"Dreams Come True" ... A Sweet Reunion in Hengelo

Elder Brent Romig, Paul , Hugo and Rudy de Ceunick van Capelle, Elder Gary Romig
Cherie Niboer, Humphrey and Inge de Ceuninck van Capelle

A sweet reunion that we have waited almost 50 years to enjoy happened the first Sunday in January, 2015.  

Forty Eight years ago Elder Gary Romig baptised a family in Hengelo. Two years later Elder Brent Romig served in Hengelo where he met and loved the same family. 

This sweet woman, Sister  Gronovius, is the mother of nine children, and was very receptive to the gospel message when it was taught to her by Elder Gary Romig and his companion, Elder Johnson.  She was bapized with the five oldest children.

Two years later, when Elder Brent Romig was transferred to Hengelo, Sister Gronovius and Elder Koldewyn, Brent's companion, played a trick on him.  The elders knocked on her door, she invited them in, and they began the first lesson.  Elder Romig was teaching the Joseph Smith Story when all the doors opened and nine children all ran in, threw their arms around Elder Romig saying "Wij houden van je!"  ("We love you!")  






Brent has often talked about the wonderful times he had teaching, playing with the children, and learning the Dutch language.  Little Cherie would climb on his lap and have him read Dutch children's books to her, so she really helped him learn the language!  

Sister Gronovius was a fantastic cook and the missionaires loved eating her delicious Indonesian meals!
 

Elder Gary Romig, Bro. Kabel, Sister Schooltink, and Elder Brent Romig

 
Fast Sunday was spent on January 4, 2015 in the Hengelo Ward.  Both brothers bore their testimony and shared their stories from the past.  Bro. Kabel, pictured above, is a councelor in the Bishopric.  As a young boy he started recording the names, dates of service, and home town of each elder who served in Hengelo, and continues to keep this record to this day!  Brent and Gary each found their names in the book, along with other familiar names like Kim McKinnon from Brent's ward in Logan and Steve Burgoyne from Wasatch Ward in Salt Lake City.

Elder Gary Romig, Bishop Paul De Ceuninck van Capelle, Elder Brent Romig

Every missionary's dream is to know that people who's lives they have touched remain active in the church.  One of the greatest thrills for both Gary and Brent is to know that Paul, who was five years old when the family was baptized, is now serving as the Bishop of the Hengelo Ward! 

After church we drove past the old church house where Brent had attended meetings while in Hengelo.

The building also housed the apartment for the Senior Couple serving in Hengelo.

Sanne, Saskia, Marloes De Ceuninck van Capelle, Elder & Zuster Romig, Zuster Annemarie & Bishop Paul De Ceuninck van Capelle

After church we were invited for dinner at the De Ceuninck van Capelle home where Annemarie had cooked one of the best Indonesian meals we have had since arriving in Netherlands!
       




Eet smakelijk!






 

And take a look at the label of the whipped cream to put on our dessert...

"Lekker Romig"  means "Delicious Creamy"!

A fun side note...Hugo said to Gary and Brent, "Which one of you always wore a red scarf?"  Brent replied, "It was me!"

Truly a "dream come true" day!