Belgium's culture is full of traditions that originated in the Roman Catholic Church's observance of events in the church calendar.Carnaval, or Carnival, as we spell it in English, is one of those traditions that, for most people in Belgium, has lost its connection with Lent.In America, New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras.In Belgium, our town, Merelbeke, boasts its own Carnival festivities.Never mind that it all happens in the middle of Lent instead of before Lent.

We decided to bend the Carnival theme a bit and use it for the mini-camp that we hosted in our home on February 21 and 22.Rather than encouraging the kids to wear masks and hide who they are, we focused on removing our masks since God loves us and knows all about us.Mini-camp began with a children-focused worship service during our regular worship time.We sang "Een Rivier Vol van Vrede (I've Got Peace Like a River)" and other songs with which the children were familiar.We had a special visit from Zacchaeus who told his story of Jesus reaching out to him even though he was short, dishonest, and not popular with the people who lived around him.

The kids, five boys including our two, enjoyed a scavenger hunt in our neighborhood.They stayed overnight and enjoyed popcorn and a movie.The next day the kids learned a skit of the Unforgiving Servant parable, sang, prayed, played games, did crafts, and took a walk.Yesterday, the boys shared the skit in the regular worship service.It was great to see their smiles as they communicated the truth of God's love to the youth and adults in the room.

It is easy to focus on the numbers and to wonder if we're being "successful" here in Belgium.Despite publicity far in advance in three different congregations and thanks to the illness of a couple of children, only five kids were able to take part in the mini-camp.Of course, we evaluate why there were not more children who were interested, and we try to make changes to attract more children for the next event.

On the other hand, I try not to discount how God might use those 24-hours together to touch the lives of Luke, Ben, Michael, Davy, and Jonathan.The five of them make up our Sunday school here in Merelbeke, and it was good for them to have extra time together and to get to know each other better.They will never forget how Zacchaeus came to visit and what he said about God's love.They will always remember how the Unforgiving Servant was shown mercy but refused to show mercy to others and what the king said about that.

And, so, we move ahead trusting God to bring the harvest.

We have been encouraged over the last month through contact with many fellow believers.We had a brief visit from Pieter Kalkman, who, along with his wife Nora, coordinates American Baptist short-term mission teams who want to come to Europe or the Middle East.(When is your team coming?) We shared lunch with a Methodist mission couple who are working with an English-speaking church plant to the north of our area and a Canadian Baptist couple who are working in a French-speaking church plant in southern Belgium.We were also blessed with a phone conversation with First Baptist Church of Fairbury, Nebraska.

We walk through Lent alongside Jesus on his way to Jerusalem.It is a time of reflection but also a time of great promise.We know the pain that lies in the road to Easter, but we live in the joy of the resurrection.The crocuses that peep up from green stems give us fresh hope and remind us of the joy that lies in the work ahead.

Please remember these concerns in the coming days:

• Our church's outreach through the distribution of baked goods attached to a scripture passage and information about the church during the Carnival Parade on March 21.
• A woman in our church who is going through a divorce and has two young sons.
• Regional ABC missionary meetings which are scheduled for April and May.
• Increased giving to International Ministries to support the continuation of current ministry.
• Good response to invitations to the Flemish-speaking summer children's camp

God's peace to you in your journey today!

Debbie, along with Jim, Luke, and Ben Kelsey