|
|
Who would have known that settling in could be so unsettling? Moving to the Netherlands has been one of the steepest learning curves we have ever had to scale.
This is the first time that Louise and I will be serving as missionaries in a country so technologically advanced. Most things - from trains to banks to something called DigID - work with Apps on your cell phone! One would assume that this would make things a lot easier, but for technologically challenged people like us it is quite the reverse. Simple things like opening a bank account proved to be an exercise in total exasperation.
Add to that the fact that the official communication is all in Dutch. No, Afrikaans is not helping us here...to the contrary. It works against us as many words either do not mean the same thing or they simply do not exist. A recent example is when asked what I would like to drink I replied, in what I thought was Dutch, 'net water' which means, in Afrikaans, 'just water'. But what I actually said in Dutch was that I wanted anything but water!
The word 'excuse me' in Afrikaans actually means 'please clean me' (think baby diaper) in Dutch!
While many folks are kind enough to speak to us in English, the legal forms for most requirements are in Dutch. And oh my, there are many requirements...and every one costs us dearly. (Nearly $1,000 just to obtain original marriage and birth certificates with apostilles from South Africa!)
But, while we still have a number of untied loose ends hanging around, we are making headway...slowly.
I was licensed to serve in the Diocese of Europe on Sunday May 15. A number of local clergy, personal friends, and friends of Christ Church were in attendance as well as the head of the Intercontinental Church Society, Richard Bromley.
Louise and I are learning new modes of travel in the Netherlands...trains, buses, trams, and bicycles. Given the recent hikes in prices of fuel, the latter is fast becoming our mode of choice. While it may take longer, it is not as hard on the already tight budget and it has health benefits...mentally, physically, and spiritually. The Netherlands is a beautiful country and designated bike lanes often take you through woodland areas.
We are still working on our visa applications, so prayers are appreciated. We have fulfilled most of the requirements for the IND and are now waiting for the residency cards.
Christ Church, Heiloo is a small but vibrant community of believers who strive to love and serve our Lord. Most members are expats from the US, the UK, South Africa, and other European countries, but we also have a number of Dutch locals. We also have lots of children, which is such a blessing!
There is a strong sense of responsibility with regard to outreach which is very encouraging. Even though only 50 members, they support and pray for five different missions and the recent Women's Retreat had 20 non believers in attendance! Pray for fruit on their efforts!
Most Dutch people are not aggressively opposed to the Gospel. They are simply indifferent. This is the first time Louise and I have worked in such a secular society, so please do pray for wisdom as we seek to reach out to our neighbours.
Louise and I recently attended a Biblical Theology Conference in a quaint town by the name of Amerogen. This was not only spiritually invigorating and reviving, it was also very encouraging to see so many Dutch pastors and church leaders, especially the younger generation, in attendance. Tyndale seminary hosted the conference, but there were other Christian organisations present with whom we could network. Pray for God-connections for us.
The Queen, Louise's mum, will be visiting us in July. Even though she is 97 years old and rather frail, it is her express desire to visit the place of her birth and childhood one more time. Our sons will also fly in from Boston and Stockholm to spend some time with her. Please pray that this will be a blessed visit.
Langham publishers have told me that the sequel to Breakfast on the Beach: The Development of Simon Peter will be published later this year. I have asked them to please consider having the book available before the New Wineskins Conference in September, so please pray with me that this will be possible. In the meantime, I am working on a Study Guide for Breakfast...something I have never done before, so please bathe this in prayer as well.
Thank you for your ongoing support. I realise that at this time of financial crisis, many of our supporters are giving sacrificially. We are humbled and challenged by your faith in continuing to give to the Lord's ministry in spite of rising costs. The cost of living in the Netherlands is a lot higher than what we are used to, but we are learning the art of finding deals!
But the bottomline is we are so grateful to everyone who prays for us and supports us financially and otherwise. As always, our SAMS support account could be better, but then again it could also be worse. The Lord knows our needs and we leave that in His hands. Bless you and thank you.
All our love
Johann and Louise
|
|
|
|
| |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment