J^os/

Medaryville Christian Church

Non-Pro(lt Organization

Box 140, South Jefferson Street

Medaryville, Indiana

U.S. Postage
PAID

Medaryville, Ind.

U.S.A. 47957

PERMIT

FIELD ADDRESS
Henl<i Boonaetls

BELGIUM

Louis Mercierlaan 135

FOR CHRIST

#4

FORWARDING AGENT
Melvin & Louella Roller

Route 1. Box 92

Burnettsville, Indiana U.S.A. 47926

Maasmechelen 3640 BELGIUM

Vol. XII, No. 1

Jan. - June

ONS HUIS

OUR HOME

ONSER HEIM

OUR HOME

Whenever we go to visit someone we always seem to enjoy a "tour of their home." There's something about seeing how people
live that helps you feel closer to them. When in someone's home you don't know, you can learn a lot about them just from seeing
their home and how it's furnished, decorated, and so forth. Even when friends move there always seems to be a desire to see
pictures of their new home or visit them to see how they live now. Homesarejustthetemporary dwelling places we have while

on earth, as are our bodiesthe fleshly dwellingfor our soul -- but concern, love, and care about these parts ofpeople's liveshelp
us to becomemore intimately involved with the entire well-beingof mankind, the last ofGod's creation. Howweuse our homes
for ourselves and others in hospitality can be an indication of how we are maturing spiritually. God must be first in our lives
with love for Him and the advancement of His kingdom. How we treat our fellowmen in our home is just an evidence of how we
really worship and respect God, of our relationship with Him.

In "our line of work" we have the opportunity to beinhomesof many people. How blessed we have been with the hospitality of
virtual strangers who have put us up for a night or more while traveling and reporting to churches in the States. Their
blessings and rewards musLsurely be great! In Belgium itself we have also been in many homes, sometimes only welcome
once, as we try to bring them the Good News of salvation in Christ. Even here there seem to be homes "specialized" in
materialism so Christ cannot find any place with the dwellers. Of course we have also been with some living in real poverty,
sometimes as unreceptive to Him and His claims. But, praise the Lord, there are also many homes where folks are trying to
follow Christ and be obedient to Him.

Through the years we have been joyed to be able to have various people in our home also. Not only children from the
neighboring homes to play with our boys, but some just to use our telephone. Many have shared in Bible studies and more

recently the Sunday School in our home. We have even been happy to have overnight visitors: missionaries, prospective

missionaries, relatives, andfi-iends, as well as Christians from the States. These are ofcourse a special treat for us in a foreign
country"fellowship with American Christians. Not that they are any better or worse than those who come more frequently; we
just miss their kind and often receive more of a blessing thereby! Often folks have written of plans to come and visit us and the
Christians in the area as well as our country and continent, only to have to cancel for some reason or other. Ofcourse most of

you who read our newsletters can't even think of such a trip. Partly because of this, and our desire to share another aspect of
our life and work in Belgium we want to devote most of this letter to OUR HOME.
As most of you realize, we've been mostly concerned with evangelism and nurturing the Christians in the Maas area. Because

of the overabundance of work our home has suffered in many ways. In some ways it is not as important; but there are also
many disadvantages to the inconveniences and disorder that rule as a result. Last year we were able to concentrate more time
and money on getting things finished with our home so we could once again, with less worry and guilty conscience, turn more
fully to the work of the church. Youhave read at different times of some of the advances, like water in the kitchen after 6 years!

Now we'd like to share a floor plan ofourhome along with some fotos and explanations ofourhome, how it is to beus^, and

still needs to be arranged. We hope this will help you to become more intimately acquainted with and intelligently concerned

about our needs so you will be better equipped to pray for us in serving others on your behalfand God's. Ofcoxirse if this whets

your appetite to come and visit us - PLEASE do. Our Home is open and there's a Christian welcome awaiting through the
strength granted by our Father!

KEY IN DRAWING-floor plan and pictures:-

Numbers of place in text to correspond with foto and M j

Accordian doors

Wooden doors

Path taken on tour

place in home.

Approximate measurement from meters to feet W 3it

Original building

Ir

'^

TOUR BY NUMBER AND FOTOS:-

Approaching our home from the northeast our home looks like this. It is a duplex home, the half showing being our half.
It sits a little on a hill as the whole area used to be a woods like what still is behind our home a few hundred yards. This
gives our home an impressive look along with the high front roof. The "front door," almost hidden in the picture by an
evergreen, is where we'll go into our home. But, be careful! The hall is only big enough for one or two people-that's one
reason we added a larger one where our "main entrance" is now. From this hall the stairs also lead upstairs to the
bedrooms.

page 2

Oncewe go through the accordian door we are in the front room that faces the street with the sunrise to the left ofthe

window. This room has been used for just about everythii^g. Since this picture was taken the organ has been sold and a

desk andtemporary typing tablefill thearea. The electrical wiring were onthewalls in metal pipes soafterrenewingthe

wireswecovered that onewall(seenin this picture) and the ceiling with pineslats. Shortlyafter having a brick&eplace
replaced which wasorigmally in the room, wewallpaper^l andthe samehas been onthewalls almost seven years! Some

officefurnishings are still needed, and a new window, otherwise the "office/study" is ready for use.

(3>.or a while after the kitchen was added on weused the front room for a livingroom. CathyVerstappen is watching the
boys here openChristmas presentsshe and Lucbroughtfor them. The sofa hide-a-bed has beenput to use many times

when overnight guests were inour home. Above this roomys the largest bedroom that Henki and Mary Esther use. (The

window in that room alsoneeds to bereplaced desperatelyl Exceptfora smallbasement window, theotherwindows ofthe
home have been replaced orarenew.) llie stove toheatthedownstairs was inthisroom un^ we expanded andconnected

the central heating stove for all the house to be warmed.

Shortly after the move was made into the added kiitchen the "middle room" was set up with our desk. This room has been
used mostly for kitchen and dining room and usually wa pretty crowded. Just right, inside the accordian door iare the

steps to the small cellar only under less than h^f the original house. No work has been done down there to speakof, butit

could be converted into a cozy hobby room if time and

riddle trying to

cdlowed. The door to the basement is a sore-spot, as it is a

out how best to finish it off. In this picture the electriclines can be seen going up the wall in the piping.

With new wallpaper and carpet, and the door and windo^ casings added, the middle room is a newroom. Thecentral
heating pipes going to the boys' bedroom just above this rooi n run across the ceiling. These and the electric lines have been
covered with a lowered, new ceiling with light colored tiles|t 3help make the room a little lighter. Being an inside room it is
rather a somber place, so it is used mostly evenings with plenty of lights on when we have visitors. Use of this room has
changed often as it is hard to find suitable fumishmgs and use of such a small room.

( 6 ) As soon asthe walls were up and the roofon so itwas dry; we began using the new kitchen: plastic nailed tothe window

holes, and a cold cementfloor. It wasdrafty and dusty-but somuchmoreelbow roomwithfivelivingin fourrooms that we
felt like kings in a castle. Maria Geringwas still living wil1: ius then, so the boysslept in the big bedroom with Henkiand

Mary Esthersoshe could havetheirbedroom. That yearw. icelebrated James'fifthbirthday withtherough block walls,

no ceiling or doors, and electricity by extension!

CT)Almost the same view ofthe kitchenwith cabinets and elecjtkcity, and aftertherunningwater, tilefloor, walls, ceiling and
doors were added. Whata difference injustthreeyears. Thte^e aredouble glasswindows andwe putinsulation inthefloor,
outside wall and ceiling. You can reallytell the difference whencoming from the mainhallintothekitchenona hotday-

so it must help mthe winter with heating also. Rudy Kotiks was visiting during theChristmas vacation '81, when this

picture was taken, so was playing Uno with the boys be^^e bedtime.

This foto ofthe "main entrance" and garage doorway is also already outdated. We have gotten doors hung so we can use

fVtin entrance mainly, and store coats and shoes in the hall. The end of June ('82 during the time of preparing this news) the

walls were plastered and HenM beganinstallinga new cental heatingstove in its place in thehall. (The mini-heater we
had in the kitcKen was a little inadequate for so many radijotors and upstairs heating so it's been replaced.) Not much has

been done in the garage so there's still plenty of work to be done on the house.

Our neighbor, sharingthe otherhalfoftheduplex, alsoadd^droomstohishome. Itjusthappenedhiswallextends(where

the fuel-oil tank stands in the picture) as far as our garage wall, so we plsm to put a roof over this area and have an open

porch. That should keep the door and windows onthis si(^^ ofthe house from rotting soquickly. It will also bewelcome

shade in the summerand a placetodry clotheswhenit driz^] esbutis otherwise warmenoughfordrjring. We havesomuch

damp, cool weather thatitisnerve-racking to getlaundry d^ed, butisso much cheaperdone outsidethan with adryer. The
leaks inthehallandgarage. Probably thissummer Henkijwill have todo something about that,so there arealready "big

roof is flat on all that has been added (and the bathroom that is also only one story high) but we're having problemswith
repairs" ahead of us.

The room marked with asterisk is the bathroom. It was originally divided as an outhouse and storage shed with the house

when we got it. That was our first job in 1973when we bought the home: convert this room into a bathroom with a flush toilet.
Since then the walls, floor and ceiling have also been redone; as well as new windows installed. It is now a comfortably

modern, indoor bathroom with tub-American-style! (Usually Ejuropeans have the toilet sometimes with a small sink in one

part ofthe house, and the BATHroom separate. Both systemlsj definitely havetheir advantages and disadvantages!)

Upstairs there are only two rooms. Looking in from the roof Henki was able to discover the attic space could be fixed up to be a

moderately large storage area. He cut a hole inthe upstairs landing ceiling and installed folding ladder-steps and did some
work upthere so it could beused, before we beganbuilding the! Addition. We really need to finish that offsoit could bemore

conveniently used. Also, from our bedroom, just above the front entrance and part of the stairs is a small room we hope to
furnish with a shower and toilet thus making a "half-bath." It would help tremendously when putting up visitors as well as for
our own daily use.

In preparing this news we can better realize how the Lord ha8| blessed us in getting our home prepared. Lots has been done.
There is plenty more to keep us busy. As always with a home it seems work is never finished. Again there are parallels to be

seen in our spiritual life: we can see growth, change, and advance but the work is never finished in becoming "holy as our
Father in Heaven is holy!" God bless youas you strivetowards thlat perfection and pleasedokeep usin yourprayers: ourwork,
health, spiritual life, finances, and OUR HOME.

i\

11

Explanatory note: You will, no

doubt, notice that the pictures
on this page are not up to the
usual production quality of
SonsetPrese. However, due to a
combination of factors -- the

pictures shown were reproduced

from slides and Mission Serv
ices' darkroom facilities are not

yet in proper working condition

due to their recent move - please

excuse the inferior quality ofthe
pictures.

BROADCASTING FAR AND WIDE

"Once there was a man who went out to sowgrain. As he scattered the seed... someofit fellalong the path... someofit fellon
rocky ground . . . some among thorn bushes . . . but some seeds fell in good soil. .

The farmer's job took him far and wide, just to plant his seed! I know that's not the point Jesus was making in His parable
(from Matt. 13:3-8 TEV) but it is known to us all that farmers have large fields and sometimes even scattered in different areas.
He DOES have to go everywhere to get his crops planted if he expects a harvest.

In many ways this is just the pictureofthe workofevangelism herein Belgiumalso. Henkihas had to travel far and widetoget
seed planted. And not always did it bring forth healthy harvest, just as in the parable of Jesus.
Not only have fellow Belgian citizens and foreigners living in the immediate area been the soil in which the word of Jesus'
Gospel has been planted. Family members, some living far away, have also been heavy on Henki's heart. Since Olick and
junija
Zonija Kottas
Jvuui-as live
uve in
iii Brussels,
orusscis, near
iieai where
wiieie several
seveim families
laumicb of
ji

Henki's
Henki's Uncie
Uncle Ciaus
Ciaus (the
(the elderly
elderly man
man

Henki's mother live, he began showing the Bible study slides with a capon)inhisdaughter's home
there while in the area. In this way trips often serve the hasseen the Bible studyslides. Both
double purpose of encouraging and nurturing the Kottas

^
-1 I X j
-xi.
-1^1. 1-xxi /-iL j.f 11
I.
sitting behind Henki) are
family,
isolated with
little Christian fellowship,
andj\.trying
to cousin,
sharp-shooters,
still a popular sport

plant the seed in the hearts of others. No other converts have

been made as yet, either near Olick and Zonija or with

in Belgium, uncle Ciaus, though he

omy fiad use of one eye, has won

ettorts will bring lorth truit tor the kingdom.

as sharp
sharo in
in discerning
discernina truth to be
be found
found in Christ Jesus.
Jesus. Prav
Pray their hearts mav
may

Hfki's family, but we continue to hope and pray further

Saul w^hmrbo^Howwehopetheirspiritu^weslg

open to Hin) as Lord, and more doors of opportunity to evangelize in this area

Trips have been made several times to visit and encourage around Brussels.
Luc and Cathy Verstappen in Germany, also. His work keeps them separated from the congregation here, and they long for
more fellowship. We have tried to help in this way, along with some others of the Maasmechelen Christians. These travels
have kept Henki, Mary Esther and the Christians busy the last five or six months.

Have you ever heard of a farmer without his plow? It isn't maybe quite as bad as having to revert from modem, sophisticated
equipment for farming to simple, old fashioned methods like hand broadcasting; but Henki has decided to discontinue using
the automobile for the time being. We have had a few bad months income-wise, and several high bills in electric, telephone and
car insurance, and needed to repair the car that would only mean more expenses. Since the weather is warmer and several of
the Christians have cars, we'll try for a while without ours. It is unhandy to go with the Vespa scooter (that he now has) and
bikes for the other family members; or lining up someone to take us along but it seems the best solution for now. We have
enjoyed warm, dry, healthy weather and exercise thus far!!

Though we have been blessed with the dollars from the U.S. supporters getting better exchange rates this year, the Belgian
frank has so devaluated and the cost of living shot up that we seem to be worse offthan when we were only getting 35 franks for
every dollar. We know you in the States are also facing financial difficulties and change, so hope and pray our gracious and
generous Father in heaven Will continue to supply OUR EVERY NEED (yours and ours!) with all the abundant wealth in

Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). We hope you keep this matter in your prayers as well as support us more if at all possible, as we share
together in the different aspects of working together in His Kingdom. We are also glad to report some have already revised
their missions budget to include a "raise" for us, so prayers are already being answered. We praise God for His care and pray
we may continue to be good stewards of all with which He has entrusted us.

n'A/ N

TOP EXPERIENCES:

The end of February, Mary Esther was able to attend an American Christian Ladies' retreat hosted by non-instrumental
missionaries, in Germany. It was a real blessing to be among so many American Christian ladies to sing, worship, study, and
fellowship, as only such a group can. The retreat was held in a converted fortress on top of a mountain so it was double a
"mountain-top" experience! During those days she met the wife of a family working in Paris, France. Weinvited them to visit
us if they ever felt the need to get away from the busy city and share the quiet and nature in our area. Wewere glad they took us
up on the invitation and stayed six days during the Easter break. This was also a great time of getting acquainted with the
family we'd not previously known.

The week after Mary Esther was gone Henki joined the "Concentration" studies south of Frankfurt, Germany, also with
several American families from different European countries. We have been so grateful to have had these opportunities to "fill
the reservoirs" of our spiritual lives after being mostly involved in giving-out all the time.
While Glen and Rozy were here from France we had an immersion, so were glad to share this high-light with them. Paul and
Thereza Janssen were friends of Evelien Kottas so she and Eddy Verstappen had witnessed to them, showing the Bible study
slides. Since theit immersion they have also been blessed with their first child, a lovely baby daughter, Sara. Again our group
is expanding in different ways.

Easter Sunday the Maasmechelen Christians were not able to meet in the Cultural Center as they have been doing since the
beginning of the year. They joined services with Genk Christians that Sunday. Then the following Sunday they also went to
Genk for the morning service, pot-luck afterwards, and an afternoon service with two religious films. Pentecost service was
also held in Genk for the same reason as at Easter time. The Monday after Pentecost several gathered for a Bar-B-Que outside

in unusually warm and sunny weather for this time of year in Belgium. A brother from France, known to us only as Olivea
gave his testimony of how he became a Christian in the States, at the encouragement of Dennis Messimer who had known
Olivea for some time. These special times together with more Christians to worship and fellowship have been up-building for
us in many ways. Welook forward to more growth and nurture as we all strive to please God in every way possible,and hope
you've had equally thrilling mountain-top experiences lately.

BELGIUM FOR CHRIST is written by Mary Esther Boonaerts. edited and mailed by the Melinn Rollers, and printed by Mission Serriees
Association. Knoxuille, Tennessee. It is distributed to inform and encourage support of the work beingdone in Helgiuni for ('hrist by the H,n/:i

Boonaerts family. All funds made payable to Medaryville Christian Church, designated to Boonaerts work, arc la.x di-dticHble.

""1418;

^ ^ 'i 198^

^Oroetinga from Belgium

Just about this time last year we began an all out effort to try and get

the teoodellng of our home brought to an end. Things just haven't returned to
normal since, though we did get lots done in the bedrooms^ the central heating
radiators hooked up, and the kitchen floor tiles laid, as well as the middle
room converted Into a sitting room. Now the front room is our office area.
Since those first few months Henki has also gotten the front hall wall papered,
and those steps painted ready to put a carpet runner down. We had looked forward to visits from several folks from the States in the summer so wanted es

pecially to have things comfortable and presentable. Unfortunately they were

unable to come due to health problems.

The Maasmechelen Christians took a special "vacation" offering for us

Which enabled Henki and Mary Esther to make a short trip to London. He had
wanted to see the Sinaitic manuscripts among other things in the British tmissum* Of course we d:'d some sight seeing and got in on the preparations for

the "Royal Wedding" to be held shortly thereafter! On the way back we stopped
in Brugge, the famous lace making area. We hope you'll enjoy the post card of

a young lace maker demonstrating this ancient craft.

While we were in London, John Mark spent over a week at the Christian ^p

in the Ardennas. He
got one ofbuttheBelgium
Maasmechelen
church
to go along.
generalljTenjoyed
themselves,
is-hardly
the boys
countfor
copingThey
in

tentsthey only had one sunny day and John Mark spent that day sick in bed.

James had it a little better at Oma (Grandma) Boonaerts with one of his cousins.
We had the son of Kottas in Brussels with us the two weeks follow^g, so man

aged to spend the summer in plenty of activity. The boys returned to school
after their two month vacation the first of September. Then the weather turned
nice for almost an entire month I James is attending the same school (now in
the second grade) but misses having his big brother s company and protection.
John Mark goes to school on the other side of the canal, in the village of
Eisden since he*s in secondary school now, about the equllivant of Jr. High.

Do pray for their safe and fruitful schooling please.

Towards the end of the summer Johnny Kottas got married. Since his fiance'
ended up a blessing as the "Decon" of the Catholic church whefie Tamara attended

was not yet a Christian Henki felt better not to perform the wedding. This

allowed Henki to bring a 20 minute message as part of the ceremony. This way

many heard the gospel in the Catholic mass who otherwise may never have co^ to
the church of Christ and heard the same. Tamara and her brother and his wife
had all been coming quite regularly to church and Bible studies. Since the

wedding Michel and Carmin requested the Bible study slides be sh^ in their
home. They along with Tamara were convicted and accepted Christ s way, all
three being Immersed September 9th. Ovar AO of the Genk and Maasmechelen

Christians gathered for that special evening immersion service.

The year of 1981 came to an end with Henki showing slides with another
family, this time in Houthalen near Genk. Since then the young prospect has

been immersed, and he and his wife attend services In Genk. Other studies

were held with the brother of Peter Yonk who has also been immersed, but his
"Wife "had "not aB"^yet accepted Christ-as her Savior. (With spring coming, on
wxxe

nnu

wu

there are some more doors opening for Henki to show the slides, and some of
the members are also giving the studies to friends in the hopes of more con
versions.) Christmas was spent in the traditional way with the love feast in
Genk the afternoon of the 25th after the joint service in Maasmechelen around
the Lord*s table in the morning. Boonaerts had their family "reunion on New
Year's to help spread the hastle of the activities over more days. Henki s
mother and brother Willy had spent several days in the States visiting Sam
and Kina, so it almost seemed like the whole fa^ly was together as tales were
told of their experiences.

With this news we greet you in our Lord, hoping He blessed you in

way in 1981 and that you look to His guidance and continued blessing in 19821
James

Mary Esther,

6^7 -u

"2 ""tL 7.1-c

^rch, 1982

Dear Treaty Chriatians,

Aa faithful supporters of our work during 1981 we wanted to show our ap

preciation with the enclosed duplicated letter and post card. Financially wa
had a very satisfactory year as average monthly support was up from every other
year. Work on remodeling our home however, caffle to a stand-etlll. At first,
for over four months our office area was not usable because of all t.he moving,

BtacklnR. and general hastle of working in the other rooms. Now we're still

trying to get needed furniture (desk, typing table, etc.) to properly equip the

Study room.

This upset kept me from any form of orderly correspondence. We surely

hope you can forgive ub for this seeming negligence. Be assured we have greatly
^ appreciated your support from February through December. TtoB like these make
us treasure the co-work of our forwarding agents along with folks at Mission .
Services who helped keep other news coming to you of our work in

We praise God for all who have a part in spreading the gospel in Belgium and all
the world. It*s a great "co-operation" to be a part of!

Let us hear frtm you bo we know how Christ's body in Wabaah area is faring.

Keep praying for this work. Continue to support it in ^atever way you feel

lead of God, thankful with us of every opportunity to share

good news of
His salvation. "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing
praises unto your name, 0 Moat Hlght" Psalms 92:1.
P^jcU&^ng
Mame,
MaJu/ EAth^

PATCH 'N MEND MEADOW

We had a great day, Sunday, didn't we, Bullfrogs &Butterflies? Our fun
together is drawing closer to an end. We have one more lesson, then we 11 be
practicing for our program.

Work hard on your points learn your memory verses - catch up on those

you've never learned. Bring a visitor. Do your Friendship Award for this week
and past week^s that you've missed.

This week*8 memory verse is:

FPHF^IANS 4*32

BE Vki^ one to another, tendershearted, forgiving one AN0TVR> just as

GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU BECAUSE YCTJ BELONG TO CHRIST.

The FRIENDSHIP AWARD DEED tS: The stjidetifc tries to mend a_ broken or strained

friendship by asking forgiveness i:rom another for a wror.g action or attitude

the student has had.

Flutterbys are still in first place, but not by much. SEE YOU, SUHDAYII

BELGIUM
CHRIST
MA^Sr-IECHliLEN, BELGIUM
JULY - AUGUST 1982

Dear Treaty Christians,

Once a person gets behlndr'it seems almoat impossible to get caught back

up again! Surely you knewthe feeling we're talking about. God isn^t bound
to time, and sometlTmeB we're frustrated that we have to be. But He has created
us witjj. tlme'^boundriee. So often we find ourselves trying to catch up or im
patiently waiting for something. 1 have been trying to wait for just the right
"time to get Christinas mail and miscellaneous letters answered, and supporters
thanked for gifts from the beginning of the year. By His grace, I think the
right time has finally come.

As you may know, Belgium is considered 95% Catholic but it is mostly in

name only. So many other things including sports and materalism seem more Im

portant to folks. Yet the emptiness such life causes can only be filled by / Z?

Christ, and He*s doing it in many cases, praise His name. Four have been
itraneraed in the Maas area since January. The most recent couple converted had
been -influenced alot -by Jehovah's Witnesses. _Iiiey-seem to-be-a. fine, sincere-

couple, and bring with them a daughter of seven to be nurtured in the Lord.
The couple immersed at Eastertime had their first child not to long ago, so

they will be busy bringing up little Sara while learning more about their "new

found faith.

Since April one of the young Christians who is without a job has taken on
the responsibility at his own "suggestion of preparing and editing a small mon

thly church paper for Maasmechelen Christians. This means some extra work for
Mary Esther who types the rough draftand stencils. We arc joyful for this
advance and help in nurturing the folks here. Alex has also had stencils cut
for some "tracts" to use in sending to non-Christians, in the hopes of being

able to evangelize via the mimeograph machine the church bought.recently!

It

has also been used to run off the song sheets for the wedding of two young

people both of the Maasmechelen church.

We ask for your prayers for this

-couple as they start out together in the Lord.

Tlie Sunday school and nursery continues to be held in our home during the
morning service. There are also mid-week gatherings, one Wednesday morning
for those with noon or night shift, or find it more convenienti and the Wed
nesday evening one. Men of the congregation preached most of the sermons a
few months ago, but Henkl has prepared most recently. He also spent much time

/^working on up-dating and pr.eparing narrations ^o accompany the Jule Miller

film strips so copies can be made.

Requests have come from colaborers in

Leuven as well as various Christians in Genk and Maasmechelen have asked for

their own copies to use.

Mary Esther had the opportunity to go with Henkl'a

mother to show the slides to an all-ladies group in Genk. These home studies
continue to be extremely useful in leading folks to Christ.
It has been nice having this little "visit" with you by way of this letter.
We realize these are "hard times" and it's a great temptation to cut our church

or mission giving to help ends meetl

We especially praise God you haven't.

Thanks ever so much for your continued support received and banked by Rollers

from February through June, and being willing to submit to the Lord Jesus i.n so
many ways. The card to "Brighten our Day" signed by several folks was also
appreciated, as are the church paper that comes in the mail. It is especially

y^nice to see your concern for each other in the prayer list; and to read the
by Danny, and the occasional mission letters.
if message
to us. May His richest blessings continue to flow oo

It is all a great help

and through you as you

remain faithful to His calling to follow Jesus.

Lovingly in His service,

^(,7,

'

r\

s>S i>i^ Siisgir

-Though the church is ever busy

Through all the live-long days,
In stately service lifting
Her voice of grown-up praise,
If childhood is neglected,
And left to stray a-wild,
Can the church expect the blessing
Of Him who loves the child?
-Lois LeBar

WHY DOES TRiiiATY CHURCH OF CHRIST HAVE A CLASS FOR BABIES?

1.

The Church has the responsibility to meet the needs of the babies as well
as the adults. We have been shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that babies
can learn from our own experiences with babies, as well as shown to us
from scientific research studies. Most of all because Jesus says "Do not

forbid thetfi to come, for of such is the kingdom of God."

2.

The Church is responsibile to parents.

Mark 10:13,U.

To evangelize, to seek out the lost,

teach them of Christ and lead them to belong to Him.

Cradle Roll gives

the parents freedom to go to classeft of their own to mature in Bible know

ledge and gives parents growth through Christian fellowship. Cradle Roll
gives parents freedom to participate In the Sunday worship, to sing
praises to the King, to pray, to really listen to the sermon and to fol
low the scripture reading. Denial of this spiritual food and exercise
results in undernourished Christians.

The Cradle Roll ministry is to the

parents as well as to the babies. The goal of the Cradle Roll is to help
the babies have happy experiences in God's house, to let them know God
loves them too.

How can Treaty Cradle Roll reach this goal?

First,prayer

second, parents bringing their little ones to Sunday School and third, a

personal commitment of the Cradle Roll teachers to further God^s kingsom

by teaching Jesus* love to the babies. And by our own personal growth
and love to serve Jesus in whatever area He places us.

Jesus loves ALL

of us! t
Roxann Hertlein

Cradle Roll Supervisor

Velma Crull 6t Pam Roberts
Teachers

^as-/

'Germany
r

Poland

Vfe-i
^

Switzerfand

anistan

- ^

--

v-C^.

. - v.. ,

IndiB*

TRAVELOGUE OF BO")NAERTS* OVERLAND TRIP TO MADRAS, ITJDIA

NOV 27, 1982 Left Henkie*s mother's home in (l) Genk, Belgiian at 11:30 pn
for Maasmechelen to get camper cushions and say goodbye to Christian

there. Drove just past (2) KOLM, Germany, stopping at a gasoline station about
3:00 am for the night.

NOV 28-^29 Drove thr^ough Germany past (3) FRANKFURT, towards (4-) MUNCHEN
arriving in (5) SALZBURG, Austria needing car repairs!

Ran out of fuel

this once on the whole trip, towards evening!

NOV 30 Car was inaMercedies garage almost all day for repairs. Returned to
the German boardef to get taxes refmded on repairs, then headed for Yugoslavia.
Two lane most of the way. All of a sudden Henki called out, "Oh No!" as a car
almost ran into us* That only happened- one or tvro more times on the whole triponce when John and Mark thought he was taking a picture. Later he fovind out
he had ho film in the camera! (Three times in India we had slight accidents

' scratching the body badly enough to need some repairs.) Late that night we
drove through a 6 mile tunnel, but the boys were already sound asleep.

DEC 1 Looked around in Graz, Aus.tria still needing shocks for the van. Crossed
into Yiigoslavia getting fuel coupons for the trip through this country. It
was such a poor country with bad roads, and litter all aroind, but people were

dressed very well.

It must have been in (6) ZAGREB we had delicious grilled

meats in quite a fancy restaurant that was cheap to Belgian standards.

Their dessert pasteries were also quite different!

DEC 2 Traveled as far as (7) BEOGRAD (Belgrade).

Looked for fuel almost all

day in 4 or 5 stations but none had diesel,

dec 3 Still looking for diesel then after 2 or 3 more stations-finally found
one that co\ild fill the tank.

A fellow at the garage wanted to wash our van

for a fuel coupon! He saw our cassettes and begged to have one so we parted
company with one. Took the wrong road that cost us at least a 45 min. delay.
Later we drove over where we'd just been, and the children waved at us. The
roads were somewhat better, but there were lots of abandoned wrecks along the

way and cows and sheep crossing the roads!

into Greece towards evening.

Leaving (8) SKOPJE, we crossed

There were lots of small-town shops still' open-

past 7:00 pn. Got some provisions in (9) THESSALONIKI. There were an awful
lot of detours, otherwise fair roads. Parked for the night in (lO) KAVALIA,
the seaport near Philippi.

DEC 4 Banks were closed it being Saturday, but got a travellers check cashed
in a hotel so had fuel and food, money. .Passed through a causeway filled with
water and past a sleeping police guard into Turkey. Customs and imigrations
took a while longer than other lands so far, so used., the time to begin reading
"The"^oss and the Switchblade" out loud to the boys. Got Turkish money
headed toward Istambul by 9t30 pn. It began snov;ing and Henki Saw a Mercedies

slip off into a ditch so decided to stop for the night by some trucks parked
beside the road.

DEC 5 Snow was only local and soon drcive out of the blizzard making good

time on to (ll) ISTANBUL.

Roads were lots better than in Yugoslavia.

Crossed

over the toll-free Bosporus bridge, hardly knowing when we left Europe and

entered Asia!

Drove until (12) ANK.ARA

DEC 6 Sleeping bags had gotten wet fro nfi leaky drain where they had been stored
during the day, so a cold night! Vehi cjles had parkedtoo close to us during the
night so we coiiLdn*t get out right awa . Henki and the boys went shopping,
other car left. They returned with most
and Mary Esther drove out as soon as
affic
kept us from leaving Ankara until
of the things on the list, but hea'vy
after 10:00. Good roads past (13) YOZ OrAT then there were gravel roads just be
fore (14) SIVAS. Roads were much bett er than we'd anticipated for Turkey.

Parked by the train/bus station and ph one

central so Henki called his mother

to l e t folks know where and how we wer e.

Slept there for the night.

DEC'7 Temperatures about 30 F in the Van. Henki unable to sleep so took off
about 3:00 am! Car wouJLdn^t pull the hill shortly out of Sivas. A man walking

to the Vetinary station on the hill tdad us to wait for their mechanic to
' look at the vehicle. They were reallj friendly .a few hours later when thsy
served us bread, cheese, eggs, and tea for breakfast. The mechanic took the
car for a trial drive and knew immedia -ely it was the fuel filterfuel is so
low grade it was already dirty! Were on our way about 10:30! Passed thro.gh

*(15) ERZICAN after shopjdng, getting ^ome checks cashed, eating and mailing
Was snovi and ice on the roads again, and many mountain passes
off and on the past few days so slov: d i-iving, and dangerous with so many heavy
transport vehicles on the roads. Had xansmission trouble and stopped by a
Mercedies garage hoping to have rejpaiif first thing in the morning. The v/atchmin let VIS drive the van into the garc,ie for the night!
some letters.

DEC 8 Owner of the (I6) ERZIICUM GARAGE where we slept was most helpful and.
friendly. The workers let air out of :he transmission and we were soon ready
to roUafter taking a few pictures, Henki had to make the transmission and
fuel filter repairs often until we go out of the cold temi^eraturesinto
India! On the way that day, Mary Esther thought she saw a bridge she'd s'?cn

when coming through from India to Euro;^ in I964 with her parents and brothers !
Saw trucks along the way burning old i^es under the ,engines to keep the fuel
lines from freezing.

We had to

aifbi-freeze and gasoline to the diescl

to keep ours from freezing also. It v|as really cold! Tryd.ng to follow detour
signs after dark, Henki was stopped by the police and fined^for flashingftits^"

lights at them! Was the second of thjl-oe tickets on the whole trip as far as
we could remember.

Henki went to ask clirections at one garage and was gone

over a half ho^n*. He explained the f^^ks were so starved for new from the o :tside world, the men pressed him to drink tea and vi.sit with them before goin^

on!

Drove "wildly" to catch u lost time, stopping in (17) IHDIR for the ni^ht,

Henki found a fuel leak that he thought was part of the transmission and br?nk
trouble we'd been having lately.
DEC 9 Got fuel near a store v/here HenJ
a

chance to witness to a man who knew

had gotten bread last night.

Hg d ho;''

(ferman quite well and. asked, for "a Gospel

triangle on the map). At a truck stop

. account! Drove past Mt. Ararat

near the Iran border, worked on the ditch and brakes.

A Turkish driver that works for a company in Holland gave several helpful hints
for travel in Iran, (Especially for Mary Esther to keep her head covered "for

her own safety" and only lase Iranian money, etc.) Police were helpful getting
fuel filters and anti-freeze that would be needed even more in Iran but would

be harder to get. Got to the Iran border and imigration took about 2 and -J- hours.
Read more to the boys until we had to go inside the building, seperated for
about an hour from Henki (already in Iran with the van). Customs offices were
already closed sc we stayed at the border for the niglit. V/e v;ere warned to

start the engine every hour (had been doing it every two or three until then)

during the ni^ht for the cold temperatures expected. Mary Esther sat in the
drivers seat al1 night to do that. Met an Afghani couple going to settle in
Pakistan.

Kept them company at the border but didn't see them again untiM

the 'desert in Pakistan before Quetta.

They traveled in a Mercedies sedan so

slept in "hotels" along the way mostly, but stayed in their car to start the
engine hourly also!

DEC 10 Through customs about 10:00 am but didn't drive far before needing work
on the breaks again. A farmer passing ona tractor helped and only wanted a
<pair of jeansno pay, for his help. Roads very ice and Kenki lost control of

the car slipping dangerously, so on went the chains!

The "Passad" (iJolice of

Khomani) stopped us for checks along the way. They were sometimes rather
rough, and made Mary Esther stand outside once. Ihey couldn't find one of
the cassette: recorders on the customs list,' biit we had declared it, and soon

they let us go. Fuel was cheap enough, but there were long lines of trucks
waiting to fill up which caused delays often. Stayed up for the hourly watch
to start the engine again.

DEC 11 Left (18) MIRAND about 3:00 am and arrived in (l9) TABRIZ. Looked for

a Mercedies garage for repairs. Ayoung boy worked all day to get the starter

fixed. Met the owner's son, Tierdad, who knew German aiid English quite well.
He advised us to stay overnight since we hsid such a late start. Had a long

visit with Tierdad and witnessed our faith in God. Also left "Good News for
Modern Man N.T." for him and his Uncle who teaches in the University of Teheran,

hoping to revive their spirits in such depressing war-torn land. John Mark was
sick since the evening before. Stayed in a heated hotel room where we slept
better than in the van,

John vomited and hulicinated but was better by morning.

DEC 12 Tierdad advised us the best place for exchianging..checks for: fiirther . '

travel in Irani Had .trouble 'getting "the car.vstarted-^-^riot having^st?t^" it;

ever;f:'h6urtduring\the night." Didn't get away from Tabriz, until'1:30-ph. . .Carime
(o)Ur-Gngsimus)n'c^e with: us, caVising some .an^ous mbments, .but, providing company
torthe'driver arid;h&lp:firidihg the-way. 'W(?Mrove the rest ofr the'day-and through

the.-night^16 hours in all, ion til we got to (20) lEHERAN.

DEC 13

Met Carime's family and were fed a good chicken soup dinner with

macaroni and vegetables! So many things were rationed or hard to get in, Iran
so we really appreciated their, hospitality. Women were dressed "European" in
their homes but have to wear the Moslim covering for their head and body when

outside! Were on our way out of Teheran after some shopping in a small store
that was their version of a "super-market" but weren't able to get many of the

things we needed, Abeautiful 4 lane highway lead all the way to (2l) QOM

where we stopped for the night.

DEC 14 Many very deserted places along the way, villages and houses abandoned
everywhere. Even in cities so many ho uses with only the walls up, not finj.shed
or lived in. Thronagh a hii.ly area the breaks didn't catch well, so everj'-one
Aboi;t noon, passed another Mercedies
had to sit as far-forward as possible
We took some of their passangers and
van with Great Britain liscence plates
gave them some of our load. Their wiinjl shield wa^ broken and they were frozen
stiff^ from such driving co:'xiitions. S nortly thereafter, caught up with the
other vehicles Razaks (in van) were ti'iveling with, of friends from London
(Ushmans and their driver, Dick) so wo formed a 4- car caravan. Drove until

(22) YAZD then cooked Pakistani food

our van since" we were "the only ones

with cooking facilities.

DEC 15 -- Our fellow travellers h^ an Irini police escort since they had no carne

papers for their vehicles. Ali took "lem on a "wild goose chase" looking for
gasoline coupons needed for another miicle in the caravan. Found a garage that
put several pieces of glass in Razak*s windshield opening so at least it was

fcloaed..

Didn''t leave until afternooii, sharing food with eachother: we had

pudding with cocnut with them, they le:ital soup with us I Roads were bad and
' there was snow falling, Razak's van had drive shaft troubles so we crav/led

-along about 50km an hour until it gavij out completely, and Ushman's Rover
pulled it until we parked for the nigljilb. There were three "Passad" police
checks during that last hour driving, |but beirg in a caravan and with th*^

Iranian escort they weren't much has tie. Staged by a police station in (23)
KERMAN so had police watch all night.I
DEC 16 Found needed pieces to repair |lazak*s van. Henki went with Ali to
find meat, after he'd taken them looking for gas coupons again. With

mounting troubles, disagreements, and fccavel nerves, Ulga Ushman (with

whom Ali had been riding) could take 110 more.
left with fill the others car docianentui!

She and Ali had words then he

We got lunch and tried to get Mi

^ t to eat with us when he came back just i/hen we were ready to leave. He rode with
Razaks the rest of the way. Left aboii|t 2:00 pm and drove as far as (2/j.) BAM,

the lower part of the Great Sand Deseip t, still having freezing temperatures,
It had been the warmest day, we could be out in the sun with sweaters only,
instead of bundled in winter coats! D Bcided to drive all night to get to the

Pakistan boarder. VJere many passes and deserted places, until (25) ZAHEIDAW.
Sometime around mid dght the "Passed" stopped us again, sending us the wrong
direction when we asked the way to thte boarder. Then they "lead the way" stop-

ping us again, shouting and running after us with their machine guns ready

to fire. Even with the police escort^ they played with us like a cat with
mice.

They finally did show us the right way and the last stretch to the

boarder was uneventful.

DEC 17

Arrived at the Iran/Pakistan bo^rder about 8:1^0 am, but had to wait

- until 9:00 for it to open. It was easi r en+jTj'- into Pakistan, and temperatures
actually warmed up to 70" in the car^ Was a long wait for customs check.
After immigration went for a Pakistani meal in a local "tea shop." Ushmans nnd
Razaks. had trouble passing through cu: boms without carne papers again so were

assigned a scout escort as far as Que-j: :a.

Stayed overnight on the boarder

waiting .for them, A Turkish man, Ali met us that could speak pretty good Ger~
man. He joined our caravan, hitching ^s far as Lahore where he needed to get
money from a friend who'd borrowed from hDjn. He v^as on his way to Thailand for
the same reason!

DEC 18 Didn't leave (26) TAFTAN, the boarder town \intil abort noon.
in the caravan had car troubles.

Others

The stretch was desert, and HOT so now cars

overheated easily! The bad, sandy road made for slow driving and sometimes it
was better driving off the road. Drove vintil about 4:00 am since we'd gotten
a late start.

DEC i9 The scout escort was anxious to be on the way from (27) DALBANDIN
because of this dangerous stretch in Baluchistan where bandits often raid
travelers!

Left about 9:00 after only 5 hours sleep.

Again lots of car troubles

with desert driving, until well past midnight when v/e finally arrived in (28)
QUETTA. The Jousuf family, friends of Razaks let us sleep on their compound.
(We stayed in our van since we had beds, but the others slept in Jousuf's bed

rooms. We enjoyed running water to wash up with in their bathrooms, though!)

DEC 20 John Mark was vomiting and quite j3ick. Jousuf's youngest son, Najne, let
John sleep in his bedroom to recover. He w^g feeling better by noon after a
d-bse of flu medicine.

Name also took Henki to have cousins inter marry.

There were abo it 4 or 5 of Jousxif's brothers all living on a huge compound

' with their own home complexes. Mary Esther made friends with several of Jousuf's

daughters euid in-laws. One of Jousuf's brothers invited us for tea and a tour
of their home. Then we had supper about lo)oo p" so quickly made up for all
the lack of food in Iran.

DEC 21 Jousuf and some of his ladies wanted a ride in our van and gave a tour

of their bhops in town. We also waited to be repaid the money loaned Razaks
while in Iran, but banks closedat 1:00 so were delayed another day. Met
Shubnum, a UNICEF girl who wanted a ride with from Lahore to Delhi for her
self and a friend.

Henki had a chance to witness to Ulga and Dick as we].l as

Jousuf while waiting.

DEC 22 Had tours of Jousuf's furniture factory where they make beautiful handcarved items.

prayers.

Jousuf talked with Henki about his i"'.lness and asked for our

Managed to leave Quetta, parting company with Razaks and Ushmana

about 2100pm.

The road were very bad and the trucks about ran ua off tho rood

ao we stopp<^ early for the night,

DEC 23 While getting breakfast needs, Henki met a young man who wanted to
know if he was a Christian,

He w'ns all excited when Henki said he was, and he

said he'd just been one a few weeks ago! He wanted to haY3,.us ..take a tour of
the factory where he worked. His boss took us on a long tour of the

hydrogenated oil products company, then served us coffee and nuts. Bad roads
kept us to an average of 40-50 km an hour. Was a traffic jam in (29) STJKl^UR,
and the signs were so bad it took a long time to find the way out of (30) ^^TA1^]!

Drove all night, still hoping to get to Bilaspur by Christmas to be with Roland
grandparents.

DEC 24 Had arranged to meet Shubnam and her friend Kahmooda today aro md 10:00,

but even driving all night, Lahore was hours away. We called them about 8:00
and got details of how to find the home where we were to meet. l^en we ar
rived in (31) LAHORE around 2: '^0, we packed them quickly into the van, but the

boarder was closed about 3:'^0.

We went to an old public picnic grounds with

food sent by Mahmooda's sister. Then we got ready to attend a wedding to

which the girls had been inv5.t.ed. The bride ^nd p-oom met eachother for the^

first time thathev^ning with speciail games dnd a. ceremony in the ladies section

of the feast that Mary Esther got to witness.

We slept in bedrooms that night

in Mahmooda's home before leaving for India.

DEC 25 Were up for a nice egg and toa g b breakfast and the girls had cake
and gave the boys money for Christmas in PakistaniAloslim fashion. Hurried
for the boanier, but Shubnum discover
she had forgotten her glasses, and
going back, she'd found, out we'd left $ pants hanger and jerry can! Were

headed for (32)

through the Pakistan/Indian boarder

AMRITSER by noon.

Some delays, so saw the Golden Temple l|)y sunset. Drove all night, being
delayed for a 4-vehicle accident abou 1:30 am. Traffic both ways was stopped,
and we were among the first to leave

}) out an hour-and-a-half later.

DEC 26 Arrived in (33) DELHI about 7: 06 am and took leave of the girls after
they phoned .firiends where they were t<i> go. We phoned Belgium to let folks
towards Bilaspur. Saw signs for

know of our arrival in India, then dr<j>tVe

the Taj Mahal, but i t was too late to see anything.

then stopped for the night.

Drove some past Agra

DEC 27 Stopped in (34) JHANSI where Mi4ry Estherms brother David had been born
while living in India at the time,

F Ked lunch while Henki repaired the car .

V/ere the center of attraction until a

make charmer came.

When Henki took

his camera out for a picture everyone tried to get close to the snake. He
also took one of some school children just out of a nearby school.
Had an
evening meal in Sagar then drove unti: (35) DAMOH where Vijay and Stanley families welcomed us to stay on their comi jound overnight. We*d met them while in
St, Louis 73-*74.

DEC 28 Had lovely warm pour baths and a "scrumptious" breakfast in Lal*s home
then a tour of the eye clinic, churchL and community hall used for Sunday
school and other activities. Roads we::e bad, and it was a long hard drive
after we left Damoh 11:30 am hoping to arrive in Bilaspur that day.
DEC 29 We drove all night once more, arriving in (36) BILASPUR at the entrance
to Kudiidand compound with the sign of the Christian Training Institute. Woke
Rolands to l e t them know of our arri valL and visited until about 3:00 then bedded

doxvm in the big mission bungalow for

few hours. Up for breakfast and preparations for the annual "chiirch ;dcnii-b" with Kududand folks. Drove out to
the new dam and lake where i t was to
held. Got io visit with several
who knew English and Mary Esther met
veral from childhood days. Watched
folks get the meal ready in Indian fas ion.

DEC 30 Took it a bit easy most of the day making plans and arrangements for
a few days in the jungle where Rolands used to spend some "vacation" time with
their children home from school for their 3 month holidays. Also made train

reservations for the trip to Madras, fanning to leave the van in Bilaspur and
getting it later,

DEC 31-Jan"2. Drove up to the (37) JUNijLE, seeing some wild animals and went
to the river's source, where a temple stands. A man was heard saying of Dad
Roland, when he'd not accept offers f
the idols, "Leave him, he walks in his
own pride." To see the idols and si
of Hindu worship, we are co vinced they
walk in their own pride and darkness
istead of as God intended them.
It's

good to know there are those still try^g to bring the light of the gospel, and
that we could have a part, small as i t may have been, while in Madras. Stopped
on the way back to Bilaspur for communion in a peacef\il jungle setting with

otu* two families.

A letter was waiting us that Bernal and Joan Getter w^re

Henki was rather sick so just

anxious for us to come to Sitapur for s. visit.

James and Mary Esther went out by the midnight bus for a few days' visit.
JAN 3 Arrived in (38) SITAPTJP walking to Getter's compound just in time
to surprise them for breakfast! Had a tour of their work and was especially
good to see the building that's not quite finished after five year's work. It
will be lots of classroom and dorm space when completed; thus, - a. great asset

to their school and boarding. Children that had returned from the CJhristmas/
New Year break welcomed us with a special program! James met Timmy and Samphalhaying fun getting to know them, and a guinea pig they later gave him

JAN 4 Left by evening bus and another route getting back to Bilaspur by 10:00 pm.
Everyone was already asleep so we just quietly went to bed.

JAN 5 Mary Esther attended the Hindi langiaage prayer meeting with her parents

in the evening. Was a surprise to understand and sing (reading) songs quite

well, and understand Ishwaria Lai's message of being proud of our country, but
that Gkxi is preparing a place for us from Heb. ll:8-ll. ".
JAN 6 Sorted and packed things to leave in the van and take with us to Madras.
Left that evening from tbe Bilaspur tra^Ji station. It was about 20 min. late,
and a very sooty trip, even with shutters closedthey still have coal engines
in India mostly.

JAN 7.
Changed trains in (39) NAOPUR and had several hours lay over plus more
than an hoar delay. Bought several pounds of the famous Nagpur oranges almost
eating nothing else until reaching Madras! Our names were on the end of the
reservation list, and we were assigned the last train compartment. By the
time we got our seats assigned, we were on the train, but it began to leave
before the coolies arrived with otir luggage! We had to pull the chain stopping
the train. What excitement! But ve had a legit, reason, so no fine to pay. It
was an air-conditioned compartment for which we were later thankful, by the
time we got farther south in the heat.

JAN 8 Though the train had left late, we arrived in (40) MADRAS on time.

We
had the surprise of Ali (who we'd met at the Pakistan boarder and loft in Lahore)

meeting us'on the platform. He helped usfind Woesnors' home and stayed with up
then, awi later, ao wo had tho opportunity to wltnoaa to him quite a bit. Ho

favo UB his aicJdrooB In Oormany, but wo'vo not hurt any nowa from him. aoon

oiks of tho Anna Nagar Ghuroh And Hope RehabiXitatlon Genter-oame to won,o<tmo
uOj open the apcwtmont, and help uo move in# We went shopping, bathed^ and
got some clothes unpeicked and washed, getting ready for the church service witln
Christians the next niorning. So, we settled and dug into our new life in a
new place in God's world-wide kingdom!

SP- 2 G1334

It wasn't until later we got to meet Art and Ruth Morris also working in
and saw some of their work. The
rest of us were suffering from sunburns but did get to the church at
Secretary Colony with them several tim^ ; and had good fellowship with them
as well. It was good to have met otheij* missionaries during our stay as
well, and get to know better the work,} Obstacles and successes involved in

P.S.

Madras. Henki went to one of their scl^^ols

that great sub-continent.

Also on thej map is (41) BOMBAY from where we flew

back to Belgium and Henki had made a tr Lp to renew his passport and try to

sell the van.

(^2) KHATMANDU in Nepal

s where Henki had to leave our van

planning on returning later for it as t le Lord opens doors. (^3) CALCUTTA

is also shown on the map to help better orient readers of the size of India,

BELGim I''OK CimiST

MELVIN

'
BUftNETTSV'L

P,..

Louis Mercierlaan 135

!N

2 1982

3640 Maasmechelen
Belgium

47926

Septem'ber 30, 1982

Dear Supporters,

For most of the'years we've been living and working in Belgium to

spread the good news of Jesus, we've'received the Horizons magaaine.
Being an American, and missionary's child, Mary Esther especially enjoyed
this contact with her homeland, and several whom she*d known as a girl.
Henki however seldom read the magazine unless she showed him something
especially intresting. Ond day, however he got the mail and "began skim
ming over the articles# We have always had an interest in the work in

India, since that is where Mary Esther had lived 15 years, and we had
considered that land as a place of service before deciding on Belgium.
There was an.article in the Jan15, 1982 issue about the Elden Weesners
needing"someone to fill-in during their planned year furlough in the

States.

Henki had Mary Esther write in.the spring of the year, to see

if Weesners thought we .may be suitabi^e to fit the bill.

Unfortunately because of Weesners move to the States, slight mis-->'^

understandings, and mostly slowness in cbrrespondance by mail we were
not able to make a final decision about this possible situtation. Then

Setpember 22, 1982 we were able to say definitely, if the LORD IS WILLING
and continues to guide as He has thus far, we are planning on going to
work in Madras for 3 to 6 months.

(The enclosed letter of recommendation

with job description and newsletter from Weesners should help fill in
more on the great possibalities we have in this venture.

There seems to

be work enough involved, both in the physical and spiritual"areas. .We

are looking foward to becoming involved with the Rehab Center and the

Anna Nagar church, and whatever other opportunities may open up to us.)
Since the decision has been made, after such a long "testing period"
while waiting to make the final decision, it seems everything is now
"snow-balling!" So many things are just falling into place, we surely
have to give GOD THE GLORY in working everything out in a minimum of
time. Some things aren't working out as we had thought best, hoped or
planned for, but HE is opening doors and giving other opportunities that
just about leave us speechless!

Just to mention one:

we have been able

to (in less than a weeks time) find end buy a minl^ercedies bus (vantype) that has already been converted for camping use, and get most of

the paper work figured out that is needed for getting--visas for the four

of us to travel', as .well as the came passage (not to have to pay import

taxes at every boarder), for the vehicle so-we will be able, to MAKE THE

TRIP BYLAHD!

This has many advantages for us, besids giving us the

opportunity to see something on the.trip (which would not be the case

via air), and have the camper to use upon our return to Belgium.

(Look

for more news on that in the coming months.)

As with everything, there are also a few hinderances or drawbacks

involved as well.

We are really sorry that we hadn't been able to notify

you, our supporters, and others intrested in the work in Belgium, about

these plans. But, as you've read, they wern't final, so we didn't dare
say anything until we were more certain. We want you to be among the
first to know about our plans now that they,are definate! Possibly we,

should have tried to get advice, especially from financial supporters,

but we hope you will be underst^ding to realize this was hardly feasable
in this situtation!

..The other problem, if you could call it that, is that we will still
need the support and gifts from all who can undergird this venture. The
Lord has been gracious in allowing us to be able to save up an emergency
and travel fund that will coyer the costs of the trip, as far as we've
been able to calculate. We will be living in the home of Weesners, fur^
nished completly so we'll not need to set up home while in Madras. They
have also agreed to allow us the use of their automobile for local use,

with a gasoline allowanceo Otherwise all expenses are "OURS!" By that

we mean, we'll siJ.il need support from you our suppporters and who

ever can help, for our living and other mission expenses in India, as well
as some expenses we*11 still have in Belgium during our absence.

We are

DEFINATELY planning on RETURNING to continue work in Belgium, though at

present we anticipate a move to another area, probably to begin another
congregation, and a ministry specalized in evangelism with the filmstrip
Bible studies and encouragement to "pocket families." (More details on

this, also, as these plans finalize.)

So, as you can see, things have been happening in this part of the

world. The Lord has been moving in many strange and wonderful ways to
be sure. We also feel the congregation in Maasmeohelen is ready for this
change, and that we leave them to concentrate on other work*.

We continue

to strive towards planting and building indigenious congregations after

the NoTo pattern, and feel this is the next step in the process: that
folks are ready for the advance. We do, of course covit your prayers
for wisdom and watchcare over the Christians in our absence, so we will
find faithful believers upon our return. It would indeed be a pity, to
find as Paul wrote in one letter, ''that in some way the tempter might

have tempted (them) and our efforts (these 11 years) might have been
useless!" (I Thess. 5:5b) Our plan is to move not to far away, that

we'll not be able to continue with Maasmechelen Christians, but less in

constant leadership.

Finally, we hope you will pray fervently for us during the next
months that our travel to India, service there, then travel back will
be safe and blessed. Also, DO EVERYTHING you can to support us
continually, or with special offerings (if you aren't regular givers
for this work), and encourage others to do the same. We look foward
to a blessed, and continued co-operation within the great and ever
growing family of God!

Forever praising His name,

. -U. -

A-f

vw

V" _

loJlt ^

ft

oJ.'-/, ^
'U

?3)

OL-diJ

A in

(?JiL

-T/UiA 0-UA,

tkj
T'JUiW- T

JicS'l
Medaryville Christian Church

Please notify Forwarding Agent if.

Non-profit Organization

Box 140, South Jefferson Street

Medaryville, Indiana
U.S.A. 47957

U.S. Postage

this addrcsH i.s iniorrcct.

PAID

Medaryville, Ind.

this mailinn is not desired.

PERMIT

Henki &Mary Esther Boonaerts BELGIUM

FOR CHRIST

#4

FORWARDING AGENT
Melvin & Louella Roller

Route 1, Box 92

Burnettsvllle, Indiana U.S.A. 47926

VOL. XII, No. 2

July - December

I will extoll the Lord at all times

His praise will always be on my lips.

My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
Let us exalt His name together.
Psalm 34:1-3

If you are afflicted, may the following words encourage you. We are indeed filled with boasting in the Lord and we must extol
His name. Reading this Psalm for devotions brought to mind the incidents of our recent trip to India. These words of the
Psalmist seemed to exactly express the praise and satisfaction of our hearts after making a rather traumatic overland trip from
Genk, Belgium to Madras, India. With various verses of this Psalm as captions we'll share some of these experiences so you
can exalt His name together with us!

Our last newsletter gave a rather detailed report with pictures of the advance on remodeling, renovation, and adding to our
home in Maasmechelen. Since then so much has happened, and we have evacuated that home and now find ourselves at home
in someone else's home in Madras. Supporters and some other friends and relatives were able to be informed of this rather

sudden changc, but-this is. the first opportunity we've had to tell man,y of you this development. We'd hoped to share pictures
now also, but mailing film out of India has been warned against, so we'll try to include some at another time.

Not until Sept. 22 were we able to decide definitely that we would be able to make this temporary change in place of service. We
surely saw the leading of the Lord in opening doors for all aspects of the venture though at times we had to apply much patience
while waiting for various things to work out. After the decision was finally made to "fill-in" for Eldon Weesners at their Hope
Rehabilitation Center during their year trip to the U.S., many details had to be worked out. Since we weren't able to sell our
home as planned, we had to draw up a contract with a renting company to rent out our home.

During the next two months our home had to be completely evacuated, our belongings sorted and packed carefully for storage,
and other arrangements made, shots taken, etc. for the trip. Since there is a BIG POSSIBILITY ofMOVING our place of service
upon return to Belgium, they also had to be packed well enough for such a move, as well as stacked and stored to withstand at
least six months in cold, damp weather. How fortunate we had built such an ample garage so as not to need to rent storage space!
While Mary Esther busied herself with this large task, Henki spent a full month near Brussels almost completely overhauling
a Mercedes Van we'd been able to buy. He needed to make it road-worthy and livable for a month's trip. Here especially we met
many set-backs that truly tested our patience--or strengthened it for other situations awaiting us on the way.
In the end we left Henki's mother's home, where we'd spent the last couple weeks before departure since our home was already

occupied by the new renters, almost a month later than originally planned. This caused us some anxiety as we anticipated
probable snowy and winter endangered roads the first half of the journey. Indeed we had many hardships because of snow,
cold, and bad conditions, but the rest of Psalm 34 perfectly expresses many of the experiences we had on the way.

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles,

I sought the Lord, and He answered me;

He delivered me from all my fears (vv. 6, 4)
When Henki first began talking about making the trip to India overland instead of flying, Mary Esther was horrified. "I, an
American, travel through Iran! Never!" was her first reaction. It may have been well-grounded after the incident with the
hostages there; and justified since there were new fightings on the Iran/Iraq border just then. However, she called on the
Lord and he answered her. We came in contact with the right people to give us detailed instructions of how to make such a trip
by land, and how to avoid many dangers. The Operation Mobilization with headquarters in Zaventum had sent out teams on
similar trips so even had printed instructions and routings. They also gave encouragement, and information on how to get
visas, carne (passage for the vehicle), and other things. Among other things, discovering she could travel as a Belgian set her
mind at ease: being married to a Belgian citizen Mary Esther and the boys have dual citizenship; so this was to our
advantage.

In another way the Lord gave peace of mind. In rethinking of Peter walking on the sea, one day the "vision" came that Jesus
was standing "on the other side of the sea" waiting with outstretched arms calling us to serve Him there in India. She then
was ready to make the trip and prepared the boys for it, thankful the "Lord had delivered her from her fears!"

Fear the Lord, you His saints,

for those who fear him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the Lard lack no good thing, (vv. 9, 10)
As already mentioned we had much work in getting the house evacuated, all things packed and stored, and getting the vehicle

ready for the trip. Thisrequired much stren^h and persevereince, and almost miraculously as though jfrom "outofthesky"

strength came time after time. We weresurprised at ourselve^ and continually had to praise Godthat welackednot eventhis
good thing.

On the trip also, with many long, tiresome hours of driving we seemed to continually have the strength and wisdom needed to

keep us going. There were times when wehad little foodand not many choicesin what was available locally,but always our

hunger was satisfied, andwe were even able toshareourprovip1ions with others. Again we were made to wonder at God and His

wonderful care in these matters.

The angel of the Lord encampv around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them. (v. 7)
We had beenwarnedabout drivinglate at night, and advisedjasto the best placesto park forsleeping. Yetoftenwefound we
could not keep to these instructions, and trusting in the Lord' we were never once harassedor robbed on the way.

At one time we even took a young Iranian with us, from TaJjnz toTehran, who had helped repair thecar when we were in
trouble. He saidhewanted toreturn tohissister andfamily, v^hom he'd notseen intwo years. We hadcompassion onhim, and
hoped his presence mighthelpusfindourwaysinceroadsigns androutingswere veryinsufficient, and usuallyonlyin Arabic!
ThePasad(Revolutionary police) stopped us saying hecould nottravel with usfor they feared something suspicious. Again

safe in the Lord, the Pasad calledhis sister and foundthey wereindeedanxiouslywaitinghis return. SoCarimewas allowed to
travel with us,helped us find fuel, and the waytoTehran. Hehad "run awayfrom home"twoyears before, and wewere ableto

be part ofthe happy reunion with hisfamily! TheLord delivered usfrom fear andtrouble, gave usnew fnends in IRAN, and
theopportunity towitness, andbepartofrestitution ofestranged family members. All our delays inBelgium were worth just

this one experience!

; I

Those who look to Him ale radiant;

their faces are never coyered with shame, (v. 5)

Shortly after the incidentbringing us to Tehran, wemet people in needofhelpin anotherway. Theirwindscreen (windshield:

they were from England) had been broken, andit was freezing cold outside, and they were so cold from trying todrive inthis

condition. They took some of our load, and we loaded some c f their passengers in our van to warm up. They called us their
angels of deliverance for they were in such need and later we w ere able to help them in other ways as we traveled on to Pakistan

together. We could only feel God had used us in this way, and s! lared our supplies and friendliness in a Christian way: the Love
of God compelled us. It humbled us to have them praise us so, but maybe our faceswereas radiant as wefelt beingableto help

in these opportunities provided by Him.

Come, my children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

(v. 11)

Time and again on the way we were able to witness directly ^d indirectly ofChrist and our faith inHim. Some times stand
out especially that we'll recount now. InTabriz a young gaMgist voiced his distrust in"religious leaders" and that he just
about didn'thaveany faith in God as a result. Thisopened doc rsrightupand Henki witnessed powerfully. After talking with
him we also left him and his uncle a New Testament hoping t<|> correspond with him further, prayinghis heart and eyes might
be opened, and his needs met.

'

Thefolks we metupwithfrom England(Razaks) were traveliikg withothersfrom Englandsowhen wecaughtupwiththemwe

formed a caravan offour carsfor several days. During these clays we hadopportunity to"teach thefear oftheLord" toOlga,

Bill, Rasiand some ofthe childrenin the group. FriendsofRazaksletusstay in their homesome daysin Pakistan, and heretoo
we witnessed to Jousuf who has become a special concern of ours. He asked for prayer for his health, and beinga devout
Muslim talked quite a bit with Henki about his search for truth.

Others we witnessed to were Mahooda and Shubnum (two I^akistani girls who traveled with us from Lahroe to Delhi)- Ali
n

>

_x

again. How wonderful if this trip

could lead to conversions bringing even more honor and glory to His name.

Turn from evil apjd do good;

seek peace and pursue it. (v. 14)

The Razaks and Ushmans with whom we formed a caravan had already been traveling for two months. Understandably,

with such a long trip and somany traveling together under btrenuous conditions, there were some misunderstandings and

unpeaceful moments. Some tensions had been brewing longjl^efore we joined the group and we were fortunate to be "at the

right place at the right time" to share the peace of God when an explosion came. The travelers from England didn't have
sufficientpapers for their vehiclessothey had an Irani policeescorttraveling with them. Hewas a bitselfishand dishonest and
the oneswith whom he rodecould "only take so much"ofthe unjust treatment. Fortunately gentle,calmingwordsfi-om Henki
and encouragement firom Mary Esther brought sufficient peace and we were able to travel to the Iran/Pakistan border
without incident. Oftenit is hard to flee eviland pursuepeaceespecially as fleshly, menoftheworld, and wewere gladtohave
a soothing effect when it was necessary, through the strength granted us from our peace-loving Father.
Taste and see that the Lorn is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge

in him.

(v. 8)

The first 17 days of our trip we traveled alone and our complete "refuge" was in the Lord. Then by meeting with other travelers

He provided another securityfor our safety. Not onlywas there protection in numbersbeingwith othervehicles, but having
-2-

the pohce escort many complications and dangers were avoided. Later, in Pakistan also, again because of insufficient
documents for their vehicles, Ushmans had to have a scout-escort. This proved a safety measure while traveling through one

of the most dangerous and bandit-infested provinces ofPakistan. Blessed be the name of the Lord for again providing for us
and setting our hearts at ease in these anxious moments.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit,

(v, 8)

Things weren't all roses and excitement on the trip. Two times there was sickness to crush our spirits and break our hearts.

Both times it was John Mark whosu^ered a sort offlu and stomach upset that kept him bedridden, shivering,vomiting, and

uncomfortable several days. It was especially heartbreaking when halucinating he begged to be brought back home because
he was so scared. After being reassured every place was home when trusting in God's care, and the crisis was over, he

remembered the frightening experience and was relieved it passed. All of our trust in the Lord was strengthened as welearned
to rely on Him even when "senses seem to take leave of us" in times of sickness. These will be memories to cherish and rebuild
faith in years to come.

A righteous man may have many troubles,

but the Lord delivers him from them all;
He protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken, (vv. 19, 20)
Indeed the trip to India afforded us many troubles. We had some small car repairs to make though we'd spent so much time
getting it road-worthy. Some were due to our being heavily loaded with things we'd need for the work and service in India.
Others especially in Turkey and Iran were due to the continually cold temperatures. Sickness was probably brought on by this
fact, but also the fuel filters and lines froze even with antifreeze being used. Often we had to replace filters and take other
precautions such as starting the engine every couple hours when parked at night to insure being able to start in the morning.
Once we almost slipped off the slick road and had to use our chains because of the snow and packed ice. Wehad expected cold
weather to continue about halfway through Iran, but even in the Iran desert there was snow! We had cold weather until we left

Quetta, Pakistan Dec. 22 at least a week longer than anticipated.

Often the drivers of the large truck and buses that mostly traveled the roads were very rough and impolite making driving
difficult and leading to nervousness and irritable tempers. Sometimes we'd find four or five fuel stations without diesel before
being able to fill up, or would have to stand in long queues waiting hours with boisterous, honking, pushy truck drivers to be
served in crowded stations that did have fuel. Other times we had difficulty in cashing checks, or would get insufficient
exchange rates bringing other complications.

In Iran coupons had to be procured to buy gasoline (needed for one of the other vehicles)that made us lose time and patience.
Even many foods werescarce or had to be purchased with coupons ifthey wereavailable. Oftenit was hard to find water, taps

and springs being frozen or in out-of-the-way places. In the desert after entering Pakistan the engines over-heated easily and
everyone was thirsting for cool drinks.

Several times we had to drive all night for various reasons, and often the roads were so potted^d detoured that only a speed of

40-50 kilometers per hour could be averaged in hour after hour of driving. Almost comically speed bumps were so high that

more than once people and goods boimc^ from theirshelves and seatsorbeds tobespilled onthefloor ofthevan. Yet in all

these troubles we were hardly bruised or scratched. Not until in India did the car get scraped or hit to chip the paint. Only one
bottle of food was broken. Never once did we have broken bones: God's promise again pictured His care on our trip from
Belgium to India.

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days.
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies,

(vv 12,13)

One very big temptation for many travelers is not to declare certain items that are not allowed to enter a given country. Folks
we traveled with had to hide and thus "smuggle" their video and tapes, surely causing them anxiety and nervousness more
than once. When authorities asked us to enumerate our "things of value" they often just laughed saying, "Those aren't

valuables!" We thought our cameras, alarm, typewriter, cassette, car-radio, and the like were costly enough, but they were of
no concern to these men.

In Iran especially the Pasad soldiers often stopped and searched our vehicle, opening cupboards and looking through
suitcases. Sometimes we wondered just what they were looking for, and almost feared they'd find something not allowed.
With strange languages it was often next to impossible to know customs and laws of different countries. Sometimes they may
have just been wielding their authority and it felt good to "have us at their mercy!" How glad we were to be resting trustfully in
the protection of the Almighty.

Sometimes we had to be very careful how we stated things as not to be mistreated, discriminated against, or arouse suspicion.
Even then sometimes just speaking English caused rudeness as people preferred "their language" to foreign ones. Wehope we
were "wise as serpents and gentle as doves" in the use ofour tongues and if we erred, the Lord will forgive us as we desire many
years in His service wherever it may lead us.

The Lord redeems His servants;

no one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned, (v. 22)

From the day we left Belgium until after we were in India we had no Christian fellowship. We left a few hours before Sunday
service (11:30 pm, Saturday, Nov. 27) and we had always been in the habit of gathering with Christians for worship and
remembrance of Christ's death. We did often have devotions together on the way, singing, reading from the Scriptures and
listening to cassettes. Often while waiting to cross borders or at other times of delay, Mary Esther read "The Cross and the
Switchblade" to the boys which proved to be uplifting and enlightening to our faith.
The Pakistani girls who traveled with us from Lahore to Delhi had shown a great kindness in acknowledging our
"celebration" ofthe Saviour's birth, though they were Muslims. They gave the boys a cake and money in the Pakistani fashion
and greeted us on Christmas, just before we entered India! We appreciated the kind gesture, but there was no spiritual
fellowship shared.

Yet contact with other Christians was greatly missed and we felt great strength when just being with Christians exactly one

month after leaving Belgium. Then we were still more than day's trip from Mary Esther's folks' home. We spent the night

with Dr. Vijai T-all and different members of his family in Damoh. It was a joy to see their work in eye clinic, school and church,
and renew fnendship with his brother Stanley whom we'd known in St. Louis some years before.
-3-

Then upon reaching Bilaspur we had our first time of worship with others than our own family as we shared the bread and
wine with Roland grandparents! Then what a boost to ouri spirits to join with Christians at the Anna Nager church in

Madras when we finally arrived there. We indeed felt like We'd been redeemed after a month of no such fellowship!

5 TheN
The NEW YEAR has already brought us so many blessings as
X we serve Him in India,
May He shower upon you as rriany and more reasons to glorify
Him as the days of 1983 speed forward!
oeotf

In our next newsletter we shall try to tell of our activities here m India, plans about our return to Belgium, and probably new
place of service there, and specific news of the congregation

ijn Maasmechelen.

Please continue praying for strength and wisdom in our wox k; and planning, as life in India is quite different (and so much
hotter!) and problems arise needing careful consideration to find solutions. Many decisions must be made as to our future
mission/evangelistic work.

Now we will mention that to date news from Christians in Belg lumis favorable; services are continuing and folks are growing

in faith and service to their Lord. Please pray for them eilsc^ in this time of change.

-4-