Six (6)
It seems like a lot has happened since we last posted!
Last Saturday after some cleaning we headed out to meet Brother Albert. After finding a parking spot (which took a little time) we stood outside his door and knocked and knocked again. No answer. We decided to go and drive around a little bit in Belgium since we were there.
The sun kept peeking through from time to time, but it was mostly a cool gray day. The farmers were out trying to see if they could get a little harvest time in before the next rain set in. The big harvest machine was sludging through the wet field of sugar beets. It looked pretty messy. It seems that the farmers are in a bad position with the unusual amount of rain. There are fields all over that have not been harvested. While we were watching the sugar beets being harvested, we noticed we were next to a carrot field. Sterling pulled a big carrot that was on the side of the field. Tyson thought it was the sweetest one he had ever eaten! :)
We took a walk by a river before we headed home, the wind blowing and a mist coming down on us. It didn´t detour us nor the people bicycling. There are many, many people on bicycles in Belgium.
We stopped for a quick salad at a place called Salad and CO on the way home. Itś a really neat place to take in a healthy meal.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gtw2ePauC8Z8xXw57 Salad and Co.
Sunday morning found us ready to go meet Brother Albert! (again! :)) This time we were dressed in church clothes and planned on attending the local church where he would take a in a service on Sundays. We showed up at his place 15 minutes before the time he would leave, and knocked on the door. Still no answer after many knocks. We sat and waited in the car hoping we might catch a glimpse of him going to church, but we finally gave up.
Thinking maybe we could get some ideas on how to reach him, we pointed our car to Bruno and Maries in the country. Bruno is Alberts son. It was about a 15 minute drive and there we were…. parked in front of a white house with a big garden area in the back. (Later we found out the house was from the 16th century) Marie answered the door. She was dressed smartly in a dark wool skirt and a cream, long sleeve sweater blouse. She welcomed us in, letting us know she spoke ¨no English¨. Bruno came into the living room and met us and we sat chatting and learning to know each other. Marie had a tiny gray kitty making its rounds around the living room, dining room area. It was a frisky little thing and Bella was enchanted. The kitty finally settled down in her lap for a nap, it was quite cozy in front of the warm fire, and i could hardly blame it!
In our visiting we mentioned to Bruno that we had been trying to make contact with his dad. He told us with tears in his eyes that his dad, Brother Albert, had passed on several months before. We hardly knew what to say we were so shocked!! It was a major disappointment to hear the news.
Soon we realized it was getting to be the lunch hour. After telling them we would be back after lunch to visit some more, we put a little cafe in our Google Maps called Caffe Rosario. A place where Belgian waffles are served all day long. :)) It is located in the town of Gent, Belgium. Gent is a beautiful city! It is the home of two UNESCO World Heritage sites((More on that in the next blog ..:)) Caffee Rosario had a high rating, and I believe that we all agreed with the rating! We had a little time to walk around and see the city before we headed back to Bruno´s.
Caffe Rosario https://maps.app.goo.gl/GGLR8cMGp3VF3XUa8
As we drove to Brunos we spotted a little hillside…You could see the mountains in the distance. Tyson pulled the car over and we picked bright red poppies as the wind whipped around us and the spitting rain beat at our coats. It was worth it. We got together a nice sized bouquet for Bella to bring to Marie. :)
We arrived back at Bruno and Maries and sang some songs. Some out of a French song book with music & words and some out of a French songbook with words and no music. :) There was some bible reading and a few words spoken, then a few more songs.
Bruno’s have 3 children, 2 girls and one boy. I believe they are all in their middle upper 30's. They told us the girls were coming over around 4:30 to 5. One of their daughters, Esther brought her children. Leah was a sweet expressive girl, a 3rd or 4th grader, and the little boy was probably 5 or 6 yrs old. Bella colored and drew with Leah most of the evening. Esther had brought a Pomme Gateaux and we ate a slice. :) Marie whisked around and had baguette, Chevre cheese, fresh butter and ham out to make a small snack for us before we left. It was a very good evening in their home learning about each others lives. Around 630 we said our goodbyes and Bruno and Marie followed us to our car to see us off. They were very kind and hospitable to us. I hope we will meet again soon. Tyson asked little Leah before we left, if she and Bella were friends..she leaned her head to the side, to think…….Oui¨, she said. :):):):)
We traveled home in the dark, tired and sad thinking about Brother Albert having passed on. He was 85 years old. I am glad he has gone on to his reward, but It feels kind of lonely in a way. He was our nearest member, and although we had never met, we were looking forward to spending time with him. We know God has a plan for our work here. Help us pray that we will have understanding….Au revoir for now…Lydia
ps. Here is a recipe for a Pomme Gateaux…it is excellent eaten on a cold evening, with new friends, in front of a glowing fire…..
https://www.marmiton.org/recettes/recette_gateau-facile-aux-pommes_80036.aspx
