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(Erik and me with the Amsterdam Church of Christ. Photo by Paul Brazle)

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(blogging live from Paul and Carol Brazle’s guest bedroom in Antwerp, Belgium)

Erik Tryggestad and I spent the weekend in Belgium and Holland, where it’s after midnight Monday. We’re on a rare reporting trip together, flying this afternoon to Ghana. As you probably know if you’re reading my blog, Erik is the international writer for The Christian Chronicle and has traveled all over the world.

I am the national writer and have reported from about 40 states in my four years with the Chronicle. But I mainly stay on American soil, except for a few trips to Canada and Mexico. This is my first time in Europe, and it will be my first time in Africa. So, I am both excited and apprehensive.

It has been interesting and educational to see Erik in action. He is certainly “in his element” interviewing fellow Christians of different backgrounds and even languages, and he takes a million pictures.

And this morning, he even preached at the invitation of the minister of the Amsterdam Church of Christ, a congregation of more than 100 Ghanaian immigrants to The Netherlands. He had a sermon ready in his Bible just in case it was needed because he has found himself in that situation before.

Fortunately, I have NEVER found myself in that situation or I would be forced to find a new profession. But Erik did a wonderful job.

— Bobby

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(Erik preaches at the Amsterdam church, while a member translates the message into twi, a Ghanaian language)

(Me interviewing Samuel Acheampong, a Ghanaian who helped start the Amsterdam church 15 years ago)

(Missionary Paul Brazle and me in Ghent, Belgium, after a church service tonight at Luk Brazle’s house)

(Move along — not much to see in Ghent)

(Missionary Luk Brazle at Central station in Antwerp, Belgium, with a teen mission team from Ohio)

(No, that’s not the Home Depot garden center — it’s me and Erik eating lunch in Antwerp)

(Me in Antwerp)

(Antwerp without the bald chubby guy to mess up the scenery)

(The bald chubby guy at Burger King at the Amsterdam airport)

(Ahhhhhh, jet lag — the train ride from Amsterdam to Antwerp)