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Revisiting a full heart and familiar places.

I can feel the very slight chill in the air coming in from the open veranda door here in my old apartment in the centre of Amsterdam. Outside I can spot the trees starting to turn yellow, and the grand oude kerk church building is stood strong as it has for hundreds of years. There is the familiar bustle of people talking, bike bells ringing, and the occasional motorbike whizzing by. It makes me smile. I am back for a long weekend in Amsterdam. My first time visiting rather than living here, and it’s wonderful to have a little break in the settling into life in Norway.

I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a while. Mostly seeing familiar faces and having time with dear friends. I love this city, but I have come to realise it’s mostly about the people; they are the ones I come to visit and then the stunning buildings and quaint cafes are a bonus.

Yesterday I went along for the Friday outreach. Oh, how my heart was filled up again with love and passion. Seeing a dear friend who was cooking her “simple” (but to us gourmet) dinner with chicken and mashed potatoes. Having time of fellowship and prayer and talking about big issues which aren’t big compared to God. And getting to go visit a few of the women who still need to take that step of shutting the door to their window and never returning. “Next time come earlier so we can have some more time!” one of them exclaimed when I came to see her. Next time... the reality of it being merely a visit is so real, yet my heart is full again of such a love and passion, hoping that maybe my next visit be with her not in a window but somewhere else, hearing the testimony of how she left this chapter of her life. I am so thankful for the team that continues reaching out to these precious women. Because it’s not about me reaching out, it’s about the women being reached with love and dignity. About someone walking alongside them and giving them courage to hope that there is a way out, and that a life in dignity is possible, for them as well!

As I was going to sleep last night I realised that my heart felt so full. Full of God. Full of His heart. Full of thankfulness for giving me the gift of friendships with people at different places in their journeys.

The church bells are chiming as they do a few times an hour, and I am at peace. In a bit I’m off to have coffee with a friend. I am looking forward to the days ahead. Days of enjoying friends and the city and getting to just “be” in the moment and get my heart recharged with the familiar.

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