Under His Wings: April 2019

It's been a while since I wrote my last update and many things have been happening. Springtime is in full swing with even summerlike temperatures these days. As every year, I'm enjoying to see all the flowering trees around here in Brussels.

Our Health Emphasis weekend with Silvia Rojas was very successful. It definitely created more awareness about the health message amongst the church members. Last month, I gave another cooking class, which for the first time took place at our church. Since we have a hyper equipped kitchen there now, I don't see a reason to still organize these events at my home. Of course it's much more convenient for me if people come to my place, however there is always a limit with space. This time, I had two great helpers from church who also presented some recipes, which took some weight off my shoulders. I was happy to see that about half of the attendees were either non-Adventists or backslidden Adventists. I pray that our health evangelism event in June will also be successful.

Also last month, I visited Alberto and Patricia in Germany, with their two little sons Henoch and Noah. We had a very blessed time together.

So having some days off over the Easter weekend, I've been enjoying time outdoors with beautiful sunshine, as well as some indoor activities like several sewing projects I've been working on. This is such a rewarding hobby (at least as long you don't struggle with the sewing instructions that come with the patterns!). Tomorrow, I'll be headed off to the ASI Europe meetings in Paris, which promises to be an interesting event. I will also have a little time for tourism, which I'm going to use to see some of my favorite spots in that city. Most probably I will also take a look at Notre Dame. Too bad there was this fire, but this tells me once more that no human construction is really safe from whatever harm. It actually reminds me of Mark 13:2, where Jesus said: "Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." But in all that, Jesus promises peace for our souls, which brings me to a text that I read this morning in Desire of Ages:

Sin has destroyed our peace. While self is unsubdued, we can find no rest. The masterful passions of the heart no human power can control. We are as helpless here as were the disciples to quiet the raging storm. But He who spoke peace to the billows of Galilee has spoken the word of peace for every soul. However fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, “Lord, save us,” will find deliverance. His grace, that reconciles the soul to God, quiets the strife of human passion, and in His love the heart is at rest. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.” Psalm 107:29, 30. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” Romans 5:1; Isaiah 32:17. ~ Desire of Ages, page 336.4

Indeed, there is peace found in Jesus, even in this confused and terror-stricken world we live in!