Nr.131 ended with: “All kinds of questions arose, but we talked with the Gelling’s in Peer and we made it a matter of prayer and sought the Lord for His guidance. And then it became clear to us what we were to do……..!” (See richardandmarina.net).

No, we did not have a note with directions dropping from heaven; neither did I hear a voice in the back of our car, like the time the Lord showed us to move from Beerse to Koersel in Limburg. I have mentioned before that we usually go by three signposts, 1. What does the Word of God say, generally and/or specifically? 2. What is the inward witness of the Spirit? 3. What about the circumstances? The Word in general was clear, “Go preach the gospel to everyone,” and other such texts. The inner witness of the Spirit was there urging us to go into new area’s to start churches. The circumstances were clear; there was a real need in East Flanders and a call for help. And so, as we continued to pray for the Lord to guide us, we began preparing to move during the Christmas holidays, after having been in Koersel for two years.

Until then we continued with our ministry in Limburg and every Friday we would drive to East Flanders, have our meeting, stay overnight and then spend most of Saturday working on the house. We received help from a number of young Christians and even some from the Antwerp church came to help. It was amazing how rapidly the house was fixed up as at the same time we had good times of fellowship with these young Christians. We would return to Koersel in time to have a Bible study in our home on Saturday evening, while Marina had a Bible club with the children in another room. On Sunday mornings we would drive to either Beerse or Peer for the Lord’s Supper and Sunday school. I continued with a number of home Bible studies and people kept coming and bringing others who had become curious because of the change they saw in the young believers and their enthusiasm for the Word of God.

Time went on and the day of our move arrived. I got out of bed that morning to get dressed and ready for the truck to come, but then all at once doubt arose, real doubt, are we really doing the right thing? Are we really sure this is the will of God? I almost panicked. Have you ever had that, it’s like a dark, black cloud coming over you. What to do? Who to turn to? Well, there was only one sensible thing to do, I grabbed my Bible and started reading where I had left off the day before……..….! (Go to Musings).

Nr.130 ended with: “However, before all this happened, a call had come from the other side of Belgium…….!” (See richardandmarina.net).

My first Canadian co-worker, together with whom I had started the first church in Antwerp, left the Lord’s work in 1976. After some time, he and his wife returned to Canada and both are now with the Lord. We had a couple of good years together and our two families would get together every Wednesday afternoon when the kids didn’t have school. We would play a game and then have good Belgian French fries together. Our girls have great memories of those times.

While I started working eastward from Antwerp and moved away to Beerse, my co-worker went westward and started a Bible study in a town northeast of Ghent in the province of East Flanders. So when he left the work, the couple in who’s home the study was held, I’ll call them Luc and An, contacted me and asked whether I could come to continue the study. It was a long drive, between 1½ and 2 hours, depending on the traffic. However, after praying about it, we consented, and so during the Fall of ’76, every Friday after school, we would make the drive with the children coming along. I would teach the Bible study and Marina had a number of children in a separate room and used her accordion to sing with them and then tell them Bible stories. We would stay overnight with Luc and An as the study went on late into the night. The children would be in bed by the time we finished the evening.

However, my co-worker had been so sure of the Lord’s leading in regards to that study and a new work in that area, that he had already rented a house in a town close by, to move into in time to come. But the house had been used by a biker gang, the Hell’s Angels and was now in terrible condition. The question was now put to us, would we be willing to move and take over the rent contract of that house to start up a new work here? A lot of work had to be done to the house and how would we do that from so far away? Could we leave the work in Limburg? All kinds of questions arose, but we talked with the Gelling’s in Peer and we made it a matter of prayer and sought the Lord for His guidance. And then it became clear to us what we were to do……..! (Go to Musings).

Nr.129 ended with: “When we were together, she told me that she already had accepted Jesus in her heart. When I heard that I challenged her to open her home for a weekly Bible study……!” (See richardandmarina.net).

She agreed wholeheartedly and I was thrilled because every time we would start a study in a new town I would already see a new church there in the future! And so every Monday night, in the fall of ’76, her living room was full of curious people, relatives, friends and others she had invited. They all received a Bible and then the following week some would return with little pieces of paper in their Bibles, things they did not understand, and we would have some very interesting discussions late into the night. We would be going all over the Bible from one text to another and they were so surprised at what they found in the Scriptures. And, there was a lot of smoking too, so that when I got home and into bed with my dear wife, she would say, “Bah, you smell……” 🙂

Soon a number of these people accepted the Lord Jesus and became true born again Christians. Again and again I was amazed at the power of God’s word and how it could change minds and lives. We drove to Beerse with car loads of people to be baptized there as these new believers had a real desire to follow and obey the Lord. There was much rejoicing. For the first while these new Christians went to the church in Peer on Sunday morning to “break bread”, or have the Lord’s Supper, as it is also called. And the children had Sunday school. Sometime later a church was started in Koersel and they attended there until the time had come to start a work in Lommel. Marina and I helped with the beginnings of this new church. After the Lord’s Supper I would preach, while Marina taught the children in a bedroom and sang with them playing her accordion. What a great times that were. It was wonderful to see these young believers have a hunger for God’s word and grow in their faith. This was real New Testament Christianity, so simple, yet so beautiful. (Go to Musings).

Nr.128 ended with: “So far, ’76 had been an eventful year, but there was more to come…!”(See richardandmarina.net).

From Alberta we returned to Marina’s parent’s farm and stayed there for a brief time; our girls had a great time with their grandparents, whom they would not be seeing again for several years. We then returned to South Western Ontario. Before going back to Belgium, I went back to the garage where I had earlier bought a Ford for $1,500.00. We drove it many thousands of km without any problems except to put on some new tires. The garage bought the car back for $1,200.00, talk about another little miracle, praise God!

As mentioned in the previous episode, I returned to Belgium about 1½ weeks before our return date, to officiate at Miriam’s funeral. Marina and our three girls came later, and what a time they had. Because of the long drive to New York, we had been able to change their tickets so they could fly from Buffalo to New York and to Belgium. But a short while before leaving, our youngest daughter Rini (Dutch spelling) was visiting with Dutch friends who had some wooden shoes sitting around. Rini wanted to try them out, and fell, spraining her ankle. So she had to be in a wheel chair at the airports, but she didn’t mind being pushed around and, in spite of pain, had a ball! 🙂

There were several Bible studies going in Limburg and one of them in Peer grew so much that we had to split it and so another study was started with a group of people in Overpelt, this was in the Spring of 1976. The work there kept growing and a few years later a church was started, which is still going and growing, praise the Lord!

I mentioned in a previous episode that a woman who had been at Miriam’s funeral went home to a place called Lommel. She immediately drove to a friend (let’s call her Bea) to tell her about this, and also that she had invited Robert and myself to her home. Bea was very interested and asked whether she could come and meet us. When we were together, she told me that she already had accepted Jesus in her heart. When I heard that I challenged her to open her home for a weekly Bible study…………..! (Go to Musings).

P.S. Did you read nr.126, about the fact that miracles still happen?

Nr.127 ended with: “Besides that, we had a third “home” problem. Was “home” Belgium, or Ontario where our home church and many friends were, or the West where our girls were born and where Marina’s family lived……………?” (See richardandmarina.net).

We had left “home” in Belgium for the time being and were now “home” in Ontario where we spent time fellowshipping in our home church and speaking in other churches and visiting friends. After some time we started driving towards “home” in Western Canada, stopping in at different cities, such as Sault Ste Marie, Thunderbay and Winnipeg to speak in churches, and from there to Gouldtown, Saskatchewan, to Marina’s parents. We stayed with them for some time and then travelled to Regina, Moose Jaw, and Saskatoon for meetings and visiting friends and relatives. From there to Glaslyn, north of North Battleford where Marina’s oldest brother lived and where we had some wonderful Vacation Bible Schools in the past. We left there to go to the province of Alberta where I spoke in churches in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary and also visited relatives and friends.

You may wonder and ask, was it really necessary to visit all these churches and people both in Ontario as well as out West? The answer is, oh yes! Don’t forget, these are the folk that prayed for us regularly and from time to time supported us financially. We have never had a salary, but have trusted the Lord to provide for us, and He has, using different people and churches. Some gave regularly, others only once or several times a year. For them it was wonderful to hear that their prayers had been answered and there dollars been put to good use. And even though it was a busy and tiring time, it was such a joy to meet these folk. Without them we could not have done God’s work in Belgium, it was real team work. They were overjoyed on hearing what the Lord was doing there, and we were so happy to tell stories of lives totally changed through the Word of God. Time and again we quoted Paul’s words to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation.” And how true this is, the gospel of Christ is the most powerful means to change not only the sinful hearts of men but also society. They were encouraged and so were we. All praise to God!

So far, ’76 had been an eventful year, but there was more to come…………! (Go to Musings).

Nr.126 ended with: “As we walked to the hall where coffee and sandwiches were being served, we felt the first drops of rain, and it rained the rest of the day and the next. A miracle indeed……! To God be the glory!”

Yes, to God be the glory. And not only that, but the funeral had touched many hearts. I’m thinking of one woman who was so impressed, especially with Robert’s posture, that instead of mourning, he was rejoicing in the Lord. She lived in another town and when she got home she went to a friend to tell her about this, which later resulted in a home Bible study in that town and much later a new church, but more about that another time. We will first go back to Canada.

During the second half of June we had flown from Luxemburg to Iceland to New York, as that was the cheapest way to go at that time. At the airport in New York, Ollie Shantz, the brother who had brought us a new rented car after the first one had been wrecked in an accident close to Sault Ste Marie (see nr.107), and his wife Elsie came to pick us up. They had driven over 800 km the day before, stayed overnight in a motel and were now ready to take us to Ontario, where we would stay with dear friends on a farm not far from our home church. There were seven people in the car plus our entire luggage, but it was a big Chevrolet, so no problem, nice and cozy. 🙂

So now we were home “on furlough”, these days it’s called “home assignment”, as the word furlough gives the idea of a holiday and these times are no holidays at all. It means a lot of travelling to visit churches, supporters, friends and family, staying in different homes and moving around. Most missionaries are glad to get back to their mission field as there they live a more even paced life. And for many, the mission field becomes more “home” than the “home land.” In fact, many missionary children have an identity problem; ours too, “Are we Canadians or Belgians?” Some children have no problem with that but others do. So we need to pray for them. Besides that, we had a third “home” problem. Was “home” Belgium, or Ontario where our home church and many friends were, or the West where our girls were born and where Marina’s family lived……………?
(Go to Musings).

Nr.125 ended with: “The next morning I woke up hearing the rain coming down and as I drove to Peer, it rained almost all the way………!” (See richardandmarina.net).

Yes, it rained, like a real two or three day Belgian rain. I cried out to the Lord, “All these people who have to stand outside, Lord please, You are the God of Creation, the God of miracles, the God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass through, the God who stilled the storm on the lake, You are able to do something about this too. This funeral is for your glory.” As I came close to Peer, the rain started letting up, and as I drove into Peer, believe me or not, witnesses enough, the clouds parted, I saw some blue sky and sunrays! And from that moment until shortly after 12 o’clock it was beautiful dry weather with some clouds and sun, while all around Peer it rained. The doctor’s wife, Ingrid, remarked later, “This was the greatest miracle of the day.”

The service started at 10 am, with about 100 people in the living room, the sliding doors wide open and many more folk standing outside on the lawn. There was a microphone and loud speakers, so that even the neighbors across the road could hear what was happening. There was some singing, some Scripture readings, even Robert read a text and spoke briefly, amazing! Then I preached explaining the gospel and telling the people what Miriam had told me to tell them, that she was now in heaven with Jesus. You could hear a pin drop.

We closed the service with prayer and then a number of the men from our church carried the simple wooden coffin with a white sheet and a green cross on it to the cemetery. Many people followed and all along the route people stood watching, it was very moving. This was the first time in the history of this very traditional Catholic Peer that something like this took place. One of the Christians overheard someone saying, “Look at that, you would think a general was being buried.” What a testimony! Later some people came to know the Lord because of this funeral. At the grave we read a scripture, thanked God that Miriam was with Him and asked again for strength and comfort for the family.

As we walked to the hall where coffee and sandwiches were being served, we felt the first drops of rain, and it rained the rest of the day, and the next. A miracle indeed……! To God be the glory! (Go to Musings).

Nr.124 ended with: “As we talked about this, we were both quite moved and excited and I said to her, “Oh Miriam, this is really going to be something, I wish you could be there.” She laughed out loud………!” (See richardandmarina.net).

Startled, I looked at her and she laughed again and said, “But Richard, I AM going to be there!” Imagine a 7 months old Christian talking like that, amazing! Doesn’t it show the reality of the living God? Then I also laughed realizing that here was someone ready to meet her Lord and Savior. Inwardly I was just praising God for this miracle of grace and thanking Him to allow me to be a witness of the work of His Spirit. I left the house that day with great joy in my heart, as a fairly young woman was ready to leave this earth, and a husband who had just been born into God’s family and kingdom. A wife loosing temporary life and her husband gaining eternal life! It wasn’t much later until we said goodbye and we left for Canada. I will talk about our time there later, let me just continue with this.

On the first Sunday of September I was preaching for the last time in our home church in Canada, as we would be returning to Belgium about 1½ weeks later. While I was speaking, someone walked up to me and handed me a note. I opened it and read these words, “Call Belgium as soon as possible.” I knew what this meant and explained to the congregation what was going on. Right after the meeting we went back to the place we were staying and I called Belgium. Yes, Miriam had passed into glory, could I come as quickly as possible?

A flight was booked for Monday evening and I arrived in Belgium Tuesday morning. I was picked up and we drove straight to Peer where I met Robert and we hugged each other. He was very positive as the Lord gave him strength. Everything was planned for the funeral the next day. So after having talked and prayed I was brought home. Marina and the children would come on their own the next week. I had quite a few things to do and also prepare for the next day, going over my sermon notes, which I had been preparing along the way. I went to bed exhausted as I had not been able to sleep on the plane the night before. I fell asleep thinking about the funeral service and the fact that most people would be standing outside. The next morning I woke up hearing the rain coming down and as I drove to Peer, it rained almost all the way………! (Go to Musings).

Nr.123 ended with: “After having spent time with her I returned to the kitchen and Robert, with eyes wide open asked me, “Well, did she tell you…….?”(See richardandmarina.net).

“Tell me what?” I asked. “That I got born again last night” he answered, “I accepted Jesus in my heart, but, I’m not leaving the Church.” “That’s o.k.” I said “you just do what the Lord tells you.” Only one week later he told me that he had left the Church. I was really surprised and asked what had caused him to do that. He told me that he had invited the priest to come over and he had asked the priest why he had never told him all these years that he had been a faithful churchgoer, the good news of the gospel. The priest didn’t know what to say, it made Robert so upset that he decided not to go back to that Church. Imagine going to the “true” Church all these years and never hearing the “true” gospel.

Miriam was a tremendous testimony. People from all over came to visit and comfort her, but she did the comforting. The priest came to see her, but instead of him praying with her, she prayed with him, unbelievable! One day when I was with her she told me that she wanted to plan her whole funeral with me. She gave me an envelope, I asked what it was and she answered that it contained enough money for an airplane ticket for me in case she died before we returned from Canada. “I want you to lead my funeral and preach the gospel and tell the people that I am in heaven with Jesus.” We looked at each other with tears in our eyes and were very quiet for a few moments as we both realized that when I would leave for Canada, we would probably not see each other on earth anymore. It was a real emotional moment for both of us.

So we started planning her funeral, the songs to be sung, the scriptures to be read, and she had already started writing her testimony to be given out as her obituary. She would ask one of the men of our church, who was a carpenter, to make her a very simple wooden coffin which was to be carried by men from our church, from her house to the graveyard. The service would be held in her house with about 100 people in the living room and the rest standing in the garden, with loudspeakers outside. As we talked about this, we were both quite moved and excited and I said to her, “Oh Miriam, this is really going to be something, I wish you could be there.” She laughed out loud………! (Go to Musings).

Nr.122 ended with: “Robert had been told by a doctor that his wife did not have long to live, so when Miriam asked him whether the Bible studies could be held in their home, what could he say……?” (See richardandmarina.net).

And so every Wednesday evening about 30 or more people sat in their living room, all with Bibles in their hands or on their knees. Robert attended the studies too, I think out of politeness. As time went on and Miriam got weaker, she was no longer able to sit up as the cancer was in her back and she was not able to attend the Sunday morning services anymore. She again turned to her husband and asked whether the Sunday meetings could not be held in their living room, which was quite large. And again, knowing his wife’s condition, what could he say?

And so, every Sunday between 30 and 40 adults were sitting around a table in the middle of their living room with a loaf of bread and a glass of wine on it. The children would meet for Sunday school elsewhere. There would be singing, reading of scripture portions and thanksgiving, after which the bread was broken and past around, as also the cup. This was followed by a brief message. It was all very simple, but very beautiful. I wondered what went on in Robert’s heart and mind.

Because of Miriam’s inability to function as mother and housekeeper, the Christians looked after everything, from making meals for the family, cleaning the house, doing the wash and so on. They tried to comfort the children who were in their teenage years and served Miriam in whatever she was in need of. Of course, Robert was quite surprised and moved by all this and his attitude changed.

Marina and I and our children were going to Canada for 2½ months of furlough from June until September. Getting close to our departure time I visited Miriam everyday, reading the Bible with her, praying and talking. One day I came into the house through the back door and greeted Robert who was drinking coffee in the kitchen. I walked right on to the living room where Miriam was lying on a bed. After having spent time with her I returned to the kitchen, and Robert, with eyes wide open asked me, “Well, did she tell you…….?

P.S. I hope you didn’t miss 122, I posted it on Tuesday, with this: P.S. I may start writing two episodes a week, so watch for the next one. They may become a bit longer too; otherwise it may take another 100 years to get done. 🙂 (Go to Musings).