Dear Sir,
I read the article on Flanders in August’s en by Andrew and Sarah Rome with a warm smile.
My wife and I had a very similar experience whilst on holiday in Antwerp, Belgium in 2011. We faced the common dilemma of where to go to church. Contacting EMF, they recommended Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk, just outside the centre. An email exchange with the church soon established that their services were also in Flemish but that we would be very welcome and an interpreter would be provided!
The welcome we received, just a short tram ride from our hotel, was wonderful. We were welcomed in Flemish, judging by the turned heads and smiling faces, and then in English. Thanks to our interpreter, Veerle the pastor’s daughter, we followed along quite happily. So much so we went back in the evening when a kind young man called Jeremiah provided a similar service for us!
They didn’t seem to have too many visitors, especially non-Flemish speaking English ones! So we trust we were able to be a blessing as well as being blessed ourselves.
Don’t let language be a barrier. We all serve the same risen Saviour, and the language of Christian love transcends all.
Yours faithfully,
