working, whatever. But here in Belgium daily life has never seemed very ordinary. Going to the post office, picking the kids up after school, walking to the city center, and every other ordinary thing is made extraordinary because I am aware of the sacrifice we made to be here. And the experience of living as an outsider continually reminds me of my purpose. My eyes see people as they are. Everyone I see is a person in need. And most of them know nothing about the hope (many of) you and I have in Christ. A colleague of mine in the U.S. once described looking at people who don’t know Jesus as seeing walking tombstones. That is sometimes the way I feel here when I look around me. I hope these eyes will go with me to Fargo and anywhere else I may happen to be.

I had the opportunity to share these (and some additional) thoughts at my church Sunday. I closed with this really brief video.

mailchimp

I'm in the process of changing the way I send email updates. I will be using a web service called mail chimp. If you do not currently receive our newsletters and prayer updates you can choose to do so by taking this link: sign me up!

upcoming transition

Many of you know we will be completing our commitment in Belgium this summer. I should mention that we're enjoying these last months and we're still excited about working with Ichtus. Watch this video if you'd like to know what's next for the Hamiltons.

Light

I recently posted at the Ichtus blog. I will repost it here. And the funny thing is the English version is translated as I wrote the original in Dutch (I had a good proof reader).

I'm very excited about the 2012 Gent Light Festival. Last year I missed the festival. But not in 2012. Gent is a beautiful city. Especially in the evening. The old buildings, the water. And the lights! What a difference the lights make! And during the festival the lights are very special. People come from various cities and countries to see the light festival.
I want you to know that I am very enthusiastic about Ichtus. The people, the Bible studies and conferences, the fun. And the Light! Ichtus is more than a club. Ichtus is a beautiful city. Jesus said (in Mathew 5.14-16) "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Without the Light Ichtus [or your church] is just a club--not very interesting, not very compelling--just another club. What a difference the Light makes. My hope is that just as people come to Gent for the light festival, students will also come to Ichtus to meet the Light. May the Lord bless our relationships with non-Christians and our sharing of the Gospel.

The Gent Light Festival was a huge success. Last year about 200,000 attended the festival. This year that many came on Saturday evening alone. Click here to visit the website (in English).

The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation

I ran across this poem that I used in a sermon a couple years ago. It challenges and encourages me, and I’m thinking of sharing it with students this weekend at a training conference.

The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation

He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low, no pride;
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.

I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much:
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because Thou savest such.

Fullness to such a burden is
That go on pilgrimage:
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from age to age.

John Bunyan

for Twins fans

To all my friends who cheer for (and likely groan at) the Minnesota Twins:
I know it's been a rough season. But I thought you would like to know that here in Belgium you can buy a counterfeit Twins hat. In my book that means the Twins are like the Ray-Ban or Rolex of major league baseball. Congratulations.