22. Aug 2026

Waterloo

Photo 1: Today was the start of the 75th anniversary of the Druivenfeesten (Grape Festival) in Overijse, just a bit southeast of Brussels.

Photo 2: This is the city where Joel and Gail VanBriggle have started "Redefined Church". The name itself is a good conversation starter. Not the teaching of Jesus is being redefined, but the way the message is being presented to a secular society.

Photo 3: The storefront church is located right on one of the main shopping streets of Overijse which was blocked off today for the festivities. Today was "Be there Day" for the church. Ballons were passed out, face painting for children was offered, and people could use the toilet facilities if needed. I put up my tent as a bachground to offer pilgrim stories to those who might come in. That did not really happen though. I did have meaningful conversations with people from the church and helped out with getting the ballons ready. It was a good day where people took notice that the church is there.

Photo 4: The Lion of Waterloo"

It was here that Napoleon had his last stand on Sunday, June 18, 1850. 47,000 to 55,000 soldiers were killed or wounded. The battle ended 23 major years of war in Europe. Around 300,000 cubic meters of dirt was taken right from the site of the battle to build the mount. One deciding factor in Napoleon's defeat was the Belgian rain. Napoleon was not able to move his heavy canons as he needed because of the mud. The night before the battle the English General Wellington spent the night in prayer at the alter of the church in Waterloo. God answered by giving rain...

Photo 5: In the evening Joel and Gail took me to get something to eat in Brussels. Here I stand with the front page from the Moosburg Newspaper from the day I left home on June 15th. Now I am two thirds of the way back.