"O Come Let Us Adore Him" in the supermarket

We were standing in line to check in at a small hotel in Manila, in the Philippines, when we suddenly looked at each other in surprise: clear Christmas music was blaring from the loudspeakers, and it was only the beginning of September! "Yes, the Christmas season has already started," the receptionist told us, “It’s always this early here!"

This was the second country on our long, nearly four-month trip. We had begun in India, where we had the privilege of teaching at a Children at Risk School in Jaipur. And now, in the Philippines, we were part of a huge YWAM conference with 4,500 YWAMers from 110 different countries. 

Still the same leader

It was the first major international conference since the death of Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM. His wife, Darlene, shared that before he died, many people asked Loren who would lead this large international mission movement after him. He always gave the same answer: “The One who has led it from the beginning: the Lord Jesus!”

It was wonderful to see so many young missionaries from so many different countries gathered to seek God together. As Darlene emphasized: “To listen to His voice, to obey, and to never give up!” 

Grateful and blessed.

Encouraged, we continued our journey to Richmond, USA. Here, instead of Christmas decorations, there were still decorations for Thanksgiving in the shops. It was beautiful to see all kinds of products in large stores, from napkins to towels to wall plaques, with messages like "Grateful and Blessed!" What a wonderful reminder to pause and give thanks to God. 

Classroom teaching, practice, and "micro learning"

In Richmond, we were at a YWAM base pioneering a Children at Risk School. After a few years of mostly online teaching, it was great to be on a physical base and meet the students face to face. This time, we combined classroom teaching in the morning with hands-on lessons in the afternoons, where students, among other things, created their own large puppets. 

 

In the evenings, there was "micro learning," where students watched short (YouTube) videos and read articles through a dedicated Google Classroom. All of this was designed to help them absorb the lessons in different ways. We are excited about the amazing possibilities of delivering educational content in so many diverse ways! 

Students fly out

In August in Jaipur, India, and in September and October in Richmond, USA, we had students with a calling to India, Cambodia, Cameroon, Ecuador, as well as to work in the USA with children in disadvantaged neighborhoods, refugee children and their families, and children in foster care. What a privilege to help them on their journey. We hope and pray that their work will bear much fruit and that they will reach many children, families, and entire communities through God's love.  

Little boy in Jaipur, India

Daily reminders that God loves us!

Now, in November, we have arrived in Brazil, and yes, here too you can hear Christmas music coming from store speakers. The songs about Santa Claus can be annoying, but I love it when I suddenly hear "O Come Let Us Adore Him" or "Holy Night" in the supermarket. Little reminders that our lives belong to Him, that He loves us, guides us, and blesses us. That the Lord Jesus, God Immanuel, came to earth to save us from sin, sorrow, and lostness, and to offer us His friendship - and more than that: His sonship! Wow! 

How one little tooth disrupted our plans.

We had everything planned. Johan was turning 70 on November 10th, and we had invited a large group of people for a barbecue. Then, the next week he was to teach in Recife, a city in the northeast of Brazil where a Children at Risk School is also being pioneered. But things turned out differently... Johan went to the dentist with a loose canine tooth and it turned out the root was broken. Everything moved quickly after that, and within a few days, he was with the oral surgeon who performed minor surgery on his palate, gums, and jaw. He was then instructed: "Rest for three days, don’t talk, stick to liquids, and avoid teaching or physical activity for two weeks." 

Our kids presented him with new ice skates!

Oops! Just a few days later it would already be his birthday! We quickly called the guests and postponed the date, while the classes in Recife were replaced by video lessons. Not ideal, but better than nothing at all!  

With Michele, Romeu, and kids

Fortunately, Johan is feeling much better now, and we are enjoying our time with Michele, Romeu, and the grandchildren, Igor and Eva. It is wonderful to have such intense time together for a few weeks. It helps us temporarily forget how far apart we live and how much we miss them.  

Back to the Netherlands

In a few days we will fly back to the Netherlands. After such a long trip, it will be nice to spend quality time with our children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and other family and friends in the Netherlands.
  

Our tentative plans for next year are to teach in person at some of the Children at Risk Schools, and to develop and teach a third module of our online seminars. These online seminars have consistently been a great success, with a total of over 800 students. So, we hope to continue to combine this with face-to-face teaching.

Light of the world

But first in December we hope to celebrate Christmas in the Netherlands - the celebration that is announced months in advance in so many countries around the world. The celebration of the light that came into the world and drove out the darkness. The feast of our Lord Jesus! We wish you all a blessed Christmas season!

  

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Prayer Points

• Thank God with us for the greatest gift we can ever receive: God Immanuel, God with us.
• Thank God for the many young missionaries in countries like India, the Philippines, America, Brazil, the Netherlands, and more, who are ready to take the Good News to the most difficult places.
• Praise God for Johan’s successful surgery.
• Pray for our plans for next year, that we will continue to train and encourage many missionaries.
• Pray that people who still live in darkness and do not know Jesus will be awakened to the Gospel, seek Him and find Him through all the Christmas preparations in stores and churches!