The swans were making their way down the canal at dusk the other day. It was such a contrast to the dirty canal water and noisy Red Light District getting ready for the night. The swans floated along with a posture of dignity and purity. Heads held high, seemingly unaffected by the noise and atmosphere of their surroundings. Watching them I felt such peace and a reminder of a perfect Creator who truly creates beauty and sees beauty in the darkest of places.
I’m sat in my living room writing. Outside it’s now dark and I’ve put the stove on to heat up a cheese sandwich from yesterday. It’s still relatively early, yet tomorrow morning I have to be at the airport at 6 am to pick up a student for Shine Seminar. It’s really happening! I can’t believe that on Thursday we start what seems to have been in the planning for so long. It’ll be good to get started with the Seminar. I am so expectant for all that is going to happen and seeing staff and students alike being impacted once again by the heart of God for the issues of injustice.
So many things I could write about....
The other week doing Women’s ministry I had a really impacting chat with one of the ladies in a mixture of Portuguese and Spanish with some English throw in here and there. It was a divine connection, a moment of an open heart and words of love, hope and grace spoken. I pray for her to get a deep revelation of Jesus’ love and kindness that will draw her in, and His truth that sets free.
I spoke to the youth about loving others, and found myself so challenged to love better. It was such a privilege to see a group of young people going hard after God and hearing feedback of my life having touched theirs. It reminded me that every day we are creating a testimony with Jesus which we are to share. One of the things I shared was about when I was in Brazil visiting the brothels inviting the ladies to a special lunch. In one brothel the lady was saying how beautiful I was, and I looked her in the eyes and said that she was so beautiful also. At the end of the lunch I saw her, and when I went over she introduced me to her friend as “the girl who said I was beautiful”. The power of a simple word. A word seemingly in passing, yet a word that profoundly impacted that lady’s heart. That is loving our neighbours. Speaking truth and life.
I’ve cycled once so far. Quite scary, but so far so good (I managed to avoid hitting the tourists).. And I sat on the back of my friend Rosanne’s bike once which was a lot more scary, but less work. I was amazed at how she just kept going even with the extra weight of me on the back. Once I got over how scary it was it was actually quite an enjoyable experience.
I became a member of the cinema yesterday. It’s an amazing deal; 19€ a month and you can go to as many films as you like on all the Pathe cinemas in the country. Seeing as one film costs around 10€ it’s a bargain. And it reminded me of my teenage years when I would go to the cinema every week and have the discount card. It feels like it’s been years since I’ve really had the opportunity to see films like I used to, and now I can, and I don’t have to worry about the huge cost of it. It’s so much better to watch a film I choose to see rather than watch whatever is on TV. It makes it more of a planned event, as well as something I enjoy that brings me life. I’m excited. I just need to make sure to keep a good balance in my life.
Exercise... I am so enjoying going to the gym. Not so much the circular training, but I so enjoy the classes and it feels good to get back into shape. It’s also a good way to learn at least a bit of Dutch. I’m at the point where I am trying to understand what the instructor is saying. Most of the time I don’t get it, but I’m starting to pick up more and more like “rechts” “links”, which means “right” and “left”. Not too profound, but I have to start somewhere.
Life and living... life is good. Some days I find myself carrying such heavy burdens in my heart. Trying to figure out so many details and situations related to Shine and YWAM, and it weighs me down. And then I feel Jesus whisper “My burden is light, let me carry yours.” And when I choose to take the invitation, things get into perspective and I realise that my responsibility is to be faithful and do my best, but that He will carry the weight of it. And that is so freeing. There is joy in the labouring with Him. There is joy in working hard to see Shine happen. There is joy in the endless emails and details to work out. There is joy in joining with the staff team to figure out how to do this thing. Joy, because at the end of the day it doesn’t depend on us. We are invited to depend on Him, walk as friends and not servants, and let Him do what He does so well.
And it’s in this joy and the peace of Christ that I write this. Joy of being alive and joy of walking with Him here in Amsterdam.