volume 34, issue 1 march 2013 from the nations to the nations SIMONA GRASZL
YWAM Amsterdam exists to be a Jesus-focused catalyst for transformation in Amsterdam and an innovative centre for world missions! word from REINIER Just recently I returned from a trip to Thailand, visiting two of our DTS outreach teams that are currently on their outreaches. While visiting one of the teams I had the privilege of staying in a village of the Karen people, one of the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand. After traveling from Amsterdam to Bangkok, there is a 10 hour bus ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The next morning our song taew driver picked us up for our 6-hour bumpy-road ride to the village of Mae Hae. When we finally arrived there he just had to ask for the farang and everyone knew where our team was staying. The truck stopped by the side of the road and we had to walk down a mountain trail to reach the house where the team was staying. After a long day working for a children s home run by the Rain Tree Foundation night fell early and we all sat around a camp fire to reflect on the day. After closing off a hot day in the hills of Thailand we were getting ready for a cold night and as we looked up into the cloudless sky. In a place so far away from urban pollution we could see the stars so clearly and soon I realized that even though it was only half moon, the moon was casting shadows on the ground. One night I even went on a short walk on a mountain trail with just the moon to light the way.
Enjoying our astonishing mountain view by day, looking up to the bright shining stars, and seeing the shadows of moonlight at night made me marvel at the beauty of the gift of sight and vision. And that is exactly what this issue of our YWAM Amsterdam newsletter is about! In our September issue I shared about the journey that we are on as a missions community to seek God for direction and vision. We continue to seek God for what this means for the details and our daily operations for our different ministries, schools and departments, but while we do so we are excited to share with you the vision statement that we believe God is giving us for the years ahead: YWAM Amsterdam exists to be a Jesus-focused catalyst for transformation in Amsterdam and an innovative centre for world missions! For His glory, Reinier
in the spotlight WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR YOU JOINING YWAM AMSTERDAM? The Lord put it on my heart years ago to use my skills and gifts to minister to broken women to glorify Him. When I heard about the Red Light District in Amsterdam I knew God was tugging at my heart to go, so I did. CAN YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT THE MINISTRY YOU WORK WITH? The Shine Seminar is a training course through The Lighthouse. It is designed to teach people God s heart for justice, the business of the sex trade, the issue of human trafficking, how to confront injustice through our own brokenness, and practical tools on how to effectively work with and pioneer ministries. This 6 week course is unlike anything offered anywhere. We have some of the most incredible speakers who have been working in the area of injustice for many years. Their knowledge is priceless. We desire to see men and women who have a passion for justice being taught the most effective ways on how to do so. Injustice is so close to God s heart and we want to impart His heart to others. WHAT IS YOUR HEART FOR THE CITY OF AMSTERDAM? My heart is to see God s Kingdom come to Amsterdam just as it is in Heaven. I want to see everyone in the RLD come to Jesus. That includes the clients, tourists, brothel owners, sex workers, pimps, traffickers, and loverboys. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) He loved us even at our darkest, and Amsterdam is a dark place, I want to see it lit up by Him. name: KATY RANDALL nationality: AMERICAN staff since: DECEMBER 2011
Youth With A Mission Amsterdam OPEN HOUSE coffee Let s celebrate! Kadijksplein 18 1018 AC Amsterdam Thursday 9 MAY & tea 10:30 welcome 11:00 closing 16:00 Lunch will be provided! Email openhouse@jmeo.nl for more information.
evangelism team Evangelism has always been a vital part of YWAM Amsterdam ministry in this city. Reaching out people who don t know Jesus Christ, regardless of their background, social status or lifestyle. September last year we officially began an Evangelism Team with the purpose to ask the Lord for creative ways to be a light to the city. KIM/CANADA REBECA/MEXICO ANNEMIEKE/THE NETHERLANDS MIRELA/ROMANIA
... regardless of their background, social status or lifestyle. Through the years God has given us different ways to bring the gospel to these people. Presently we are involved with reaching out to the homeless, to the ladies behind the windows in the Red Light District and to rickshaw drivers across the city. We also have it on our heart to share the gospel with the drug dealers around the Red Light District, yet as we are a core-team of only 4 women, we are waiting and praying for men to join our team. heart for Amsterdam. If you would like to be involved in a way, please e-mail us at evangelism@ywam.nl. We are looking for full-time staff as well as part-time volunteers. We welcome your prayers and financial support as we stablish this ministry! Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you for making a difference with us through your prayers & your support. We are continually seeking the Lord for guidance and for Him to give us His Evangelism team: Annemieke, Rebecca, Kim, Mirela
THANK YOU SO MUCH! In the September newsletter, we wrote about a fundraising initiative for the Tabernacle of the Nations, the house of prayer in the red light district. We want to tell you that the total amount we received was 19,778.44 euro s, and that doesn t yet include the matchingfund gift of 10,000 U.S. dollars! We are very impressed with what the Lord has done through you! We want to thank all of our friends and donors for their tremendous generosity, and specially we want to THANK our anonymous givers! report from the tabernacle of the nations We will use these funds to finish the renovation of the building. For next year, we have planned to do brick work on the front of the building and the gable and to improve the front entrance. The remaining money will be used for paying off the building. On behalf of the Tabernacle Team, Janneke Stuij
21-24 december 2012 report Art van Grondelle CHRISTMAS OF SERVICE The COS was a whirlwind adventure! 31-participants from as far as the United States to right here in the Netherlands. We spent the weekend doing our best to share the true reason of the season: Jesus! Saturday we partnered with Serve the City, a Christian organisation focused on helping people through practical needs. We broke into small groups and painted homes, shared high-tea with the elderly, and finished off our day by cooking a meal and eating together in a refugee church in Amsterdam West. Sunday we hit the city center with a gospel choir, singing Christmas carols and engaging in conversation with people along the way. There were many great conversations focused around Jesus - pray with us for those words to take root. It was a busy weekend but well worth every minute! Hope you can join us next year! Melissa Ytsma
HELP NEEDED Are you skilled in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, etc? At YWAM A dam there is a great opportunity for you to serve! We have four great, historic buildings in the center of the city and they take a lot of maintenance to keep them running. We are looking for passionate, dedicated men and women with these skills and a heart to do missions, to be able to start a maintenance team for our four buildings. If this ad is describing YOU... Please contact us at: applications@ywam.nl Alongside of this request, we re also looking for: a hospitality coordinator, an IT manager & a Personnel Director Email above if you re interested! upcoming activities SUMMER OF SERVICE www.ywamamsterdam.org/sos2013 Arts edition July 6-27, 2013 Discipleship Training Schools www.ywamamsterdam.org/dts The DTS is an intensive discipleship course focused on missions which encourages young adults to grow in their relationship with God. This course is for those who want their lives to count for eternity. It s about learning the ways of God, hearing His voice and allowing Him to transform your life. September DTS (English / Dutch) September 2013- March 2014 Performing Arts DTS January - June 2014 Kairos course www.xrds.nl/latest-news/kairos-course The Kairos course is an interactive study of the purpose and plan of God from Genesis to the end of the age. But it is more than a course it s a journey with God! Kairos is designed to educate, inspire, and challenge us as believers to fulfill our role in God s purpose and plan so that all nations will have the opportunity to hear that Jesus Christ died for them. May 2013 COURSES OFFERED BY YWAM EDE www.ywam-ede.nl 8 & 9 March, Ede Inner healing and deliverance. 8-12 July, Drachten Serving in the power of the Holy Spirit. 19-23 August, Eindhoven Serving in the power of the Holy Spirit. (All courses are offered in Dutch)
Youth with a Mission Amsterdam 1200 (includes housing & food) reg. fee 15 For more information & to register: shine@ywam.nl www.ywamamsterdam.org/shineseminar a seminar. the global sex trade & a christian response 29 September 2013-14 March 2014 Bringing the Lord s healing from the bottom of your heart For more information & to register: fcm@ywam.nl ywamamsterdam.org/training/fcm prayer points Thank God for His amazing provision for the fundraising of The Tabernacle of the Nations. Pray the Lord will continue to show His favour to this team. Thank God for the Evangelism ministry and the heart He has given them to reach people. Pray for their different ministry locations and for more people to join. Pray for the establishment of the ministry. Thank God for the Christmas outreach and the great opportunity they had to spread the good news of this season. Pray for the seeds of their work to take root in good soil.
ADDRESS: Kadijksplein 18, 1018 AC Amsterdam, The Netherlands CONTACT: tel: +31 20 530 2100 fax: +31 20 530 2101 e-mail: infomail@ywam.nl BANKING: Stichting Jeugd met een Opdracht, Amsterdam IBAN: NL41DEUT0418954291 // BIC: DEUTNL2N Deutsche Bank: 418954291 or ING: 6200 For USA tax Deductible gifts: please make your cheque payable to YWAM Amsterdam and mail it to: PO Box 26479 Colorado Springs, CO 80936