Our year of living dangerously...

About this time last year, I was preparing to speak to our congregation in Ypsilanti, Michigan from Matthew 4:21-22. It’s the story of Jesus calling James and John to follow him; “Jesus saw two brothers with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” It was during this time that we were sensing God stirring our hearts for a change of direction in our ministry. I realized that I could not speak with authenticity unless I was prepared to boldly step out of the boat to follow the call of Jesus. Was I prepared to leave that which is familiar, comfortable, secure, and stable to follow Jesus in a new direction? I did not want to be like Zebedee, who heard the same invitation as James and John, but decided to stay in the boat. This began what I now call “our year of living dangerously!”
In the course of 4 short months we accepted an invitation to work with Free Methodist World Missions in Belgium, raised prayer and financial support for a 9 month assignment of providing transitional leadership to our young churches in Belgium, moved our son Seth to New York City and our daughter Hannah to Indianapolis, packed up our home, said goodbye to family and a wonderful church and moved to a new country, a new culture, a new language, a new life. In all of this I am convinced that following Jesus, even when it involves risk and uncertainty, is the only way to live!

“For such a time as this…”

Since we have been in Belgium, we have experienced God’s strength and power, His presence and grace in many ways. We are thankful that God has chosen to use us “for such a time as this.” People are being discipled, leaders are being equipped, and our churches are growing healthy and strong. The best days are ahead for the Free Methodist Church in Belgium.
Our ministry here in Belgium has also been graciously affirmed by our European leaders, all of whom have visited us throughout the past year.
They have invited us to stay longer as the Lord leads in one of three capacities; 1) stay through the beginning of 2009 to insure a smooth transition of leadership, when career missionaries will arrive, 2) consider another short term VISA assignment (1-2 years) in Belgium, 3) join the European missionary team with a long term assignment.

Trusting God for the future

We are praying for God’s clear direction for our future in ministry, whether it is serving here in Belgium or serving in the United States. BUT, we do want to complete the job that was asked of us from the beginning- to see a smooth transition of leadership. Our European leaders want this, our local church leaders in Belgium deserve this and our churches need this. Dick and Sheila Dickinson are planning to arrive in January 2009 to begin their long term assignment in Belgium.
So, for us to stay until they arrive, we need to raise an additional $50,000. We told our European leaders that we would be willing to stay as long as the Lord provided the resources. We are asking you again to prayerfully consider another one time gift or to continue your monthly giving commitment through January 2009. We will continue to run our funds through Ypsilanti Free Methodist Church under the guidance of David Betz, our church administrator.
Gifts can be sent to:
Ypsilanti Free Methodist Church, 1800 Packard Road, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
Please mark your gift for Belgium Mission.

The kingdom of God is advancing in Belgium. It is not easy work, but it is God’s call to make disciples of all nations. Your prayers and financial gifts are making a difference!
We will be home for a few weeks in August and hope to connect with as many of you as we can.
God bless you as you follow Jesus,
Todd and Deann Miller

European Missionary Retreat 2008

It was a wonderful privilege to participate in the first European Missionary Retreat in Chamonix, France last month. 29 missionaries and their kids who are serving in 8 countries across Europe spent a week together.

Our friend Mark VanValin, the pastor of the Spring Arbor Free Methodist church lead us in rich and transforming times of prayer. It was great to laugh together, eat together, rest and share our common experiences as European missionaries. We enjoyed getting to know on a personal level the other missionaries.

Beyond prayer meetings, bible studies, and worship services

Jesus said, "whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me." Does that include taking one of our Russian women to buy a much needed pair of shoes? Does that include buying, delivering, and installing a washing machine? Larissa is a Russian refugee with no legal papers in Belgium and a death certificate in her homeland. She is literally a person with no country. So, yes it does include buying a pair of shoes and installing a washing machine. In a church with many immigrants from different cultures, we continue to try to minister as best we can to the very basic needs of the people God brings to us.

European Area Director, Jerry Coleman Visits Belgium

Our European Area Director, Jerry Coleman, spent a weekend with us a few weeks back.  Below are some of his thoughts about our time together.

 

Jerry writes:

I always enjoy going to Belgium!  I love connecting with our leaders and our churches!  (And eating all the good food!)  But it was especially fun to connect with some OLD friends - Todd and Deann.  We've known each other since the mid 1980s - way back in the Camp Wildwood, Indiana days!  Ever since, we've tried to keep up with each other and now, well, now we are working together in Europe!  Three things stand out about our visit.

 

1) I just had a blast being included with their family!  Todd's brother and family, Jeff, Mary and Mandy arrived at the Brussels airport just an hour after I did.  It was tough to get a word in edge-wise, but I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and just hanging out with his family!  At lot of this visit was just that - hanging out with friends.

 

2) I really enjoyed seeing Todd and Deann in action.  I know it has not been so easy to pick up in another culture - or cultureS - and languages.  But they both seem to be naturals.  I know there have been several challenging situations, but they both seem to handle each one with wisdom and grace. I like it that Todd doesn't have to do all the ministry stuff, but he encourages others to do the ministry and he supports a lot of different people to be involved.  I like it how Deann brings joy and acceptance to EVERYONE.  Her home is a place where all are welcome.  Her spirit seems to be contagious!

 

3) I forgot, what was the third one?  Vision!  Yes, vision!  (We talked until 2 in the morning on this one)  I love Todd and Deann's vision for the future to see a bunch of house groups started.  They notice that it's difficult for some people to travel from place to place, so why not just start house groups right where they are?!  I see that they have hope for every person they come in contact with.  Todd and Deann see value in each person.  And they take people along toward Jesus, step by step, reducing fear and building trust.

 

 

During our "2 in the morning" discussion, Jerry asked us to consider the following future possibilities. 

We would value your prayers as we consider the following possibilities for us.

1. Finish our 9 month commitment here in Belgium and seek another ministry in the states.

2. Extend our time through the end of 2008 or early 2009 when new career missionaries arrive.

3. Consider another 1 year visa term to serve in Belgium.

4. Consider an extended term commitment to serve in Belgium.

Obviously, these are BIG decisions for us and a lot has to happen in order for us to extend our time.  That is why we need you to pray for clear guidance and direction.  God has been so faithful and so good to us and  we want to be faithful to follow His will. 

 

Todd and Deann

 

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Pasen Week

We were thrilled to have family visiting the week before Easter. My brother Jeff, his wife Mary and their daughter Mandy were here for a week that flew by way to fast! They provided special music for Palm Sunday and played a big part in our first Good Friday Service. We planned a contemplative, quiet worship experience focusing on the last words of Jesus on the cross. By candle light, we served communion, sang together, extinguished a candle after we spent some time considering the last 7 words of Jesus, and ended our time in darkness and silence as Jeff sang the beautiful words of "Jesus Paid It All." There were 35 of us in our "upper room" apartment for that meaningful time of worship. We have posted some pictures of our time together. Below are a few thoughts from Jeff about their experience with our wonderful little group of Jesus followers.

Jeff wrote...
You asked for some thoughts and reflections on our experience for your blog. As we think back on our time there, we are impressed by the sense of community and welcome that we received from all the wonderful people of De Poort. I don't know that I've ever felt so warmly received from a group of folk I did not know. The earnestness with which they are seeking the Lord and the honesty in the sharing of their struggles is moving - this truly is bearing one another's burdens. Both Mary and I were delighted to offer some slight musical support for the services but the magnitude of the response was so embarrassingly beyond what our easy efforts merited; we were deeply humbled. It's so clear that you are having an impact and though the language and culture barriers are present, God is using you to encourage and strengthen this church body. And it was a great reminder to us how much greater is what we share with believers around the world than what separates us.
We were really blessed to be a part of your work, even for the short time we were there. Thank you so much for that opportunity!

Thought you might like to see some of Gods beauty in Belgium.

Oostende from the pier.






Station Oostende.












Brugge

We Are Family!

 

That was the theme of the past weekend of meetings in the Oostende Free Methodist Church.  Larry and Katie Winckles, missionaries in Budapest, Hungary, walked us through a series of sessions to explore our historical roots in the Christian family tree, discover our uniqueness as Free Methodists, and challenge us to a bright future of ministry and service in Belgium.  The call was clear to partner with God and to participate in the mission God has for us here.  We are thankful to God for the growing desire to become active participants in ministry and not just spectators watching the "professionals" do the work of the Church.  We are excited to see a growing passion in people like Elsie, Eli and Martin, Carman, and Lawrence and Perpetual to be involved in greater ways.  Please pray that God would fan into flame the gifts they have for the good of His kingdom.  And pray for us as we encourage and equip these emerging leaders and those already serving for the future God has for them. 

 

Todd and Deann

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A Russian Cure for a Chest Cold

I was visiting one of our Russian ladies today.  She told me to boil potatoes, drain them, put them in a plastic bag, mash them, wrap the plastic bag in a towel and put that on Todd's chest.  "He will be better in the morning" she said.  You can guess what reaction I got when I brought the potatoes to Todd and told him to put it on his chest!!  But he did it and said that it felt good -- he would have rather been eating mashed potatoes than wearing them!  We will see how he feels in the morning. 

Thought you might get a laugh out of that.

Deann

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Update

It has been a very busy start to the new year.  We had a great time visiting with Hannah over Christmas.  It was great to have her here, the time went to fast as we knew it would.  Check out her post and pictures.

www.belgianbeat.blogspot.com 

 

We completed our social orientation class last week!!  We learned a lot in a short amount of time.  We now can read the train and bus schedules, pay our electric bill at the post office.  We also learned about the social services that are available to help those in need. The class also gave us an opportunity to meet people outside of our church.  Emrach, a young man from Turkey asked Todd a lot of questions about our church.  After a few weeks of questions he showed up at church.  He said that he and his wife want to visit again.  Lien, a young Vietnamese woman sat next to me.  She told me that she was Buddhist but wanted to learn more about Jesus.  She wants to have me visit. Our teacher also asked many questions.  This class was not only a great way for us to learn about how to integrate in Belgium but gave us the opportunity to meet some new people and develop new friendships.

 

We attended a new missionary orientation at the Free Methodist European Office in Budapest, Hungary last month.  This gave us the opportunity to spend some time with others new to their countries and cultures.

 

We are training children's ministry workers.  Last week was our first week of Sunday School for children.  Thank you to Amy Wilhelm and the children's ministries department at the Ypsilanti Free Methodist Church for sending materials to get us started.  We have been unable to find ministry resources here in Oostende.

 

Please pray for...

• Our health.  Todd has been fighting off chest congestion that he can't seen to shake.  We are both very tired after a busy January.  
• Deann, as she tries to find a way to minister to a woman in the Oostende church who is going through a difficult time in her marriage.
• Our language studies.  

Thank you for teaming with us.  Your prayers and financial gifts enable us to minister here in Belgium.

Deann & Todd

  

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Hi everyone,

This is Hannah updating the blog again. I just thought you would want to see some pictures from when I went to Belgium for Christmas. I had a great visit with my parents, it went too fast! It was so great to actually experience the great things they are doing in Belgium. I dont know how they do it! Just to accomplish simple tasks-like grocery shopping-is stressful and confusing!

We spent Christmas day with the African church in Brussels. It was great to see how they worship and celebrate Christmas!

Here are a few of the highlights for me in random order:

*Spending time with my parents
*Meeting the people they have been building relationships with
*Eating Mussels for the first time!
*A quick trip to Paris
*Learing how to make Pannekoeken (pancakes)
*Shopping in Brugge
*Singing in church with my Dad for the first time
*Creating new Christmas traditions, and keeping old ones-making rollout cookies.

I hope you all are having a great new year. I still cant believe in Febuary already!
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support for our family. We are so blessed to have such great friends and family who care so much about us.

Love,

Hannah

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Christmas Craft Night

Our first ladies night was a hit. 16 ladies signed up to attend the December meeting. We started our evening off making manger scenes. Thank you to Al and Rosemary Michaels for sending all the supplies. When I showed the ladies what we were going to make most of them said " I can't make that!" The glue gun was a new adventure for them!
Viktoria came with her mother, she is a young girl who comes to church every Sunday with her parents. She is a shy girl who doesn't smile. We saw her smile for the first time that night, she had a great time!
Two of the mangers were left behind. When I took them to the ladies they were excited to be able to keep them. They thought they were making them for me! A lot gets lost in the translations.
We ended our evening with a time of sharing about what Christmas means to us and how we celebrated in the countries we grew up in. It was interesting to learn about all the family traditions. We learned that in the Philippines Christmas caroling is a favorite activity. We had to laugh when we found out that the reason that the ladies liked it so much was because they were given coins which they used to buy candy. In Belgium Christmas Eve is a time for families to be together and exchange gifts. New Years Eve is a time to give gifts to others.
They are asking when we can have another ladies night. It is quite a challenge to get everyone together. Tess is the only one who drives. Some of the ladies live 35 minutes away, but they enjoy being together. Pray that we can get another evening planned soon.

Here is a slide show of a few pictures from that night-Enjoy!

Deann

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

What we've learned so far......

 

Hey Team,

I know this is a long time coming.  If you haven't been to our blog, you may want to go there http://belgianbeat.blogspot.com/.  Hannah added a new update with some slides.  

 What have we learned in the 65 days that we've lived in Belgium?  Glad you asked.  Here goes, in random order...

1. Don't drive in Brussels, unless absolutely necessary.  Take the train, it's a lot less stress.   

2. We know how to get out of a parking garage without blocking traffic...that was a hard lesson to learn!

3. Some are genuinely open to the claims of Christ.  We've had good conversations with Brigitte, the owner of a restaurant.  She has been observing many of our church people as they interact in her restaurant and she is asking a lot of questions.  Gerard is another man who I sat with over coffee to discuss the biblical view of relationships and marriage. 

4. When you go to the grocery store in Belgium, make sure you bring your own shopping bags with you.

5. Recycling is mandatory in Belgium and you have to buy the right garbage bags for your community or risk a fine. 

6. Our digestive systems have finally adjusted to different cultural food.  Can you say "fried calamarie?"

7. It took us only one day to "fry" an American made electrical appliance.  Ask Hannah about that one!  She'll say her parents aren't very smart!

8. We are finally used to the roundabouts, can find our way around town without getting lost, and we can spell the name of the street we live on.  You try to spell Torhoutsesteenweg and then try to say it!

9. We have seen the value of the US dollar continue to drop, which means our funds may not stretch as far as we planned.

10. America has Starbuck's on every corner.  Belgium has bakeries with fresh bread on every corner.  You decide which is better.

11. I'm still trying to figure out the Belgian "right of way" law.  Everyone seems to have the right of way, except us. 

12. We can buy Heinz ketchup.  Yeah!

13. We think Deann fixed a pork roast a while back.  We hope it wasn't horse meat...which they do eat here.

14. The brokenness we see in people is a result of a culture without morals.  Whenever you take God out of the picture, what can you expect?  

15. You could not even own a bible before the 1960's in Belgium. 

16. A typical time of fellowship for us is hearing French in one ear, Flemish in the other,  Russian across the room, and Fillipino everywhere!  If they want us to know what they are saying...English!  We are scheduled to begin language classes in January. 

17. Most stores and businessess are closed from 12:00 - 14:00 PM (that's 2:00pm for you Americans).

18. U turns are legal wherever you want! 

19. The weather changes often and rapidly.

20. Serving tea and coffee is a custom with any visit or meeting.

21. Nobody likes getting bills, but at least you can read yours.

22. Belgium has the highest suicide rate in western Europe.  Depression is a serious problem and people need hope.

23. Dinner out is an all evening event, with several courses.  No such thing as a quick meal.  Even at McDonald's, you wait for your food and it is brought to your table.  No refills on drinks, no ice (Deann is bummed about this).  It's cheaper to buy a soft drink than it is a glass of water.  If you ask for water they will bring you a bottle of sparkling water. 

24. Our apartment also serves as our ministry center.  We have people in almost everyday of the week.  Deann is able to make good use of her hospitality gifts.  (But she still needs help with the gift of living uncluttered...but don't tell her I said that!)

25. The challenges of ministry are the same wherever you go.  People are busy, some lack commitment, some expect it to be all about them, some need to get involved and not just show up for meetings. 

26. I had my picture taken last month.  I received a bill for 50 Euro from the police department.  I've learned that there are speed traps with cameras all over town, but it's hard to know what the speed limit is when you can't read the signs! 

27.  We are official residents of Oostende, Belgium.  We received our ID cards today.  We went right to the library to get our library cards so we could check out some english books, music and cd's.  I was in heaven!

28. Deann has to learn to drive with a stick shift....SOON!

29. Our doctor makes house calls!  You can only buy over the counter medicine at the apothotek (pharmacy) and you must ask for the medicine. 

30. Belgians take the New Testament, 'greet each other with a kiss' to another level.  3 kisses on the cheek. Is it left-right-left, or is it right-left-right.  Get it wrong and it could be embarassing.   You greet everyone in the room as you enter and repeat this again when you leave. 

 

We are anxious for Hannah to be with us over Christmas.  Christmas day we will be with our African Church in Brussels.  They have a Christmas service and dinner.  It will be a privilege and new Christmas experience for us.  We are grateful for your love and support and prayers.  God continues to affirm our calling to serve at this time in Belgium.  Please continue to pray for the sale or rental of our house in Michigan. 

God bless you,

Todd and Deann

 

 

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Update on the Millers!

Hello All,

This update is brought to you by Hannah Miller all the way from Indianapolis! I offered to update my parents blog for them since they have not had time to sit down and update since they arrived in Belgium. So here we go...


My parents are both doing well. I am so grateful for Vonage phones right now, which is one of the ways that I keep in contact with them. When I talked to my mom this afternoon (evening their time!) she was just finishing up with a group of ladies that came to their flat to make a manger scene craft for Christmas. It sounded like they were having a great time of fellowship, and you all know my mom loves to entertain!!
They both have kept busy with prayer meetings, bible studies, Sunday morning worship, and building relationships with the people of Belgium. They are preparing for my arrival to Belgium for Christmas in about a week and a half! I can hardly wait to spend two weeks with them.


Everything here in Indiana is going great! I am still getting to know my way around town, but its slowly getting easier! It has been so nice to be around my family lately. I am so grateful for the Weinmans letting me live with them right now...I hope they aren't sick of me yet! : )
Seth is also doing well in New York. He is definitely living his dream right now, and I think that's pretty cool! He is in the middle of his first show, and I believe its going well! Seth just celebrated his 23rd birthday this week! Can you believe it?


Thank you all so much for your prayers and support for our family. We are so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family who care so much about us. Sorry for the brief update, hopefully the next post will give more details on the ministry in Belgium.


Enjoy the slide show!

Love,
Hannah (and the rest of the Miller gang!)

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Be Flexible!

We were scheduled to leave Indianapolis at 2:29 PM on Thursday, October 11, 2007. We said goodbye to family, checked our bags filled with the minimal personal things we need for a year, made it through security unscathed and as we sat waiting for our plane, a voice over the intercom explained that due to mechanical problems our plane has not even left Wahington DC and would not be on the ground in Indianapolis for another 2 1/2 hours (be flexible). While the airline worked frantically to make alternative connections for those of us who had to catch connecting flights in Washington DC, the cell phone rang with a message from Esther at the Belgian Consulate in New York that our visas have been approved as soon as we could send our passports to them (be flexible).

We could...

a) fly to Washington DC and try to get a connecting flight to New York to take care of our visas in person

b) continue with our current itinerary and return at a later date to pick up our visas

c) overnight ship our passports to the Belgian Consulate in New York and try to reschedule our flight

(be flexible)

We chose c). Now we are scheduled to leave for Belgium on Monday, October 15, at 2:29 PM, this time with visas in hand. While this delays our arrival in Belgium AGAIN, we see the hand of God in this and continue to be amazed at his provision. God can even use mechanical problems on an airplane to carry out his plan. We are living what we have been teaching students all these years, that when it comes to missions and God's work...be flexible! Now it's time for us to practice what we preach. And the lesson we are learning is...God is faithful, he has not failed us yet, but sometimes he scares us to death! When we choose to remain moldable and flexible in God's capable hands, we reflect the character and priorities of our Lord, and look a little more like our leader Jesus every day.

Confirming our call

We want to share some of the ways that God is confirming our call to go.

• Hannah is settled in Indianapolis, living with Kevin and Andrea Weinman. This makes us feel good that she will be with family. She moved on her 20th birthday. Every move we have made has been around her birthday, so why stop now?
• Hannah was hired by Warren Township Schools. And she also plans on furthering her cosmetology career after she tranfers her license to Indiana.
• Seth just finished performing in Chicago in a play called, "Last Train To Nibroc." Now he is ready to move to New York City. We plan on moving him the last week of August. He has a apartment with 5 other guys in Brooklyn.
• Our friends Dan and Kendra Leary have graciously allowed us to store our things in their basement during our assignment in Belgium.
• After 2 days of moving sales, we have most of our home packed and ready to move as soon as we can find good renters for our house.
• Friends from our home church hosted a hot dogs 4 Belgium picnic lunch as a creative way to help raise some more money for our move to Belgium. Over $800 dollars were raised...thank you Regina for making it all happen!

We have been blown away by your words of encouragement and financial gifts. We continue to trust God with the details and the timing.

Please continue to pray:

1. For good renters.
2. For an important invitation from the Belgian government in order to apply for visas.
3. For full financial support. We are currently 68% to our financial goal.

Assignment: Belgium

After 27 years of doing youth ministry in the United States, God is moving us in a new ministry direction. We have accepted an invitation to serve the Free Methodist Church on a 9 month assignment in Belgium. The mission for all of us who follow Jesus is clear; "go and make disciples of all nations." God has been growing our hearts for the nations, especially the people of Europe. Both the secular and religious press tells us that Europe is "post-Christian" and thoroughly secularized. While this may be true, God has not abandoned Europe. In fact, the Free Methodist Church is growing in Europe. In Belgium alone, since 2002 three churches have been planted, a Central African congregation and a Brazilian congregation in Brussels and a Filipino/Belgian congregation in Oostende. And two of these churches are expanding their ministry influence by planting additional house churches.

We will be providing transitional pastoral leadership and oversight for these three churches, working to develop a team of national leaders until full time career missionaries arrive in the summer of 2008. We can't wait to get there to grow and deepen the relationships and friendships that we established on previous trips.

We are stepping out in faith, BIG TIME, because we sense this is God's next step for us. If all goes as planned, we hope to be in Belgium by September 1. But, a lot has to happen in a short amount of time. We need to raise $59,000 by the end of August. This budget will cover ministry expenses as well as living expenses while we are in Belgium. We also have to find renters for our house and move a few things into storage. It can seem overwhelming when we think about all that has to happen in the next two months. But we know that we serve a BIG God and we trust Him.

We would value your prayers for us during this time of preparation and while we are in Belgium. Pray that, under our leadership, these young churches would reflect the character and priorities of Jesus.

If you care to be a part of our support team by giving financially, please make your checks payable to: Ypsilanti Free Methodist Church, and designate "Belgium Ministry" on the memo. The address is 1800 Packard Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. All contributions are tax deductible, as allowed by law. Please don't write your check to us personally or it will be considered our personal income and you would not receive a tax credit.

For The Nations,
Todd and Deann