I have to smile when it happens.One of Luke's or Ben's Dutch-speaking friends will score a point or win a game and yell "Yes!" like any good English-speaker would.It must be all that English TV with Dutch under-titles.

This summer at the Dutch-speaking children's camp, Jim and I just had to yell "Yes!"Everything came together so beautifully.We had been able to rent a super facility owned by the United Protestant Church of Belgium."Yes!"Cecilio and Ingrid Maria, a couple whose church is new to the Baptist Union, agreed to come and help us lead the camp."Yes!"We had 25 children from 7 different churches."Yes!"(At our camp three years ago there were 12 children from 4 churches.)Friends of Cecilio and Ingrid volunteered to run the kitchen."Yes!"Four teenagers and one adult came to serve as group leaders."Yes!"

The week was filled with excitement.We sang songs like "God Loves the Whole World."We did folkdance.A bride came to help us learn what Jesus did at the wedding in Cana, and we experienced the wonder of the disciples when Jesus calmed the storm at sea.We painted and made jewelry and put on a talent show.The list goes on.

Some of you heard me talk about "J" when I was in the States promoting the WMO last year.For those of you who did not, "J" is 10 years old and has many psychological problems.He has been in and out of psychiatric facilities and comes from an unstable home."J" was a winner at camp this year.He and his roommates earned several perfect scores in the "Zilveren Spons Wedstrijd" (Silver Sponge Competition, a contest to see who could keep their rooms neat).Jonathan gave his all to making his room tidy.Each day he folded all his socks and t-shirts and laid his sleeping bag out neatly.This child, who sometimes has difficulties functioning in a large group, embraced this contest as a place where he could shine.The simple reward of a silver-spray-painted sponge to display in his room and the cheers and applause of his fellow campers were affirmations for him that he is a great creation of God.You should have seen his smile."Yes!"

It was clear on the last day that "J" was not ready to go home.He was not sure how to say goodbye, and he shuffled his feet in the dirt on the way to the car.Pray with me that God's love will surround him in a special way.

The World Mission Offering, which your church is collecting this fall, plays a crucial role in making it possible for us to lead the Dutch-speaking children's camp.Again this year, we ask for your generous support.Let us and other American Baptist missionaries continue to proclaim and demonstrate the love of God in Christ all around the world as you carry out that same ministry in your community.Generous giving always brings sacrifice.We challenge you, even in this year of rising fuel prices and pressing need in the U.S., to continue your generous support of missions around the world.One hundred percent of your gift to the World Mission Offering is used for ministry.If you are not a part of an American Baptist church but would like to support our work in Belgium, you can find details on how to do that at www.internationalministries.org or call Jim Wiegner at 1-800-222-3872 extension 2387.

Please pray with us for:

• A good school year for "J".
• Workers to be called to lead the camp next summer while we are on US/Puerto Rico assignment.
• The youth committee of the Union of Baptists.
• Conflict-management workshops which Jim will begin leading in October.
• Alicia en Sylvia in the Red Light District

Rejoice with us because:

• The Pilgrim Church in Oostend is providing meaningful ministry opportunities.
• Luke and Ben are very happy in their school situations again this year.

Your missionaries in Belgium,

Debbie (along with Jim, Luke and Ben) Kelsey