Here we are, back in Germany for about a week and a half now. When we arrived, there was unfortunately no snow to my disappointment. But after praying with Simon about it on the weekend, it came! So on Saturday we went out and all played in our first snow this winter. Simon enjoyed throwing snowballs at poor helpless pregnant women (like me) or almost 2 year olds with undeveloped reflexes. Elijah thought it funny though.
Elijah bundled up for his first snow
The Castle is so pretty in white
So we're very thankful to be staying right now in our friends' Volker and Naraleska's. They are currently in Venezuela visiting family, and they've offered us their home until the return near the end of February. So we at least have a home until then. Other than that, we're on the hunt and here in Hurlach it seems quite a feat to find an apartment. There is nothing on the internet, no newspaper, nothing listed anywhere! The other day we heard word from the lady at a local store here that there may be a free flat, so we acted fast. Simon went to the flat, and then was directed to the landlord who lived right behind. He then walked to the landlord's house to ask if it was still available. He could only give us more information today... it is indeed free, and is a good size. The problem is that it is available first from April 1st. Which means we would have to find something to bridge the time in between, and this something would have to still have to be rather private since that's exactly the time when this next baby will come. So naturally, my flesh feels a bit panicky, and not ready for this adventure that's being asked of me. I go through times of doubting, and times of holding on in faith that God, my Papa, is the ultimate provider, he loves me and is faithful.
It's times like these I especially enjoy the Psalms: For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. Psalm 112:6-8
I often say, I love having great stories telling of God's amazing mercies, and triumphs in my life. But the times leading up to these are very challenging and uncomfortable... and my oh my, have I had many of these instances in the last six months. On the other hand, I also have had some pretty awesome stories and miracles because of the challenges.
Aruba Outreach
<---Setting up for the Mini-DTS
When we left the Mini-DTS was just finishing up, and it was a great success and a pleasure to watch it all come together, and to see God really work through our team, and the individuals who came.
Playing an icebreaker game
It was an honour to have Dan Baumann with us. On the first night we had around 40 something visitors from all over the island, from all sorts of churches, or from no church at all.
Dan Baumann and Erick our DTS Leader, and translator for the evening
Since we've left, our team is still doing well (of course!). They're busy around Aruba working with the drug addicts now, and it seems more and more opportunities are opening up. We're really proud of them, and excited to have them home and hear all the other amazing things that have/will happen!
Back to Hurlach, and the Story Keeps Going
A few days after coming home to Hurlach, we attended our local church here in the area and were talking to one of the men there about the work we were doing in Aruba. We mentioned the work that was going on with the prostitutes in the island's Red Light District. He seemed to wonder if us being there to "minister" to these ladies perhaps offended them. He wondered if us going there to love them made them feel like they were being judged or accused.
I tried to explain that our goal wasn't to go there to make them change their lifestyle. Our goal was to love them, and try to show them how God thinks and looks at them. They are precious in His sight. God does the change, not us. Although, during the conversation I thought, "How much can 'just loving' do?" It goes againt our "do do do" instincts.
After our conversation we came home, and I checked our Team's Blog and was amazingly encouraged by the story they had just updated with. I'll include an excerpt here, because it greatly encouraged me:
As you know we have been going down to St. Nicolaas every Saturday and working with the people there and out of this something really cool happened. When I was chatting with Juan (who went back to Colombia) a couple of days ago , he told me this: While he was sitting at the airport in Aruba waiting for his flight to go home he met one of the Colombian prostitutes there to whom we had talk in St. Nicolaas. He was astonished because the woman told us she would go back to Colombia in end of February, so it was over one month to early for her to go back. Juan asked her what she was doing here and she said “You guys were the people who were used from God to said to me the mistake that I was making. I come back to Colombia and change my life and fight for my kid!!!” written by Hanna
Simon and I were so overjoyed after reading this. How Great is God? We had gone to this area with the intention of "just" loving and "just" worshipping Jesus... and that makes the change.
As a Christian, what freedom is this!? It is not anything I do or say that makes the difference.
What matters is God, what He does, and that I give Him the space to do it.. instead of hindering Him by my own ideas and opinions of what people should and should not do.
Much has happened since the last update, I'm not sure where to begin.
We have been a total of four weeks, and actually our family will be leaving next week already back to Germany. The time has gone by, and it has been quite intense.
Our biggest struggles have been unity within the team, transportation (getting anywhere on the island), and communication.
Practicing our teamwork by throwing each other in the air :)
Unity
Because we are a team of eight students and four staff from all sorts of backgrounds, and nations in a foreign country, living together very tightly, we have been challenged in all sorts of ways. We cook together, eat together, hitchhike together, walk together, share one bathroom per house, clean together, worship together, spend almost every moment of every day in relatively small spaces together, feet are bound to be stepped on. We are not only challenged by crossed personal boundaries, but are also in a spiritual battle here in the island. Very often the unexpected has happened, phones, cars, ovens and washing machines have broken down, toilets have almost once a week become plugged (since we have to throw toilet paper in the garbage bin and not the toilet, often it happens that you forget, throw it in the toilet and when it's too much... yeah). So working together and loving each other has been tested every step of the way. But it has been a great first four weeks, and we have seen much development in ourselves. As staff, I can say I'm very proud of our students for their endurance and patience with us when we change plans, or make mistakes.
Downtown Oranjestad
Transportation
has been a constant issue. A constant prayer request is some sort of vehicle. Since we live in the middle of the island, it's a 5km walk to the first downtown and beach areas, at least twice a week we head in this direction to do worship/prayer/street evangelism/youth group.
Hitchhiking has been lately our most used method of getting around the island. It's not the safest, a few times the drivers have been drinking and driving and/or drunk, nor is it legal when too many people are sitting in the car, or when a pickup comes and offers for everyone to pile in the back. We struggle with this as well, because as missionaries, we want to bless people, not curse them with some sort of ticket from the police, and we want to make sure everyone is safe! So continue to pray for us for a better solution!
One such "questionable" ride in the back of a pickup
A few students talking to one of the ladies in San Nicolaas
Our second weekly location is on the south end of the island in the "Red light District" of Aruba called San Nicolaas. It's a 16.5km journey from where we live. Which may not seem like much when one has a car, but this is quite a stretch without one. Luckily, there is a bus that runs from downtown to San Nicolaas, but to get there and back we have to plan in at least two hours travel time. There we minister to the people in that area, and focus often on the prostitutes working in that area and a local witchcraft/new agey store.
Christmas and New Years
On the 24th we planned a Christmas party with the intention to invite prostitutes from San Nicolaas to celebrate and eat with us. Many of the women working here in Aruba only stay for a few months at a time, because they're typically from Colombia. They leave their family at home, and venture out here to earn better money to support their children. We've met women who are putting their kids through school this way, or are trying to save enough to start their own businesses.
Our team, with some of Erick's family, and our ladies from Colombia who are in the middle left.
This was actually rather a stressful day for everyone, mainly because of our transportation issue, and we didn't exactly have our own "house" or "flat" to entertain in. Thankfully, Erick's sister was willing to open up her home and kitchen to whoever we wanted to invite. The students wrapped 25 little gifts of jewelry and invitations the day of to hand out on the streets. Late in the afternoon, our mini-outreach team came back with three guests! Each of these women had children waiting for them at home. They all had boys, and one had a boy about the same age as Elijah. My heart really broke for these women, because I realize how hard it must be.. not only to be selling one's self for the much needed money, but to be missing many loved ones in a foreign land. We really wanted to bless them this Christmas, and I think we did. They seemed to enjoy the food, and our company... despite the language barrier (since they spoke pretty much only Spanish).
Our little construction worker
Fireworks are legal from around the 24th of December till the 6th of January. During this time we heard bangs at all hours... literally, from 8am on. New Years eve was the most incredible display of light and noise I have ever seen/heard. When Elijah first heard the big bangs, he was frightened. But day after day after day after day, he must have got used to hearing it.
Christmas day
was a new experience for us. It was 30+ degrees, and we got to celebrate with Erick's family. His dad prepared the feast for us, complete with chicken, ham, potato salad, rice, and few other Aruban specialties.
Our first Mini-Mini-DTS
Our plan between Christmas and new Years was to hold a mini-mini-DTS. It was to be three days long, and to give a taster of our mini-DTS that we would hold in the new year. It was difficult to organize and plan with our Christmas party pending, and our lack of contacts. Everyone was on vacation, so we tried to invite through Facebook the youth that we already knew. Our intention was to spend the day with them, have a teaching and practical part, and then of course, fellowship. But this didn't exactly happen as planned. The first day of the DTS came, and no one showed up, second day, no one (although I think one of our adopted team member's - Juan, was there), and the third day was the same. This was very disappointing, because we had heard from a few people that they would be coming, but still no one came. We continued just the same though, just as if mini-DTS student's would have been there. Our team members had prepared a few teachings, and carried them out, and also the practical part. It wasn't a complete loss, since I believe it was great practice for what is to come!
New Years - the party doesn't begin until after midnight
we prepared a party here in the house Simon, I, and three other girls are living in, which is about an 8 minute walk from the other house. We ate, played games and watched fireworks that lasted literally all evening. Our neighbors were supposedly having a big party with live music which I was looking forward to. My expectation was that it would start around 9 or 10pm. But 9 came, and I saw no guests, 10...11... still not really anyone, maybe four extra people, finally midnight, and still no one was there, not even the band! I thought, perhaps I had misunderstood what our landlady told us. I was ready for bed by 12:30am, and left our party early, and lo and behold, that's when everyone started showing up! Their party didn't properly start until 1am! Talk about a cultural difference. I, as a boring Canadian am done by the time New Years hits, and the "Party Island" is just getting started. I was happy to have ear plugs, and the rest of the team enjoyed hanging out even without tired, pregnant me :)
Two more months...
Since New Years we have experience more challenges, but more triumphs!!! Praise God! It has at times felt like we were trying to run in the mud. This is why, we as leaders decided to re-structure our Outreach schedule and clarify the vision. Our focus is that coming out of intimacy with Jesus, new things will be born.
Our team doing a drama for some elementary students after their swimming lessons.
The vision is to equip, include and connect the youth of Aruba. God is calling for unity here in this nation, especially between the churches. What we have noticed especially is that there are many churches, not much contact, and a HUGE gap between the Catholic and Protestant/Free churches. They are considered different religions here.
At the beginning, seeing this vision even starting was very hard to picture. But we've been picking up momentum.
Our SECOND Mini-DTS
We decided that this week we will be starting our second mini-DTS, starting Friday and going until Wednesday. This time we've had the advantage of having more time to plan. Erick had a great idea of inviting Dan Baumann who has been with YWAM for a number of years. To our delight and surprise he agreed to come on short notice and will fly out from Hawaii just for the weekend to teach at our mini-DTS! He has a really interesting story about being imprisoned on false charges in Iran for 9 weeks, and having two death sentences placed on him.
Check out his incredible story here:
Inviting and Advertising
for our Mini-DTS
January 13 -18th, 2012
The team created a whole bunch of hand painted invitations for the mini-DTS in Papiamentu, English and Spanish. We have had many opportunities to give them out around the island, and have no more left.
Last weekend Sarah and I met with a Catholic priest in the Paradera area to see if we would be allowed to introduce our group and advertise the DTS at the church on Sunday. They seemed a bit skeptical at first, not knowing who YWAM was, and wondering if we're from a different religion. But we insisted that we are Christian, love Jesus and we would like to work with youth from all over the island. The priest was kind of quirky but really nice guy, and told us since we live in Paradera that we're his parishioners and we should be in the service on Sunday. There we would be able to introduce ourselves and hand out invitations. This was so amazing, because they were really open for us to come and speak in the church.
Santa Filomena - The Catholic church
The First TV Experience
The next day we arrived for the service and although we didn't understand anything, it was nice to be there. The music was actually cool, it had a neat spanish flare.. no organ in sight.
At the end Miriam was allowed to introduce our team and explain who YWAM was, and why we were here. Afterward, the priest told me that he would like to come this Friday to the DTS. Another woman came to us and was very excited about what we are doing. She said she would bring the youth she's been working with since she thinks it's better that young people teach young people. To which we agree!
To our surprise we were filmed and I guess transmitted live on TV to those who couldn't make it to the service. A few days later a lady ran into some of our team on the road and said, "I saw you on TV! I know what you're doing here in Aruba, it's great!"
THE FAITH TOUR
Yesterday (January 10th) we sent the students out for the day with 5 Florins (around $2) with the goal to listen to God, and follow where He is leading. This may sound a bit strange at first, but at the end of the day we were encountered with some amazing stories. There were three teams and they were instructed to take no food, or personal money; just water, their clothes (obviously), their bibles, and the 5 Florins.
Every team seemed to have really great experiences, although, some with a bit more frustration than others.
San Nicolaas
I'll share a couple of stories from the groups. One group head to the San Nicolaas area, and from there had the impression to go to the schools in the area. In total, they visited five schools and received seven rides all over the island. A few of the schools were very open for our invitations for the DTS and because the group didn't have enough of them, the school offered to photocopy and post the one they had left. One of the principles of the schools had actually heard of YWAM. He came from Guyana, and around 30 years ago YWAM came to his village and was very involved there. He invited our team to come back to the school and present and do whatever we want, as soon as we want.
The Gangsters
This same team kept walking around the area, and came upon a local gang. At first they didn't want to even look at the group, because they seemed threatening. But after a second thought, they decided to go up to the gang. They introduced themselves, "Hi, we're missionaries from Germany." The gang responded with, "and we're the anti-Christ" while showing off their 666 tattoos on their knuckles, and smiling. Still our team invited them to our upcoming event, and one seemed even a bit interested, while the others chuckled. We are excited to see if any of these guys will actually come.
The Orphanage
I thought it was really cool because the day before the faith tour, Sarah and I were talking, and she had been wondering if there were any orphanages on the island. Even before the outreach she tried googling some information, but found nothing. Her team went out on the faith tour, and since no one picked them up while hitchhiking, they had to walk a bit. But it was good, because as they were walking they came across what looked like some sort of Catholic church/compound. They had the impression to go in, and when they did they found out it was an orphanage. There they met one of the leaders, and spoke with her about the work there, and asked if there would be any opportunity for us to help. So we hope in the future to go there and minister to the kids and workers.
TODAY - January 11th
A bit tanned after four weeks on the island
As I write many great things have happened today. First we found out that Erick's church will fully support us in what we do, which means they will provide us with a car this week since we will have to go multiple times to the airport to pick up our much missed DTS Leader Volker, our guest speaker Dan, and next week to drop off Simon and myself to fly back to Germany. They will also provide us with a small apartment for our guest speaker to stay in, which is a HUGE blessing. Seven of our team are staying with Erick's family, along with the family themselves and their own guests in three bedrooms. This means that so far, the family (Mom, Dad, Erick, his brother, and cousin) all sleep in one room, the second room has three people in it, and the third four. Plus we had to house our guests somehow - Volker and Dan and possibly one other. We stay in a second house, Simon, Elijah and I in one room, and two girls in one tiny room, and another on the floor in our living room. We are cramped for space, so this apartment is a gift.
The team went downtown today to do worship in the main square and talk with people. During this time, a television crew from the local news station came to film and interview. Again, we had the privilege to be on TV, explain who we are, what we're doing and advertise a bit about our DTS starting on Friday. We couldn't have planned this better ourselves, it is really only God's hand in this.
