We had a good service today. We got to the building late, and with Mischa preaching at the Kamps’ church we really noticed how much he does to get things started. Mom had to get the classroom ready for Sunday school. Lydia was cleaning the nursery. Josiah and Steven were doing the sound system. Hugo was getting tables. I was setting up chairs until Dad took the job over. I got the coffee/snack stuff set up in the kitchen. Then I immediately started practicing before the service started.
There was a good crowd of people. I felt a little tense though. We’ve been dealing with some new issues. The devil doesn’t like our church, and he’s been doing a very good job of causing mistrust, disobedience, and attitude problems. Sly snake! The ministry is never dull!
Dad preached about Abigail--the characteristics of a godly woman. I was really looking forward to hearing the preaching, but I was in the nursery with Shelby. I really love Shelby. She’s growing; it’s so neat to see! I’m really proud of her and the stands she’s taken. We had a good talk while we watched the children--Elona, Nathan, Jaime, and Daniel.
I love those kids. Elona is the little baby girl of a couple who’s been visiting. All she does is smile. Nathan is Daniel’s little brother; he’s a content baby. Jamie is Shelby’s niece, and Daniel…Daniel is SO cute! He calls everyone “Mama.” Ha, ha! He will be intently looking into my eyes talking childish gibberish. When he’s finished he smiles, showing a perfect row of little white teeth, and all I can do is smile and nod. I have no clue what he’s saying. Ha, ha! Thankfully he’s becoming a little easier to understand. Such a polite little boy! His parents are training him well.
Lydia, Shelby, and I stood around eating and talking after church. All the people who usually do the ABC discipleship course headed to the room we use for nursery. Instead of Steven leading the course Dad took Steven’s place and talked about the church issues that have recently come to the surface. It’s amazing the damage that a gossiping tongue mixed with a little rebellion can do! “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” (James 3:6) Whew, boy! Tell me that is powerful! Yikes! A good lesson for us all to keep in mind.
While the parents were being spoken to, Shelby, Jeremiah, and I played Dutch Blitz. Believe it or not, they both won the first game! Er! But that was because I was so busy teaching them that I didn’t pay attention to my own cards. Ha, ha! You believe that, right? =D
Then Shelby (16), Jeremiah (12), Nathaniel (11), Josiah (14), Lydia (18), and I (20) played several very wild games of Spoons and then Uno. Needless to say, it wasn’t quiet. Ha! We had so much fun! There was a lot of teasing going on. I love the kids in our church! At times playing games with them like that reminds me of the wonderful times I would be spending with cousins if we lived in the States. Makes me a little homesick. I think it’s great when kids of varying ages can get along with each other and play nicely. It’s godly! These kids who think they are superior just because they are older have real issues!
Playing Spoons, the game of unspeakable fun...and noise!
Nathaniel...It was years before this boy finally got saved, and what a change we've seen since he did! Praise God! I love this little boy (in a sisterly sort of way). His daddy left him, his brother (Jeremiah), sister, and Mom several years ago. The family hasn't been the same since. The devil has a stronghold on this family like I have never seen before. I know God has great plans for Nathaniel's life, and that's why Satan wants to mess him up so bad. Please pray for Nathaniel's spiritual protection. Think about this: He's been raised in one of the filthiest cities in the world. These boys are the future generation of Dutch Christians. Who knows if Nathaniel or Jeremiah are the future pastors of Anker Baptisten Gemeente. Please pray for them!
My sweet and very pretty friend Shelby.
My dorky little brother. He's cute even when he makes ugly faces...scary! Ha!
The meeting with the adults ended, and Dad said there was a good spirit. I’m glad! The devil is at work, but God is still in control! We’ll see what happens now…
I think it was going on 3:00 p.m. when we left church and dropped Shelby off at her home. Only fanatics spend 5-6 hours in church! Ha, ha! We’re addicted to the ministry, and let me tell you, it’s the best! =)
As soon as we got home we girls started getting the food on. Mischa came over for dinner. At around 5:00 p.m. we sat down to eat; I was really hungry! Everything tasted great. We talked about church stuff during the meal, and afterwards we prayed together. It’s great to know that our hearts are bound together in the Lord; we are of one mind and one heart in Him. What a blessing! Comfortably seated in the living room, Mischa and I played several games of Dutch Blitz. That was a blast. It’s thrilling when everyone is scrambling to be the first one to put a card on the pile. Things really fly! Ha, ha, ha! Josiah had Mischa try his bike out, and then they came in for dinner. I never was able to get those strawberries yesterday, so Mom cut up apples and boiled them down. We ate them on sweet biscuits with whipped cream. Yum! It was sorta like eating apple pie.
At 7:45 p.m. Mischa started his long bike ride back to Amsterdam. He rides his bike like we ride a car. Mischa just rode his bike into Belgium---a distance that takes a car 3-4 hours to drive! Really amazing!
Well, I don’t know if Dad’s going to read to us later. I expect he will. Then bed! I’m tired; Sundays have a way of wearing me out. (sigh) Today was a blessing! Praise God!
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