Netherlands May 2012 | Day 1

Hi all, this is Jessi posting for the Netherlands team – at least for today until the rest of the troops arrive On Day 1 a few of us – Greg, Juha, myself and my daughter Lucy arrived in Amsterdam a day ahead of the YPC team to make sure everything is in order for the week ahead. Thankfully our hosts are awesome, and super-organized – making our job too easy!

I’m having trouble uploading photos right now – I’ll try to get them up later, but for know I’ll fill you in on our day. One of our hosts Jemuel, an elder at a local church picked us up at the airport, helped us get checked into the hotel, and took us on a bit of a walk around Amsterdam. During a debrief over coffee & sandwiches at an outdoor cafe, he told us of the great impact Times Square Church is having here in Holland. Every month he receives packages of all the TSC sermons and duplicates and distributes them. He said there are many groups throughout the country that meet together faithfully to watch them and also the 10 AM live stream every Sunday. He’s seen many people grow in Christ as a result.

On our walk around the city, we saw, as we all know, that marijuana and prostitution are legal here. I learned that when I want a cup of coffee, I do NOT go to a coffee shop, I need to go to a restaurant. The “Coffee Shop” is where you can buy pot, they have free papers for rolling, and the baked goods are, well, you get the idea . . . . You only have to be 18 to get a “weed card” – basically a license to buy. But the government is supporting the opening of “youth coffee shops” where teenagers can smoke under supervision. But you don’t really need to go in a coffee shop to smoke – you smell it everywhere as you walk around.

The red light district is right there in the middle of the city – you’d never know you’re entering into it until you’d turn down a street and there you are. But right on the edge of it Youth with a Mission has a huge office headquarters & cafe with “Jesus Loves You” written in huge letters on the top of the building.

A lot of our planned outreaches for the week will be afternoon street ministry, inviting folks to come to the evangelistic services we’ll have in local churches. Jemuel told us that when they applied for permits, they were originally told it was fine. But then when he submitted the flyers which we’ll use – which metion something about the YPC being eager to share the love of God, and the local church services – he was told that this goes beyond the bounds of free speech, and the permit was not granted. Nevertheless, street ministry will go on, geurilla style – we just have to keep within certain guidelines.

The weather this week is uncharacteristically beautiful! Very warm, with not a cloud in the sky. The day ended with a lovely dinner of Chinese/Indonesian takeout at the home of Pastor Jan Barendse and his wife Alla (pastor of the church where Jemuel is an elder. Jan is the brother of our main host Stephan Barendse who is director of Teen Challenge Netherlands).  They shared a lot with us about the general attitudes of the people towards God, and it’s a lot like back home.  Many want nothing to do with God, and feel religion is to blame for wars, etc. Others, especiall the younger generation have a “that’s great for you, but not for me” attitude when you share the gospel”. And many embrace a “little bit of everything” kind of spirituality. And yet Opwekking (Dutch for Revival) conference will draw 50,000 Christians together (35,000 camping out for the weekend) for prayer, worship & the word of God. Many of those may be kids who are there with their parents, or to hang out with friends. We’re expecting the Lord to grip many heart and set them on fire for Him!!

To finish off the evening, Jan & Alla’s 10 year old son Rafael showed off his piano skills, and in turn Greg blessed them with some tinkling of the ivories

Video of the Week | TSC Is Going Back To Europe!

Similar to the Scotland trip highlighted in this video, we will be sending a smaller outreach team to Europe this summer. The TSC Youth Praise Choir (YPC) will be working alongside Teen Challenge Netherlands reaching out to the youth of Amsterdam through live street music and drama. The YPC will also be participating in an annual event called “Opwekking” (Dutch for revival), which attracts over 50,000 people from across Europe to hear the gospel of Christ proclaimed through workshops and evening rallies.

Zambia 2011 SYP: Return home

We have been on American soil for the last few hours and it feels like we just stepped out of a dream. A dream that was birthed in the heart of our God. We got the incredible privilege to be apart of this dream and see the work of Kakabalika and Rivers of joy continue on the beautiful soil of  Zambia. The seven of us have been  changed forever by what the Lord has done.  There are no words to describe how wonderful this trip was. God has done something so special through us and also used the boys and the street children to bring us to a place in God that we all longed for. I personally no longer see things the same way. It’s as though my spiritual eyes have been renewed to see things as the Lord sees them, and it’s overwhelming! My encouragement to those contemplating going on a trip is yes, say yes. As our host Warren once said, “If you don’t feel called, volunteer.” Life will no longer be the same…

Zambia 2011 SYP: Day 7

“Long lasting friendships created in the heart of the Father”

Muribwange to everyone (which means hello)

The moment we stepped on Zambian soil my prayer was this that those that were here last year would connect again with the boys. And those that were coming to Kakabalika for the first time would also find the same. When we saw the boys for the first night it was as though we had known them all of our lives, my breath was taken away. And the friendships that God has established continue to grow strong in His love. The heart of God is beyond description to say the least. It takes you on journey that is beautiful and life changing. All of us have had special moments with the boys if it be over a game of Wolf or eating a snack with them on the bus or praying with them during night devotions, this trip has been very special, very special to all of us. It has been only seven days that we have been here and I (Georgina) have already gained a son, his name is Jackson. He is 16 years old. He likes to write stories about his life and wants to be a pastor someday. His smile can light up a room. It has been so special getting to know this young boy. This is a new dimension of the heart of God that I strongly suggest everyone to get to know.

Mark-Anthony was excited to reconnect with one his special boys from last year – Leonard Simupinyi. Leonard is 24 and was one of the elder boys at KCF last year. He was in trade school studying food management. He had a desire in his heart to find his mother one day, something that Mark-Anthony prayed for with him and continued to pray for after returning to New York. This year Leonard had graduated from trade school, was working, living outside of KCF and had reconnected joyously with his mother in June after not seeing her for eleven years. It is a blessing to see the faithfulness of God in the lives of these boys.

These are just a few of the many testimonies that God is doing here in our midst. Our days at Kakabalika have been sweet under the sun and we look forward to what is to come our way in the upcoming days. Until then, we are signing off…

Zambia 2011 SYP: Day 5

We have returned to find KCF a different place. It continues to be the dawning of a new day at KCF in many ways.

The staff of KCF has seen a shift with much of the old staff moving on and the number of overall staff diminished. However, the smaller numbers has been offset by some of the older boys growing into positions of responsibility to take care of the younger boys, including cooking for them, gardening and daytime supervision. The change in staff has also been in part to the introduction of the Kakabalika Trust School that has teaching staff in place under the direction of TSC missions Warren Carr. Pastor Reuben’s vision for this school has been to take it to a place where it serves not only the KCF children but the community as well. We came right at the end of their first semester of school to see the children’s presentations to their parents. Their writing pieces and dramatic presentation were clearly indicative of the potential these children had to learn and work together.

Speaking of the children themselves. They have matured since last year. We were more than pleased to see some of the older boys that have been in KCF the longest graduate from trade school with skills in catering and carpentry. One of the boys, Leonard Simupinyi, already has a job working in town. We can now see the fruit of the vision to take these boys from being rejects walking the streets fending for themselves to responsible men able to give back to their society.

Unfortunately one change that was hard was the six children that had left since we were last here. We encountered three of the boys, Chama, Gerald and Aaron on the streets during a day outreach. We were so happy to see them and it was evident to us that they were happy to see us too. The reality of these boys living on the streets is cruel and heavy. Our hearts were broken to see those that we had laughed and played with a year ago, now dirty, sad and addicted to sticker, but we thank God that He hasn’t forgotten them, and He never will. And we truly appreciate that KCF does offer the boys a great chance to change for the better. The reputation of KCF is being established slowly but surely throughout the neighborhood. God is bringing hope and a future to the boys that commit to staying in this oasis of life named, Kakabalika!

Zambia 2011 SYP: Day 4

“Welcome to Zambia”

We have been here for four days now and are adjusting to our new home and culture. The phrase “Welcome to Zambia,” has been definitive of the experiences that have reminded us we are not home.

“Welcome to Zambia” was our first greeting by Warren Carr, a missionary with his wife and children that have been in Zambia for three years. Warren came to get us at the airport. Our flight landed late and customs took forever to get through. It definitely threw Warren’s schedule off but he has learned the art of flexibility here and was not the least bit bothered. If things don’t happen on time…no worries.

“Welcome to Zambia.” Pastor Reuben greeted us at our first worship service the night we arrived. We went straight to church to embrace a worship time that is free and sincere, a word that was truth and a fellowship that was warm. This was our first evening service at Rivers of Joy.

“Welcome to Zambia” was again our greeting from the boys and workers at KCF. We felt welcomed by their warm embraces and big smiles. They are alive, fun, playful and curious. They call us uncle and auntie as a mark of respect. Uncle Mark, uncle Noah, auntie Autumn…and we have embraced them as our own.

“Welcome to Zambia” was certainly on our minds as we contemplated taking cold showers or waiting for hot water to boil, it has been an adventure to say the least. But one thing has remained true, life here is simple and beautiful and we are enjoying every second of it!

Zambia 2011 SYP Team: Day 1 (In Transit)

We are on our way to Zambia. I am currently sitting at the terminal in Washington Dulles airport.

We are extremely excited that this day has arrived. 5 of the 7 people on our team (myself included) are going back to KCF. The other two are experiencing it for the first time. We talked about the letters we had received from the last team that went in May and how excited we would be to see the boys, then something occurred to me as Autumn and I tried to remember all their names. A year later and the boys will actually be bigger than we remember them.

Some of them might be taller. Other might have experienced a change in their features and maturity. They will not be the same boys we remembered them to be. An anxious smile crossed both of our faces. The anticipation just kicked up a notch. Who will have grown a mustache? Whose voice got deeper? How will their walk with the Lord have changed?

As far as transit goes, we are ok. Three people are asleep. Noah is layed out on the floor in an orange travel blanket with his head on a towel. He was obviously prepared for the layovers. Autumn is curled up on a chair listening to music in her distinctively bright green headphones. Li-Senya is in and out of consciousness. Georgina and Kei-Landa are pondering the deeper things of life, Kei-Landa is knitting a scarf as she talks. Brittany and I are busy updating the world at large on our computers. In six hours I have made two facebook posts, put an entry in my journal and now added this post for you.

More to come…

Haiti June 2011- Day 6

During breakfast, a pregnant woman who was having a seizure was brought to our doorstep.  The oncall team immediately attended to her while the rest of us interceded.  She was brought to a local hospital; we are still awaiting an update on her current health.  The rest of the morning was spent building a home.  We built this home for a grandmother of seven, who had lost everything in the recent flood.  Despite the intense heat, we put together four walls with aluminum siding, and placed the frame on level ground.  Later that afternoon, we went for a tour of downtown Port-au-Prince.  We stopped at market where local vendors were selling hand-made items.  It was an unsettling feeling seeing the remaining piles of rubble, overflowing garbage, broken down buildings, and the capital building in shambles.  While sitting in traffic, street orphans approached our vehicle, asking for money and food.  No matter where you went, you couldn`t possibly forget the disaster that had affected this country; the evidence was everywhere.  Seeing these sights with the natural eye would make even the hardest heart break.  Poverty and hopelessness seem to be rampant.  But after spending almost a full week in Haiti, one can see the greater work God is doing.  It is truly the little things, the small miracles every day that are both seen and unseen, that are changing this country.  The team found these miracles in small acts of kindness, a smile, heartfelt prayers of people worldwide, or even an unexpected hug.   Together we both gave and continued to discover the greatest love there is: God`s love.

Haiti June 2011- Day 4

Arising from our slumber this morning, we recieved terrible news: the rainstorm that we had experienced the night before had turned out to be a tropical depression that severely affected many homes nearby.  As our host family gave us the details, the team listened in disbelief.  Homes that we had seen the day before were flooded.  A farm down the street from our host home that was used to grow and distribute crops was completely destroyed.  Streets where people once drove their cars had been washed away.  So many people were affected and an already poverty-stricken nation was again to suffer at the hands of nature.  But we knew that nature is controlled by the Almighty.  So having no answers or explanations in the natural realm, we did the only thing we knew could make an everlasting difference: pray.  After a tearful prayer time, we were deeply moved to do anything we could to help as many people as possible.  As a result, all previous plans for the day flew out the window and were replaced with the immediate needs and concerns of the day.  What course of action could be taken in the midst of grief, debris, and mud?  Our host took us to an outdoor market to purchase rice, beans, fish, meat and vegetables.  When we came back, we were able to hand out rice to adults and children who were affected by the rainstorm.  Afterwards we all helped prepare for the families who would be coming to get a hot meal to fill their bellies for a night.  Some of us cut meat and veggies while others helped cooked rice.  With the help of a wonderful Haitian lady who can cook for multitudes, we were able to give numerous dishes of hot food out to around 400 people!!!  As food was given, the medical team was also able to look at anyone who was in need of medical help, due to the flood.  The thought of feeding that many people is a bit daunting to any individual person but as a team, the Lord carried us through the day, enabling us to do what we wouldn`t typically be able to accomplish.  It was truly amazing to see God multiply and stretch the food we did have, to feed all who were in need.  The miracles the Lord performed that are accounted for in His word are not things of old; the same God who created the universe not only knows, but cares about all the needs of his people.  Today, we were reminded that Haiti is not forgotten.

Haiti June 2011- Day 3

The last thing I expected while in Haiti, was to be surprised with a fabulous breakfast of pancakes; but sure enough, the unexpected happened.  My limited expectations would not end at breakfast but rather, continue to be superceded throughout the remainder of the day.  Early morning, we hopped back into our hosts pickup truck and were taken to see a few more tent cities around the local area.  When we returned, our i61 team and oncall team joined together as one, to help out in areas of need.  Although this wasn`t the initial plan, it turned out to be a huge blessing and a unifying experience that would bond both teams together for the remainder of the trip.  Once back at our host home, we began preparing to see people who would be arriving to recieve medical attention.  Some of us began preparing medications, vitamins, and ointments that would be given out.  Others blew up balloons and beach balls for the children to play with.  As people began to trickle in, we had the opportunity to entertain the little ones while their parents were seen by the medical professionals.  For the next couple of hours, while the oncall team attended to their102  patients, we were able to sing, blow bubbles, play with the beach balls, and hand out coloring pages and stickers to all the kids–what a complete joy!!!  Being able to entertain the children and get a smile from their precious faces, while serving on the missions field, was such a sweet surprise.  The remainder of our team helped out the oncall team by packaging and distributing medication.  Two i61 team members learned how to treat a baby for scabies using permathin.  Later that day, we practiced for a skit we would be doing later in the week.  There was a huge rainstorm at the end of the evening; some of our team decided to use the storm to enjoy a warm rainshower!