Trip Cost: $2,000.00The long famous port city of Amsterdam thrives as the capital city of the Netherlands and the sixth largest metropolitan city in Europe. The city has a reputation of “tolerance and diversity” as is seen by its acclaimed nightlife and multinational crowd. Throughout the year about 3.5 million tourists flock to the city for a chance to enjoy its many art museums, architecture, shop in its markets and cruise through its many scenic canals. The legal sale of cannabis in many of Amsterdam’s cafes, along with the red light district contribute to the city’s popularity and image of tolerance among visitors from more conservative cities. The idea behind Amsterdam’s free and tolerant culture is that legalization curbs the use of harder narcotic drugs and gets rid of what is perceived as the more negative aspects of prostitution. However, the city is currently pursuing and enforcing policies that will put greater restrictions on the red light district. As Amsterdam’s current mayor puts it, “Legalization didn’t bring us what we hoped and expected.” And though cannabis is legal, it has not stopped the Netherlands from being a hot spot for narcotic drugs entering Europe, as well as a chief producer of synthetic drugs.
Given the city’s colorful reputation, it has had an equally interesting past. Founded in the late 12th century as a small fishing village, the city went on to become one of the most important ports in the world. Persecution of Protestants during the Spanish Inquisition led to war, Dutch independence from Spain, and a new reputation of religious freedom that drew the Jewish people from other European nations to Amsterdam. These factors set the historical stage for two very famous Dutch women, Ann Frank and Corrie Ten Boom. Both were seized and deported to concentration camps during the Nazi occupation of Holland. One because of her Jewish identity, and the other because of her undying efforts to protect the Jewish people of Holland as a Christian and a member of an underground resistance movement. While Ann Frank never lived to be liberated, Corrie Ten Boom went on to travel around the world with the message of God’s love and tell her story of “the Hiding Place.” Both the Hiding Place, and the Ann Frank House are popular attractions in metropolitan Amsterdam.
Join ChildCry artists working with local Dutch churches as they host a three night concert and evangelistic outreach to the youth of Amsterdam.
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