Blog
On Thursday June 30th, we had the concert of the Musical Mission Team. Theo had letterboxed about 2500 homes in the week leading up to the concert and had placed articles in two local papers. The team also performed three street concerts during which another 500 invitations were passed out. We had a good attendance of about 75 people and estimate that about 30-40% were non-Christians. The team sang well (including two Dutch songs) and also performed a few beautiful instrumental numbers. Toward the end of the program, Dr. Kevin Oberlin gave a short salvation challenge, weaving together the message of "Amazing grace" and the conversion testimony of his parents. After the concert we offered coffee and tea, while the people had an opportunity to mingle with the choir members and children received balloon animals. Theo was able to establish initial contact with a few men who showed openness to our ministry. Please pray with us that God will continue to work in their hearts. Overall, we are very pleased with the outcome and trust there will be more fruit from these efforts as time progresses.
I am working on securing a good location for the Musical Mission Team concert this Summer. I haven't finalized everything, but it looks like we will be able to rent a room in an old farm house that has been turned into a hotel/conference center. You can see what it looks like on their website www.overstehof.nl. We will be able to use the coblestone courtyard as well. I think it looks very inviting and we plan to use the courtyard after the concert to serve coffee and allow people to meet the members of the team.
Valentine's Surprise
I surprised my family with a beautiful "taart" (sort of like a pie) for Valentine's Day. When Sarah and Peter came home from school, it was waiting for them on the coffee table. We normally like to sit down and drink some tea together when Sarah and Peter come home from school, but today was extra special because it's Valentine's Day. Click on Read more to see the picture of it.
Secularism: Blessing or Curse?
In 2010, a staggering 23,000 people left the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands, a 25% increase from the previous year and a new record in the history of the Catholic Church in the Netherlands. In Roman Catholic practice, you become a member at your (infant) baptism and remain one until death, unless you request to be taken off the membership role. The majority of those who left were under 40 years of age and the continuously surfacing scandals of abuse within Catholic institutions played a major role in their decision to leave. The question then is: Is this a blessing or a curse to us?
Sarah's Language Course
The Lord has shown Himself strong on our behalf in providing a language course for Sarah. Consider these details . . .
An Atheist Protestant Pastor: Oxymoron or Reality in the Netherlands?
In November of 2007, a controversial Dutch bestseller hit the market. The title of the book alone explains why it has initiated ongoing controversy among numerous Dutch Protestants – “Believing In A God Who Does Not Exist, Manifesto Of An Atheist Pastor.”
A Dutch Baptismal Service
We attended a baptismal service yesterday. A few things stood out that I think were commendatory. First, baptism's importance was greatly emphasized. The baptismal wasn't just tacked onto a normal worship service, but received its own service in the afternoon (an hour and a half long!) with its own song service and sermon.