Aue 1

FOR

BELGIUM

CHRIST
FORWARDING ADDRESS

FIELD ADDRESS
Henki Boonaerts

John McDonald

Louis Mercierlaan 135

2213

Maas mechelen

Granite City, 111,

3630

U.S.A.

Belgium

62040

Mary Esther

Henki
John Mark
Vol.
IN THE

Dawn Ave.

and James

Matthew

1975

Jan.

Mar.

MAKING

Among "Some Recent Developements", mentioned in our last newletter was the
fact that Henki began work in the coal mine.
This is the second time in our
five years in Belgium for the situation to arise forcing Henki to suppliment our
States-side income.
We praise God Henki has still been able to continue leader
ship with the congregation.

Michael Hermans(pictured below with his Toyota) is one of our young people.
He is one we can say is leadership "in the making." Before he became a Chris
tian he was a leader for a Catholic working-youth group. He continued in this
position for some time afterwards, thus being able to keep contacts for Christ.
Since our return from the U.

S.

he has been called into service for the

country; again "in the making" for the air force police unit.
His duties and
training have kept him from
many services of the church
yet when home he has used his
leadership abilities for
Christ.
In order to "relieve
Henki occasionally from
preaching so he could have
more time for his family,"
as he put it, Michael offered
to preach some.
His first
sermon was nothing glamorous,
but he did his best, and
above all he brought us the
ful

Word of

for Michael's dedication

We

to Christ. Yes,

has lots of growing; he is

but then,

God,

are

thank-

he s t i l l

still "in the making"....

aren't we all??

WHAT D'YA SAY??

"I'm lying on my good ear now, what did ya' say?"

has often been heard in

the Boonaerts home.Many

times Mary Esther got

quite upset when Henki

was seemingly ignoring

a conversation but gust

about adjustment being

hadn't heard.

with

someone who

Talk

needed when living

handicapped in one way

is

or another. Fortunately
be corrected by an op-

Henk's

made

from work and take

to take sick

condition couid

eration.

leave

Plans were

ad-

abilities. Only one

vantage of the doctors

hang-up... Henki forgot and signed himself up to be in the hospital for his birth
day, March 9th.

The Saturday before his birthday ^he had quite an operation; a synthetic
ear drum installed (his had a hole in itv'so needed replacing), plus several

synthetic ear-bones, as these were missing from birth eyifi^tally. He was out
of the hospital the following Monday, but was given a month"ome for sufficient
recovery.

It was a slow,

delicate healing process,

so work "under in the mine" was

prohibited for four full weeks.We are now enjoying several repairs, and changes
in our home,

due to his sick leave.

"Easy jobs"above ground such as wall paper

ing, paneling, installing a roof T.V.antennea, making a bed frame, and a dozen
other jobs were finally realized.

We rejoice not only for the extra tive Henki had, but that extra funds from

the U.S. supporters and Henki's job made these renovations possible.Included in

the hospital scene are Henki, James Matthew, Henkife father and mother, and Natalie
ond of our nieces, all present for Henki's birthday celebration.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. . . .

January, February, March
nothing but
one "birthday month" after another for this
Boonaerts family.
It starts off with Mary
Esther (who turned thirty-vthis year-horrqrson the 21st of Jan.)

then Feb.

8th is James

Matthew's turn. It. hardly seem^g fair to

John Mark (who has to wait until May,^5th),
that his

l i t t l e brother celebrated his-''first

birthday before he had his sixth. But still

he had fun trying to teach James how to blow
out the candle.
As you can see from the pic
ture, James was quite bewildered with all the
to-do while Mom and John Mark puckered up.
That March birthday was Henki's,mentioned^in the previous article, when he turned
29 while in the hospital.
BRAND NEW,

NEW BRAND

For the last four years we had been a Fiat family, but several major repairs
needed to be done on our Fiat mini-bus. We had driven it second hand, for 2 yrs.
and Messimers had used it while we were in the U.S.
It had fulfilled its duty
as our means of transportation.
We were able to get a good trade in for our Fiat bus ,

and also a discount

for taking a car in stock. The week the Roland's were here on their way to
India, we began driving our brand new ('.74) SIMCA station wagon.
We really broke a record,

breaking in the year of 1975. We (as a family.

that is) have never been able to attend any of the American, Christian, mission
ary get-togethers since being in Belgium. This year everything;time, funds,
preaching replacement, suitable transportationeverything "worked out" so we
could attend the Mid-winter rally. It was held this year near Basil,Switzerland.
It was a long trip, but even John Mark didn't mind, being able to share three
days where "all the Americans were" was so
great.
Over 150 persons shared for a new-years-watch, _classes,---feJ.lowshipthe works.
Bro.

Bob Lindeman,

an American Christian

psychologists, lead in "The Christian and

Emotional Maturity*'classes. We make no
resolutions, too much like promises so
easily broken...but we hope and pray we
may be able to share in more such Christian
gatherings. It was a tremendous boost to
our spititual, emotional, and mental life
to play, pray, study, and speak in English
together...
The picture shows our new home in Eisden

(where we moved just before going to the U.S. after being in Boorsem 3 years).
The

automobile

is

our new Simca.

Belgium for Christ is written by Mary Esther Boonaerts: edited, printed, and
mailed by John and Eileen McDonald.
It is distributed to inform and encourage
support of the work being done in Belgium for Christ by the Henki Boonaerts
family.
All funds payable to Pontoon Beach Church of Christ and designated to
Boonaerts work are tax deductable.

Pontoon Beach Church of Christ

Non-Profit Org

4039

U.S. Postage
1.8<: Paid

Pontoon

Granite City,

Road

Illinois 62040

Permit No.

CORRECTED ADDRESS

REQUESTED

M/M Bill McGllvfis:^

Bo>: 17?

Ke:apton, Ii'id. ^*60^9

237

FOR

BELGIUM

CHRIST.

Forwarding Address

FIELD ADDRESS;:

John McDonald

Henki Boonaerts"\.
Lo u i s
Maas

3630

2213

135

Dawn Pi.

Granite City,

mechelen

Belgium

62040

111.

U.S.A.

#
O

Henki

Mary Esther

John Mark and James Matthew

Vol^ V No. 2

Apr.

1975

June

DARE~TO"BE"A"DANiEL??

You probably remember the first one won to Christ in the Boorsem
(now Maas mechelen) work, was Adri Kuypers.
He is from Holland background,
and had worked' in Holland just across the border from his home in Rekem.
Often at work he had and took the opportunity to witness to other workers

about Christ.
One became so angered, partly through jealousy that Adri
was asked to leave his job.
Then, after momentary discouragement, one of
his friends from work came several miles by bike wondering if Adri was
sick, or why he hadn't been at work for so long.
Since then Henki and
Adri have been able to visit this boy and his brother.
In Holland, Adri had seen the "bill boards" on top of cars.
What
disturbed him was the contents of the advertisements: for sex magazines,

botiques, and other immorality.

Just as 11 Peter 2:7 says Lot was trou
bled by the lawlessness of Sodom, so Adri's heart was heavy with this
wickedness.
Then he decided if they could make bad advertisements, he
could put something good on his car.
He made a board with several verses
of warning and witness for Christ.
This and the fact that he had become
a Christian brought more persecution.
One of Adri's brothers was so hateful about everything happening
for Christ that he burned a Bible in the coal fire of their living-room.
When he would come home drunk, he wanted to fight with Adri causing more
trouble.
Finally, to bring peace at home for his mother, Adri moved the
"ad board" and moved to his own home.
This was a blessing in disguise as
his home was a few doors away from the new hall we had then found in Maas
mechelen.
Since then Adri has found an even better home, a l i t t l e farther
from the church hall, and he ahs fixed up one room for visitors, since he

lives alone, and has extra space.

In Modern, civilized Europe there are still persecutions against
those who dare to count the cost and follow Jesus.
These things have
happened in the course of two years and there are still ups and downs in
the lives of Christians here in Europe.

Adri and Michael(mentioned in

the last newsletter,"In the making"), are having less persecutions as

they help lead the youth group of Maas mechelen and Genk churches of
Christ. We wonder what your answer would be to the song many learn as
small children?

"Dare

to be a
Dare

to

Daniel?
stand

Dare to have a
Dare

alone?

purpose firm?

to make

i t known?"

***************************************************************************

INTERNATIONAL SONG EVENING

The work on remodeling our home has been going quite well.
Our
home has perked up.
From looking like ruins to restore, to a half-way
decent home.
You realize i t is still far from being completed, and we

just got the city okay to add the kitchen and garage, so there are still
many months of work ahead.
Yet it had reached the stage we felt we could
stick our necks out and invite some over-night guests.
(continued

Page 2
Sometime after Henki returned from his ear operation, we invited
the Richard Amssons family from Antwerp for a visit.
The Maas mechelen
church had received a plea from him for support so that he could turn to
full time evangelistic work.
They wanted him to come and praach, and
learn of his need and position concerning Christianity.
He had recently
been converted from being a "missionary" in the Jehovah's Witness sect,
to N.T. Christianity, and was holding services in his home Sunday evenings.
We were glad to meet this family, and the congregation plans to support
them with monthly funds. We have had other visits with them, and are
glad we did "stick out our necks" to invite themi'
Later for what is generally called the Easter holidays, the Dean
Hickerson and Richard Kirklands were in Belgium. We had the first family
in our home, and the Messimers had Kirklands stay with them.
Special
memories are attached to Hickersons,

as i t was Dean who married us in the

church where he then ministered in Ferguson,

Mo.

The two families have

been serving in Germany as missionaries and formed a singing quartet as

one phase of their evangelistic work.
Dennis Messimers are working on starting a new work in the Korsel

and Beringen area. As a kick off, to invite people

quartet presented their program the evening of March
in German and English, and a special was brought by
from Genk. According to several who were there, it

of the area the

29. Songs were sung
a Belgian Christian
was a fine presenta

tion of the gospel in song.

The following evening about the same program was presented in the
Maas mechelen church.

We had a full house, with not only our own "members"

but many visiting from the Genk congregation also. To add to the inter
national atmosphere that evening, John Castelein of the Genk church brought
a devotional.

It was wonderful to have this spiritual boost,

and the

international song evenings, as well as having had visitors once again in

our home to leave happy memories.

-T ft-K

E-A-B R-B- A

i,

-DO-SOMETHING

DIFFERENT

THE

ATTEND

2 8 th'

THIS

NATIONAL

YEAR

MISSIONARY

CONVENTION

to be held in

St. Louis,

November 25-28,

Missouri

1975

Chase Park Plaza Hotel

For more information, write Walter Birney, Nat'l. Missionary Convention

Box 11, Copeland, Kansas 67837; Ph. 316-668-2640
BELGIUM FOR CHRIST

is written by Mary Esther Boonaerts?

edited,printed, and mailed by John & Eileen McDonald.

SiywL;,, ..

It is distributed to inform and encourage support of the

work being done in Belgium for Christ by the Henki

Boonaerts family.
All funds made payable to Pontoon
Beach Church of Christ,designated to Boonaerts work are
tax deductable.

4039 Pontoon Ropd

Non-Profit Org,
U.S Postage

Granite City, 111. 620^0

l.Brf pa la

Pontoon Be?ch Chxirch of Christ

Permit No. 237

CORRECTED ADDRESS REQUESTED

Mission Services
Box 177

Kerapton, Ind, 460^9

1 ASC*

BELGIUM FOR CHRIST

FIELD

FORWARDING ADDRESS
John McDonald

APJRES

Henkl/B oonaerts'

2213 Dawn Avenue

Granite City, 111.
U.S.A.
620^+0

LouisSteretferlcian 135
(Eisden) Maas mechelen
3630

Belgium

Mary Esther

Henki

John Mark

Vol. V No. 3 aJ^d

and

Jaraes Matthew

J uly-December

1975

REFLECTIONS
HajiaaiioMS

We moved to Boorsem, Belgium after our planned "one Year Internship" with

Henki's home congregation in Genk early in May of 1971.

We had no idea what was in store

for us, but we felt God was definately leading us to launch out by beginning a new
work instead of returning then to the U.S. for further Bible College training. The
Lord has certainly blessed us since that time and we still feel it was His leading.
Since that first service the first Sunday in June we have seen many ccraie
and go, many be added to the fold, and many hindered by the teachings of Christ.
To repeat some facts and figures we rejoice to list those who did accept teachings of

Christ, obeying in the act of immersion into Him:

Ann Cartuyvels (temporarily in

Boorsem from the Genk church) Aug. 15, 1971; Adri Kuypers, On Jan. 9 1972; along with
Michael Hermans on May 28i then Jozef Kuypers (Adri's brother) July I61 then Medi
Dolega on Sept. 24; and Maria Gearing (then 82) on Oct. 4; all in 1972; and finally
Lucienne (Luc) Reynaers on Dec. 3, ending that year! It was not until mid-August
that there was again an addition when Hedvika Kottas was immersed in 1973,

Then Leo

Hermans (Michael's brother) and Tony Olivetti on Oct. l4j and Tony's older brother
Pino on Feb. 24, 1974 all three while we were in the States,

Among the 13-34 who attended those first few months for services, and a

wedding, there was a nuculeus of Christians, visiting Christians from Genk (to help

encourage the work), and others from the area who had been contacted through efforts of
visitation. Many of those first attending, including seme of the Christians who no
longer attend. That is probably normal for congregations anywhere in the world not

only are some offended at the whole counsel of God, but scwie move after mairiage, etc.
What is really heartbreaking is that several of those who did give themselves to "the
Way", have fallen into luke-warmness or even coldness towards Christ. We have lost
contacts with Lucienne, Tony, and Pino; and are making efforts to "revive" Jozef and

Medi.

We mention these by name, so you will also bring them to God in prayer, thus

sharing in our efforts here in a positive way.

PPPPressing

FFFFForward -

Things were going about as usual when one Sunday last summer a young lady
joined us from a nearby town. An Aprankenis had seen the''Church of Christ" sign.
Since she had recently been converted she was looking for a "church hone."

She had

been converted through corresponding with a friend in Holland who had accepted Christ.
We later came to realize she was with the 'Jesus People' movement, and spent much
time with her during the weeks when she was at the University in Leuven. We were
blessed by her faith and witness for the few months she was with us. Unfortunately she
was recently offended with some severe teachings in being able to recognize true froR

false doctrines. We hope that you will especially pray for this young college student,
that the Spirit may lead her, and by reading the Bible she may be able to join us in
worship and learning once again.

Also this summer a middle aged German couple csuae to us asking help find
ing a home in the area. They wanted to move fran their home in Germany to Belgium, but
only found Catholic ccaamunities. Since they saw from the 'Church of Christ' sign that
ours was not, they chose this area in which to settle.

They drove for over an hour

Sundays, until they moved in December, so they could attend services.

They graciously

accepted not being able to be part of all the activities which were for "Christians

only", Henki explained that as soon as they moved, and he had an opportunity he would
teach them concerning the New Testament church. We were quite surprised that there

was no offense taken--they just waited patiently until the right time came:

(Most of

otar other experiences have been that in such a situation the ones involved just quit
coBiingJ We could only praise the Lord for another strengthening on our own faith in

His power!)

-2-

Now that they have moved, and Henki is out of the coalmine they wouldn't

let Henki forget his promise to teach than. They invited him to their hone specifically
for the Bible studies, and persisted until everything could be worked out to begin

learningi The studies have begun, and they continue attending Sunday services, they
seem to be receptive, and they have had other Germans join the studies as well. Since

this is not only a new work, but in German (athird language for Henki) we don't expect
anything overnightjust miracles according to God's time clock!

gine, we ask you again to please pray, for uis and with us.

So, as you can ima

Another note of thanksgiving m^t be added here. One of the first bpys

Henki helped lead to Christ, even before going to the States had had several spiritual
problems about two years ago. We were disappointed when he left the church in Genk,
and drifted from one denomintionaa church t^ another, finally stopping church attendance
altogether for awhile, Henki, but mostly Atoi keptvisiting, encouraging, and patiently
trying to teach him aright. Wadek now seem^ to realize many things he before doubted*
and is again ta^aining himself in teachings from the New Testament, The same message
on false teachings that was a stumbling blo<$k to An was in fact a partial turning point

for VadekM He has begun attending here in -pe Haas mechelen church, playing the

accordian and thus helping in the service ai^ worship, We thank God for not letting us
become too discouraged concerning this brother, allowing the way of escape to come!

tfe hope he may continue to be a blessing asjhe grows in love and faith in Christ,

DID YOU SAYi

"Going about as usual?!"

Now, as Christians especially, jisn't that an awful thing to say?

Maybe at this point it shoiad be explained ?tt^t was mean't by this phrase. It

wasn't a good situation, but it was what we were facing at the time, so we cannot hide
the truth,

While Henki was working fulltime in the mine there wasn't much time for

visitation, evangelism, translation, or extra efforts to teach others about Christ in

the Maas mechelen area. About all Henki coidd manage was to get a sermon prepared for

Sunday, plus a study for the Bible study on 'Wednesday with the church prayer meeting.
Then he also had a Bible study with Maria Ge^ing(since she cannot read, and is unable
to attend the regular study,) While Messim^rs were in the States (for an unexpected
'furlough' in Sept,-Dec.), Henki filled in i^aching at the American Air Force Base
Sunday afternoons. That was a service in Ei^lish, and about an hour's drive each way
to Kleine Broggel, so it also took extra tj
It was a terrible situation, fc

from work with 'our' church!

^ling we couldn't do more 'for the church'

and that when we are here 'as missionaries!'! There just hadn't been enough support to
live on, and accompli"sh our work SO Hej?M-hafVs gone to
ww full
^ time work in
the mine.
^

(Part-time jobs are almost unheard of here, for men,) While at work Henki had any

number of opportunities to witnessthat wa^ii't the trouble. But the church efforts
weren't and couldn't be what they should hayi been. Which was worse: not enough

for the church and His Kingd<ffl, OR insufficient money for living and doing that church
work??

tfe faced a dilemma!!!

Several folks in Genk and Maas jmechelen asked about learning to preach,
but who was there to teach them on a regular basis? Henki tried to enlist other miss
ionaries in Holland for Saturday classes, but nothing could be worked out. After much

prayer, thinking and discussing, it was finally decided that Dennis and Henki would

try to begin sraiething together. Again we :^^lt it was God's leadings we must take the
opportunity to teach when it came, not wait juntil we thought it was the right time.
So needless to say, Henki is out of the mine again.

Already the Lord has

begun to bless us in our venture in faith# we have had word of more support from
Christians in the States! We continue to loik to Him to completely supply our needs,
as there is more support needed, since the dollar has stayed devalued, and the prices

are really sky-rocketing again in Europe. N<|>w that Messimers are back, and Henki has
discontinued work in the mine our schedule n^ changed s(Mewhati

TuesdayBible study with Maria Gearing and her friend Mrs,

Vander Hoeven (whose husband also attended, but died shortly
after the new year,)
Wednesdayall church Bible sti^dy and prayer meeting,

Thursday-German Bible study wltli Karel Krtfces family,

FridayMary Esther a study with a friend from Boorsem smd
some ladies in Maastricht, Holland,

SaturdayBible school with Deimis and Henki teaching about

eight students,

SundayMaas mechelen service, 1sometimes visiting the American

Air Force Base for English services in the evening,

Monday is the only day we have to catch our jl^reath, and try to get ready for all "the

other activities. We are kept busy, but pr^e the Lord it is in His service!

VB AIOB ONS
N

TKB 8PXI17

-3-

'VACATION TIME
The coal mine closed down a week in the suBuner and since Henki had i t

paidy we decided to splurge and go on our first vacation since we've been mainried!
We made arrsingements to have a rocm at the Blankenberg sea resort along the coast of
Belgium, tfe also had tickets for free train travel from the mine, so really were to
enjoy a worry free trip. It started out with us running from our hoae to the train

station (ahout three blocks away) in the rain, almost missed our ride!

Then we for

got the umbrellat and missed a connection giving us an hour layover in Leuven. We
arrived in good time anyhow, walked the seven blocks to our rocm, then back to walk
along the seashore before calling it a day!

Sunday we attended church service in Oostande, and enjoyed just walking,

riding trams and busses vacationing until the day was done. Among other things,
Henki made an extra trip to London by himself. That had always been a dream of his,
and now that he was so closewhy not?

He took the boat over one evening and spent

the day in England. The boat looked huge to him, but didn't seem so stable and big
on the rough waters that night! He got seasick pills for the return trip, which he
enjoyed seme better!! His trip wetted his appetite, so we hope some day to return
for a week or so to visit museums, some friends, and to do some other things of
interest.

While walking along the beaches, seeing so many swarms of people I could
not help but think of what it must be like to God seeing all these people. And through
all the years, the world over so maJiy millions, billions of peopleand so few of them
know Him or accept His way of life. It was surely the coldest week in our lovely,
long, hot summer; but it gave me a wonderfully warm feeling to know Him myself, and
know we are trying to bring others to know him also. It gave added incentive to
return home after that refresher week, to dig in again, and get caught up in our
activities "as missionaries" or maybe better "ambassadors for Christ" here in Belgium.
THE WALKING DEAD MAN

"...but if someone goes to them fr<M the dead, they will repent!"
This is nothing new as it is recorded in the pages of the New Testament, Luke 1700,
but men are still using it as a flimsy excuse for imbelief and disobedience. Last
spring we had an interesting experience that made us think of this verse.
to relate i t here.
A man across the street had a sudden encounte): with death.

We'd like
It was a

blood clot in the brain. It just HAPPENED he had gone for his Christmas holiday to
be with his daughter and her family. It also HAPPENED when he had the crisis he was at
the h(ie of his daughter irtio was a nurse and who's husband was a doctor. The hospital
trtiere the son-in-law worked HAPPENED to be close in the neighborhood. And as it was
this hospital just HAPPENED to be one of the three in all Europe that have the equipmen-b needed to nurse him back to health.

Then to run a good thing in the ground, as it HAPPENED our neighbor is

the first who walked away from that hospital alive and normal after having had such
a crisis. All this, according to the witness of Jon and Elizabeth. But were all
these things just per-chance, good luck, or coincidence? These are facts. But to
have heard them tell it weeks later, it was a MIRACLE!!
Jon was, besides all this, unconscious for several days, then slid back

and forth frm a sli^tly conscious to an unconscious state for several more.

That

he had no brain damage was a wonder. Before, he had had no time to think about, not
to mention sit and talk about MIRACLES. "Now I have time enough. I cannot think
about anything else! I am weak and sick," he admitted.
I^as not God trying maybe to bring this one back to Himself?

Jon is not

a Christian, but does realize these things were a miracle. He is a walking dead man,
for in his unconsciousness, he was not much more than dead. Will he accept the
resurrected dead-ONE so he may witness more completely to this miracle in his life?
Since this happened, Jon and Elizabeth have been married. (They had
been living together, but decided that was wrong, so obeyed the laws of the land;

and God*s law!

For a wedding present we gave them a Bible.)

We continue to be in

contact with them hoping to bring them to the one who is "the way, the truth, and

the LIFE." Pray that another even greater miracle may happen in his life, and
Elizabeth'swith the spiritual death, burial, and resurrection of the old self,
to rise living anew for Christ.
^
PONTOON BEACH CHURCH OP CHRIST

Non-profit Org,
U.S. Postage
1.80 Paid
Permit No. 237

4039 Pontoon Road

Granite City, Illinois 62040

CORRECTED ADDRESS REQUESTED

Bo:: IV?

I'lc-'upton, Indc