During the last few months, we have received many incredibly sad messages from friends all over the world, but especially from Brazil and India about sickness and people dying because of Corona. Of course, you have all seen in the news how critical the situation is in many places.
Recently I read a prayer on a Bible App (The Message Study Bible Notes), based on the book of Job, which really touched me and reflects a little bit of how Johan and I start the day with prayers for the world in need. Here I quote:
Dear Lord,
Help me to see that you are sovereign over the circumstances of my life,
even over suffering that seems impossible to understand.
Help me to see that suffering as a sacrament,
something that can be a means of grace,
drawing me closer to you,
and you closer to me.
Grant me the honesty to ask heartfelt questions.
Grant me also the humility to realize that what I need
isn’t so much an answer but an embrace.
Embrace me, O God. Please.
Lift me from the ash heap and gather me in your loving arms.
Hold me close. Wipe my tears. And make me whole . . .
Will you please pray with us for the people in need close by or far away?
Teaching online continues
During the last couple of weeks, we´ve been teaching online in different locations. In Brazil, Johan taught in the Children at Risk school in Belo Horizonte. This time it was just for Brazilian students. They arrived two weeks early to go in quarantine together so they could be a “bubble” in the classroom together. But unfortunately, the practical outreach classes cannot be done because of Corona, and most teachers had to share online. It´s hard, but hopefully next year things will be back to normal….
Brazil, Mexico, Barbados
Johan also lectured online in Borel, a favela in Rio de Janeiro and in a DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Tijuana, Mexico. And I was invited to speak online at a church in Barbados during an all-night prayer vigil.
Sometime later this year, we hope to start offering our online seminars again. This week we´ll have an international Zoom meeting about this.
Construction
In the meantime, we are taking some online Bible courses ourselves and working on our construction project, often with the help of friends, building our garden office. This will also function as a guestroom and, as it will have a wheelchair accessible bathroom, will be especially useful for our son Davi when he stays with us on weekends and during vacations. It is quite a job, but the floor insulation is placed, and the central heating is hooked up. Now we just need to do the painting, install the shower and toilet, and finish a lot of other little things. 😊 We are happy the shops here in Holland just opened again after the lockdown, so now we can go and quickly buy something urgently needed instead of having to order it online and wait a couple of days. It is really starting to come together!
Johan has been having problems with his prostate for several years, having to go to the bathroom frequently both day and night. Tests showed that there is no cancer. Last year he got some specific medicines which helped a little, but now the doctor has strongly advised him to have surgery to diminish the size of the prostate. The original plan was for the 18th of May, but with all the hospitals full to overflowing because of COVID, they are probably going to postpone it for a while. Please pray for this situation, and for a speedy recovery for Johan.
Visiting Brazil?
Our original plan was to go to Brazil to be with friends and family and teach in the schools there. But the way things are developing right now with COVID, it doesn´t look like a wise plan yet. We did both get our first vaccination and hope to get the second one next month. But the situation in Brazil with COVID is quite out of control, so we´ll have to wait and see.
Our kids
Our kids in Brazil, Michele and Romeu, are reaching out to vulnerable children. Schools have been closed since March of 2020, which is terrible for all children and especially for the underprivileged ones. They are also helping poor families with food packets.
Our kids in England, Johanneke and Jonathan, are planning to lead the Documentary and Filmmaking School in September. They hope to get an international group of students for this great hands-on experience. They plan to come to Holland on furlough in July with their 3 daughters. Looking forward to seeing them!
Our kids in the USA, Pieter and Melissa, still do most things online. The oldest two children go to school half time, but the youngest one still has just online teaching. Pieter has worked from his office at home for over a year.
And our kids in Holland, Dilma and Davi, have now both had their two vaccinations. This is wonderful, especially as Davi has such fragile health. Their places of employment, a gift shop and a restaurant in a neighboring city, are open again, so they can resume their work. We are so grateful for the staff of the assisted living home (where both Davi and Dilma live) who have succeeded in guiding the whole group of young people with special needs through these turbulent times.
Prayer points
- Please join with us in prayer for countries that are in great need right now like Brazil, India, Yemen, Lebanon, and many countries in Africa.
- Let us pray that vaccines will be made available for everyone worldwide, and that no dangerous mutations will start spreading.
- We give thanks for the opportunities to teach online. Pray for the seminars we hope to offer again later this year.
- We are thankful that Johan’s prostate problems are benign, and please pray for the upcoming surgery and his rehabilitation.
We wish you God´s peace and presence, consolation in times of sadness, strength when you grow weary, and the ability to receive His love and give it away to others!
With lots of love!
With lots of love!
