Saturday, May 18, 2013

May Update

The month of May hasn't been very spring-like so far, but I've heard that this has been the case in other parts of the world as well. I think it's been a while since I have turned on the heater at this time of the year! But I'm confident that it will become more seasonable soon.

I've had some health challenges lately and I'm still not at my best. At the end of April/beginning of May, I spent a week in the city of Prague, at the European Health Conference. I was just recovering from a cold, but unfortunately, I got chilled there and ended up contracting a pleurisy. The meetings were blessed, but due to my condition, I didn't get as much out of it as I had wished (fortunately, the presentations will be available online). Anyway, this stabbing pain in my chest was quite tough. It persisted for one week until I finally got some relieve. So I still had to deal with it the weekend after Prague, when I went to Germany to see my folks and to attend a meeting with the German ministry team. It was a bit strenuous, since I was driving, but nevertheless, it was a blessing to be there. Since Monday, I'm back to Brussels, and I'm thankful to God that He brought me safely through this past week. It goes without saying that sickness never comes at a convenient time, and this was the last thing I had expected. However, things could be much worse, so I'm grateful for the Lord's guidance. Today, I got to talk to my friend Dubravka who lives in Antwerp. She said: "Remember, with His stripes we are healed." Amen - I love this text.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)
What follows are a few impressions from Prague.

Strolling on the Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge - from the river side

A mill - quite picturesque

Horse-drawn carriage

Performance downtown