in Memoriam

We are speechless... my cousin's wife died this past Monday.

Karl and Diane were regular visitors in our home, though they lived a couple hours away. Karl and I chat now and then on "skype" and I always make a point to go visit them when I'm in Minnesota.

Karl (actually my 2nd cousin) just had a triple bypass on his heart and was recuperating at home. Diane, together with their daughter Teresa, was caring for him.
Last weekend Diane felt like she was getting a stomach flu and decided to take some extra rest. Monday afternoon, while taking a nap, she apparently suffered a heart attack and died in her sleep. She was 66 years old and they'd been married for 45 years.

Diane loved to read and was an avid fisherwoman. We went fishing only once together but I have eaten the fruits of their labors on several occasions. She didn't say much but she was a lovely lady with a kind soul.

Tomorrow morning my brother, sister and I will drive down to Rochester, Minnesota for the funeral. Funerals are for those left behind and we want to be close to our family there. No-one can take the place of family.

3 weeks, 3 months..

Leading the SOW-DNA gathering in Holland, November 2-6

Teaching in DTS - Lausanne, Switzerland November 9-13th

Staffing and teaching at the Call2Worship, YWAM-Heidebeek in Holland Nov. 16-20th

Then... packing my house up in Holland for a 3 month absence to be on furlough in the USA....
My home in Holland Home in USA


Ahhh... the joys of missionary life...
Never a dull moment...
Grabbing hold of life with both hands and full speed ahead

Lead on, oh King Eternal!

SOW DNA and more

This is a group photo of the first regional SOW DNA gathering in Heerde, Holland. Left to right: Stephane (Switz-Fr), Belinda (USA/NL), Rogerio (Brazil/Germany), Pete (USA), John (Egypt), Rosy (Switz-German), Carmen (Romania), Bob (USA), Fernando (Brazil/Spain), Kathy (USA), Mary (Phillippines/Finland), Lisa (USA/Germany), JongHee (Korea/UK), Mirjami (Finland/Hungary), Nic (USA/UK) Corinne (Switz/UK), Sylvain (Switz-Fr)
Pete Sifuentes, one of the "founding fathers" of the School of Worship (Montana, USA) shared his heart with us.
After Kathy and Bob Fitts (founders of the SOW) shared the SOW story with us, we prayed for them and blessed them.

Tho we only had 3 days together, I feel as if the Schools of Worship have been changed... we rediscovered our identity, reaffirmed our purpose and are responding with faith to the future.
We found that we are part of the same "tribe" and are not alone in what God has challenged us to do: "Call the nations to worship God"!

Getting Ready

Very full and full-filling days... visiting my dear friend, Pavlina, in the Czech Republic last weekend. She had a stroke 2 years ago and a divorce a year ago. My friend, Marcia, and I drove one day, visited one day, and drove back last weekend in order to see her, minister to her. We prayed for healing for her right arm which is not functioning.
This coming weekend is our YWAM Holland National Staff Conference... an annual event connecting all of us serving with YWAM in the Netherlands... about 250 YWAMers!
Next week, Nov. 2-6th is the first regional School of Worship "DNA" gathering here in the Netherlands... connecting over a dozen SOW leaders throughout Europe, M.East and Africa. I've been working hard on organizing this event and two similar events for "Americas" and "Pacific/Asia" regions next year. This is part of my new function within the University of the Nations College of Arts and Sports faculty.
Finally, Nov. 16-20th will be the 3rd Call2Worship at YWAM Heidebeek. A young couple I am mentoring, Jan-Hilbert and Gertine, are leading this seminar and now I am on their staff, and teaching in this course for Dutch worship leaders and teams.

Just before Thanksgiving in the USA, Honey and I will be travelling to Minnesota for a 3 month furlough. Really looking forward to being with family and friends again soon.

Blessings, Belinda

Photos from the past couple months

Every drop of water...

I'm in the desert... "every drop of water is precious" was written on our welcome packets. I'm buying water to drink, to brush my teeth, to make coffee... water is valuable for our health.

This morning I again consider scriptures like John 4 when Jesus promised a woman in the desert to provide a spring of water welling up to eternal life so that she will never be thirsty again. Every drop of water is precious.

John 13 has the title: "Jesus washes his disciples feet". Jesus tells Peter "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!", answered Peter. Every drop of water is precious.

In this dry and thirsty land I've seen more hunger and thirst than in the wet lowlands of Holland where I live. What I see naturally is also echoed spiritually as I hear the stories of the middle east brethren here who are passing out the living water as fast as they can. We need more who will hand out water, who will wash feet because of loving Jesus. And we are praying together to be more like Jesus.

Every drop of water is precious!

HONEY WON!!!

Thanks to each and everyone who voted for Honey this month so that he could win!

Yay!!!

It's a big encouragement to us after all the health struggles these past few months.

Honey is slowly gaining his strength and health back after having hepatitis and anemia. He had surgery to be castrated and there was no tumor - also good news. His enlarged prostate should now reduce and we hope that the crisis is behind us. His blood work right before surgery showed that all his levels were in normal range... and blood doesn't lie!

So we can assume that Honey's liver and gall bladder will also become normal size within the next weeks. Then he will most likely gain back the 2-3 pounds that he lost.

His activity level is moderate and he is playing again (not as rough) and chasing cats and squirrels with typical terrier intensity.

Your prayers as well as all those votes have helped, blessed and encouraged us deeply.

Thanks for being a loving and loyal Honey Fan!

Blessings,

Belinda and "Mr.Honey"

HONEY WON!!!

Honey Won!!!!   Thanks to each and everyone who voted for Honey this month so that he could win! Yay!!!   It's a big encouragement to us after all the health struggles these past few months.   Honey is slowly gaining his strength and health back after having hepatitis and anemia. He had surgery to be castrated and there was no tumor - also good news.  His enlarged prostate should now reduce and we hope that the crisis is behind us.  His blood work right before surgery showed that all his levels were in normal range... and blood doesn't lie!    So we can assume that Honey's liver and gall bladder will also become normal size within the next weeks.  Then he will most likely gain back the 2-3 pounds that he lost.   His activity level is moderate and he is playing again (not as rough) and chasing cats and squirrels with typical terrier intensity.   Your prayers as well as all those votes have helped, blessed and encouraged us deeply.   Thanks for being a loving and loyal Honey Fan!   Blessings, Belinda and "Mr.Honey"      p.s. Leave a message to congratulate him on Honey's website if you like:  www.belindaloo.com/Honey.html        *********************************    Belinda van de Loo           Bosbesstraat 7           8162 VL Epe, HOLLAND           (31)05786-20948 h           (31)06-50524669 m

More news about Honey!

Dear friends and fans of Honey, It seems we have narrowed down Honey's health problems to a diagnosis of "steroid-induced liver enlargement". The steroids are hormones that one of his glands are producing... either his adrenal (bijnier) gland close to his kidney or his testicles that may have a small tumor. The vet specialist just called with the results that the Cushings Disease test (adrenal dysfunction) was negative (yay!). Which means the most probable cause is a sertoli-cell tumor that can be removed with castration. Honey is scheduled for castration next Tuesday (Aug. 18th). First they will give him a blood/liver enzyme test to see if he can handle the anesthesia and, if so, they will remove his testicles. This will definitely settle his enlarged prostate gland problem and I believe it will also restore his organ functions. His liver, gall bladder, and spleen should return to normal size and then his anemia will be slowly resolved. However, just to rule out any other causes, the vet will do a bone marrow biopsy on Honey while he is anesthesized. I've also asked if I could observe the surgery, as the vet knows my interest, which might be possible. The vet said that Honey really is a unique case (we ALL know this is true) and he is very motivated to find out what's at the bottom of his problems. Dr. Daan is a very capable specialist and he knows we're praying for him. Please keep praying for Honey and for me.... it's been quite a battle in many ways and I want this to finish well in every respect. A number of you have asked about the financial costs involved in his treatment... yes, it is costly (not as much as it would be in the USA!) and if you would like to contribute to cover Honey's vet fees, there is a link at the bottom of this email (PayPal/credit card). I do have pet insurance but it sure doesn't cover all the costs. Thanks for helping and especially thanks for praying! God is at work and may He receive ALL the glory! Blessings, Belinda and Honey p.s. I'll let you know how he's doing after the surgery.      ********************************* Belinda van de Loo Bosbesstraat 7 8162 VL Epe, HOLLAND (31)05786-20948 h (31)06-50524669 m Help with Honey's vet costs:

Finger of God

What in the world is God doing today? Watch this YouTube video clip.
I saw this dvd 2 weeks ago and I can't get it off my mind or out of my heart that THIS is what God wants for His church today!

First time in Finland!

Here in Finland... reminds me of my homeland, northern Minnesota. And I see why so many finnish people settled there. I feel "at home" here because the birch and fir trees, all the lakes, and the countryside are familiar to my soul. Even the mosquitoes!

The Call2Worship staff team is gathering from the north, south, east and west! North: Alice, Mirjami (northern Finland)... West: Hilde (Norway) and Cindy (Sweden)... East: Mary (Phillippines)... South: van de Wetering family and me (Holland). We've been getting to know one another for a couple months via Skype meetings and now we are face-to-face... talking, worshipping, praying, seeking God.

We have the sense that God wants to lead us day-by-day in this adventure... so we are committed to "wait for Him". Not always easy to do when many of us are used to leading and structuring and being responsible.

I'm reminded of one of my "take home" thoughts from the popular (and recommended) book, "The Shack" in which the main character asked God about responsibility. Basically it went like this:
"God, I thought it was a good thing and expected of me to be responsible?"

"I never asked you to be responsible, that's MY job... I want you to be responsive to Me. If I direct you to take up something, then you have ME behind you, directing you, supplying all you need to accomplish that thing"

Hmmm, that idea resounded in my over-responsible soul and I've been chewing on it ever since. My application is to learn how to be responsive to God, the Responsible One.

So, we are here in Finland... in a small place called Koivumaki (Birch Hill) near Siilinjarvi at the YWAM base... getting ready for a week of following Jesus and sitting at His feet. I have the sense that I will be learning much.

Students will come, God will be at work in and through us and something small but significant will be birthed here as we call Finland to worship the Creator!

Honey just a few weeks ago

These photos are just taken a few weeks ago while on holiday in Norway. Little did I realize that something was happening inside my little friend. I just thot he was a bit tired from all the changes... now I know better. His liver, gall bladder, prostate enlarged, he is anemic and we still don't know exactly why.
Please pray that we'll find the cause so it can be treated
Thanks,
Belinda and Honey

pray for Honey

Hello friends, This is a special prayer request for my dear little friend, Honey. About 6 weeks ago, while I was in Norway staffing a Leaders Training Course, Honey became sick. It seemed like it was from a tick that had slipped through my daily tick checks on him. He was lame and lethargic for a couple days and was obviously not feeling well. One day he would be fine and another day he would seem sick so I waited till we returned to Holland to get him checked by the vet. Vet visits.... When we got back to Holland last week I took him to the vet the next day for a blood test. The blood test immediately showed other problems so we were referred to a specialist who did an ultrasound and a biopsy of his liver. He has hepatitis (inflammed liver), an enlarged gall bladder and prostate, is anemic and has lost a lot of weight. Problem is, the vet has been unable to determine the cause of the problems. Without knowing the cause, he cannot be treated effectively. Yesterday I took him again for more tests and I hope to hear back early next week what those results are. He is on a special diet that I've been making for him... he is so hungry but if I give him too much it causes more pain in his abdomen. The vet prescribed some enzymes to help him digest his food better (which was not happening). He is also getting some treatment to support his liver functions. It is not life-threatening at this point but, if left untreated, it could become dangerous. Honey sleeps alot (probably because of being anemic) and is taking life slower than he's ever done before in his 6 years. He eats well (very positive!) and though his systems are depressed, he is still strong in spirit most of the time. He has gained a little bit of weight in the past week. Bottom-line Okay, bottom line: we need prayer! Please pray that the vets will find ANSWERS so that they can treat the problems. I am certain that this is what will make the difference. Please also pray for me... I'm due to leave next Friday, July 24th, to give a Call2Worship seminar in Finland, returning August 3rd. It would be SO HARD to leave Honey home in Holland for 10 days when there are still not answers. Also, his usual guest family is on vacation, so I need someone to care for Honey while I'm gone. If you would like to do this, please contact me! Thank you SO much! Blessings, Belinda (and Honey) on vacation in Norway

Pray for HoneyBoy

Hello all,
Please pray for Honey because he is quite sick.
The vets have biopsied his liver and there seems to be quite a bit of damage done... will get the rest of the results this coming week, the diagnosis and prognosis.
He is sleeping alot and lost weight... not his usual alert and spunky self at all.
Thanks for caring and praying!

On vacation in Norway

Enjoying some rest and refreshment here in Norway together with friends. The mountains, the water, the freshness of this country is restoring my soul. I'm thankful for vacation!

LTS graduation

So, the LTS has finished and all have graduated! It was a great time, a wonderful learning experience and a huge blessing.
Above is the staff photo taken just after the graduation ceremony.
I'm so grateful for this opportunity... God knew what I needed and could use me for His glory... and THAT's what it's all about.

Now... a couple weeks vacation!

Southernmost tip of Norway

Hello from the southernmost tip of Norway... the Lindesnes lighthouse!

It was a beautiful, summery day but this was definitely one of the windiest places I've ever been! I'm hanging on to Honey with good reason. It's an amazing view of an untameable sea along a rocky coastline. What a treat to be with my norwegian friend, Ingrid (whom I have known since my days with the Daystar ministry over 30 years ago), visiting her family in Lyngdal and then taking this drive.

Some of you may know this, but whenever I'm in a extraordinarily unique place like this I often call some dear friends of mine in Minneapolis, Dan + Jessie, who have partnered with me in missions since the beginning (1982). And so they've gotten 1 or 2 minute phone calls from deepest Africa, the oldest Irish pub in Belfast, Bali, the southern tip of Africa and now Norway. It's my own little way of sharing a memory.