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“Rustig.” A small Dutch word that is quite broad in its meaning. It can mean “be calm”, like when applied to an overexcited child. Or if in a peaceful place, the word can mean “tranquil” or “quiet”. But the one meaning that the Lord has been accentuating in my life recently is “to be unhurried” or “to be patient”. Ik moet rustig zijn. Calm, quiet, and patient.
I recently read the story of a missionary to the Lisu people in China named James O. Fraser. Apparently, he had been driven to near-suicidal despair after years of hard sacrificial service. His earlier handful of converts renounced Jesus and returned to their pagan superstitions. It was when he was at his lowest that the Lord revealed to him the need to patiently press onward and upward. He wrote: “The (spiritual) opposition will not be overcome by reasoning or by pleading, but by (chiefly) steady, persistent prayer…I am now setting my face like flint: If the work seems to fail, then pray; if services fall flat, then pray still more; if months slip by with little or no result, then pray still more and get others helping you.” Fraser died before the outbreak of the 2nd Great War and his fledgling flock suffered persecution from the Japanese and the Communists, but by 1990 it was reported that 90 percent of the Lisu people were followers of Jesus. (Pete Greig, God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer, 197-198.)
Just because everything in the Netherlands works like clockwork that doesn’t mean things happen quickly. It took us nearly a year to get our residence cards and even longer to get our driver’s licenses. There is a rhythm, a methodology, a system, a time for everything…I must learn to be “rustig”.
The same is true in any form of relationship here. It takes time. Louise and I speak to several dog owners as we walk Mr Pips. The conversation is often superficial mainly because of our limited Dutch. “Good morning. What a wonderful day.” “The sun is shining.” “You have a lovely dog.” If they don’t immediately assume that we are Belgian, they ask where we come from and are often fascinated when we say we are originally from South Africa and Namibia. When they ask why we are in the Netherlands, they are not put off when we tell them I am a pastor of an English church here. They are often interested…but only up to a point. We have learned not to push too hard or to ask personal questions. Some even consider the enquiry “How are you doing?” to be particularly private.
But then, after months of small talk, suddenly a small ray of hope shines through. One lady we have been walking with is confined to a motorised wheelchair. I was telling her about Pete Greig’s book when she suddenly blurted out, “Ever since my husband died and I got this debilitating disease, I can’t believe in God.” At that moment, I felt we had crossed an invisible chasm, but she quickly shut down and the small talk resumed. But the door had been opened, even if only a crack. Calm, quiet, and patient.
Another parishioner recently had a similar experience with a man who told him he could not believe in God since his daughter was born without a nose. No easy answer to that statement, and yet it is an invitation to respond in humble vulnerability. Discipleship takes time. Calm, quiet, and patient.
Louise and I still have contact with many folks we worked with before in the US, India, and Africa. Some read my sermons on our blog, follow us on Facebook, and others receive the recordings or watch the services online…and they comment, write, or call. We counsel some via Zoom, offer support to others on chat groups and pray with several. Louise ministers to a few traumatised women online. Our ministry seems to have become more global here than it ever was before. I get messages from countries I have never visited regarding the impact my books have had on the lives of strangers.
Of course, our hearts long to see revival break out here and elsewhere…we long to see the Lord prosper the work of our hands…we long to see the hurt, the angry, the fearful, the suspicious, the indifferent, and the vulnerable, come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But like James Fraser, we are learning to persevere in patient, persistent prayer. Will you help us?
Praise:
We give thanks to our Lord for helping us pass our theory and practical exams for our driver’s licenses! This is such a weight off our shoulders as it has taken months of study and practice to get to this point. Apparently, the Dutch driver’s license exam is the most difficult to pass. The instructors and examinators told us that most folks only pass after three or more attempts.
We give thanks for the continued good health of both Louise and me. Louise is still cancer-free, and my cardiologist even lowered the dosage of one of my heart medications.
We give thanks for all the members of Christ Church, Heiloo as well as the many visitors who join us from time to time.
We give thanks that we were able to visit with our children and grandchildren.
Prayer Requests:
Please continue to pray for us as we learn the Dutch language.
Pray for those we minister to either here or elsewhere in person or via social media or our books.
Pray for Langham Publishers as they prepare my next narrative commentary, this time on the life of Paul as seen through Acts and his letters. The current volume on Galatians is the first in a series.
Pray for the members of Christ Church, Heiloo that they would continue to grow in their relationship with the Lord and that they would continue to be salt and light in their respective communities.
Pray for those we encounter on a regular basis. Pray for open hearts. Pray for the breakdown of all spiritual opposition.
Pray for revival, not only in the Netherlands but in Europe and beyond. Pray that the Lord would use the fear generated by the ongoing uncertainty regarding the war in Ukraine to bring folks into his kingdom of peace.
And please pray that I will learn to be “rustig”.
Thank you for each and every encouraging word, letter, email, card, and social media chat. You are all very much appreciated.
Love, blessings, and cyber hugs
Johann and Louise |
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