Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Forwarding Agent:
Mr. John McDonald
2213 Dawn Street
Granite City
Illinois 62040
Mary Esther
Vol, IV No. 2
1973
May June
camel
"But a camel has one or two humps on his backl" "Yea, but our camel has an
extra hump. He's a hump-backed camel, with three humpsl" We had hoped by
writing the financial account, and making our needs knovwi by way of our lost
The second hump on our camel is a little nicer, but also has to do with money.
As you will see from the article onpage three, we have the opportunity to return
for a year to the United States. Fares" forthe three of us will probably total about
$700.00. There are many things for us to get in order before leaving Belgium on
such short "noticeAs funds arrive and needed moving, packing, and other
arrangements are attended to, further announcements of our trip will be made,
(continued on page 2)
another place for our home. |l^nt amounts are almost equal to monthly payments
for a loan when buying a homel. The home in Boorsem will no longer be suitable,
and is badly located. We hadi hoped tofind a home to buy whata long, drawn-
out, and discouraging procesiii Then, just before Messimers' return we finally
found a house for sale, "in cii^r price range," and nearer the gathering hall in
Maas-mechelen. Now, things lore happening so fast too fast compared to how
we can gather the needed money.
:
Since Messimers are going to live in our home while we are gone, their "rent"
was paid in the formof the lO^ down payment we had to payl Now we need 11%
to pay for the loan and get theideed for the house. The sooner we can get these
things cared for, and some repairs made for Messimers to move in, the sooner we
can return to the U .S.
I
So you see, we have a hump-badked camel financially. We hope all who can
help above their usual gifts wilFj Ido so. It is also our plea that all support con
tinue before our return to the LI ^S. and during our stay there, as our needs will
be the same. Your gifts are still a Iways our only "income" so we must depend on
you. We are confident we can ji^imp the humps one by one, as God works through
His people to meet our needs. 11
Scraps and Pieces 'o News:
1 I
Kina (Henki's sister, who went toj^he U.S. with him in '67) and her husband Sam
Surfus are back in Europe for a few months. Sam is studying in France for credits
in theology for his degree at Lincoln Christian College. Kina is staying -with her
pqrents, after not having seen the|r| for about four years.
(continued on page 4)
HANDFUL
OF
HAPPINESS
Again, in young lives inChrist we have learned that faithand trust in God PAYSl
Wea re now beginningto see why, and some reasons things did not work "ourway."
God's ways are somuch greater than ours, and it is wonderful when we can finally
begin to see the picture taking shape. Every phase of our life has been this way,
and we rejoice to know once again with assurance: God is in control.
Dennis and Linda Messimer returned fro/nthe United States after a year's absence.
They had some plans for trying to beginanother congregation where they may find
a nucleus of interested persons. In passing, and almost jokingly we offered for
them to come to Boorsem and "take over" our work. Becoming more serious, we
came to realize these were just the doors God was opening for us all.
We have been remembering that Henki still is in need of studies to receive his
B.A. degree. Messimers could not only continue our work, but move into our
home for a year, so we could return to the United States. This would make a
number of things possible.
(1) Give Boonaerts the opportunity to personally thank the supporters in the
U .S. for their faithfulness.
(2) Provide Boonaerts with the chance to give personal reports of the progress
of the work in Belgium.
(3) AllowHenki to work furtheron hisstudies, and refill our "spiritual reservoirs"
for further work in Belgium.
(4) Accommodate Messimers with a place to live and work while trying to make
contacts to begin another congregation, using our home and furniture.
(5) Supply someone to help guidethe young Boorsem group in Boonaerts' absence,
since we promised not to leave until we could "provide" someone to preach.
These are just the five most important reasons giving us a HANDFUL OF HAPPI
NESS in our Christian lives.
(continued on page 4)
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BELGIUM
FOR
CHRIST
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"oooFor we do not know how we ought to pray? the Spirit himself pleads with
God for us, in groans that words cannot express.ooofor the Spirit
pleads with God on behalf of God's people in accordance
Alvier
The shipper and his wife moved from the Maasmechel^n area soon
sons to raise.
Mrs Kuypers has asked for the congregation to pray for Jos, not
only that his body will be healed, but that his life may be changed by Christ.
The two younger sons are fanatical for the Catholic church. Audry,
tlia, oldest o-.thess-tiwo has been-in-several services-recent^.
He ooomo to
be very receptive to the gospel, c.nd anxious to join again with Christians on
Sunday,
How wonderful it would be to see Mrs, Kuypers and her entire house
hold won to Christo
There have been many things happening that could lead
to such a happy conclusion.
Join with us, praying that God's will shall be
done,
3) Another lady., Mrso Kottas whom Henki called on has been coming
this
task,
Jeff
Now that Henki is working again in the coal mine, he sees Jeff
often at work. Again Jeff has held himself absent from gathering
with Christians in Genk,
It is sad some are unable to grow on their own,
yet we are taught to help those who are weaker.
Hopefully Henki and Jeff
can grow together, and witness as they work in the mine,
Kina
We are happy to announce Kina's wedding to Mr, Sam Surfas on
December 22,
They both plan further education, before possible
work in Germany as missionaries.
Pray for happy years of married life for
them, and fruitful service in God's Kingdom,
Kina did move to Lincoln, 111,,
and was able to find a job as well as an apartment.
Again we see answers to
many prayers,
Lacazie
and
automobile accident.
Pressatuk
to Christ,
FURLOUGH address
Beli|iiUK/
CkiuAl
Henkl Boonaerts
John McDonald
Florissant, Mo
63033
FOWABDING AGEUT
620i+0
Mory Esther
John Mark
Henki
Jxay-Sept. 1973
"REPORT TIME"
I Can remenber when I was a child, after exams and the end of each qu
arter, "report time" was a time to vhich I looked foward with much
dread. I usually did not have a very good report for my efforts lAiich
were usually only "half-heartedI"
Now God has given us a "report time." We have returned to the U.S. to
give a report to the supporters and other brethem of the work that has
been done in Belgium the past three hears. I certainly do not look fo
ward to this time with dread, for I know that we have reports of ^Aiat
GOD has done, and our efforts have been whole-hearted. We are, indeed
anticipating with eagerness to give the report among the (torches (as
was the practice of Paul in his dayActs 15j^) to declare >4iat God
V;e arrived in the U.S. Aug. l6, jjist in time for Henki to enroll for
classes at St, Louis Christian College. Please note that further news
letters will be limited to once every three or four months. We will be
Feeling a little more settled and adjusted to the American way of life,
R-r-r-RE-LOCATION
Just a year ago we annoiinced having been able to find another house that
cculd be remodeled for use as a church hall.
especially happy because the new location was imich more suitable.- The
work on remodeling ground to a hault during the winter, but we made up
for that during the spring ^nd summer months. The people of the Boorsem
church, folks from Genk, fmd even a group of students from Ozark Bible
College helped!
Vfhen we say remodeling, we almost mean rebuilding, for we had to tear
down four walls to make the gathering hall large enough. Then the walls,
floors, and ceilings all had to be redone. When we made plans for re
turning to the U.S. we wanted to try to get the hall ready be&po
How happy we were that first services were held there before our depar
ture.,
The Wayne Meeces (returning from Liberia to the U.S.) were just
in time for our first services; and we Invited the brethem from the
Genk church, and the Utrecht, Holland church to share in this happy oc
casion, Henki's sister, Kina and her husbsnd Sam were also there from
the U.Sb for the big day. To add to the rejoicing, Mrs. Kottas (for
whom we hsve been praying so long) had been immersed just the week
beforel How God had blessed and was working for the upbuilding of the
faith of many.
The Lord added still more to our blessings in that we were also able to
purchase a house (with a loanl) in Eigden, ju^ a couple miles down the
road from the relocated church. This not only keeps us closer to the
church, but provides more permanent living quarters for us, and those
who may "fill-in" during our absenceas now with Messimers.
-3-
li
Sometimes there are real advantages in knowing more than one language#-. ;
For example when John Mark is nav^hty, that word just does not express
the idea as well as the Fiend^"stouterik** or '*bandito.**
But an
At the present time there is another thought that Just is not ^quite as
forceful to me in English or even Flemish.
Before we left Belgium there were several things to bring about con
fusion, Henki was gone most of the time helping get the new gathering
hall in Maas mechelen ready for worship. This left me with everything
else to do, and that without a car?
school for his vacation, and was always wanting to see everything before
it was packed. You see, that was another thingeverything had to be
sorted and packed into three divisions.
Other things
We had to move out of the Jiouse in Boorsem by Aug. 1 and live in one
bedroom of "our home" in Eisden for our last two v/eeks in Belgium. (Tte
lady Tdio rented the house before we were able to buy it, had not yet
been given another apartement. She' was still living there and was not
expected to move out until sometime in November for Messimers to be able
to move in.)
churches, and slowly were able to get the things we needed to set up
housekeeping. We got back just a few days before regristration and
classes at College, Everything was rushed and confusedj With work,
letter writing, speaking engagements, and studies, the best word to
describe our confused condition is "ULTI-POOLTI," I'm surelt
fvltttre
pliaisS
H3
0)
(D
H- W
REPLBKISEIING our
o u r spiritual resevoirs
for future service to be
more
-i#'
purposes.
special note
****
:b>
FURLOUGH ADDRESS
Mary Esther
John Mark
"LET US NOT BE
WEARY
IN WELL-DOING . . . "
There may be those who feel unless hundreds or even thousands can be reported
as accepting Christ, the work is falling short. Indeed It thrills our hearts when
we hear of such victories for Christ. Yet as you have followed reports of our
efforts, you have probably noticed quite another situation. We hope you will not
become weary in our reports of the ones and twos who are immersed. Every victory
in Christ brings rejoicing so we report by name. May we admonish and encourage
you not to become weary in doing well as you uphold these individuals before
God. Work in Europe may be slow compared to other fields so . . . blessings can
be counted one by one ! !
Shortly after we returned to the U.S. we had reports of two more who joined the
ranks of His Kingdom . On October 14, 1973, Leo Hermans and Antonio Olivetti
obeyed the commands of Christ to become Christians, Messimers also reported that
they have been able to start youth meetings with about five In attendance. Con
cerning Leo and Antonio, Messimers say, "We were thrilled at the faith theyshow,
and their faithfulness in church, Bible study, and youth meetings."
Both of these boysare about fourteen, and mostassuredly need our prayers support
ing them, that they may not become weary 1n doing well ce they run to completing
the race before them .
Se/uipbod
Hir
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Christ.
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