Hey Team,
I know this is a long time coming. If you haven't been to our blog, you may want to go there http://belgianbeat.blogspot.com/. Hannah added a new update with some slides.
What have we learned in the 65 days that we've lived in Belgium? Glad you asked. Here goes, in random order...
1. Don't drive in Brussels, unless absolutely necessary. Take the train, it's a lot less stress.
2. We know how to get out of a parking garage without blocking traffic...that was a hard lesson to learn!
3. Some are genuinely open to the claims of Christ. We've had good conversations with Brigitte, the owner of a restaurant. She has been observing many of our church people as they interact in her restaurant and she is asking a lot of questions. Gerard is another man who I sat with over coffee to discuss the biblical view of relationships and marriage.
4. When you go to the grocery store in Belgium, make sure you bring your own shopping bags with you.
5. Recycling is mandatory in Belgium and you have to buy the right garbage bags for your community or risk a fine.
6. Our digestive systems have finally adjusted to different cultural food. Can you say "fried calamarie?"
7. It took us only one day to "fry" an American made electrical appliance. Ask Hannah about that one! She'll say her parents aren't very smart!
8. We are finally used to the roundabouts, can find our way around town without getting lost, and we can spell the name of the street we live on. You try to spell Torhoutsesteenweg and then try to say it!
9. We have seen the value of the US dollar continue to drop, which means our funds may not stretch as far as we planned.
10. America has Starbuck's on every corner. Belgium has bakeries with fresh bread on every corner. You decide which is better.
11. I'm still trying to figure out the Belgian "right of way" law. Everyone seems to have the right of way, except us.
12. We can buy Heinz ketchup. Yeah!
13. We think Deann fixed a pork roast a while back. We hope it wasn't horse meat...which they do eat here.
14. The brokenness we see in people is a result of a culture without morals. Whenever you take God out of the picture, what can you expect?
15. You could not even own a bible before the 1960's in Belgium.
16. A typical time of fellowship for us is hearing French in one ear, Flemish in the other, Russian across the room, and Fillipino everywhere! If they want us to know what they are saying...English! We are scheduled to begin language classes in January.
17. Most stores and businessess are closed from 12:00 - 14:00 PM (that's 2:00pm for you Americans).
18. U turns are legal wherever you want!
19. The weather changes often and rapidly.
20. Serving tea and coffee is a custom with any visit or meeting.
21. Nobody likes getting bills, but at least you can read yours.
22. Belgium has the highest suicide rate in western Europe. Depression is a serious problem and people need hope.
23. Dinner out is an all evening event, with several courses. No such thing as a quick meal. Even at McDonald's, you wait for your food and it is brought to your table. No refills on drinks, no ice (Deann is bummed about this). It's cheaper to buy a soft drink than it is a glass of water. If you ask for water they will bring you a bottle of sparkling water.
24. Our apartment also serves as our ministry center. We have people in almost everyday of the week. Deann is able to make good use of her hospitality gifts. (But she still needs help with the gift of living uncluttered...but don't tell her I said that!)
25. The challenges of ministry are the same wherever you go. People are busy, some lack commitment, some expect it to be all about them, some need to get involved and not just show up for meetings.
26. I had my picture taken last month. I received a bill for 50 Euro from the police department. I've learned that there are speed traps with cameras all over town, but it's hard to know what the speed limit is when you can't read the signs!
27. We are official residents of Oostende, Belgium. We received our ID cards today. We went right to the library to get our library cards so we could check out some english books, music and cd's. I was in heaven!
28. Deann has to learn to drive with a stick shift....SOON!
29. Our doctor makes house calls! You can only buy over the counter medicine at the apothotek (pharmacy) and you must ask for the medicine.
30. Belgians take the New Testament, 'greet each other with a kiss' to another level. 3 kisses on the cheek. Is it left-right-left, or is it right-left-right. Get it wrong and it could be embarassing. You greet everyone in the room as you enter and repeat this again when you leave.
We are anxious for Hannah to be with us over Christmas. Christmas day we will be with our African Church in Brussels. They have a Christmas service and dinner. It will be a privilege and new Christmas experience for us. We are grateful for your love and support and prayers. God continues to affirm our calling to serve at this time in Belgium. Please continue to pray for the sale or rental of our house in Michigan.
God bless you,
Todd and Deann
2 comments:
I hope that things are going good! Everyone misses you! Don't break the speed limit too much...we don't want to see your face on the news : )
C'mon Reverend. You don't really expect us to believe the, "I didn't know I was speeding, because I couldn't read the speed limit sign" bit do you?! And Deann... PLEASE tell me you weren't buying THAT one! If you did buy it, then I have an "American piece of cwap" for sale. 5 dolla.
What fun it was to catch up on what you guys have learned in such a short time in Belgium. We look forward to hearing more about your adventure and the relationships you are building with the people there.
Love,
Dan (Hummer)
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