Growing in Grace

We apologize for skipping a week last week. Havalyn was especially tired last week. Normally during the school year we will make every effort to post weekly. 

In Belgium, Father's Day (Or "Fete de Peres" as we call it in French) is always the second Sunday of the month of June, so we celebrated on the ninth, with the whole Sunday school singing to us the song "Notre Pere" (Our Father). Here's a pic of our little ones. They sing so well :-)

This past weekend we had Youth Club as usual on Friday night, where Jean-Louis shared again about integrity, but this time with the young adults rather than the teenagers. On Sunday we had Club Tournesol ("Sunflower Club") which is our monthly children's club. Havalyn shared the message through a puppet sketch where Giraffe (see right) decided that he didn't want to grow anymore because growing is uncomfortable and requires change. But his friend Puppy showed him through a few antics and then a Bible verse that Jesus was once a boy, and He grew in "Grace and stature" and that we as Christians are called to imitate Jesus in all that we say and do. The children love the puppets and Havalyn will surely continue this aspect of ministry when we pick up with Club Tournesol again in the fall.

After singing and the message, the children went to the local park and played life-sized stratego and had a lovely time.

Capture the Flag, kids!

Prayer Requests:
Please be praying for our council of elders (Salvatore, Fisse and Pastor David) as we near the end of the school year and they make decisions about the fall. Please pray that God would give them wisdom and discernment and encourage them, especially when they sometimes have to deal with some difficult situations within the church. We are very thankful for them and all that they do to serve the Lord.

Beautifully and Wonderfully Made

Weekly Update:

This past week was spent preparing messages and activities for the youth club and the teenagers club. On Friday night we had our Youth Club (ages 15-24ish) and Havalyn shared a meditation on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The youth found it funny that we are compared to sheep, who are in all honesty pretty stupid creatures. "We're a little more intelligent then sheep for God, aren't we?" One of the youth asked. Jean-Louis answered the question well by using the example of smoking, "A sheep needs to be led to the water to drink, otherwise he dies of thirst next to a river. We're pretty dumb too - how many people die every year of smoking-related causes, and yet we continue to suck poison into our bodies. That's pretty dumb." It was a good opportunity to evangelize, by encouraging the youth to put their faith in a good shepherd who calls them by name to enter into the love and protection of the fold of God.

After the message, we were able to talk and socialize while playing pool, kicker and other games at the church.

My Rice Crispy Treats

For Youth Club I also made Rice Crispy Treats and one of our youth, Rachel, brought a Tiramisu that her mom had made for us. Everyone really enjoyed the deserts, and they were all surprised by how delicious Rice Crispy Treats were - what a novel idea!

On Saturday evening Jean-Louis shared a message with the teenagers club (ages 12-18) about the importance of integrity. Though normally this club is in majority Christian teens who come from church-going homes, this particular club was attended by a majority of non-Christians or unchurched teens, so Jean-Louis had to tailor his message more to evangelization, but thanks to the help of the Holy Spirit, it went very well. After the message, we all went to a park and played baseball, and everyone had a lot of fun. We try to do this with every club, have a good time together, but always with a moment of sharing the gospel and spiritual food through the message.

This wasn't from this week's Teen Club, but this is what a typical Teen Club looks like, nonetheless.

My 29 week baby bump!

Personal Update:

A little hand waves "hello!"

We went to the doctor a week ago Friday and she confirmed that everything is going well with the baby. He is already 40 centimeters long, and 1.6 kilos! He's moving a lot, and sometimes keeps me awake, but I'm trying to stay positive with the fact that as long as he's healthy and growing inside me, I don't have to worry about night feedings, crying, or changing diapers. I know that those moments will be here soon enough.

I never cease to be amazed as I look at the pictures of our little one and realize that even though he's hidden from my eyes, he's never hidden from the eyes of God. Even as God is forming and growing him, He already knows who this person will be, all that he will do and the joy that he will bring into the world. Thank God that we are "Beautifully and wonderfully made." Yes, His works are good, I know that full well.