Journal of My Experiences
This morning I wore my hat shaped like a Maple leaf. Everyone complained I was too cheery for that early in the morning � In reality I wasn�t that cheery at all. These complaints continued throughout the trip.
We went into Ghent to visit various social agencies for a social justice day. It was one of my highlights of the days in Belgium. It is always affirming to see people doing good things out of faith. Also it was a good day of �religious� stuff after much touring.
The first place we visited housed a variety of different agencies. First we listened to a priest who had worked in missions. He talked of how they put charitable works first, when in the past they would have required people to convert and then attended to their temporal needs.
At this site there was also an agency that helped take care of illegal aliens or refugees in Belgium. It seems that Belgium�s immigration policies are quite strict. They help give them food vouchers, clothing and legal assistance. A neat part was a section where they collected stamps, gather them into full groups or collections and then sold them as a fundraiser. We had some coffee and croissants at this place.
Outside there was a van for another Missionary agency. There was an African nun in a bright blue habit who explained their work. I remember her saying right to my face �First we feed the people regardless of their faith, then they come back and ask �Why do you love me so?� Then we tell them about our faith. This way the conversion process begins�. It was quite providential, and I wonder if it was an answer to my questioning the day before. It seems that genuine charity does have an impact on people � but it must be truly great to stand out before others.
We went to a different place for lunch, which some locals provided for us. It consisted of soup, some bread, cheese and fruit. It was very good and enjoyable. One of the best meals we had in Belgium.
That afternoon we visited a day camp ran by the Scouts. In Europe, the scouts were co-ed, and I believe university aged youth (at least high school aged). They taught us a dance they did with their youth and we played �musical chairs.� Only, during this game of musical chairs some of us were disabled � blind, deaf or lame. It was a lot of fun. Afterwards they gave us snacks. Everywhere we went we got some sort of drinks and snacks. It was very satiating, but by the end of the day, we were getting sick of it.
Afterwards, we went to St. Peter�s church, a former Benedictine abbey. It had a monumentous grill that used to separate the lay people from the monks. It had since been moved to the back of the church to form one single nave. We got to look at the sacristy where some old chasubles and some gloriously humungus Altar Candles and Cross were kept. I was in my glory days. Others did not fully appreciate the wonders before us.
We had Mass at the Cathedral of Ghent with the bishop, Lucas Van Looy, who I learned was a Salesian. He had to walk with two crutches. I met him afterwards. Jim says he is a very prominent member of the order, and if it was not for his appointment as bishop of Ghent, he would likely have been named Superior General of the Community. We had a reception after the Mass nearby with the locals, again given drinks and snacks. It is no wonder that the Europeans wait so late to eat supper � they snack so much throughout the day.
We had to take the train back home, and were in a hurry to catch it. It began to rain very, very hard. I had my coat and gave away my poncho to a girl from Brazil without any rain gear. We ran and ran just to arrive at the site before the train pulled away. They were supposed to wait a few more minutes but did not. A leader complained to the officials. They allowed one of the Intercity trains to make a special stop in Drongen so we can get home. It was funny since we were warned very sternly NOT to be late for the train. However, our group leaders made us wait until last before we left. It was an exciting adventure and everyone gave us trouble when we returned to Drongen.
That evening, our last in Drongen, we had an enormous feast including sausages, kabobs, and to the women�s joy, vegetables. It was very tasty.
Afterwards we had a nice little talent show. �Hans and Gretel� pretended that it was auditions for the Papal Vigil. It was quite fun. A large group did a silly dance with a Belgian girl pretending to be the �Belgian Idol� One Belgian boy did a scandalous little song and dance in which we all had to join in, pelvic thrusts and all � �In a big, big wood in a small, small house were a girl and guy�. etc.� Andrew Lauzon and Lydia did a very good duet. George Caruthers was also a very good guitarist. Brian Dunn did a couple silly songs, including �Lien on Me� to honor Lien, the coordinator of the days in Drongen. Also �I would camp one thousand storms� to the tune of �I would walk one thousand miles�. The Belgians also honored us with some songs. It was a joyous night.
Throughout the week I gave out medals to both Canadians and Belgians. Many were very surprised and pleased with the gift. One girl, Annelies, was so excited. She gave me a pencil with her name on it and said I could write down my worries with it. It was great to give out a souvenir that was frugal and spoke of my faith.
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