Monday 27 July is the official last day of the 2009 Gentse Feesten. In the days and weeks ahead there will be review and the planning for next year will begin. First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Arkansas is considering coming to join us for the 2010 ministry. Based upon what we know so far a large team may be useful if we expand some of the ministry that seemed to be sucessful.
Sunday was a great day weather wise so the people were out in numbers. That was not the case for most of the festival days. We have seen no official reports of attendance but the news reports are that many of the festival organizers felt the pinch of lower crowds, poorer weather, financial crisis, swine flu, fewer big-dollar sponsors and probably still more factors that are less tangible.
We attended the open-air worship service that is jointly sponsered by the Evangelical and Pentecostal churches in Gent. This year was the year of Calvin (500 years since Calvin) so the them was the Hedge Message. Just does not translate well from Dutch. Since Protestant preaching was banned, preachers delivered their messages from on top of small carts that could quickly be relocated if the authorities became suspicious. They preached in the highways and byways and along the hedges, thus comes the name.
The service was standing room only (probably because there were less chairs available than last year). But there was a good crowd and a few of the partiers got to hear a clear message of God's provision for us through Jesus. After the service was a picnic (people gathering to each what they had brought and chatting). Had a good time of encouraging Hannah who is young in the Lord and looking to grow. Also met a man from another ministry that feeds the poor and people on the streets. We will get together soon to see how we can work together in the future.
I spoke with Martin again. Had seen him several times this week. He is unemployed and had lost his wallet. Fortunately his unemployment money was not in it but his identity, bank, insurance and other cards were. He had not found it but had gotten a new bankcard. He offered me some of the fruit he had just bought. When we parted we agreed that it will be until soon (Dutch parting promise).
I also saw the sanitation worker with the bunny ears as we were walking to the park. He yelled, stopped the truck, ran across the street and took off his glove to shake my hand. Cookies are about connecting. It is good to connect. God wants to connect with all of His creation. Those without a relationship do not miss Him but He misses them. We are blessed to be His agent here so hopefully people can see the reflection of God's love in us and begin to "miss" Him. Once they are missing Him it will be much easier for us to help them find Him.
This will probably be the last feesten blog. Today many have to return to work and the major event is the celebration festival for the Gent Buffalos (our football/soccer team). We have to head for the hospital and then the post office. There are more clothes to wash and gotta hit the store to replenish the food supply. There is also paperwork to catch up on and getting ready for my business trip this Saturday.
We have had a wonderful time of ministry. You made it so because of your prayer support. Thanks for those who are already on the team. If you want to receive our twice-monthly Prayer Updates to continue to follow the ministry here, just send an email to Belgium@fbcbelleview.org and give us your email address and contact info. We do not add anyone without their permission and maintain the database ourselves so it is never shared with others.
Tot ziens en gezegende dag (until we see you and have a blessed day)
Sunday was a great day weather wise so the people were out in numbers. That was not the case for most of the festival days. We have seen no official reports of attendance but the news reports are that many of the festival organizers felt the pinch of lower crowds, poorer weather, financial crisis, swine flu, fewer big-dollar sponsors and probably still more factors that are less tangible.
We attended the open-air worship service that is jointly sponsered by the Evangelical and Pentecostal churches in Gent. This year was the year of Calvin (500 years since Calvin) so the them was the Hedge Message. Just does not translate well from Dutch. Since Protestant preaching was banned, preachers delivered their messages from on top of small carts that could quickly be relocated if the authorities became suspicious. They preached in the highways and byways and along the hedges, thus comes the name.
The service was standing room only (probably because there were less chairs available than last year). But there was a good crowd and a few of the partiers got to hear a clear message of God's provision for us through Jesus. After the service was a picnic (people gathering to each what they had brought and chatting). Had a good time of encouraging Hannah who is young in the Lord and looking to grow. Also met a man from another ministry that feeds the poor and people on the streets. We will get together soon to see how we can work together in the future.
I spoke with Martin again. Had seen him several times this week. He is unemployed and had lost his wallet. Fortunately his unemployment money was not in it but his identity, bank, insurance and other cards were. He had not found it but had gotten a new bankcard. He offered me some of the fruit he had just bought. When we parted we agreed that it will be until soon (Dutch parting promise).
I also saw the sanitation worker with the bunny ears as we were walking to the park. He yelled, stopped the truck, ran across the street and took off his glove to shake my hand. Cookies are about connecting. It is good to connect. God wants to connect with all of His creation. Those without a relationship do not miss Him but He misses them. We are blessed to be His agent here so hopefully people can see the reflection of God's love in us and begin to "miss" Him. Once they are missing Him it will be much easier for us to help them find Him.
This will probably be the last feesten blog. Today many have to return to work and the major event is the celebration festival for the Gent Buffalos (our football/soccer team). We have to head for the hospital and then the post office. There are more clothes to wash and gotta hit the store to replenish the food supply. There is also paperwork to catch up on and getting ready for my business trip this Saturday.
We have had a wonderful time of ministry. You made it so because of your prayer support. Thanks for those who are already on the team. If you want to receive our twice-monthly Prayer Updates to continue to follow the ministry here, just send an email to Belgium@fbcbelleview.org and give us your email address and contact info. We do not add anyone without their permission and maintain the database ourselves so it is never shared with others.
Tot ziens en gezegende dag (until we see you and have a blessed day)
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