%[Henki Mary Esther

John Mark James Matthew

VOL. VII, NO. 1

BELGIUM

FOR

CHRIST

1977

ADDRESSES

FINANCE FORWARDINGJohn McDonald

2213 Dawn Avenue

Granite City. Illinois U.S.A. 62040

CORRESPONDENCE AGENT

Meivin & Louella Roller

Route 1. Box 92Burnettsville, Indiana U.S.A. 47926

FIELD ADDRESS

Henki Boonaerts

Louis Mercierlaan 135

Maasmechelen 3630 BELGIUM

JAN.-DEC.

PAYING our last RESPECTS...

Moments as a missionary are obviously not always happy! This spring a beloved preacher,and the one greatly responsible for beginning the Houthalen-East congregation died suddenly afew days after his 41st birthday. He spent his youth with the Church of Christ in Genk, becominga Christian, then attended a denominational church for several years. Becoming dissatisfied withnon-Scriptural teachings, he and a few families living in the Houthalen-East area began services.With much encouragement from Dennis and Linda Messiner they slowly developed into a grouptrying to restore the N.T. teachings. Oscar VanLaeken's death has left a group that continues togrow, having had several immersions and additions from immersion practicing congregations inneighboring areas. They have rented a building to use for their gatherings (similar to our's inBoorsem, with a store-hall to use for worship) and one of the young couples of the congregationlives in the home. They began their first services in the new location September 1977.

Henki was called on to perform his first funeral after we moved to Belgium. The fatalbicycle accident of a coal miner of the Genk congregation brought Christians together that coldMarch day in 1973. Since then Henki has helped with several other funerals, and there have beenother times of sorrow for us in the passing of loved ones. To include some of our sorrows, and notjust always report happy times, we want to include this news.

tA Pentecostal friend, known to us as Irene, who had attended several Bible studies withGenk and Maasmechelen Christians, and one year Christian camp, died of a heart attack at theage of 30, just before Christmas in 1975.

tA member of the then recently begun congregation in Houthalen-East, went home aftermuch sickness, in Feb. 1976. Barbara Kortzorg left behind her husband, and several children,teenage and grade school age.

fNicolas and later Louisa Vanderhoeven, where Henki held Bible reading for Maria (andthrough whom we found out about Maria) died without having fully accepted the N.T. teachings,in Jan. and May respectively. It was hard for us knowing our efforts had gone unfruitful, andespecially for Maria knowing her dear friends of many years were without Christ. Then came thecomplications of a needed place for further study, so they began a calling program instead.

fJan Boermans (John to us in English), a brother from the Genk church, passed from thislife, but was a faithful witness until his death in the hospital.

fThe unimmersed husband, Michael, of Maria Bakac, member of the Maasmechelenchurch died in a bike-auto accident in July. Henki helped at the funeral in Dutch, as it was mostlyheld in Russian for Bakac's countrymen present. Maria continues to open her home for mid-weekBible studies and attends church regularly, growing in her love and faith.

tOlga Pol, also of the Genk congregation, died after having been left a widow a few years,in the fall of 1976. Henki had memories of her gentle, Christian spirit from his younger years, soher funeral was especially hard.

tThen in March 1977 (around the time of Oscar's passing) Mary Esther's grandpa, CharlesL. Roland died in Lincoln, III. after several months of illness, shortly after his 91st birthday. Ofcourse we were not able to attend his funeral, but the pain of the separation will be felt by us bothfor a long time.

OUR HAPPINESS in all of these times of sorrow is to be comforted with the words of Paul inI Thess. 4:13-18, especially "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, andwith the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall risefirst. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds tomeet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord." That's comfort! I Those fewsad moments of '' paying our last respects'' are quickly swallowed up in thoughts of VICTORY I!

Medaryville Christian ChurchBox 140, South Jefferson StreetMedaryville, IndianaU.S.A. 47957

Hicriion Scrvlccs

Eo;: 17?Kcapton, Ind# ^049

Non-Profil Organization

U.S. Postage

Medaryville, Ind.PERMIT #4

SOME MISTAKES...

Please excuse a few typographical errors in our last newsletter (Vol. VI, No. 3). Most ofthem were easily detected, understood and corrected! However, one on the last page is veryMISLEADING - ''There has also been apparent decrease in our donations, and {not so, as itstands) we are required to pay....". Another mistake is an ommission: we forgot to indicate thatMaria Gering is the one standing in the picture printed.

I

HOWDY PARDNERI

James and John Mark going pioneer style in a horse-drawn wagon.We told you about our first familyvacation in 1975 (article in Vol. V,No. 3) and how it must have beenthe coldest week of that summer.

Were we ever glad for jackets andknit hats -- you see the kids bundled up and the North Sea whitecaps in the background. We"Pioneered" again, going to school in the spring, fall, and part ofthe winter 1977 via bicycles! JohnMark has his own to ride, andJames rides with Mary Esther.They say, "its is good exercise,and good for the health, and weknow it saves on gasoline sincethere's no bus service and drivingback and forth gets expensive!!"

A SPECIAL THANKS for gifts in kind!

Here you see our sick boys sleeping on such agift-in-kind! The Bob Huhn's family returning to theStates, left us among other things, this sofa that opensinto a Queen size bed, for our use here in Belgium. Itnot only serves as a place for the sick to recover in theheated room in the winter, but also for a book shelf forseveral of our books. We hope one day to convert thesame room into our office, and have sufficient shelvingspace for our books, and an area for study, counseling,and other office related aspects of our work. Other giftsin kind, such as packages of sheets and clothing, andsacks of groceries, etc. have also been received andappreciated! Financial difficulties can be eased withsuch gifts and are so exciting to receive! If you areinterested in helping in our work in such a way, pleasecontact the Boonaerts in Belgium, or Rollers in Indianafor suggestions of items to send, and packing instructions. A continued thanks to financial supporters, too !

VOL. VII, NO. 1 SHEET NO. 2 JAN. - DEC., 1977

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST

"Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense;and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

Ps. 141:2

It has been some time since we've had such a prayer request listing. Hopefully you will beable to refresh your memories with the other three (in Vol. II, No. 3 -1971; Vol. II, No. 5 - 1971;and Vol. Ill, No. 6 -1972). We want to try and include such an insert page at least once a year, tohelp keep you informed of news, and become involved in a personal way with our work. There aremany who may not support us financially, but standing behind us with prayers, can providepower from God to help bring fruitful results for His Kingdom here in Europe!

1. POLET FAMILY Being involved in the Maas-area evangelism, our contacts withAlvier, and other of the Polet family have been rather scarce. Henki

had gotten helpful information and especially good materials from Mr. Polet while we wererenovating the worship hall in Maasmechelen. In a more recent visit, Henki found out Mr. Polethad had a very serious operation, and came very close to facing death. We often wonder why aperson is saved from death so many times with no apparent change in their faith or appreciationof God's providance. Most visits are just friendly, and what little witnessing may be done seemsuseless. PRAY that we may not give up in such contacts; but above all that those contacted maybe '' growing ground'' for the gospel that may one day bring forth fruit for HIM.

2. ANIKA Circumstances and worries of this life seem to be slowly stifling theonce bubbling love and enthusiasm of Anika (and her parents).

They own a butcher shop, which makes it hard to attend most church functions besides church.They also live so far from both Genk and Maasmechelen that personal contact with otherChristians is lacking to help a maturing spiritual growth. To add to these hinderances, Anika hada knee injury in her gymnastic training to be an atheletic teacher, so has been hospitalized, andunable to attend church services. Sometimes Christians cannot be blamed for their

circumstances, but it is disheartening to watch the light slowly going out through apparent victory_QD Satan!spart. ESA Y thatthiLvictory mayJb.e_CJhrisl's.fQr^nika and heiLfolks

3. KINA After Kina's marriage (to Sam Surfus) in 1971, they continuedliving in Lincoln for Sam to study at the Seminary. They recruited

workers for Belgium (Rick and Joy Blazek, who have arrived in Belgium, and since moved to helpwith Evangelism in England), and are hoping to come help with the congregation in Genk,themselves. They have two daughters, and expect their third child after arrival in Belgium. Sincethey are still in need of regular support to meet their financial needs, we hope you will bePRAYING for them, and their adjustments to life in Belgium when they arrive, and success oftheir efforts when they begin helping with the Christians in Genk, and surrounding areas. We areall anxious to see them again, since it has been over three years since Kina has been home!

4. CONTACTS a) The shipper and his wife, after they moved to Holland, havingbeen our spring board for several other contacts, were cause of

some sorrow for us. Renus passed on from this life without having accepted the teachings of theN.T. to which even several of the contacts submitted themselves. We helped with his funeral, andvisited his widow Geertje as often as we could, with the distance to Maastrict often hindering us.Though she clung tightly to "what her mother taught her" and teachings of the denominationalchurch she attended, she opened her home for Bible studies. It was through this opportunity,Mary Esther has been leading several women each Friday in informal Bible reading. For severalreasons, developing over a period of time, the studies have moved to another lady's home inMaastrict, and Geertje never attends now. Other ladies have joined us, and the husband of one,so there has been growth in numbers, as well as increase in spiritual perception, though as yetnone have accepted Christ as their personal Savior. We also occasionally visit Geertje, and theman living with her, trying to witness as the opportunity arises. PRAY for this situation, andthose of the Friday Bible study, and for Mary Esther as she tries to be used of God in His Hollandministry!

b) Neighbors being contacted in Eisden by Maria (who has beenliving with us since January 1977) with her conversation, Christian

personality, and tracts, portions of Scriptures, and other Scriptual literature. This is one of thethings she discovered she could do, and loves doing; to keep her busy, and tell people of the loveof God. We hope the seed she is planting, and what follow-up we may be able to do, will bringforth the increase according to God's will. One Turkish girl has attended Bible studies in ourhome due to Maria's contacts; but others who had hoped to come, thus far have been hinderedsomehow. PRAY that Maria's witness may be pure and sincere; bringing results so she will notfaint in well doing - at 88 years y-o-u-n-g!!

c) We could hardly refer to MRS. KUYPERS as a contact anylonger, as in the previous requests. She has remained faithful in

attending most church activities and though two |of her sons have become Christians according tothe examples in Acts, she continues to hold ^n to Catholic teachings. Earnest prayers ofChristians here show they have not yet given up, and we hope you will join us in continuing tohold her up before our Heavenly Father! Unfortunately, JOSEPH (one immersed son) is veryspasmodic in his faithfulness. Sometimes he will come real regularly, showing signs of spiritualgrowth; then fall into carelessness, again to i^eturn, etc. He needs to become mature andsteadfast in his Christian life, so we hope you'll pray to this end. JOS, the oldest still home,continues to be very antagonistic to the gospel, dr inking and fighting, and sometimes making lifefor both Mrs. Kuypers and Joseph rather hard. ApRI (the first immersed, who left home becauseof persecutions from Jos) is dating a girl from Genk and though misses church services inMaasmechelen, is faithful in mid-week studieg. He shows some signs of growth, but we arefearful for him in that he mingles so much] through the influence of his fience', withdenominational groups and is often mislead by their false teachings before he can see the harmcaused. He tries to uphold the truth, but the deception of falsehoods often only slowly eat awayuntil there is "no return" to the truth. Please remember him, and Gaby, his fience' I

5. JEFF Many of you probably wonder what ever happened to Jeff, as weoften mentioned him when reporting to the churches as well as in

our printed reports. We are very sorry to report that he no longer attends church, and a neighborof his, and other acquaintances say he brings nothing but shame to Christ, rediculing His nameand almost anything that has to do with spiritual living. The Lord blessed their home with asecond son, after having just one child (already a teenager when his brother came along) yet Jeffhas forsaken the way he once traveled, and his wife never came to know Christ as her personalSavior. What can one do in a situation like this? Can we still pray for him, or do other Scripturestake effect, such as Paul's warnings in I Tim. 1:20, and Heb. 10:26??

6. WILLY LACAZIE Willy, and his wife Paula, long time acquaintances of Henki'sparents, continue to be in our prayers. Paula has occasionally

attended church services, but remains unreceptive to any Scriptural teachings. Willy is backhome after a long stay in the hospital and a rathen serious operation. Henki used this opportunityto influence him for Christ. A few things that Willy said seem to show a bit more sensitivity to the

^Word,,but we still need to pray for it to grow, and bring forth fruit in his life, as well as Paula's.They have no children, and the eight Boonaerts phildren have been like theirs, since they livedclose together, and often went camping, etc. together while they were still home. Lacazies have,without a doubt, seen the changes in most of theand try living the life acceptable to His will!

Boonaerts, as they have all become Chrisitans

7. MR. and MRS.

PRESSATUK

The other friend involved in an auto accident several years ago,with Lacazie, and his wife have often been to services both in Genkand Maasmechelen. Their adopted son was married in Genk by

Henki, and we've tried to encourage these young people and their parents as much as possible.Again the distance makes it impossible to witness as much as we'd like; yet we hope with youradded prayers there may be some results of His kingdom in these lives.

There are still others from previous prayer-request pages; and new ones to be added, but we willhold them for following newsletters. Just remember our efforts as often and specifically aspossible, please!

BELGIUM FOR CHRIST is written by Mary Esther Boonaerts; edited, printed and mailed bythe Melvin Rollers. It is distributed to inform and encourage support of the work being done inBelgium for Christ by the Henki Boonaerts faniChurch of Christ, designated to Boonaerts work, a

ly. All funds made payable to Pontoon Beachre tax deductable.

John Mark

VOL. VI NO. 2

Mary Esther

James Matthew

BELGIUM

FOR

CHRIST

ADDRESSES:

FINANCE FORWARDING

John McDonald

2213 Dawn Avenue

Granite City, Illinois

U.S.A. 62040

CORRESPONDENCE AGENT

Melvin & Louella Roller

Route 1, Box 92

Bumettsville, Indiana

U.S.A. 47926

FIELD ADDRESS

Henki Boonaerts

Louis Mercierlaan 135

Maasmechelen

3630 BELGIUM

MAY - AUG.

THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN AGAIN

Hetterscheidts have the reputation of being like birds. Having a home build in Belgium(Neerharen) they usually spend summers in this land. Doctors orders have been to stay in thismore healthful place, than their home in Germany, a large, polluted industrial city on the Rhineriver. If it weren't for complications in getting their pension and coal allotment as elderly, they'dprobably stay here permanently. As it is, they come to be with us (joining in the worship andactivities of the Maasmechelen Church of Christ) usually from early spring until late fall or earlywinter. However, during this time they make numerous trips for doctor's check-ups, and visitingfriends among other things. Even in the winter after they're settled in their German home, theyusually make several trips back to Belgium to be sure home and friends are still okay! From thisconstant hopping back and forth they've gotten the reputation of being the flitting birds.

The end of November (19th) marked their departure this year. Anna had been sick a longtime with a weak heart, keeping her from worship services and Bible studies most of this yearsstay in Belgium. Even personal visits to her at home had to be kept to a minimum, so we've notseem her much this year. Now that they've gone we're glad Anna was at least in much betterhealth. Johan and Anna opened their home for the Bible Study the last Wednesday before theirreturn. Being a nurse and knowing the condition of her heart, Anna said she felt her time to bewith her Lord was coming close. She wanted us to share with her ''for this last time" meaningbefore their return to Germany, but maybe also had a double meaning, before her return to bewith God.

When saying farewells later they told a story of an experience they had had in theircongregation in Germany (Free Evangelical, an Independant break off from the LutheranChurch, in an attempt to return to Scriptural teachings). We'd like to share in essence what theytold us:

A young boy of five was invited totheir children's Sunday school and beganattending. He learned of Christ and grewto love Jesus as his own friend. Then he

became sick with cancer and knew he'd

die soon. His mother was in tears manytimes when she'd come to see him. But

the young boy wasn't afraid. He boldlycomforted his mother, "I'm not afraid.Why, I'm going to see Jesus, and he's myfriend. Now you must not cry, Mother,because you can come too. If you giveyourself to Him then we can see eachother again. Please don't cry... Pleasepromise me..."

In Hetterscheidts Belgium home, justbefore 1976 departure to Germany.

And this is the hope of Johan and Anna Hetterscheidt. They fear not death, nor separationin this life, but witness constantly to those around them. They have a home with us not only ofbricks and morter, but also in our hearts. Now that they've flown down South again, we hope theLord will watch over them, and continue to be a blessing to them, as they being used of Christ hasbeen for us many times over.

O, A SWIMMIN' WE WILL GO. . .

All work and no play n:iake preachers and papas dull men! It has taken some doing toconvince Henki of the truth in this, and that it is, as according to the Scriptures, profitable(though but little, I Tim. 4:8). But after he found the right sport (or hobby) and someone(Wadek) to share this exercise time with him; everything fell into place: swimming suit, finssnorkle, lead belt, and all the equipment needed for ---SCUBA diving!

The trip to Lugano, Switzerland developed another purpose (other than just attending theChristian camp held annually for military, missionary and others interested). Since he was on thecommittee which met at the camp to plan final arrangements for the Mid-winter rally, he neededto go! And since they were already so close (Henki and Wadek only went) they drove a littlefurther, to be in Italy, and more specifically, in the Mediterranean Sea. It must have been great,for Henki came back refreshed, and generally a new man. (He grew a beard in his absence also,so had even changed outwardly!)

There is a large, new sport center in Genk where Wadek and Henki have joined the Diver'sClub. They swim about twice a week, have lessons on safety and technique in diving, and use thecompressed air bottles as club members, and have several other priviledges. Being an indoorpool, they will be enjoying this sport in the winter, getting ready for — who knows, another dip inthe Mediterranean, maybe. John Mark had swimming lessons from school last year, so he enjoysgoing some with Henki. We are all glad for the refreshment, and change in pace. We hope thisactivity may be used of God to give new vigor and zeal in studying and spreading the gospel.

A TEMPORARY SET-UP

We are glad to announce ourplea for help placed in the Horizonsmagazine has brought fruitful results.PLEASE BEAR WITH US IN THIS

TIME OF TRANSITION. Until further

arrangements, ALL CORRESPONDENCE should be mailed to the new

ROLLER address. Please continue

sending ALL FINANCES to the MCDONALDS, checks still being madeout to the Pontoon Beach Church of

Christ, designated for Belgium forChrist mission. Thank you for yourpatience in this time of transition, andlook for further information and news

concerning our Agents in America.Besides the cake lamb, and a visitor (old time friend(if Henlii), you can see Henki's beard-new vigorpupping out ali over!

BELGIUM FOR CHRIST is written by Mary Esther Boonaerts; edited, printed, and mailed bythe Melvin Rollers. It is distributed to inform and encourage support of the work being done inBelgium for Christ by the Henki Boonaerts family. All funds made payable to Pontoon BeachChurch of Christ, designated to Boonaerts work, are tax deductable.

IVIedaryvilie Christian ChurchBox 140, South Jefferson StreetIVIedaryville, IndianaU.S.A. 47957

MisGiun ServicesScj: 1??Koapton,

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

2c PAID

Medaryviile, IndianaPermit M