Skip to main content

Chocolate, CHAP and Combat.

Thursday I was in dire need of some time not with other people. Even if the people on my course are fantastic people, I was feeling the “peopled-outness” hitting me hard, and so after the end of my schedule I headed out to find myself a cafe (I would call it a coffee shop, but here in Amsterdam a “coffeeshop” is a place where you can buy cannabis as part of the menu and I was after a cup of tea rather then stronger substances). After walking a little while I ended up at a nice cafe in the Waterlooplein. I had a cup of Earl Grey tea while reading: “A Crime so Monstrous” about human trafficking to do a book report on as part of my course. When my tea was finished I decided that a cup of hot chocolate sounded very tempting. I ordered a cup with dark chocolate, and was served a mug with hot milk and a small glass of dark chocolate pieces. I could then add as many or few pieces of chocolate I wanted. Naturally I added them all (I mean, not to would be a bit of a waste), and it was so delicious. Hot milk with melted chocolate in it.

Yesterday evening I joined a group here called CHAP who reach out to the men in the Red Light District. Their ministry offers counselling and help to men who are addicted to sex and want help. It was really good to see how dedicated and passionate the group is and see a different side of God’s heart. God doesn’t just love the women who are involved in prostitution; He also loves the men and wants them set free also. And let’s face it, if the demand for prostitution isn’t there then women won’t be trapped in prostitution anymore. It was good to be a part of the outreach even if I did feel limited by not speaking Dutch. And I was really stirred and impacted both by what I saw on the outreach, but also so impressed by the group who faithfully reach out.

Today I woke up tired. To be honest I just didn’t feel like doing anything at all. But back when I living in Brazil I used to do these really great classes at the gym called BodyCombat (like an aerobics class based on martial arts) and I’d discovered that there’s a gym only 10 minutes from where I’m staying that offers that class among others. So off I went in the rain (apparently rain is more typical then not in this city, and it’s been raining all day). And I got to do the class! It was so exciting. By the end of it I was so energised and I felt so good. Relaxed and full of energy and joy. It’s amazing what a little exercise can do.

So there you go. Three days, marked by slightly different things.

Popular posts from this blog

Taking in the familiar and a heart connected.

Amsterdam. It still has that muggy feeling in Summer, and a constant flow of people which if you stop to think about it, it's quite amazing that there would even be space to accommodate them all. But then I guess they are not all staying. Just passing through on their way to or from somewhere. It's always good for the heart to visit somewhere that was once home. The familiarity of streets and customs makes it easier to embrace what might be new as well as the joy of being reacquainted with old friends. Friends. So many of them to be found in this city, ready with hugs and good words that are uttered when seeing someone who was away again. Friendship. A treasure that cannot be bought. Cobblestones trodden by many, including myself. Sitting on a bench. Praying. Remembering the first time I stumbled upon this area lined with windows with red lights and curtains. An area which has come to represent no longer windows, but people to me. Some still behind a window. Others who have ...
Read more

Getting to know the local culture.

Life is a strange thing. Last week went…not much happened, and then it was over. The weekend was quite calm without too many wild and exciting things happening. Except, of course, a wee outing to watch the National Championship for Veteran Ploughing. Now, like me, you might be sadly lacking an understanding of what this actually means. So I am delighted to be able to enlighten you in this respect. It’s basically (for the “farm-language-illiterate” like myself) a competition where you use old (hence the name “veteran”) tractors and ploughs, and plough up a stretch of field which is then evaluated and the one scoring the highest sum (accuracy, depth, how well the soil is turned is all given points) wins. I must admit that this information I got by eavesdropping on a conversation next to me where a man was explaining to some of my friends how it all works. So that was a fun adventure….although we only stayed for a bit. What is sort of occupying my mind at present is my upcoming travel abr...
Read more

What was your dream?- scraping the surface of the heart of Albania

“What was your dream when you were 20?” That was a question our guide asked us as we were standing outside a huge derelict cement monument in Tirana, the capital of Albania. We’d spent the day touring and hearing a lot about the history and journey of Albania, a young country with more Albanians living in other countries than in Albania itself. A country where tourism has only really been built up the past 30 years. It was eye opening to hear more of the history, and it made me realise that this country is so much more than meets the eye. A country where the beaches and tourist area of Durres Riviera was packed with tourists, mostly from the Balcan area. A country where hospitality is ingrained in the culture, and where the friendliness of the people was noticeable. After a pause to let us reflect over the question of dreams, for some thinking further back than others, our guide told us that for him it had been to own a pair of jeans. That simple fact said so much. Both of what he...
Read more