In this post Patrick Haile from Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC shares about his experience in Antwerp, Belgium working alongside CBF Field Personnel, Janee Angel and Butch and Nell Green.
This summer I got to go on a mission trip to Belgium with CBF missionaries Butch and Nell Green and some of their friends! I was a little worried at first because I was the youngest one on the trip and there were no other young adults going, but the Greens and their friends made me feel right at home.
We flew into Brussels Belgium and took a train to Antwerp. There we met Janee and Hary. Janee is also a CBF missionary and a long time friend of the Greens. I stayed at her house and she couldn’t have been a better host! She made the whole trip extremely comfortable and is a really good cook!
While in Antwerp we met very many interesting people. We listened to their story’s and they shared with us how they overcame many obstacles on their journeys towards Christianity. It really made me appreciate the religious freedom we have in this country. After hearing the various stories we would pray for our new friends.
Another major task we undertook was setting up for a convention that one of the local churches held. We transported and set up the sound equipment and the day of the convention we watched the children!
Needless to say I have a new found respect for all of the volunteers that work in the nursery! We also explored Belgium when we had free time! It really is an amazing country with tolerant laws and efficient public works.
Butch taught me that when in a new place it’s good to think of everything as not weird but different. I feel as though we tend to deem new customs as weird or backwards, but in most cases societies work about the same. Some just do things differently!
I really can’t express how awesome this trip was! I wouldn’t have been able to go without the contribution from OBC so for that I am incredibly grateful! In the future I would urge more young adults and even youth to go on mission trips! I feel like those that we touched will never forget us and that our work there was greatly appreciated ! Thanks Oakland I can’t wait to go back !!! 🙂