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4.

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Dear friends,July 1999

My, hov; time flies! Both Henk and Ihave returned safely and v/ithout major mishap form our hoped for trip to he in theU.S. for John Kark*s graduation. Viainternet John Mark was able to find cheapflights. Only hitch:'' we had to travelseperately, Kenk's month (May 3-30) waspast almost before we realized he'darrived. Unfortunately, due to a changein policy and a misunderstanding, John Markdid not get to graduate from L.C.C. Kay 13as expected. He will be receiving hisdiploma (equal to graduation with his BAdegree) as soon as the requirements forGREEK are turned in.

Continue to

pray for him as he finishes theserequirements during the summer break from College and when heresumes studies in Seminary while ministering with young peoplein Springfield:^ 111,

V-Ze were able to share in the lovely ordination service for John Mark,setting him apart to full-time ^iristian ministry at the Prairie Streamschurch. Dad and Mom Roland were also present from Kansas Cnow retiredfrom their mission years in India), Folks who'd planned on being presentfor graduation visited with us at John's home before going on to their nextengagement. How nice to share with longtime friends and acquaintances inthis way.

Also while Henk was still in the States we made a road-trip tl learnedsome new expressions from our Americanized son!) to visit his family inPeachtree '^ity, Ga. It was an all to short visit with Sam and Kina Surfusand their grown/growing family as well as Herman and Alice Boonaerts Csomewe've not seen in over 6 years). To wrap up the Georgia trip we allcelebrated John Mark turning 30 with the ."Belgian clan" in the home ofKina's oldest daughter. For you who remember Kina and would like to write,,they are at 303 Broken Bit 'Way, Peachtree City, Ga, 30269; phone 770 ^8688o6.

We made several trips to L.C.C. to benefit from their media centerand bookstore (copying audio cassettes and viewing pertinant videos andbuying several books on sale to be useful in our further ministry andpersonal spiritual life). Fortunately we were also able to visit one ofour SLCC professors, Russel Boatman and onetime fowarding agent, LouellaRoller together. Returning to Belgium Henk picked up a detox program withone of his addict friends that he'd started before his departure.

Praise

God there was willingness to continue this hard process of breakingthe drug habit. Pray for strength and insight, patience and gracefor each involved in this demanding ministry.

FAM. BOONAERTS-ROLANDHOEVEFtWEQ 14 ^ 2

3660 OPGLABSEEK BaG.

One high priority and very important reason for the trip to the Stateswas concerning the fowarding agent situation. After much prayer and uncertainty, God did open doors almost at the last moment! Visiting LindaCoake just days before my return to Belgium, I was able to assure her ofnew folks taking over. By way of this letter we also want to notify youof the upcoming changes. Through the month of July gifts can still be sentto Linda at the Tri-City church in Virginia,

THEN BEGIKNING IN AUGUST Larry and Barbara Falish of Iowa will resumethese duties. From then on please make checks payable to the CommunityChristian church, including a note indicating funds are for Belgium forChrist support. Mail these to Larry and Barbara Falish. % Community,

fphnnP^TQ ^^l ^Q69),Church, 912 .20th Ave,. Coralvillp^ TntxraPlease pray for a smooth transition, strength and understandingfor Larry and Barb, longtime friends and supporters of thisBelgian work. Thank Qod for t^ieir willingness, along withthe Iowa ^^hristians to be our new "funneling congregation"for your donations, ''

I 'With this good news I will close :for now. Next time I plan to tell some

more about my stay in the States until'July 5 and update on the ministry toaddicts in and around Genk. May you Have a refreshing and fruitful summeras you continually look for the coming of our Lord. (I Thess. 4:13-18) Ipray it will be the encouragement to you it was intended by our brother Paul.So even though time sort of got away and we've not been in touch since ourJan.-Feb. writing or seen as many as vje*d hoped, v^e have had much for whichto praise God and be thankful. Signing off until next time, I remain fortime and eternity your friend and sister in Christ, ya u/ l /

Especiallj'" for those we didn*t see here's a picture taken while in the Statesand one of our granddaughter, Chloe (a year and half old alreadyi) that weshov/ed 'most everyone i>rhile there! Besids William and Jean Roland (farright)fHenk and myself, you see John Majrk with his girlfriend, Michelle Coxof Granite City, 111,

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Hello to vou,I'm back again after a month of all sorts

of activities with a new page of "prayer-munition" items. You'll never guess the praiseand prayer points this time# It would seemLarry and Barb's stay in Iowa turned out moretemporary than any of us realized. It hasevidentally already served God's purposes*Larry was able to find a new job for himselfand an apartment for them to move to all in aweek's time.. God was good and they were ableto move back to the Green Bay area where theyhad lived before and many of their family andfriends are. To contact them personally;Larry and Barbara Falish, lll4 Western Ave,Apt., Green Bay, Wisconsin 5^305; phone—920 497 3294, They were still looking for achurch home when he called in Sept. Barb isalso recovering from a stay in the hospitalbut is doing better with a change of medications, so please keep all these matters inyour prayers.

But that's not all. To make the fowarding team complete there is also^ "funnelixig--ehTircli'' for your giTtST—^e^Lj^ve also already beenable to maJc^,-a?rangements with the Mountain Church of~~Ctn»i^. This is not

only a^G<Jngregation that has long supported efforts in Belgiuciv-but Larryhas^^rved with this group in the past and knows the present preacK^^ Thisi^a double blessing all around surely. So —take note of this changeaS^o,please. _ Make checks out to the Mountain Church of Christ and mail them^th

note indicating the donation is for Belgium for Christ expenses/fundina-Helen Anderson, 95^7 N, Kelly Lake Road, Suring, Wise, 5^174» Isn't iteat these folks join the ranks in a new position! Thanks to the Coralvilie

tians for their involvement in this time of transition.Ther^"-i^___^s^ll more for which to praise the Father andpetition lriS-fti-r41ier.__gj^i_da^LC_e_aj^blessings, so read on.

I always find it a bit hard to know wBTch news b.eslends itself for prayer each month as~there is always anabundance. Since we've already been on the topic ofhealth it seems natural to include some updates concerning our health at this time. as you porbably realizesince my malignant thyroid cancer operation in I995 it is advisable tohave a reoccurance check-up once yearly. That time has just uassed and Ihad to be without the thyroid harmone several weeks in preperation for theradioactive scan. (That in itself can be a trauma with several undesirablesymptoms 1) There were some uncertainties so I had to return a second day.

Fortunately "there were no arguments" so I was given a "clean bill"as far as those tests were concerned. But—there was an enlarged lymphgland wich which the Dr. wasn't to happy. It is therefore with greatrelief and thankfulness I report these extra tests showed benign glandso it's only necessary to return again about this time next year forthe regular testing!

However, as can be expected with those above 50, health begins todeteriorate noticably and we each have our troubles with which to cope.We had hoped to take advantage of cheaper prices while in the U»S.and buy eye glasses. We discovered these are o^ item not cheaper, sowaited until getting back to Belgium. While "house-sitting" forfriends this summer we went for eye check-ups. I;enk is now gettingused to bifocals (see foto next page while in Andre and Brigitt's

nome) and I'm enjoying seeing slightly better with stronger reading glasses,^e botn have occasional toothachs so need dental cars, but are glad to stillhave our own teeth (though the number seems to deminish almost yearly!)Henk also has to take necessary precautions as he has a weakness for stomach

CW

ulcers. Lately he's been having trouble with

FAM. BCONAERTS-ROLANOHOP/ERWEQ 14 X 2

3660 OPGLABBEEKBaGJuM

Christ

NOVEMBER I999

ri^ht arm and leg^ Drcbabl"

rheumatism from his roof-repairing days. He plans to have thischecked out before long as it begins to hinder his walkingabilities more and morem and the pain; 'even is keeping him -awake nights sometimes,

After 10 years searching for the cause of a _coughing irritation it was discovered I had a stomach B7)0condition (I) for which I've been taking rather If Bfjrt ifexpensive pills for a couple years. Along with several " y(other precautions including careful diet, it seems to bemore or less under control. It does seem to act up in the tspring and fall, as is often the case with chronic stomach ' aJdisorders. Also my arthritis is slowly causing more and more " |L^disability so that I hope to get some outside help for the / -household. Fortunately this is a possibality via our (socialized)health insurance but it will take adjiustments and extra finances,

There's one more '̂HEALTH TKHiliD" I cannot refrain from sharing ^with you about. It is something I have never experienced to such ^9and extent as the last few weeks. Henk has brought so many reportsof various addicts he has seen in the, shopping areas (center or malls,whichever you prefer). Time and again he is so excited and glad to tellof various ones being so well on the way to recovery from their habit, ^looking good and seeming to make headway. For this we can but praise God ^and petition that it may have it's complete working as they recover towardspiritual soundness as welli Th HIM be the GLORY,

As we get older, nearing the "retirement age" we realize it just takeslonger to get things done and we're not able to tackle as much as when wewere younger. Maybe that's one reason having/being able to spend more timewith devotions and spiritual matters is a blessing. This especially struckme when reading I Thess. 5sl2-2^ recently, "...respect those who work hardamong you...hold them in highest rega.rd in love because of their work...help the weak., be patient with everyone,,,be joyful always, pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances...may God himself...sanctify you through andthrough, >iay your whole spirit, soul' and body be kept blameless.. .The one whocalls you is faithful and he will do |it."

Sorry if the outlined changes have caused some inconvience or delay thepast few months. It seemed best to wait until we had all the information topass on to you at once. A hearty thanks again for working with us in.every

way you happen to be involved. . Peace to you and may you be in goodhealth: body, soul and spirit. My regards in Christian love,

Pedicure—a brand new sensation for Hary ii-sther, first inFeachtree ^ity, Ga, this summer with Kina's daughter.There's a young lady in the congregation in Opglabbeek

who's in training. '.^Jonderful to have your painful feetpampered this way, I'm hoping it can become a regular

on my agenda with Sabine shown here —and my feet,..

.""i

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Hi! Again,

IT DOES NOT SEEM POSSIBLE that I have beenback in Belgium two months already# Iattended the regional mission's prayermeeting Sept, 7 and it seemed like I'd beenabsent a year. It had been four months forme, what with being away in the states andthey wern't held for two months since so manywere gone on vacation#, It was so good to see

iS^everyone again and pray for friends in variousparts of the world.

Other activities are beginning to pickup now also,. It seems once school starts,traditionally the first day of September inBelgium, Bible studies, committee meetings,etc, also start up again! Sept^. 12 is (at

\ composition) the "Open Bouse" of Bethesda^ where John Mark did his internship a few years^ ago. They usually have a good prograni withCguest speaker, workshops and aconcert of some

gospel group in the evening. One usually sees lots of friends from othercongregations besids being informed of this Christian counseling center'sactivities, making it a nice happening. So, one gets back into the swingof life where one is,

I LEFT JOHN'S PLACE for Pittsfield, 111. where I was to meet my folks tomake^my way East for my flight out. I stopped by the Christview church inSt. ^harles, Mo. where we'd attended when John was born 30 years ago. It

. was good to see Tom McGee, former president of SLOG and others we'd known.In Pittsfield I got to see a friend I'd met as a girl while on furloughfrom India. .. V/e had-stayed friends over the years but had not seen each-other in some 15 years, (She even considered being our fowarding agent atone time.) It was great to visit with her, her folks and others, and seeplaces we'd shared my first years at LCC. My parents came from Kansas andwe went first to visit Dad's second brother, Clyde and his family in

^.s^Kentucky,Then we headed to Virginia where we stayed with former missionaries

to India, It was at Bill and Ethel Gulick's I was able to visit with LindaCoake sharing new plans for her job being taken over by Larry and Barb. Thestay there was far to short, but they were expecting other guests—almostlike Grand Central Station at their home, they know wo many people!

Our next destination was my oldest brother Charles' home in Maryland.^ We attended a church that Sunday where my folks had been in '95 just before^V^returning to India, They had told of my cancer operation so folks had

prayed for me. They seemed glad to have an update on my condition. Thepreacher was an LCC student during the time I attended and he'd evenstayed at Grandad Roland's ! Nice to have such surprises and blessingsalong the way,

V/e'd made reservations to attend a Woodstock old students reunion inBristol,. HI next. Since Mom had attended the V/oodstock boarding school inIndia, as well as all four of us kids and both Dad and Mom had taught andbeen dorm parents, this was a must. There wern't a whole lot of my generation present, but I surely had a great reunion with those who were, andenjoyed the workshops, Indian food and so forth tremendously! It all ended"July ^ as I had to be in Newark, NJ the 5th to return to Belgium. My folksgot me safely on a shuttle bus that whisked me off for my flight.

While still at John's after Henk left, I made several short trips andhad visits with my brother David and his wife Glenda and several friends ofLCC and SLCC days and supporters of the Belgian work. Each was a specialgift of God, along with several other surprises adding up to make this

ither. It was truly with verythankful for the trip and for being

back home as Belgium has also become.

^ gilt oi uoQ, aj.ong witn severaj. oT^ner surp;^^:i"furlough" so very different from every o

mixed feelings I returned, but I'm so thanJ

Ifm-

FAM. BOONAEffrS-ROUNDH0P/ERWH3 14 X 2

36B0 OPGUSeEEK BELGIUM

Aug.. - Sept.. 1999

Christ

VJ

AN INTiiiNSE RECOVERY TREATMENT program in our home with an addict came to dh'end and Kenk went to Oostend to visit his brother Willy, relaxing and regaining strength at the North Sea. Back home he met several other addictfriends, childhood classmates and others while he was in the shoppingcenters (malls) in Genk. He came home with reports of several who werereally good, going to better their education, and in different waysmaking serious efforts to become responsible citizens in society, Sometimes he gets word of some he's worked with who are sitting out Jailsentences, or sees one who's "gained weight and is really looking good,"or hears of one who has a new girlfriend and seems to be "getting his acttogether," There are always ups and downs but it is encouraging to seepositive efforts and results every once in a while. Two even instigatedtalks about immersion and what it entails to follow Jesus so steps arebeing taken in the right direction spiritually, also. Seed planted, whoknows when, how long ago or how often, does take root.,.

Without perseverance in prayer none of this could be possible. Weand they are dependant on those who ^rfreetle on their behalf, though theymay be unaware of the need or the battle. Bless you and God and all whojoin with us and thank you again very ffluch for, in one way or another,being part of the lifeline in Belgium for Christ. James 1:4-8

. . V 1 Jlj)

Bye for now,

JL 0-^^

'16^ /

X— ^

The new letterhead is a wheatfield inOpglabbeek, Beyond the field and behindthe clump of trees is our home. There isa new kind of plant that is filling smallfields and plots of ground. I've beenintrigued to see this fad of something newbeing harvested in Belgium that hadn't beenseen to this extent before# In many placesyou see pumpkins and gords for sale likeat this home near ours.. (Isn't their mailbox quaint? Typical here in Belgium..) Wehope and pray thespiritual harvest

this year will alsobring Him glory

all over Belgiumas Christians

witness and

remain

faithful to

their LORD

Please find'someone topray with or share thisprayer and praise pagewith others.- -.feke ch^kso\^ t<^ Comraun;2^y Chpistia

indi^y^ing ix is ^or3eJ^iumJ>f Chri^. itto Larry and Bacrb Falish, Thanks ageuLn l

a

'-' I hope you are ready for some encouragement because I think that's what ;-ou are aboutto set.

Someone must have prayed. Lots of someones,in fact and for a long time. YC'J may have beenone of those "someones." Someone spent severalhours teaching. Someone convicted the heart of asinner as HE so often does. Someone opened hisheart in belief and the miracle began to happen.Then carefully plans began to be made, .-ilreadyfrom honday it was known that vhere was going tobe an immersion in the Genk church of ChristyThose responsible for the baptismal robes didtheir part. The elder did what was necessaryto fill the baptistry. The sonr service wasfinished and everything was ready, i'-oone expected what happened next. V.hen the two wereabout to go down into the water—lo! and beholdit was all but goneJi ixtra scngs were sung, ^spontaneously chosen by otners present v/ith an emphesis on Daniel as our nev;brother was named. We sang about daring to stand knowing you aren't alonethough facing all sorts of oig problems, "ivhen he was finally immersed it wasin sufficient warm v^ater, ihat was a blessing as it was a winter day soon afterthe temperatures had dropped to freezing, as so often, even tnis mishaD turnedout lor the best, all things working together...

But now, v/ho is Daniel? ^-ne of the addicts rienk has worked with, on andoff, sometimes alone and some'̂ imes with others, for the past 2-5 years. Sincethis summer the subject of fcllov/ing uesus has come up more often. Danielbegan reading lervorently in zr.s -::ible. That's always a jrood sign. Kanyquestions anc long discussions followed. I-le began to be concerned about fellowaddicts, r.e even openi.y v/ivnessed (in henk's presence) to two other junkiesthat "his 'drug' was the c-icle." These are all signs v;e'd experienced withyoung converts during criurch planting days, Vjh.at an exciting and joyful timefor us and we're sure tnere muse have been a lot of rejoicing in heaven.Remarkable was the peace anc arive Daniel sroke of, telling he was convincedGod^was^the only One wno could help him. As an immersion text he was given1 Tim, o:12 and we're anxious ~o see what plans God has for cur new brotherand how he'll be used in his kin;:dom and where.

FAM. BCONAESTS-ROLANDhop;erweg u y 2

3660 OPGIjsaBeEX BELGIUM

L. ./f9 f

(Christ

tnti

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allowed shortly after the old -^aniel v/as buried,giving with an American •military couple in-m who live in the province of Limburg, Ourears having been in their home several times,elical church and are involved with youth t:iere,ight with us as John had to be away from home

Another kind of feasting iV.e were invited to spend Thanksvolved in the educational systefriendship has grown over the yThey attend the Genk Free LvanrCarolyn had often stayed over nquite a lot. Just over a year

Hussian children makin-r Lilaago they adopted twoand Yuri brother

A

adorable

and sister 1

CelebratingDaniel's new

life with a

Sunday dinnerwith henk's

i'-iom in her home

11

-3

i Jarolyr. alsori wenk" factory.5ady making head-also a missionar;

elgian. He isnjoyable eveningsting to the, probably our±z special.

si as the guests10 henk in foto.)

Also present for tlie big meal was a ./ounrj couple, John ar.2 in the foto), recently moved to Belgium with the "?o

They expect a stay of about a year and half. They're airway learning Dutch, we discovered. -he fourth couple wascouple, and "mixed" marriage, she being .wTierican and hepresently involved as a prison chaplain. It was a very egetting to know eachother and sharing experiences of adjuBelgian culture as Americans) It was a real ThAr-KSGIVIIiGfirst to celebrate since about '95i that in itself makingTogether with vvilly and Sue Tops v/ere unexpectedly clzof honor adding a kind touch of encouragement, 3 next

Several weeks before all this happened, I'd just gotten back from a shortbike ride. I'd hoped to catch a better view of the sunset by the fieldseast of our home where there aren't so many trees and houses. The wind wasblowing pretty hard as I went along and I had to bike up hill part of theway, I missed the sunset but while sitting outside the house I looked upat the clouds. They appeared completly calm and still. Suddenly I saw afirst star of the night then I thought, no 1 it must be an airplane, it'smoving pretty fast. Soon I realized it was still equidistant from our homean awful long time so ^ wasn't "npving," Instead the clouds, that Ithought were so calm and s-till were! flying past causing this optical illusion.

Isn't that how it is in life sometimes? V/e're surrounded by troubles,frustrations, doubts and inadequacies in the midst of a bad situation, withstornff -ing-ir^p') us-i-. It doesn'-t SEEM—things ar-e- moving or at-least not fast enough. Then suddenly everything is past and we realize Godwas working after all. Nothing in life, not the "good things" nor the "bad

. IT

know God is

and others.

(Eph.. 1:11)•P I!series oi

This is one reason it is

behind those sent, I want

sending" in so many ways.

thxngs" are forever. Everything iat work all around us,

V/orking to bring aboujt

gooG to

to than

life is temporary. V.'hat a relief toall the time, near and far away, in us

•lis purposes and what He has ordained^It has alwaj'^s been that way and it always will be. Life is a

networking:,"ikr.ow that some are sent and otiiers stand

K you who've faithfully stood behind ourwe viill have been here

It Do you realize come Hay,30 years? 've couldn't have made it without your support• Spiritually andmaterially helpers make our presence in Belgium possible, so Daniel andothers like him can hear the gospel and have the opportunity to accept it.This gives cause for celebrating tliat actually brings glory to Christ, Allpraise to His name in summertime and wintertime, at Thanksgiving and Christmas ,

May the good news of the angels some 2000 years ago be cause for celebrationduring this season and every day off the coming year for you and all dear toyou. Rejoice in the Lord always, i I v;ill say it again., r.e.^oicei (rhil. k:k)

Tin K^tanton's (/r 1)for a very special

a .r-: K,,.- feast.- vm

nome