Since Monday the stages and other stands are going up on the different locations of the feesten. I (John) headed out this morning with a backpack full of water bottles. The purpose was to pray on some of the pleins and to offer bottles of water to the set-up workers. That proved to be a challenge today for several reasons.
First the crews are being driven pretty hard by their supervisors and the schedule. Many were not stopping for breaks and even working through lunch. In some cases they have to finish so the next crew can come in. In other cases they have the streets blocked and that is only approved for a limited time.
Another issue was language. I ran into several crews whose primary language was French. They spoke a little Flemish and no English. Another crew that I did give water to was a challenge. They were all eastern European. Did speak a little Flemish and were very surprised by the offer of free water. I told them it was a gift from the evangelical churches in town. Not sure how much of that they understood. But they did seem really appreciative and each one told me thanks. None of the people on the pleins speak standard, academic Dutch so it is a challenge for those of us who are merely "technically proficiant" in the language.
On other pleins there is "controlled" chaos. (May be bordering on uncontrolled chaos). Each plein has an approved survey plan and it is detailed down to millimeters as to where thing are supposed to go. The problem is that not every crew has a copy of the plan and not every plein has a supervisor onsite when crews are setting up. On one plein I saw a crew trying to push a fully constructed platform tent into a new position with a forklift. The plein supervisor decided it was not in the correct position. (The tent is about 50x40 feet, canvas walls and has a wooden floor built under it) While they were pushing it with the forklift the rental company was trying to put the bar equipment in the tent. It was not a great situation and some of the words exchanged are not for publication (fortunately you would not understand the Flemish - but Flemish are rather blunt and straight forward in their communication).
We do think the water will be another way to connect. Today it was not so hot and there was a good breeze. On the warmer days it will be a bigger draw. We will continue to distribute water to the service personnel during the feesten.
Our full team is in Europe. Two are here with us and three are in Paris. Everyone will be here on Friday. Lucy has chemo tomorrow and I will go out after that if she is feeling all right. Friday is cookie bagging day and getting the team organized and settled in. The feesten begin officially on Saturday.
There is A LOT TO DO!
First the crews are being driven pretty hard by their supervisors and the schedule. Many were not stopping for breaks and even working through lunch. In some cases they have to finish so the next crew can come in. In other cases they have the streets blocked and that is only approved for a limited time.
Another issue was language. I ran into several crews whose primary language was French. They spoke a little Flemish and no English. Another crew that I did give water to was a challenge. They were all eastern European. Did speak a little Flemish and were very surprised by the offer of free water. I told them it was a gift from the evangelical churches in town. Not sure how much of that they understood. But they did seem really appreciative and each one told me thanks. None of the people on the pleins speak standard, academic Dutch so it is a challenge for those of us who are merely "technically proficiant" in the language.
On other pleins there is "controlled" chaos. (May be bordering on uncontrolled chaos). Each plein has an approved survey plan and it is detailed down to millimeters as to where thing are supposed to go. The problem is that not every crew has a copy of the plan and not every plein has a supervisor onsite when crews are setting up. On one plein I saw a crew trying to push a fully constructed platform tent into a new position with a forklift. The plein supervisor decided it was not in the correct position. (The tent is about 50x40 feet, canvas walls and has a wooden floor built under it) While they were pushing it with the forklift the rental company was trying to put the bar equipment in the tent. It was not a great situation and some of the words exchanged are not for publication (fortunately you would not understand the Flemish - but Flemish are rather blunt and straight forward in their communication).
We do think the water will be another way to connect. Today it was not so hot and there was a good breeze. On the warmer days it will be a bigger draw. We will continue to distribute water to the service personnel during the feesten.
Our full team is in Europe. Two are here with us and three are in Paris. Everyone will be here on Friday. Lucy has chemo tomorrow and I will go out after that if she is feeling all right. Friday is cookie bagging day and getting the team organized and settled in. The feesten begin officially on Saturday.
There is A LOT TO DO!
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1 comment:
Many blessings to you and the team as you do whatever it takes to shine His light on those who are lost. As I have learned with many Flemish decisions, there is a process to be adhered to and letting the Flemish people see and understand the saving grace of Christ is no different. Be encouraged John that you and Lucy have been obedient to His call in Gent. We love you both and will be praying often for you and the team this coming week of the festival.
Brent
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