We’re into the second month of the year, and it’s time to report of how our ministry and our family are doing.
Annette’s birthday was January 17th, and she turned 38. We started dating when she was 19. Easy math shows us that she has shared half of her life with me. How special! What you don’t know is that Annette and I were in elementary school together, and through a reunion of our elementary school the Lord brought us together. We dated for 6 years and have now been married a little over 13 years. Annette is often active in the background, and without her I wouldn’t be able to do this work. I so appreciate her loyalty and devotion to me, our children, but most of all to our Lord and Savior. It’s good sometimes to point this out concretely.
Our little Juda keeps us quite busy, especially at night. The last four months have been marked by ‘broken’ nights. Annette is also still nursing and that in itself requires a lot from her body. As a result this season is pretty tough on Annette physically. Meanwhile, the work continues, plus the other three boys demand the necessary attention. We would be most thankful for prayer regarding this.
During numerous meetings in the months of December and January I made many appointments for speaking engagements. On weekends I always speak twice, and sometimes three times. I also teach a number of weekly Bible study series, plus a lot of energy goes into providing pastoral help. It continues to be a search for me for a healthy and Biblical balance between on the one hand our marriage and family and on the other hand the work of our ministry. Above all, it is important – in the midst of many activities – to personally practice intimacy with the Lord through prayer and fellowship with His Word.
In addition to my regular lectures, there will be a number of activities in the coming period that I would like to explain further. During the 2nd week of February I took my model Tabernacle to teach the students of Gospel for Europe Bible School (www.gospelforeurope.nl) for a week (photo below). The Tabernacle clearly provides instruction and deep insight into God’s mighty plan of salvation for mankind. It connects us to the core of the Gospel. It was a privilege to join the students, to teach, and to share our hearts with one another.
I’ve been invited – together with Jef de Vriese and Miel Vanbeckevoort (brothers from Belgium) to speak at the Belgian Men’s Day on Saturday March 24th in Heverlee, Belgium. Of course Dutch men are welcome also! For more information: www.pastoralecounseling.org/nieuws/man-tot-man-themadag-24-mrt-2018/
It is a privilege for me to also serve our ‘Southern Neighbors’ with the Word of the Living God.
You know the name of the famous Hudson Taylor (1832-1905). He was a British missionary and doctor who lived and worked in China for 51 years and raised up the ‘China Inland Mission’. The work that he started, continues today under the name of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF). I’m privileged to be able to speak at the OMF Mission Event in Voorthuizen on April 14th. They’ve put together a beautiful, active family program. It will be a day for the whole family! For more information: www.omf.org/nederland/omf-mission-event/ I would love to share a beautiful quote with you from Hudson Taylor: ‘I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me’.
In closing an encouragement from 1 Peter 5:10-11: ‘And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. to Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.’
Please receive our loving greetings.
Closely united in our Lord and Savior,
Jacques & Annette,
Levi, Boaz, Jesse & Juda Brunt
