Boonaerts Henki MaryEsther 1972 Belgium

Forwarding Agent:Mr. John McDonald

2213 Dawn Street

Granite CityUlinois 62040

Bdifiiuit Ch/iist

Wory Esther John Mark Henki

12-

Field Address:

Henki Boonaerts

Kerkstraat 161

Boorsem, 3631Belgium

Vol. II No. 4

THE CHURCH DOORS WERE CLOSED

We are now living on "Church Street" in Boorsem, Belgium.The name fits well, since we have been opening our home forthe gathering of a small congregation. That is not how thestreet was named however. For hundreds of years the Catholicshave had a large church on the street, thus the name.

Though Boorsem is a relatively small town of about2,000 population, she has recently been in the news. Some ofthe local Catholics invited an out-of-town priest to hold "mass'Saturday night in the nearby playground. The Boorsem priestlocked the doors Sunday morning at mass time. He announcedthe people could hold their own services outside, or go to thechurch "on the corner," meaning us.

Since this incident, arrangements have been made toassign another priest to Boorsem. The Catholic church doorsare once again open, and none of the local people have joinedin our worship of GOD. We hope these, and other things willall work together for the forwarding of God's Kingdom, forthose of us who do love Him. Pray that we may be able touse all opportunities to their best advantage.

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bring them. It was alsoBible studies with three

Fortunately we were able to find a '68 Fiat mini-bus forsale, in good condition, Jnd reasonably priced. Now we areable to "haul" folks for church, and mid-week studies. Itis also much more convieheint for shopping, doing the laundry,and calling on prospectivej Christians.

The Lord has certainly blessed us with a good bus forthe "boss". We hope manyj^n "Boss-Mechelen" and the nearbytowns will benefit from our blessings from God. Pray withus that this bus will be unable and used for His glory formany years!

I I

- * _ II * _ A(*) John Mark and Mary Esltjher had a safe trip back toBelgium late Sept. 26th, arriving home the 27th. We thankGod that our family is agajlin together.

-2- I

A BUS FORTHE BOSS

A number of small towns

near Boorsem were recentlyjoined to form Mass-Mechelen.Some of these towns were

Eisden, Opgrimbie, Vucht,Mechelen-on-the-Maas, and Leut.Since they were joined togetherit has been said that Mechelenhas been running the show, sothe town is nicknamed "Boss

Mechelen!"

When John Mark and MaryEsther returned from the U.S.(*) Henki was down to a motorcycle for transportation.Maas-Mechelen and othersurrounding towns where folkscame from for services are as

far as 5 miles away. Somefolks were unable to come forservices when we were left

, without transportation toquite difficult to go to calling, andon a motorcycle!

"...thats where we live?"

Even as a teenager, andwhile working in the coalmine, Henki had heard ofthe reputation of Eisden(see previous article), nowincorperated with MaasMechelen. Down the main

streets of town, brightlylighted, and obviouslyadvertised, can be foundmany prostitute houses.Along with them are regularplaces of commerce, postoffice, restaurants andhomes.

Recently one of thepolitical leaders of Maas-Mechelen was Imprisoned forimproper use of the city'smoney, among other things.One of the Catholic priestshas been living unmarried, but as husband and wife withhis house maid. So sin holds these people captive.

Now, that's where we are living: Never did Henki or theGenk Christians dream of there being a church of Christ in sucha town. One of the Genk elders has been delivering canned goodsto stores in this area for fifteen years. He drove right bywhere we now live, little realizing what God had planned forthis small town!

During this time, however, there was a godly couplefervently praying. They were elderly Germans, who came tospend their summers in Belgium. Mrs. Hetterscheid had prayed forten years even before her husband was converted. Now they havebeen Christians for thirty-five and forty-five years. Theyhave prayed that one day there would be a congregation of believerswith whom they could worship. Now some fifteen years later their

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prayers have been answered with ourcoming.

Hetterscheids return toGermany the middle of November,Not only will our attendance bedown, we will miss the blessingsof this dear couple. They planto return to Belgium early this year,since they have "something pullingthem back." They are growingold, but their faith and love arerich and bubbling over. Theymay not live to see many of theresults of their prayers andwitnessing, but we hope manypeople will be made free becauseof the truth we ALL TOGETHERare trying to preach.

CONTINUE TO PRAYFor the various request on thespecial insert page of our lastnewsletter. In case this is yourfirst letter, we will list thesesimply: Alvier, Anika, contactsmade in the area, Genk youth group,Jeff, Kina, Lacazie and Pressatuk,Luk, Lydia, members of the infantcongregation in Boorsem, Shasco,Theo and other boys Henki knew,and those who are supporting us.Further letters will giveinformation concerning answersand other requests.

"The prayer of a righteousman has a powerful effect,"(James 5:]6b, TEV)

-4-

Beli|Uuii/ Ck/iiAi


2213 Dawn Street

Granite CityIllinois 62040

VOL, III No. 1 Morv E^thpr

"AND THE LORD ADDED,

1972 Inîn MnrW

Field Address:

Henki Boonoerts

Kerkstraat 161


• January-FebruaryHonli

..THOSE WHO KERB BEING SAVED. "

Rejoice with us, as did the angels, for on January 9,1972, Adry Kuypers, a young man of 21 allowed himself tobe born again in watery baptism. He has been attendingservices in Boorsem for about two months {He was mentioned in the prayer request insert—page last newsletter.)Adry is truly the "first fruits" of the Holy Spirit's workin Boorsem, as he is the first to yield to Christ sinceservices began in June.*

Adry was temperate even before his baptism, so therewill not have to be many great changes in his life. Yetbeing owned by the Master, his life will now be complete.Surely great things are in store for him if he continuallyyields to Christ. Adry will have many trials as he willbe ridiculed for being a "Protestant" in a Catholic dominated country. He already talks of conversations with hisfamily, and those at work. He strengthens himself by coming to Wednesday Bible studies, so we hope he will havethe courage he needs to stand up for the Christ he loves.

*Anika Cartuyvels was also baptized this summer. She andher family came from the Genk congregation to help beginthe work in Boorsem. Her baptism was more a result ofwork in Genk.

A BICYCLE BUILT PO^ staying in one placeJ

A Heavy mist of cigarette smoke was hanging in theair. The room reekejd of the stench of beer. this iswhat greeted us for lover two weeks as we entered ourdownstairs rooms. Ojften our eyes seemed glued shut andour joints were throbbing. The "music" all night wasto please the customers next door, but was very detrimental to our sleep

I

The other half ofi our house was rented from Decem

ber, 19, to January,i 5th. Our landlord must have forgotten his vows never to rent the other half of hisproperty for a tavern again. (Those who had rented itbefore we came had badly damaged the building ) Sincethe two houses had originally been one, the doors between were only temporarily blocked off. Thus thesmoke, smells, and sounds drifted into our home quiteeasily.

I

The man who rented the adjacent rooms wanted tobecome famous and he h^d a plan. He prepared a tavernto provide himself with a means of income while herode on a bicycle. | The championship for riding dayand night on a mounted bike was some 314 hours.Mr. Georges Conaerts wanted to break that record^!

I1 I

By opening a bar, 'having records, a disk jockey,and other attractions,! he would have all the noise heneeded to keep awake.l Besides, everyone coming in tobuy drinks paying the|bntrance fee to see the "nut onwheels", would bring him a fat profit.

1 II I

You :should have seen them getting everything readyfor the big opening d^y. Weeks before they began tobring all the needed furniture. Every hour possiblewas spent scrubbing and decorating. They were stillbusy late the Saturday night just before the big day.Then at 10 A.M», just asl our service began on Sunday,Mr. Conaerts began his '"ride."

(continued page 3)

It was a hectic two weeks for us, just putting upwith all the noise, etc. I cannot imagine what itmust have been like for the cycler, his wife, and theothers involved. All the energy, expense, and longhours for two weeks worth of "riotous living " Mr.Conaerts managed to stay on the "rollers" for 407hours, "traveling" over 7,000 kilometers. Oh, everyhour he had a ten minute rest, but otherwise it was anon-stop bike ride, day and night. And not a minuteof this was going to count for good, for eternity!In fact Mr. Conaerts did not turn out as the champion,since someone else went three hours longer the sameweek. There are others now trying for 500 hours, andso continues the race for championship.

We are told in the Bible to live in the world,

but not to be of the world. Actually, I am not interested in living like that. But how can we witnesseffectively to people like that? This is a questionthat kept running through my mind. It is a questionthat we are each going to have to answer and live forourselves. And what we answer may determine our destiny on the day of judgement.

You may want to wall them out, so you will nothave to come in contact with them. Is that what Christ

did with the publicans? You may want to "pray, andthey will go away." Christ never ignored the disdainful lepers, hoping they would go away. Or maybe weshould go in, whoop-it-up, and have a good time with,them, hoping to be a good witness. After all, did notJesus go to the wedding feast and eat with the taxcollectors?

No, I think it takes personal contact—just oneto one, or two with two. Witness with kind, gentle,loving actions. Make them want to know Jesus as youknow Him. Make them jealous of the joy and peace youhave. Talk about how wonderful it is to have Him for

every moment of every day. And pray, pray, pray. Praythat the Holy Spirit will work in their lives, and useyou at the proper moment to the fullest advantage.

PASTING IS A FEAST

for the SOJJL:H- I dift O g® g g Nucho first came to visitp 9 o 3 us in about October. Hert >1 o» ^ talked about his old frienis

•<; ^1- (D PjvQ and the "good times" he andH 3 Henki used to have. He told

Mi ^ who was married to who, andi how this or that girl was

S 1 living immorally. He didg ' listen politely when Henki^ 1 talked of the Bible, but

was not really interested.Henki said,when Nucho left,

that he had not changed; hewas still the same worldlyNucho .he had known about

five years before.

(This "mystery article"willbe continued in the follow

ing newsletter. Have a partin the outcome cf this storyby praying for this worldlyfriend of the Boonaerts. He

is a potential Christian^

BELGIUM FOR CHRIST is written

by Mary Esther Boonaerts ,edited; printed, and mailedby John & Eileen McDonald.It is distributed every twomonths to inform and encou

rage support of the workbeing done in Belgium forChrist by Henki and MaryEsther Boonaerts.

(4)

A SPECIAL PRAYER-REQUEST INSERT PAGE

"oooFor we do not know how we ought to pray? the Spirit himself pleads withGod for us, in groans that words cannot express.... for the Spirit

pleads with God on behalf of God's people in accordancewith God's will." Romans 8;26b, 27b

Alvier ^.ometime after she married, and her folks would not let her in theirhome, her father had a bad automobile accident. Alvier went to visit

him in the hospitals Upon visiting Polets we found Alvier and her husbandvisiting her parents= We were of course glad for the reconcilation. Mro Poletis not completely recovered from the accident, so is glad for help from hisnew son-in-law. We ask for you to continue to pray that their relation toChrist may become personal,Anika She continues to go to church regularly in Genk with her parents.

Her young, eager love for Christ is obvious and bubbling over.Pray this may grow to maturity, developing into something even more beautiful.'Contacts 1) The shipper and his wife moved from the Maasmechelen area soon

after we wrote concerning them being offended by teachings onbaptism. (That had nothing to do with their moving, just a coincidence.)Henki has visited them again, letting them know they are still welcome toservices in Boorsem. We have heard nothing from them since. Possibly later,fruits may be reaped from our contacts with them.

2) MrSo Kuypers is a friend of the shipper and his wife who hasremained faithful in worshipping in Boorsem. She was originally

from Holland, but her first marriage to a Belgian brought her to thiscountry. She has two sons by that first husband, and she has two sons by hersecond husband. Now she has been left alone with four sons to raise.

Her two older sons are quite wild. Jos, the eldest is still livingat home, and though he works> he wastes most of his money drinking. He wasrecently hit by an automobile while at a tavern, and now is nursing a brokenleg.

MrSo Kuypers has asked for the congregation to pray for Jos, notonly that his body will be healed, but that his life may be changed by Christo

The two younger sons are fanatical for the Catholic church. Audry,the—oldest of these i:wo has been in several services ne^f^tly:. He se^ms to.be very receptive to the gospel, and anxious to join again with Christians onSunday. How wonderful it would be to see Mrs. Kuypers and her entire household won to christo There have been many things happening that could leadto such a happy conclusion. Join with us, praying that God's will shall bedone,

3) Another lady, MrSo Kottas whom Henki called on has been comingfor about a months She use to worship with a Baptist congregation

that gathered in Eisden ten years ago. When the group discontinued services,she faithfully attended a nearby Catholic Church. She seems extremelyhappy for the opportunity to join us in Boorsem for worship.Genk They are still without leadership for any sort of regular meetings.Youth They often "congregate" at Henki's parent's home, since two of their

girls are teenagers. Guided study and planned activities are sonecessary for this age groupo Please pray earnestly that God will raise upsomeone for this task.

Jeff Now that Henki is working again in the coal mine, he sees Jeffoften 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 Jeffcan grow together, and witness as they work in the mine.Kina We are happy to announce Kina's wedding to MCo Sam Surfas on

December 22. They both plan further education, before possiblework in Germany as missionaries. Pray for happy years of married life forthem, 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 tomany prayers.

Lacazie These men, neighbors of Henki's parents have recovered from theirand automobile accident. Pressatuk with his wife has been to services

Pressatuk both in Boorsem and Genk, There is no indication of change inLacazie. We continue to visit him, trying to keep the doors of

communication open. One day it may be God's will that they both surrenderthemselves to Christ.


2213 Dawn Street


Vol= III NOo3

Bc(i|iiUN/ 1^ Ch/liAt

Maty f sJher - John Mafic - ' Henki

1972

Field Address:

Henki Boonaerts

Kerkstraat 161


May-June

U D D Y WATER

It is true that it rains about twelve months a year inBelgium, That is not, however, what we are referring to b;.our title. Unfortunately, we have discovered there are som-misunderstandings about our work. We feel we should try anclear up the situation for those who may be uncertain.

The work in Genk was begun about fifteen years ago.Since the death of Don Castelein, who helped begin thiscongregation, the Genk church has been what is commonlytermed "self-supporting."Their buildings have been paid foby their own group and leadership has been continued by thBelgians.

There have been numerous missionaries and interns liviin Genk at different times» These received no salary(as miister,etc.),from the Genk Christians. They helped teach, ewhere their talents could be used. At present there are noAmerican missionaries helping in Genk.

The work in Boorsem is a "completely separate work",sctwenty miles from Genk= Of course,we do have a close relatwith the Genk Christians, This comes not only because Henkparents live in Genk,but fellowship with other Christiansso irrfportant: in Christ we are ONEo The Genk church also nhelps with our personal financial support. Special meetingare often planned together,and since there is no baptistryin Boorsem,we also use the one in Genk whenever the need

i 1(continued page four)

n

D)

-2-

HARVEST IN SPRING AND SUMMER???Springtime I is usually associated with new birth.

We are so happy that we have also witnessed many-spiritual new-ti^rths this "season"., In both Genk andBoorsem there nave been a number who have been buried

to walk in a neiw life during May, June, and July»In Genk, first an elderly lady was baptized.Then

followed two teenage boys, both going to marry girlsof the congregation. (We are eCspecially joyed byRoland, the fience of Henki's sister,Zonnie. Howwonderful that they will begin their life togetherboth "in Christp") The fourth was a middle aged ladywho runs a funeral home. Her husband is afraid business will declinp since she is no longer a Catholic.She is however, Iwitnessing to customers as well asher own childreiiiL some of whom have since come tochurch with her.^

For the Booipsem congregation this has meantanother brother yon to Christ. Michael, a friendand neighbor of Adri (baptized in January), alsoconfessed his Ic^ye for Christ and was baptized inMay. Michael is jijiiore the age of Adri's youngerbrother Jozef,wh9 has since Michael's baptism beencoming for churclH and bible study.

Jozef has rjâlly been in contact with thegospel longer the^n Michael, but has been searchingto be sure. Convajnced, he came during the weekconfessing he was now certain and wishes NewTestament immersion.' We rejoice once again in thenew birth of one!into God's family in the summertime. Spiritually! harvest time is all the time.

SUGAR AND SPICE;!and all things nice -Language can Iteally pose a problem sometimes. One

time a Christian itriend was visiting for lunch. Jellowas served,something almost unknown in Belgium. "O,I've heard the sqng,'Jello River',is that what thisis", ask the frier^d^ Wadek understands quite a bit ofEnglish,but just jiike Mary Esther with Flaams(Dutch),and Henki sometimes with English,words sound alike.It can be embarrassir>g,but then it can be the "spiceof missionary lifel"

B'ASTING IS A FEAST - FOR THE SOUL„

It was sort of a fast w6 had, the second time we saw

Nucho. Our lunch was postponed until around 3jP,M, Neithfof us actually felt hungry since we had been so glad forthe opportunity to feed this friend on food for his soul.

Needless to say, lunch did taste pretty good when wefinally ate. We hope Nucho will find the words of God"sweet as honey" to eat and very satisfying, and that hewill hunger and thirst after righteousness.(Continue to pray for Nucho's salvation. More is to fpilenext month in this "mystery article.")

"WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS,"

Most of you know God's work has led us to the smalltown or village of Boorsem. What we possibly have notmentioned is that Boorsem is a farming community. Infact the continuation of our garage wall is the wall ofthe pig and cow barn of the farmer next door. Of courseyou can imagine what this means, especially now in thesummer months, in terms of stinks and flies.

Yet there is something about a farmers life that isappealing to those who have always lived in a largertown or city. This is the case with Henki, who hasalways had a "childhood dream" of living on a farm.Besides that he has always had a soft spot in his heartfor animals, to which his mother can testify,with manystories humerous and otherwise.

We praise God, for a number of reasons,Henki hasbeen able to stop his coal mine job. For about as manyreasons, Henki has bought some goats. He started with ababy goat as a pet and playmate for John Mark's birthday. He figured some people have dogs as pets,and "theydon't give anything,but goats do." Now we also have twomilk goats. Not only do we earn a little selling the milkand save on buying,but we are now "when with the farmers,doing as the farmers."

Henki is enjoying the animals, not to mention thepleasure John Mark gets from all three. It has also actually opened doors of opportunity to talk with some ofour Boorsem neighbors. Still none of the Boorsem folkshave come to worship with us and this just may be usedof God for that very purpose.

B)

E)

D

D

D

D

(4)(continued from page 1)

Possibly and hopefully inthe near future there will

be a building built in theBoorsem(Maas-mechelen) areaoThere are also workers need

ed so badly to help beginother congregations in Bel-giumo The opportunities andpossibilities are so manyin Genk, Boorsem, and all

Belgium, We are also stillin need of those who are

willing to help with ourmonthly financial support,helping us meet our salaryand working expenses.

We hope this has helpedclear up any misunderstandings. Feel free to write tous at either the Granite

City or Boorsem address tofurther inform yourselfconcerning our efforts inBelgium for Christ. Godbless you further as yousupport his work all overthe world with prayersand finances.

BELGIUM FOR CHRIST is

written by Mary EstherBoonaerts,edited,printed,and mailed by John andEileen McDonaldoIt is

distributed every twomonths to inform and

encourage support of thework being done in Belgium by the Boonaerts=

^0^ Ck/UAt'

Forwarding Agent:Mr. John McDonald2213 Dawn Street

Granite CityUlinols 62040

Field Address:

Henki Boonaerts

Kerkstraot 161


Mary Esther John Mark

Vol. Ill, No. 5 Sept. -Oct,

JOY OVER ONE LOST SOUL THAT REPENTS

If is written that Christ once said there would be more joy over one lost sinnerrepenting, than over ninety and nine already saved! Joze£ Kuypers (seen below)was one who came to repentance, being baptized in July (reported in the May-June newsletter). The three young men, Audri Qozef's brother, baptized inJanuary), Michael Hermans (baptized in May), and Jozef continue to show signso£ spiritual growth.

Henki has begunhouse to house

show interest

in the Bible,

or "religious"matters. This

opens doors o£contact, to befollowed upthroughout theyear. Bepray-

a simple caUir^ program whereby these boys and others goinviting people to church. Occasionally there are some who

young men, andmpiy I bringothers to1^-9 M|| God's way o£

HI, ^ Salvation.9s

year, Henki againwent to the mine. This had to be done to supplement our income which was alittle low at the time. Here (above) is Henki (with helmet, front row) seenwith Jess (mentioned in the prayer-request pages o£ June-August and November-December, 1971 newsletters; middle in backrow) along with some other miners.Jeff continues alone in the mine, so pray for his witness for Christ in thisplace of spiritual darkness.

Baa, Baa SHEEP CAKE

John Mark was pretty proud ofthe cake lamb baked for him byMrs. Kottas (see article inMarch-April, 1972, issue). Thespecial forms for these cakescome from Czechosolovokia.

We praise God even more forthe "Lamb that takes away thesins of the world, " and continueto preach to the best of ourability His name among all withwhom we come in contact.

EM

BIBLE STUDY/ PRAYER MEETING

Since the attenders

church quite o£tenÛsually people are more willing to come for an informal Bible study in someone's home, than to enter the "church doors." Often this later leads tointerest and concern enough to join us for church. In some cases this bringsconversion; lasting fellowship with the newcomers.

THE BOORSEM CHURCH -

BOONAERTS' HOME

This is the building God led usto over two years ago. We havefound it comfortable for our

residence, and very useful forchurch gathering hall. It is onthe corner of two main streets

in Boorsem: "Church Street"

and "Pant Street." This "one

time" tavern is now being usedfor God's glory.

QUIET MOMENTS

Slowly growth in the church group withwhom we are working, has made ourhome an "action center!" From 9:00

a.m. until 12:00 p.m. we can expectone person or another for a visit.People passing by see the "church o£Christ" sign and stop in out o£ curiosity,or the young Christians come with problems, or just in need o£ Christianfellowship. There are also a few quietmoments together as a family! Henkiand JohnMarklook pretty rested, don'tyou think???

BELGIUM FOR CHRIST is writtenby Mary Esther Boonaerts, edited andmailed by John and Eileen McDonald,and printed by the St. Louis ChristianCollege press. It is distributed everytwo months to inform and encouragesupport of the work that is being donein Belgium for Christ by the HenkiBoonaerts family.


2213 Dawn Street


Vol. ni, No. 6

Belqiant Ch/iHi

AMary Esther

'It's A GREAT DAY to be alive"

and Berna^ Getters trave^Being aspecial "attraction" we plannedspecial meetings inGenk andBoorsem, The groupin Genk met in Henki's parents' home, with not only Christians but also some non-Christian visitors. In Boorsem we had the service in our meeting hall (instead o£ in oneof the Christian's home as normeil for mid-week Bible study). We also had Christiansand non-Christians, including some first-comer adults from Boorsem. At the close ofthe meeting in Boorsem, the Christians asked to take an offering to help the girls on

(Continued on page 4)

Field Address:

Henki Boonaerts

Kerkstract 161


Nov. -Dec.

"ALL THE KING'S HORSES, and all the king's men,COULDN'T PUT the floor BACK TOGETHER AGAIN. "

The house we are renting has qiite a history.It has been a farmer's home, a tavernwitha dance hall, a bicycle shop, and goodnessknows what else! The room where we have

services stands over what was once the

dump pit of the farm. Because of a poorfoundation, the floor began to settle, thetiles becoming loose. The landlord decidedto put in a new floor so he made a contractwith a floor layer. He then tore up the oldfloor to get the ball rolling. Unfortunatelyneither tiles, sand, nor cement came untilover a week later. Then the floor layergot sick. There we were with no meetinghallj

Just before the floor was torn up, we received a guest into our home until he could finda 30band apartment to rent. Lucien {a brother of Pierre, who attends services regularly)came from Brussels trying to find a solution to the problems in his life, and a goal forlife. Later we came to discover he had turned to drinking when his wife divorced him.He later tried without success to overcome what developed into alcoholism: he hadbecome a slave to ALCOHOL and wanted release. He found work, but his first paycheckwas spent on his "alcohol boss." We tried to show him Jesus, the only one whocould helphim from his troubles and sin. We had about given up hope of him converting, when hebegan seriously reading the Bible.; The next Sunday he went forward in the church service,confessing his beHef in Jesus.

While at work, Lucien made friends with a young man from Boorsem, who also turnedout to be an alcoholic. Through Gaston (this friend) we came in contact with yet anotheralcoholic who could lay the floor for us! Appropriate arrangements were made with thefirst floor layer then Johannes Conaert (the third alcoholic, also from Boorsem) andLucien got our floor ready. Though we had some inconvenient interruptions caused bygetting a new floor, God worked out all for the good. Continued friendship with Gastonand Johannes and their families has led to some attending church and Bible study. Wepraise God for our new contacts in Boorsem, hoping' they may come to believe in thepower of Christ to completely change lives.

SEEING THE LIGHT

The schooling system in Belgium provides the possibility for children of three to beginattending. Since John Mark had no one at home with whom to play, and learning thelaiûage is important for him, we decided to let him give school a try. He loves it,and it has helped develop his character (sharing with other children,^^ etc.) and learn bothEnglish and Dutch. This has also provided extra time that Mary Esther desperatelyneeded. Housewife duties, writing, nevrsletter preparation, and Bible studies — therewere never enough hours in a week. With John Mark gone part of the day, she has timeto concentrate on these works and then give "undivided attention" to JohnMark's reading,playing, etc., when he is home.

Calling on two ladies has also been possible since the beginning of school. One of these,Mede Dolega, was a German-Lutheran (here often called "evangelical"). She had alwaysbeen friendly, accepting teachings from the Bible. When the matter of New Testamentbaptism was shown to be different from her childhood teachings, there began somestruggles in her life. With victorious working of the Holy Spirit, she finally came to"see the light" as she put it herself. With much rejoicing, we were able to see herimmersed into Christ as our physically forty-e^ht year old, "baby" sister in God'sfamily.

V

Yet another to see the lii^ht is one whom Henki has been visiting regularly. Maria is aneighty-three year old lady, who never learned to read, but has always tried to follow totlie best of her ability what God e5q>ected of her. As a child she tells of her fatfierreading from the Bible, and as a young mother she did her best for her children (oftenbegging for food during war years, and other hard times). She relates trying to leadpeople to do good. When a friend of hers was dying some fourteen years ago, shepromised to cook for her friend's husband. Cooking for this man is where Henki foundher, faithfully keeping her promise. Therefore, it was no wonder that when told ofthe New Testament plan of salvation, she requested immersion upon confession of herfaith in Jesus. Though she cannot read God's word in the Bible, "She who has ears, lether hear."

(Continued from page 1)

their way! (We were glad for this sign ofgrowth and love, that not we as missionaries suggested the gift.) We were gladto present the twins with a gift of aboutdouble the normal church offering! Prayfor the continued growth in the spirituallife of the Belgian Christians.

It was refreshing to have these two youngChristian ladies in our home. We are stillenjoying their visit, though they have beengone some time, since we have two of theirrecords, and tape-recorded other songs.How wonderful that God not only givestalents, but there are still those willingto use these talents for God's glory andupbuilding Christians in faith, throughoutthe world.

Being on their way to India, Mary Estherwanted to squeeze into their suitcases andgo along. When the girls sang songs inHindi that they learned their last visit toIndia, homesickness hit hard! WeseparataJnot only with joy from their visit, but alsowith some tears of "wishing-I-couldness. "It helped us appreciate all the more thetruthfulness of the words: "It's a greatday to be alive in Jesus Christ. "

BELGIUM FOR CHRIST is written byMary Esther Boonaerts, edited and mailedby John and Eileen McDonals, and printedby St, Louis Christian College. It isdistributed every two months to informand encourage .support of the work beingdone in Belgium for Christ by the HenkiBoonaerts family.

Documents

Boonaerts Henki MaryEsther 1972 Belgium