Team Flanders Prayer Partners

There is some serious work on the horizon. Occasionally we are overwhelmed by the size of the task ahead. Wonder if Moses felt that way? Ahead of him was the Red Sea and behind him was the greatest army in the world closing in on his heels (and not bringing presents or a pat on the back). And with him were a couple of million, stiff-necked complaining people. You have to feel for this guy. The task (no matter how personal the call from God) had to feel overwhelming.

We have the need for thousands of bags of homemade cookies in a culture where people usually do not bake cookies at home. Many hands are necessary in a culture where volunteering to help is not the norm. Our focus is hundreds of thousands of people who feel as if they have no time or need to hear anything about God. Even though we too are sure of our God and our calling, it is at times overwhelming.

We are busy preparing for the next team that will arrive in late June. In addition we are recruiting local churches and ministry partners for the cookie baking, bag assembly and actual distribution. The resistance to change is a marked characteristic of the Flemish culture. Most Flemish are very conservative and want to see something work before they invest in it. Being on the cutting edge of invention and exploration is a foreign feeling. The overwhelming sense of personal satisfaction coupled with little perceived need makes spiritual efforts very challenging.

So where are we, and what do we need?

The Prayer Walking Team kicked off the time of intensive prayer for the Gent Festivals Ministry. We will need more people dedicating more time to prayer as the time for ministry actually approaches.

We need to find a substantial source of cookies. Right now we are talking with bakeries about allowing volunteers to use the facilities to bake large quantities in a short time. Once we find a willing place, we will need to determine the costs for ingredients and baking.

The two teams coming from America need to be supplemented by local believers who will serve as facilitators and cultural interpreters. Intentionally stepping outside the walls of the church and engaging people with the Good News of the Gospel is seldom done here (thus the low percentage of the population that is certain of eternity in Heaven).

Two things of which we are certain. God is calling us to do this and you have already provided the gift bags. Every other need in momentarily unmet and the details are uncertain. Certainly they are not beyond God but how He will provide has not been revealed.

Moses did not wait to be magically transported to the other side of the Red Sea and we too cannot wait without intention. After all, faith without works is dead faith. The key is the object of the faith and purpose of the works.

Much more to be done and more to come . . .