A wonderful day of touring, meeting and enjoying with our Southern neighbors is at its end. We're standing backstage somewhere in Belgium with our friends from 'He Is Alive', a foundation that has as its mission to make music from Christian artists known in the Catholic Church. In my mind I can see pictures from the last 2 days: a sport hall in Mechelen with a square filled with autumn leaves, the image of a melancholy smiling Maria over a brick portal. A concert with videos made by a local team and an extremely enjoyable and wonderful audience. After the gig a warm and wonderful welcome with brothers who call themselves Charismatic Catholics. New Wine or EWV (Dutch organization) catholic style so to speak, with whom we feel a soul-connection that surpasses the mind. Delicious Belgian beers with cheese at the kitchen table, great witnesses and a conversation deep into the night about Flanders and the difficult deadlock that we call Belgium.

 

Than, dark, night, followed by light, clear fresh morning sky, an abundant breakfast after a peaceful and deep sleep. A sunny walk in Saint Niklaas…yes! Our Saint Niklaas. The patron saint of the city and church, so we learn. We receive a private tour through the richly decorated impressive cathedral that comes to life thanks to the words of sister Lieve and our hosts. The rich tradition of the Catholic Church of Flanders in a charismatic/evangelical light. Inspiring!

 

After a good goodbye a long track of motorway with nothing but cows until we reach a conference centre from the diocese of Eastern-Flanders were we have the honor of inaugurating the brand new concert hall. But not until we enjoy some boar and beer with the entire crew. After that follows a soundcheck that is seriously hampered by the food in our stomach. Finally a great passionate and spirit-filled concert that provides such a sense of home that Johan exclaims: 'I want to become a charismatic Catholic Flemish!' And we all know what he means… We discover beer drinking monks in our audience. A little later a sister dressed in a white hood comes and buys a Trinity T-shirt. All of the beautiful reactions from both young and old Flemish who welcome us are heartwarming. We have gotten to know Flanders from its best side.

 

So there we are backstage: we cross ourselves 'in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost' (with a soft 'g'), thank God for all of this beauty, commit each other to His loving care and go home blessed, each taking with us three of Belgium's most exclusive and exquisite beers.

 

ps: check our Facebook for pictures!