My home church in the USA

I know my friends in Holland are curious about my home church here in the USA. So, last Sunday I took some pictures at church and I'm posting a few of them here.
The name of my church is "Sojourn Campus Church" and it's located on the campus of the University of Minnesota, about 4 miles from where I live. When I was a student at the Univ. of Minn. (1973-1978) I attended a small prayer meeting of young adults who were praying for God's presence at the campus. We wanted revival, salvation, a move of God among our fellow students! In the years following, we started to see that happen and our small prayer group grew to a couple hundred hungry young hearts who were radical for Jesus. It was soon thereafter that we became a church.
The name comes from, among other places in the Bible, 1 Peter 1:17 ( Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as sojourners here in reverent fear of the Lord) and Heb 11:13 (All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar off and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. For they who say such things shew clearly that they seek their country. And if they had called to mind that from whence they went out, they had had opportunity to have returned; but now they seek a better, that is, a heavenly one; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he has prepared for them a city.)
It's appropriate because our primary outreach is among university students who are is a season of sojourn away from their homes and countries while studying. It also keeps the focus of our lives here on earth as temporary and in preparation for heaven.

I've added some photos of our meeting last Sunday and our pastor, Craig Krueger.

It's a blessing to be at home with this wonderful church family!
More later, Belinda

Welcome to my world

Normally I'm writing about adventures all across the globe where God has opened doors of missionary ministry...

Since May I've had a different ministry - no less important, no less effective, no less in the eyes of God: I'm caring for my mother.

This is a concept largely lost in the western world. We have "places" that care for the elderly, instead of family caring for family. I'll admit, I was not able to care for my father before he passed away in 2001 - he was a cantankerous ol' coot who wasn't about to listen to any of his offspring.... God's mercy prevailed and he accepted Christ as his Saviour 7 hours before he died, while lying in a hospital bed.

Mom is a far different story than dad. Mom accepted Christ a dozen years ago and lives by grace each day. My sister, Barbarah and I are committed to care for mom as long as we are physically and medically able. Right now that means full-time care because mom is unable to walk on her own after she fell and broke her foot a few weeks ago. But, I'll give her credit, because she is really trying to be independent and not giving up. She does what she can and we do the rest.

This morning I realized that Barbarah is somewhat similar to Mary - she is a great companion for mom... and I'm the Martha on the scene - caring for the house. We are both learning lots from each other, even tho it's not an easy situation. Mom is pretty gracious throughout each of our mood-swings (tho I'm having most of those). Barbarah has cared for mom constantly throughout quite a number of years and medical emergencies. I swoop in every now and then and lend a hand as I've been able to. Usually that's several weeks. Now that it's going on month 4 I feel the weight of responsibility each and every day - it's been a difficult adjustment for me - the single missionary.

Grace is what I need each day - don't we all?

The photos: Our house, a welcome stone I painted, Mom and her puppy, Bridget

The Bridge collapsed!

Yesterday evening during rush hour (6 p.m.) the 35W highway bridge over the Mississippi River near my house unexpectedly collapsed!

About 50-60 cars, trucks, and a full school bus crashed down into the river and onto the banks. Amazingly, only 6 people were killed, but many more injured, and the whole city is shaken. Just the day before I was on that bridge during rush hour, so I could well imagine the horror.

Rescue efforts continue today, though no hope is given to any victims in submerged autos. Some may still be trapped underneath the bridge structure and as many as 30 people are still missing. All of the children in the school bus escaped with minor injuries.

Lord, hear our prayers!