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If I were asked to express what has touched me the deepest over the past year, I would say that it is the unfathomable and immeasurable grace of God.
As difficult as this transition has been, our Lord has proved to us that we are never alone. He is truly before us, behind us, above us, below us, on each side of us, and within us. We moved to Heiloo from Villiersdorp in March and, I must confess, we have spent most of our time trying to figure out how things work in the Netherlands. Like most local folks in any country, no one thinks about explaining to the newbie how to use a parking pay machine. Thankfully, everyone is so super friendly here that someone invariably steps up to help and so we move from one challenge to the next.
Christ Church, Heiloo is probably one of the most down-to-earth, loving, family-oriented, kind, accepting, outward focussed church we have ever been in. And they love the Lord and His Word! It is humbling to know that I had nothing to do with the way they are! The members have folded us into their warm family right from the start and we could not, to quote the words of Gershwin, ask for anything more.
Yes, the Netherlands is one of the most secular countries in the world…that’s true. But Christ Church has not seen that as a bad thing…they view this as an opportunity to love their colleagues, friends, and neighbours into the kingdom. No rush, no push, no shoving…just loving, inviting, accepting, and modelling the life of Jesus in their own lives.
Healthwise, Louise and I have never been better. Where I used to experience A-Fib episodes daily in Africa, I have only had a short burst since moving here. The cooler weather and the low altitude are what I needed. We have great physicians and an amazing hospital! Louise has been for a check-up at the cancer centre and will be seeing the oncologist on Thursday.
As I mentioned before, we have loads of kids at Christ Church (hence our desperate need to master the Dutch language!), and Christmas is a perfect time to have them invite their friends to parties and Carol services. All ages events are holy cacophonies, but to quote Neil Diamond, it’s a beautiful noise…especially in the ears of our Father.
And speaking about kids…Louise and I have an announcement. We have adopted a sweet fur baby from Portugal.
 It moved me deeply to see his birthdate in his passport. 01/01/2020.
When the refugees we worked with in Ethiopia didn’t know their birthdate, the authorities would simply write 01/01/…
Mr Pips is a Portugues Herfujiado (phonetically spelled) and he has brought us so much joy it’s ridiculous…as well as tired leg muscles, I might add, as he loves to walk.
I have not looked forward to Christmas in years…but I am now. This is like living in the last chapter in Job. May it never end!
The sequel to my book Breakfast on the Beach: The Development of Simon Peter has been published (For the Life of the World: The Multiplication of Simon Peter) and is now available from Langham Publishing, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository and other outlets. If you do happen to read it, please let me know if you were blessed by reading it.
Thank you again and again for walking with us on this journey. Without you we would not be able to serve in the Lord’s vineyard the way we do.
We pray that you have a blessed and joy-filled Christmas and may 2023 bring you only God’s very best.
Love, cyber-hugs, and blessings
Johann and Louise |
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