Dear
friends,
Johan is waiting up front in the classroom while young
people enter and sit down. He already installed his laptop and projector, and
while he waits, he tries to clean the dust off his black leather shoes by
wiping them secretly on the back of pants…
Then the school leader introduces Johan to the students. This introduction is being translated into
others languages, and at last it is Johan’s turn to start teaching!
Teaching
gives energy
The theme of the week is, “What can be done among the children at risk in our city?” With
Bible studies, stories and power points, Johan shares from all the experience
he has accumulated. He loves to teach and interact with students. It gives him
new energy.
Of course, he always teaches in the Children at Risk school
in Belo Horizonte (which we will run for the 23rd time this year), but he has also
been able to give these same teachings in many other countries at YWAM schools,
conferences and churches. Johan has the
gift of teaching and enjoys using it. He would love to spend even more time
teaching, if possible.
To
write a new book
I would really like to find more time to be able to
transform all these teachings into a good, readable book. Until now, this has not been possible as we
have been too busy with the leadership of the work here in Belo Horizonte. Overall, there are 70-90 full time
missionaries spread out over 8 different centers, consisting of different
projects, homes, community centers and training schools. Together, the many volunteers, students and missionaries,
reach out to children and families with the practical, healing and inspiring
love of God.
Transition
of leadership
We have been praying for quite some time already, and
understand that the time is coming near, to hand over the leadership of the
work here in Belo Horizonte. One of the first steps we took in this direction
was to write two separate newsletters (instead of the combined personal and
ministry newsletter). In our personal newsletter (this one), I write about what
Johan and I are doing. The second
newsletter is specifically about the work of YWAM in Belo Horizonte. It is quite fun because our daughter,
Johanneke, writes most of the ministry newsletters now, while our son-in-law,
Jonathan, does the design and organizational side of creating the newsletter. They
both work as fulltime missionaries, and for us as (grand) parents, it is great
to have them living so close to us with their three daughters.
Together with the rest of the leadership team, we are
prayerfully working toward handing over the daily leadership by the end of
2013. We certainly hope to have the health and ability to still be connected to
the base for many years, but more in a mentoring role as we pursue our goals to
do more teaching and writing.
World
Cup Football (soccer)
Johan is coordinating the international (YWAM) outreach
teams planning to come to Brazil for evangelistic events during the 2014 World
Cup. This is a big job in itself! The evangelistic events will have a focus,
among other things, on the problems concerning human trafficking and the sexual
exploitation of children, teenagers, men and women during that time.
Dilma
may move to Holland
Many of you may remember that besides our three
biological children, we also adopted two other children named Dilma and Davi. Dilma is deaf, Davi is paraplegic and both
are mentally challenged. For three years
now, Davi (25) has been living in Holland in a Christian community for people
that need support. He loves it there! It’s
a great place for him as he has a beautiful big bedroom, a nice job and
fulltime care, all adapted to his intellectual and physical level. We can see
how good it is for him to have a certain level of independence, with all the
care and encouragement he needs.
We would love to see something like that for Dilma (31)
also. Here in Brazil she has reached her full potential developmentally. In
December, when we will go on furlough to Holland, we hope to take Dilma to this
Christian community to see if she will adapt well there as Davi has. As it will
be a big change, please pray for her concerning this situation.
We would like to thank all those who have prayed for us,
encouraged us with finances, emails and messages. We wish you all God’s richest blessings.
Prayer
points:
- We thank God for
the committed leaders and staff in Belo Horizonte. Pray for this phase of
transition.
- We thank God for
Dilma, and please pray that she will adapt easily in Holland.
Love and greetings,
Johan
and Jeannette
Interesting links to some of our staff
websites:
