Netherlands

Last week I had the extreme privilege of traveling with my friend Aron Osborne to Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands. Here is a brief report from my time away.

The Weather

I would describe it as “confused”. It was as if it didn’t know whether it wanted to be sunny and blue or cloudy with rain. The rain came and went and then it did it again…. and again… and…

However, since the rain would leave just as quick as it came, it seemed to be a minor inconvenience. Much more notable was that it was typically a high of 65 degrees. That was a nice change for this Floridian in August! I am back home now and as I write this, it is 90 degrees outside. Yep, I’m missing that cool Netherlands weather!

Alphen aan den Rijn (Alphen on the Rhine)

A beautiful quaint town. It’s a place you might want to stay and linger, disappearing into the landscape for a few weeks. Unfortunately, our time was limited. Perhaps someday there will be a return trip to stroll these streets,
grab a bike (everyone rides a bike!) with all the locals, or sip an unhurried coffee along the Rijn. (Rhine – River)

 

 

We spent about 5 hours boating the Rijn. My friend, Ab Meerbeek and Thamara Dogterom were fantastic boat captains! That little cruise down the river will not be quickly forgotten. Notice the large flag over Ab’s left shoulder. The boat was flying the Ukrainian flag in honor of Volodymyr’s birthday.

 

The Football (Soccer) Match

We were able to snag some time and head to Amsterdam for the Ajax game! While the game was a bit of a blowout, the friendships that were and are being developed is very encouraging. This was quite an experience for me – a European Football match has now been checked off my bucket list. Next up, a PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) and a Premier League game (England)!

 

We are standing just outside of the stadium – momentarily sheltered from the rain at the time of this picture. Marc also played host to us for a number of meals and memorable times together in his home with his wonderful family! 

 

 

 

 

 

Ajax     5                 

FC Emmen    0

 

Full Gospel Church Hosanna – Ukraine

Volodymyr and his wife, Theresa Lanevych, drove 2 days to Alphen aan den Rijn to further build a relationship with New Life Church, and with us. Pray for this church in the Ukraine! I was personally challenged and encouraged as Volodymyr exhorted New Life church regarding being the salt of the earth as Christ calls us from Matthew 5!

Take a moment and click here: Facebook and check out this God-loving – Gospel preaching church.

Nieuw Leven Evangelie Gemeenschap

New Life is located just a few blocks from the heart of Alphen aan den Rijn. Our time at this church on Sunday was the highlight of the trip! The people of New Life are warm and hospitable. I met brothers and sisters not only from the Netherlands but also from Ghana, Iran, France, and the Antilles Islands.

It was wonderful to worship with the believers at New Life. Though I was far from home, it felt like home, it was home. We are blood bought brothers and sisters, redeemed by the Savior.

As they sang, I recognized some songs and joyfully sang what I could and prayed when I didn’t understand. My heart was stirred as I would listen to the voices behind me worshipping with a loud voice, one voice, to our Savior!

 

I had the privilege of sharing briefly from Philippians 1. “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine, making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel…”

I love Paul’s joy that spills onto the pages of Philippians as he prays for them. This is no token partnership for Paul. It is his heart – he bleeds joy in Christ because of their gospel partnership.

It is indeed an amazing privilege to partner with the brothers and sisters of New Life Church in the Netherlands and Full Gospel Church Hosanna in the Ukraine.

 

 

 

Aron O.

Blessed to be able to make a trip like this with my good friend Aron Osborne. Aron leads with intentionality and genuine love for all those that he meets. I learned a lot from
Aron regarding leadership, intentionality, generosity, caring, and engaging people that he doesn’t know or knows very little. Aron has traveled to New Life before and so it was quite amazing to see the love that was expressed towards him from both young and old which speaks of his genuine love towards them.

Aron preached from Ephesians 6:21-23. These are Paul’s final greetings to the
church in Ephesus. Paul is wanting the church to know not only what he was doing, but also how they were doing. What an example and expression of a Gospel Partnership Paul shows us with the church in Ephesus.

 

Grace Partnership

We closed out our time with some of the leadership of New Life on Sunday night. As we gathered in Ab’s and Marcia’s basement, I learned that this is where the church was birthed over 20 years ago. It was in this room that our friends cried out to God and planted New Life Church. I was told of the tears that have been cried in this room, the prayers that have been prayed and how God has met them over the years. It was not only a privilege to be in that room where the church was birthed, but this also became the room that we also prayed together and sealed our future partnership together in Grace Partnership.