In my mind Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of the fall routine. It seems to me that after the Labor Day holiday school needs to be taken seriously, the yard and house prepared for fall and the beginning of all �normal� church programs which have been suspended for the summer. Labor Day is also the last long weekend while the weather is still warm.
This Labor day we gathered a group of friends and headed for the beach in the Netherlands. On the way we stopped at the Corrie ten Boom home. Corrie and her family hid over 80 people (Jews and others who were working in the resistance movement in Holland) in their home between 1943 & January 1944 when they were caught by the SS. Corrie survived almost a year in the concentration camps where most of her family died. After the war Corrie spoke and wrote extensively about our need to make Christ central in our lives and to forgive those who have committed various crimes against us. Seeing her house and hearing her story was inspiriting to all of us.
After a seeing the ten Boom home we drove another 30 minutes to our camping place at Duinrell. Here there was a great camp ground, and amusement park for the kids and the beach was not far away. We had a great time together camping and sharing our lives. We began each day with a time in God�s word reflecting on what he was doing in our lives.
There were a total of 15 of us on the trip. Eight of the 15 were children. I really like the kids. It seems to me that they really miss their dads who are down range. I think they see me as kind of cool grandpa which is important when their dads are away.
I am so impressed by their moms who are functioning as single mothers. I have also thought that being a single mom was an almost impossible task and camping with them reinforces in my mind just how hard it is.
This is a very different kind of ministry for Debbie and me. The need seems so great and it seems we are able to accomplish so little. Debbie & I both feel very privilaged to be here. We thank God for all of your prayers and support for us.