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Roel and I went to a Leuven Bears  game last. It was so fun and so American! From the songs they played during the game to the blimp to the other team’s coach getting kicked out…very…very American!

I was fortunate to get free tickets from Ian Hanavan. He has been on an AIA basketball tour and I had met him Friday evening. I am hoping we can brainstorm some ideas and work together to spread Jesus throughout Leuven through sports! I also found out another player, Jamel McLean, went to Xavier and ALSO went on an AIA basketball tour! So fun!

They’re not the greatest photos, but Ian is on the left and Jamel is on the far left in the photo on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a pretty intense game as both teams were really good. I had heard the Bears had not lost a game yet. The Bears trailed the majority of the game, but tied it right at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime. They lit it up in overtime and won 96-90!

The non-American part of the game was at the very end when the team, coaches, cheerleaders and some fans went onto the court and sang “Sweet Caroline.” I cracked up!

It was so fun and I am excited to have a Belgian basketball team to cheer for

For many years I have not been home for Thanksgiving. It always made sense to save money and go home for Christmas when I had more time. But no matter where I was, I never had a problem finding a group of people I could adopt as my family to celebrate this holiday with. This year was no different, even though I was not even in America. My dear friends Roel and Lise wanted to give me a Thanksgiving meal, so they went to the all reliable Rachel and Google to figure out what to make. Turkey stir fry and apple muffins. The special ingredient was love…couldn’t ask for much better.

Here is Roel making the turkey stir fry:

And here was the finished product:

And of course the apple muffins Lise whipped up (with no recipe):

I definitely have many things to be thankful for. How awesome it was to spend this traditional American holiday with another American, a Dutchman, two Belgians and a South African

 

 

Today has been an interesting day. We had a meeting in Hasselt with a woman who works with another sports ministry called SportQuest. It was really good to hear about what they do and see ways that we could partner together.

Then the randomness of the day came. There has been a basketball player I had been trying to contact for months. A colleague of mine in the Czech Republic told me I needed to connect with him because he has been on an AIA tour in the past and is living here in Leuven. Not once did he respond to any of my emails. So we decided to take a chance and go to the gym and see if we could find out when they practice. We walked in and asked the lady at the desk when the team’s next game was. She simply replied, “Why don’t you ask them?” Apparently they were in the gym and we were able to just waltz right in and talk with them. Another lady walked us down to the gym and called this player over to come and talk with us. You would never get that access to athletes in America! But we met with him and it was great! Of course he apologized for not responding to my emails and I granted him grace since his wife just had a baby. But he was excited to connect and is open to becoming involved however. I’m looking forward to see what God does with that connection.

I also found out that another player went to Xavier! I will be attending the game tomorrow night and I’m looking forward to it. I love watching live games when I actually know some of the players.

We have yet another meeting tonight. We’re having dinner with a cyclist at my favorite restaurant – de Appel. Then my two colleagues Jonathan and Jan will head back up to the Netherlands tomorrow morning. I’ll have a few days here in Leuven and will head up to the Netherlands on Tuesday morning. I think Jonathan has a full schedule planned for me up there.

I am excited for the opportunities I am seeing here, working with churches and different sports ministries and different people.

I am still struggling with jet lag. I’m stuck somewhere between Ohio time and Belgian time. I’ll get adjusted just in time to head back to the States and then I’ll have to readjust back!

I arrived in Leuven this morning…an hour earlier than scheduled…have you ever heard of a plane arriving an hour early? The plane was pretty empty so lots of open seats. Even though I had two seats, I still was unable to get a decent sleep. But I was pleasantly surprised when I smelt breakfast, which meant only 90min left of the flight.

It’s weird being here without a team, but it’s good to be back. I got to the hostel and got a warm hug from Lise! Missed her, since she was on maternity leave this summer and only saw her once. They rearranged the lounge area and they had the heater blazing. Of course I thought we should name it…his name is now George Flam…a very Belgian name. We got to chatting, Roel joined us and I finally said I needed to go lay down for a bit. Took a good 2 hour nap. Jet lag apparently gives you weird dreams…wow, crazy!!!

Lunch from the sandwich place across the street. Now I’m about to head out to walk around and wake up a bit. Looking forward to visiting with more friends this evening.

SCRIPTURE: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
- Proverbs 3:5

OBSERVATION: If I tried to make sense of this world from my own understanding, I think I would pull my hair out in frustration. Prominent football coaches being accused of 40 counts of child molestation; children sold into slavery for sexual use; child sacrifices to bring wealth in Uganda; accidental drownings and near drownings in Florida; suicide; depression; alcoholism; college shootings…

APPLICATION: Through my lens, none of this makes sense and it saddens and angers me. But there is comfort in knowing that it saddens and angers God as well. This is not how He intended the world to be. And there is also comfort in knowing that God is bigger than each and every one of these. He will redeem these situations and every hurt and pain the world has ever and will ever see. But we need to trust Him in His word. It’s one thing to say we trust Him. It’s another to actually believe it in our hearts.

PRAYER: Lord, I say I trust you, but often times I doubt. You are so much bigger than any hurts or pains this world has ever felt. When I stroll down the path of doubt, help me remember to not lean on my own understanding, but to trust in you and you alone.

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