Skip to main content

Back in Amsterdam.

The church bells are chiming on the other side of the street, and I am sat with the veranda door open, sipping my cup of Earl Grey tea. It’s beautiful evening here in Amsterdam. The sun is starting to set and it’s a comfortable temperature reminding me that it really is spring, almost summer.

I arrived back here today, and I get to stay in one of the flats over the “Lighthouse” project which is in the Red Light District. It’s a lovely flat. Right outside there’s a canal and on the other side of the canal is the Oude Kerk which is one of the oldest churches in Amsterdam (hence the church bells).

It’s been a good but slightly surreal day. After getting my baggage at the airport I decided to grab a bite to eat before getting the train to Amsterdam. And since I’ve been here before I knew to get a cheap baguette from HEMA rather than pay a lot for a similar sandwich somewhere else. It’s this kind of knowledge that reminds me that I am not here to be a tourist.

After the 10 minute train ride to Amsterdam Centraal station I strolled with my luggage to the Lighthouse, hoping I’d choose the right side street (which I did). It was lovely to see the team here again. They are such amazing people. Good to see them, surreal to not have all the people who did the “Shine Seminar” here also.

Soon after getting here it was time for the weekly intercession time in the Tabernacle which focuses on the Lighthouse and the Red Light District. It was great to get stuck in there again, and hear what God is speaking. He is speaking about intimacy, prayer, abiding in Him... and from that place stepping out and seeing justice. We also prayed for the outreach to Latvia this coming Sunday.

Latvia. I’m excited. Excited to visit another nation of course, but mostly to go with the team from here and be allowed to encourage and build up those who are partnering with Jesus in pioneering there. Pioneering is hard work. So we go to encourage and strengthen, whatever that’ll look like.

So there you go, a wee glimpse into my first day back here. I doubt I’ll be writing every day, but hopefully I’ll manage to keep the updates coming...

I’m glad to be here. And I feel the peace of God.

Popular posts from this blog

Small moments that mean a lot

Walking home on the crunchy snow that lights up a December evening,  I felt so thankful. The revelation that fellowship and being together is the best gift you can give someone, and realising that although it might seem small, it can turn into something big when a person feels seen and valued.  Yesterday I helped out with a crafts workshop for a group of lovely women volunteering for Crux where I worked before (well, in all honesty: they were making angels while I ate Christmas cookies, Quality Street chocolate, and chatted). I love walking alongside people in conversation, and realise sharing life for 2 hours can last so much longer in value and experience.  This evening we had our Christmas dinner for volunteers and people who are part of my current job. It was a delightful evening with many nations gathered around the same table…. eating the same food… and for a few hours creating a small fellowship moment that will become a good memory for the future. Often in my job ...

Tired.

Today I've been really really tired all day. I guess it's part of life and also part of getting ready to leave. Today I dragged myself out of bed, and had a cup of tea to get going. And when the mum we were taking to see her son in prison wasn't in, the morning went doing bits and pieces. This afternoon we were at the bussterminal to see the streetkids. It was a good time I guess, but the group of kids there at the moment are really just so lost. Totally drugged, dirty, and don't really care about anything. It's like they've lost all innocence. When I got back I looked through a few past reports getting them ready to do the monthly overview of the kids we've met this month. I felt really sad. One kid said her dream was that her mum would stop drinking, another girl told of a stepfather who molested her and her sisters, and another boy told of how his dad would hit his sister. And I am left with the question of: where is the hope and future for these kids? So...

In transit... an airport post.

Here I am sat using the free internet at Schipol airport in Amsterdam. I have almost finished my koffie verkeerd also known as cafe au lait or simply coffee with a lot of warm milk. Somehow airports are great places for reflecting and pondering, or maybe it’s just travelling alone that fuels the process. A situation of having time and not much to do. Yesterday evening I ate delicious arepas from Venezuela, or rather made by my Venezuelan friend. Then I packed and cleaned and slept, a bit at least. This morning I was up at bit after 6 am to finish packing and getting ready before heading off to catch the train to the airport, and here I am. It does feel strange to be leaving yet again... feels like Amsterdam in some way has become a little bit “normal” to me.... I got into some kind of routine, and I engaged my heart in the ministry and bonded with the people. Yet I’m not sure how Amsterdam fits into the journey and picture of my life. Still I am sitting here feeling such peace. I am on...