Let's GO!

The past days have been really great!  The GO Fest has come to Heidebeek, with so many young people ready to go out into the world to represent Christ to the Nations!  Here's a photo of all of the teams (leaders and participants) who will be going out!  The festival is over today, and the teams head out (some have already left).  They'll be gone for 2 weeks and after that they'll come back to gather again for a reporting service.  Can't wait to hear all of the good things God will do through these people!

Wim and I both have been helping out as volunteers:  Wim as a referee for the volleyball tournament, and I with the worship band!  Here's a photo from one of the worship times, I'm there sitting at the piano!  It's been so much fun-- I think being around all of these young people just gives a youthful atmosphere that affects all around!  Feeling very youthful, joyful and excited about life!

normal life

Last Monday Wim and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary!  It seems crazy to think that a year has passed already, and even crazier to think that there will be many more years to come...!  

Our wedding ceremony in the U.S. June 25, 2011

We had a week vacation in Zeeland, a province in the west of Holland, by the North Sea.  What's interesting is that much of this province is actually below sea level, and sadly in 1953 it was massively flooded.  We had the opportunity to visit the "watersnoodmuseum" in Ouwerkerk, which was really very interesting and I think important to also understand more about this country!

During the week of vacation, we had to attend an introduction day for the inburgeringscursus.  This is sort of a "naturalization course" (I think that's what you'd call it in English) for spiritual workers in The Netherlands.  Wim came with me for that day, but he is not required to take the course because he is from an EU country, so I will be attending alone.  There I will learn Dutch language and culture, and also many practical things about the country.  The interesting thing is that it is for all spiritual workers, so I'm in class with not only YWAMers, but also Catholic nuns and priests, Muslim imams and so on!  An interesting and challenging environment for sure!  Please keep me in your prayers as I study with this group over the course of a year and a half! 

Click on the image to read more info about the course, but sorry it's only in Dutch!