Brussels Update

Kristen and I are in our last full week of pre-field training here in Belgium. We've started to reflect on what we have learned throughout our time here and how we can take those things back to Kiev and apply them there. I have been particularly thankful for the lessons and lectures on Evangelism, Church-planting, emotionally healthy spirituality, language, and others. They have been uplifting and have encouraged me.

It's also been such a blessing to take part in the Persian Church here in Brussels. I've learned more about Christ and the Church than I ever thought I would. In a weird way I've found that our time here at pre-field training has helped to give me more focus for our life and ministry in Kiev. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement!

The Church Missional

Today we were talking about Church planting with Bill Yarbrough and he gave us a quote from Leslie Newbigin talking about the necessity of the Church to be missionary:

It is impossible to reconcile with the New Testment the view which seems to be more or less accepted among the majority of church leaders, that while missionary work is an admirable thing to do, within reasonable limits, it is not something without which the church simply falls to the ground. We must say bluntly that when the Church ceases to be a mission, then she ceases to have any right to the titles by which she is adorned by the New Testament.

Just as we insist that a Church which has ceased to be a mission has lost the essential character of a Church, so we must also say that a mission which is not at the same time truly a Church is not a true expression of the divine apostolate. An unchurchly mission is as much a monstrosity as an unmissionary Church.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." - Proverbs 4:23

Bill Yarbrough is leading us in a discussion about emotionally healthy spirituality this morning and it's great! I'm so thankful for Wendell's prompting us to study it at Covenant last year. Lord, would you teach me about myself that I might know you better.

Some pics from Brugge

Kristen and I outside an old Belgian monastery which is still active

Some buildings surrounding the Markt (the main square in the city)

Belgian Waffle. Get in my belly!!

There are canals that run all throughout the city. cool huh!!

This is a place called 'the Burg' with the belfry tower in the background. For 8 EU you can go up into the tower. There was kind of a long line so we nixed that.

Language Training

So we've been studying language acquisition for the last few days. It's been lots of fun!! We are learning all about how we speak and all the different sounds we can make. Mrs. Craig is our teacher and she has a few phrases that we've been learning. Things like "you can't learn French with an English mouth" etc. Probably the most valuable part of the course, at least so far, has been the exercises we've done with different language helpers. Today, in my group we did some exercises to learn Korean. In about 2 hours I probably learned almost 50 Korean words.

In other news, tomorrow we are taking a train to Bruges since we have a free day. Bruges is reportedly the best preserved medieval city in Europe. Should be fun!!

Pictures from Brussels

Local pub, 10 minute walk from our "home"

Royal Palace of King of Belgium

Prince Leopold

Quaint architecture

Neoclassical Gardens

We need the Gospel!!

John Leonard taught us this morning about Evangelism. It was delightful, motivating, and encouraging. We had great fellowship with him in hearing many stories from his years of ministry and his experiences in "doing" evangelism. One thing that stuck out was this quote,

As Christians we should disciple our non-believing friends and evangelize our believing brothers and sisters

In the afternoon I went into Brussels to do one of the assignments we've been given called an ethnographic observation. So I spent about two hours observing the the people in the train station to learn more about Belgians. I was able to observe how they act, dress, what they drink at the cafe, who they are, etc. It was a good time. Really!!

Ok, well I need to go to bed as I was up way too late last night watching the Eagles game at the local Irish pub in town. There are a couple other guys from the Philly area so it was fun to hang out with them for the evening. Au revoir!!