Thank-Full

In this past month or so, we've had several reasons to thank God.  Here's just a few:  

 

Madeleine

First of all, just before Christmas, we participated in Madeleine's baptism.  Like many from her home island of Guadeloupe, Madeleine comes from a family whose Catholicism is more of a cultural practice than a faith-based walk with God.  Approximately 4 years ago, she moved to Brussels to study nursing.  About 2 years ago, she was confronted with a life crisis when her mother passed away.  This loss came at her like a wave shaking the foundations of her life.  She began to seek some answers, even attending some Church of Scientology meetings thinking she might find something there.  Fortunately,  her roommate Audrey, a leader in SFC Brussels, saw what was happening and began to both warn her of the dangers of this cult and tell her of the love of Jesus for her.  Audrey's friendship and sharing, as well as that of other Christian friends, began to establish some pillars to which she could hold on to.  Soon after, they invited her to an SFC Belgium retreat.  During the retreat, a pastor gave a prophecy which spoke directly to Madeleine's situation.  She sensed the love that this God, whom she had been hearing about, was now speaking to her personally.  Soon after, Madeleine committed her life to the saving care of the Lord Jesus, and began to build her life on the rock that does not yield.     We arrived in Brussels several months after Madeleine's conversion, and we have been honored to be a part of Jesus' loving construction of her new life.  The questions of if, when, and how she should be baptized were not easy for her to work through, but ultimately she decided that she must obey Jesus, despite some opposition from her family.  Throughout this school year, even though she is no longer a student and works long hours as a nurse, Madeleine has continued to be faithfully involved with SFC by serving at our large group meetings and helping lead a small group.

Following The Master's Plans

As I'm typing this, Amanda is on the subway making a one hour trek across the city to teach a class called Discipleship by Design.  Last night, I finished teaching a group of 4 students at 9:30 p.m. and as soon as Amanda gets home from her class, I'll be starting tonight with another group of 2 young seminary students. Ministering in an urban setting with multiple campuses, and a bi-lingual group of students with crazy schedules mixes life up sometimes.   The bottom line is that 13 students have signed up to be trained in the work of leading other students into the Kingdom life, what Jesus called making disciples.  In an era in which we have 35 year-old adolescents devoting their lives to 24-hour entertainment, it's encouraging to find students who will take the call of God seriously like this, and put in the time and work to grow in their effectiveness.  We're thankful for the chance to help equip them.  Now if we could just get them all to show up at the same place at the same time. :-)

Community

Our ultimate goal in teaching these student is to see the growth of a community, a people who will represent Jesus here in Brussels.  In a very real sense, all of you who support us financially and pray for us are also a part, albeit unseen sometimes, of this growing community.  We are so thankful that you are with us, and we hope that you too can give thanks for Madeleine's story and these 13 growing students.   Que Dieu vous bénisse!  Blessings!

Words of Life

“Amanda, it is just so nice to have a time where we can just read the Bible, talk about it, and pray for each other. Thank you.”  It sounds simple enough, but those words were a gift of encouragement from the Lord.  It was a Wednesday night after our women’s small group.  I was feeling tired and a little discouraged. I needed to be reminded that it’s the simple disciplines—reading the Bible, talking about it, praying for each other—that are so vital to our spiritual lives. 

For the seven young women that have been coming to small group this semester, reading and discussing the Bible in a relaxed setting and praying for each other every week has been a brand new experience.  They ask questions, express their ideas and learn together how to apply the Bible to their lives. It is exciting to see them get excited about sharing God’s Word with each other.  

This small group has been a new experience for me as well.  I’ve been leading small group discussions with college students for over ten years-- in English.  This one is in French.  Even though my French is much better than it was a year ago, trying to not just keep up with but lead a Bible Study results in a headache, some frustration and serious lessons in relying on the Holy Spirit. I’m learning to trust that God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness!

Coffee Talk

One day, we posed the question, “Where is God?” and students could vote among 4 choices: 1-Church, 2-Inside us, 3-Everywhere, and 4-in Nature. Several suggested we add the choice, “Nowhere.” Pictured here is our coffee stand that we do at the Free University of Brussels.  We set up by the bus stop, offering a free cup of coffee  and the chance to converse about God.   The Free University is committed to atheistic principles, so the last 3 times I’ve done this, the police have forced us to leave, even though it’s a public sidewalk.  Please pray for a breakthrough in this spiritual stronghold.

The Next Generation

 Along with the SFC Belgium staff, this semester saw the launch of our internship program.  Our first intern is Sarah Lecerf,, top left in photo, a 2012 graduate of the University of Mons.  Aside from working full-time, Sarah gives 10-15 hours a week to outreach at her old school, discipling, and biblical studies.  She’s doing a great job!

Family News

Hi, I thought I would represent myself this month and tell you what’s up.  In the last month, I’ve been working on my singing a lot.  I easily mastered the “Itsy-Bitsy Spider”,  “The Wheels on the Bus” and I’m currently working on “Away in a Manger”.  I don’t have a girlfriend, although I never decline when the toddler girls offer me their snacks.  We have a library nearby; I like being read to by Mom and Dad, and I usually pretend not to notice when Dad skips pages.  See you next time!