Unlike any other Tuesday, almost 30 students gathered in the chapel this week. It was a special meeting to discuss mentoring at ETF. The current system, where students are assigned to a small group with a mentor did not meet the need as well as it was hoped.

Students brainstorming about mentoring in ETF's chapel

The need is still there: committed and enthusiastic students who need guidance in their study choices and progress — especially if they run into obstacles — and opportunities to interact spiritually and not only academically with faculty.

The potential is also still there: committed faculty with experience in life and ministry, who have grown in their faith through things that students may one day face.

So we brainstormed about how to make the connections between faculty and students, about how to create a learning community where intellectual, personal and spiritual development go hand in hand. Lots of ideas were shared in the small discussion groups. Please pray for Jack, the students and staff, as they work this out so that students are better equipped to become the Christian leaders that the Lord calls them to be.

You missed a sight last Sunday. Just before I drove off in our little red car to preach in a nearby mission church, I helped Pat get loaded up for church. And loaded she was! She had made two beautiful arrangements with

Pat on the flower express

gladiolas and sunflowers, each about 4 feet tall. Then she had two basketball size pumpkins to create a pretty composition in front of the church. Plus, she had her purse, her Bible and a few other assorted items. Would you believe we got all of that on her bicycle!? That’s a sight even for the Dutch!

I am so thankful for Pat’s creative talents, for her eagerness to serve the Lord in all kinds of ways. And we’re both grateful for Pat’s boss who often lets her take home armfuls of old flowers on Saturday afternoon to make something for church. Keep praying that Pat will be used as a fragrance of life at her place of work – things are really slow now so the pressure is on.

Don’t forget to check our new prayer page.

Oh, and pray for me when Pat discovers I’ve put her picture on our blog …

Thijs teaching on the Holy Spirit

Wednesday night.

Time to get the laptop and beamer set up.

Where is the extension cord?

Rearrange the small auditorium of the grade school where we meet.

Who was bringing a thermos of coffee and tea?

Thijs and Jack started the new series of Bible courses in the Maastricht church. Last Wednesday night was the second session, with an attendance of about 12 people. Jack taught the first hour on the gospels: How did we get them? Are they a full biography of Jesus? How is each gospel unique? We’ll also look at the life of Christ. The next session will focus on the stages of discipleship in Jesus’ ministry, a great way to get a picture of how Jesus’ ministry progressed from Judea to Galilee to Ceasarea Philippi, and so on to Jerusalem. A final session will deal with Christ’s suffering and resurrection.

Thijs, our part-time assistant pastor, taught the second hour on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, this time dealing with the baptism and the filling of the Spirit. Thijs gave an overview of prophecy and the ministry of Christ to help us understand these important concepts. The next two sessions focus on the fruit and on some of the gifts of the Spirit.

We know … that’s not much time to teach on the life of Christ or the ministry of the Holy Spirit, but it provides basic information in broad brush strokes to help people read their Bibles with better understanding. Pray that this ministry will encourage all believers in reading their Bibles, and that it will help to equip people for ministry.

Enjoying Rita's visit in our colorful backyard

Was it ever a mistake to think we’d have a few quiet weeks before classes started in full swing! It all started with a visit (on 9/17) from Rita Whaley, a medical missionary in Ecuador. Merriam Christian Chapel (Albion, IN) supports both of us. We thought you’d like to see the evidence!

The next few days were a whirlwind:

Friday: funeral for a believer (retired only a few years ago) who died unexpectedly from the complications of a neck surgery.

Saturday: Pat participated in a big flower exhibit with her class of fellow florist students.

Sunday: a special baby dedication Sunday for three young couples and their little treasures.

Monday: Jack attended the official ceremony for the opening of the Academic year at ETF.

Tuesday: Jack taught the first class on the gospels in his class for the fall.

Thursday: Pat assisted in the young believers’ Bible study group, called “Christianity Explored” as Jack attended his small group at church (oops, almost forgot to mention the interview with Jack for a young people’s magazine about how Dutch churches can reach out better to young people).

Our baby dedication

Saturday: Jack taught the first session at the Saturday Bible Institute (with a new intern!).

Sunday (today): Jack preached the opening sermon on David (1 Sam 21, Ps 34) for a new sermon series about finding shelter with God (our church’s theme for the year).

With so much happening, we’re glad to know that many of you were praying that God in His grace would use us to touch people’s lives! Thanks a whole bunch.

Yesterday, I spoke at an evangelical church in Den Bosch, about an hour-and-a-half north of us in the Netherlands. It was a pleasure not just to preach the Word, but also to meet one of our ETF students there. Jonathan had done an internship in this church from February-April earlier this year, and just finished his Bachelor in theology at ETF this August. He now serves part-time as assistant pastor of small group ministries, under the able supervision of the pastor (also an ETF graduate). He and his wife Carla are in the process of moving closer to the church.

Pat & Jack with Jonathan & Carla

This morning, I received a phone call from another small church, planted a little over a decade ago by fellow missionaries. They are looking for contact with some students, initially for pulpit supply, but possible for a part-time function as pastor.

One small brick at the time, mission churches are strengthened and built up by fresh, young leadership. It is a great privilege to serve in this way. Thank you for being part of that by praying for us and supporting us.

The doctoral students at ETF

The week was packed with lectures and presentations. From Monday morning until Friday afternoon, ETF hosted some 50 students and 40 professors from various parts of Europe, the America’s, Africa and the Middle East. They shared meals together, they shared about their research, and they witnessed the defense of three dissertations. One dissertation dealt with the recent church growth movement in Germany, one with the recent history of an evangelical denomination in Belgium, and one with the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. It was a time of intense interaction, enriching fellowship and learning.

A special time together is the daily chapel service to draw close to our Lord and ask that our studies may bring us closer to Him, closer together and be of service to the church.

Our daily chapel service

Kids from our neighborhood in the Sports clinic

When a drop of water falls you may never quite know where it lands nor can you always see where it has spread out. That describes so well our neighborhood outreach of last week. Eight young people (one of which was our daughter Rebecca!) held football clinics each afternoon and evening with a gospel drama in the break. Interest was good and the weather held out – in spite of some threatening clouds at times. Several parents came to watch, which offered opportunities for conversation–many of which were spiritual.

The week was wrapped up with a BBQ where awards were given and everyone received a children’s Bible. This made our Sunday service extra special. We hope to do Athletes in Action again next summer and pray that the effects of this drop of water will bear fruit. You prayers count here also!

The BBQ in someone's backyard

Ladies' Tea at Conference

BMW’s annual conference near Fussen (Germany) was a real treat. In the beautiful Lindenhof retreat center, we enjoyed precious fellowship with other missionaries serving in Europe, from Sweden to Croatia, from Spain to Romania, and many places in between. A special team from one of the supporting churches came over to minister to the children (nursery, VBS and teens).

One key feature was the conference theme: “Impact through Intercession.” Although we always emphasize prayer, the next five years this will be our mission’s theme. Two speakers focused our attention on the prayers of the apostle Paul, and on how our prayers allow touch people anywhere on the globe. We were challenged to increase our own prayer life, and for each missionary to enlist daily prayer partners: we’re looking for a Gideon’s army of daily prayer partners. How many? Check Judges 6-8. If you’d like to be one of them, please email us and let us know. We’ll work together to communicate regularly so you have ‘fresh fuel’ for prayer.

Don’t forget to check our newly updated prayer page. We really need your prayers!

Rebecca with her friend Carolien in Vienna

Thanks for praying for a refreshing time during our vacation. We stayed near Vienna in Austria, visited the city as well as nearby Bratislava, capital of the Slovak Republic, but most of all, we enjoyed being away, reading, walking and some shopping (well, for the ladies at least …).

A special highlight was a surprise Mozart concert in the ‘Golden Hall’ of the Muzikverein from which also they broadcast the annual New Year’s Strauss concert that Pat & I love to watch.

We were refreshed as we travelled to our annual area conference with fellow missionaries from BMW … but that’s another story.

Mozart in the picture with Pat and Jack

During the last few weeks, Gerschwin’s “Summer Time” has been running through my mind. With blue and sunny skies, we’re ready for a break. Time to look back and celebrate.

Students at ETF finished their courses in late June after a year’s hard work and study. Although many have re-exams in mid-August, it is good for us to enjoy the fruit of another year of teaching. We hear encouraging reports of students serving in mission efforts during the summer, which rejoices our hearts. Hopefully, finished courses bring celebrations, not just of another grade, but with new appreciation of the grace and mercy of our Savior, and renewed dedication to serve Him in gratitude.

ETF Graduates of 2008

This summer also marks the end of the second year of evangelistic Bible studies in our church. Although we’ve not been directly involved, we can celebrate that 17 people have taken this course during these two years, some of which have come to know the Lord. For instance, Rene and Wim were recently baptized, and we meet with them regularly for encouragement, prayer and discipleship. This, too, calls for celebrations.

So we start our summer with joyful hearts, celebrating the Lord’s work in the hearts of students and local believers. Celebrate with us!