earthsedge

Last week I was asked to help out with a new staff training day. The ministry team that we work with was giving some teaching on how to function in such a diverse organization. Myself and three others from different ethnic backgrounds shared our experiences working cross-culturally. First, a man from Venezuela shared some of the biggest challenges he faced when he came to Holland. He had a lot of trouble with greetings. Instead of the enthusiastic hugs that Venezuelans give each other when they meet, he was shocked that people could pass by him in the hallway without even saying “hello”. He shared the frustration and the rejection that he felt, until he recognized that it wasn’t a personal problem but a cultural difference. Today, he’s very well adapted to the culture and at the same time, he still has his Venezuelan flair.

Two others shared as well: a Dutch woman gave her perspective as someone from the host culture; and a man from Zimbabwe shared his challenges and how he overcame them. I also got to talk about what it’s like being an American in Europe, where people tend to judge me based on my nationality (or rather, the politics and culture of my nationality!) and not for who I am as a person. At the end of the training session all of the new staff had the opportunity to share something. I was amazed at the response; there was a lot of heated discussion, tough questions, newly found cultural understanding and even some unresolved pain coming up. At the very heart of it, I got the sense that people were so grateful that they could share part of their story and at the same time, come to appreciate others’ stories a little bit more.

This week, our organization started a three month training course for leaders. Seventy people from at least thirty different nations arrived on the base to receive training and develop vision for their ministries all over the world. Chris and I won’t be part of this training directly, but I mention it because one week of the training will be focused on this whole area of intercultural relationships.  Our team leader will be facilitating the training, which will be similar to the intercultural workshop we facilitated in June. In some ways, this whole issue is kind of like the big white elephant in the room of world missions: everyone knows it’s there, but no one wants to talk about it.  But if we don’t, we can’t move forward. We really believe that this is such a significant moment; to have leaders from all over the world gathered together and equipped to work together in unity. Would you please pray for this week of training? Thanks!!

One of the highlights of each week for me is Mom’s Group. It has been happening on and off over the years here at YWAM Amsterdam, but another mom and I decided to get it going again. It’s been a little intimidating because we are still new here but so far it’s going well. Twice a month we meet in the evening for a Bible study or to tell our stories and pray with each other. It’s been so encouraging to get to know some of the other moms better. We also have a kid-friendly activity twice a month and it’s helped me to get to know the city better.

Last week for our outing, we went to a Kinderboederij, or petting zoo. It was pretty small but it was Aidan’s first experience with animals besides pigeons and dogs. He really liked a giant gray rabbit in one of the cages. The rabbit was so huge that it looked like it had eaten other rabbits. At one point, Aidan got so excited that he grabbed the cage and nearly let the beast out; and I think there was a good reason this rabbit was in a cage and not roaming free like the rest of the bunnies.

Afterwards, we walked around the old docks neighborhood. There are many old warehouses that have been converted into expensive apartments. One of my favorite features of the architecture was the arched windows with painted shutters:

The summer is going so fast and I think we’ve only had two, truly “summery” days. I can’t complain, though. I love the cool weather. On the two hot days, I’ve taken Aidan to the public pool and set up his bath outside on the patio to help him stay cool. He really likes fishing around in the water for his toys and kicking his legs until he’s tired and grumpy. He also loves riding bikes. For a while we were borrowing a bike with a seat in the back. But he was a bit too small for it, and his head was dangerously positioned behind our bottoms! These days he’s cruising around the city in a front seat; I think he appreciates the better view!

I’m trying hard to balance being a full-time mom with being a full-time language learner and a part-time English teacher! I still can’t believe that some moms are able to pursue their careers or finish degrees with small children. So far, it’s working well and I’m grateful that we’re doing this while Aidan is still young. In a few more months, I’m definitely going to have to devote more time and energy to taking care of Aidan. Chris is a wonderful daddy and he helps out a lot to make sure that I have the time I need for studying and also just to relax.

After attending our second all-Dutch church service today, I’ve decided that I get more out of these sermons than if I could understand every word. They force me to think about the little that I do understand and work very hard to discover the meaning of the rest. I end up spending the whole day thinking about a 30 minute message.

Since this is a rambling post, I’ve decided to throw in yet another subject: finances. I’ve read many newsletters and emails lately of how the plunging dollar is affecting missionaries around the world. That is certainly true here with the Euro doing so well and the dollar so poorly. Although it is challenging, I want to say that God has been so faithful to us! All we have to do is mention to Him something that we need and a few days or a few weeks later, He takes care of it. However, I have learned to trust God to answer my prayers in the way that He wants to. Sometimes I fantasize about finding a 100 Euro bill on the side of the road and think that it’s naturally the best way for God to answer my prayers. But instead, He answers with more creativity than I expect! Like a few weeks ago when we followed up a freecycle post and ended up with a large amount of useful things for our room (linens, an entire box of all my favorite brands of stationary, notebooks for writing down newly learned Dutch words and other various household treasures). Another encouraging answer to prayer happened last month. Someone gave us several bags of clothes, with pants in the exact size that Aidan needed, on the very week that he needed them. In addition to our answers to prayers, one of my good friends (you know who you are!) mentioned how she was going to reduce her hours at work to spend more time with her daughter. She wasn’t sure how the finances were going to work out, but decided to ask God for help. In the end, things worked out wonderfully and she was amazed at how God took care of her and her family.

I don’t want to make this sound like I view God as my personal genie. To put it simply: I am amazed at how He wants to give good things to His children! This week, Aidan started communicating (sometimes very strongly!) that he wants to play with the things he’s seeing. I believe it’s so important for children to grow up with the confidence that they are free to ask their parents for things. I think it really breaks down a child’s spirit to be afraid to ask because they are almost certain to hear, “No!” It’s great to see him curious and excited about his environment and I feel so privileged to be introducing him to his surroundings. Of course there are things that I won’t give him (like a hot mug of coffee, which he regularly begs for) but I love how the idea transfers to my relationship with God. He really is a good Father and He longs to see us living full, beautiful lives and daily resting in His faithfulness and love. He wants us to be able to come to Him with full confidence that He hears us, loves us and wants to take good care of us.

We are moving (at the end of the week). Back to a little room! Yes, it’s a bit hard to swallow (after spending the last three months in a gigantic apartment!), but that’s life. It was such a blessing to be able to stay in the apartment, but I’m sure the family returning from outreach will be glad to be home! Our residency is still in process, so we wouldn’t be able to move into the city yet. And we realized that it would be quite a stretch for us to rent and furnish an apartment at this point. After feeling really discouraged about this, we both felt God reminding us that He is fully capable of providing what we need whenever we need it, and that we are in the right place at least for now.

We’ve started meeting with our team leader to plan out our time in Amsterdam. For the next three months or so we will be focusing on language learning. It’s something that we believe is really important, even if we aren’t fluent by the time we leave. We may even do a home stay if the opportunity opens up. Our mentor is helping us develop a study program based on the LAMP method and we’ll probably end up taking some government courses as well. It’s going to be fun! I had my first conversation entirely in Dutch the other day, which was very encouraging!

I started teaching English again. I’ve been meeting with a couple from N. Africa and we’re having a great time getting to know each other. (We try to fit some language learning in there, too!) Both of them are fairly new believers who hope to get further bible training and discipleship so they can return one day and invest in their home culture. It’s currently illegal in their country to share Christ but they are looking forward to the day when they can bring their newfound hope to those they love. They are an amazing couple and it’s been an honor to be a small part of their lives.

Last night, I thought Aidan was sleeping in his crib while Chris and I talked. Just as we turned out the light, Chris called out, “Good night, tot!” and he answered right away with a little squawk. Chris and I both laughed at his timing and I got out of bed to resettle Aidan. I was surprised to find that he was sound asleep. He must have been talking to Chris in his sleep!

Do you ever struggle to get the last bit of peanut butter out of the jar? Apparently Dutch people don’t because they have this wonderful implement. It’s called a “flessenlikker” and it’s pure genius; every household here has one. It’s a scraper that easily fits into a variety of bottles, jars and cans and allows you to effortlessly scoop the food out, right down to the last drop. It’s especially nice for those of us on a tight budget, allowing the yogurt or the mayo to last a couple days longer!