The much-anticipated Vuurfeestje "Fire Feast" is over.On Monday, June 9, which was a national holiday honoring Pentecost, church members in Melle along with other family and friends gathered to honor Liesbeth. She is 12 years old and has attended the church for several years.(Our Ben, always the independent spirit, decided a few weeks ago not to be honored this year.)

The church chose the theme of "Fire Feast" for the party to highlight the reality of the Spirit's work in the lives of believers.Alfons, the lay pastor, shared with everyone present how fire reminds us of the presence of God.He told the children of the experiences of Moses and the burning bush and the pillar of fire in the wilderness by which God made his presence known to the children of Israel.There was a brief explanation that Liesbeth has chosen to follow Jesus and to participate in the life of this congregation.This party was a celebration of her decision.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with kid-friendly activities...

-singing ("Jesus Loves the Children" and "Only a Boy named David") inFlemish, of course

-inter-generational games

-eating, eating, and more eating

-meeting Liesbeth's many pets including dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, chickens...

The day ended with a prayer of thanks for Liesbeth and her friends and family.We asked for God's continued blessing on Liesbeth as she moves into the new environment of middelbareschool (a school with grades 7-12) and begins to make decisions about what sort of career she would like to have.Beginning in 7th grade, Belgian students follow different tracks of study in different schools depending on whether they want to prepare for college, prepare for entering a job immediately after 12th grade, or pursue training in a technical school after 12th grade.Big choices for 7th graders!

On the home front, Luke and Ben are looking forward to the end of school on June 27.We are so happy with the progress they have made in school.Learning Flemish didn't slow them down for long!

Jim and I are preparing for Flemish-speaking Children's Camp July 14-19.We are in charge of presenting the Bible story each day, facilitating art projects, and "other duties as assigned."

Please pray for:

• a Belgian friend here who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer
• Children's Camp July 14-19

Thank God for Liesbeth and her family and friends and the great VuurFeestje.

May the Spirit's presence bring you joy and excitement in the coming weeks!

Debbie (along with Jim, Luke and Ben)