Gracious Christmas

End of the year

Christmas two years ago was spent in the quietness of the African Wild. As we pushed our 4x4 Landcruiser through thick mud and deep puddles, watching the amazing animals, our thoughts were also often with the unknown future. Where was the Lord going to lead us?

Last year Christmas we knew where. Led by the Holy Spirit, after a lot of prayer, the Lord had given us a home here in Veenendaal. A place we probably wouldn’t have picked ourselves. Yet, the question remained: Why here?

This Christmas, that’s no question at all. About 7 months ago the board of ICF (International Christian Family) installed us as a couple to pastor the little, vacant flock. Words can hardly express the deep joy it gives to serve the Lord in serving the ICF community. ICF’s main calling is to offer a home for people who have no natural home church to fit in, and a as culturally diverse body to reach out mostly to people with a migrant background. Many refugees have arrived in this area and are looking for much spiritual and practical support.

Right from the beginning we have been investing mostly in relationship, friendship, fellowship and of course in teaching and preaching. We have hosted many pot-luck dinners, tasting flavors from all over the world. We feel that our overseas experiences help us to understand our new friends much better. We know what it means to leave and to lose. We also know what it takes to learn new languages. We understand the frustrations of not understanding culture and traditions.

But we never experienced the trauma of war and persecution! We listen to their heartbreaking stories. All we do is LOVE them and bring them under the wings of the Almighty. That’s the only place where anyone will find true healing and peace.

We are privileged to watch God doing wondrous things. Refugees with Islamic background lay their lives in the hands of Christ, one by one. During our home visits we hear the most amazing personal stories, and we enjoy wonderful hospitality. I am so glad our kids eat anything and are brave enough to try whatever food is served… Moroccan Harira or Persian Khoresht Fesenjaan chicken…you name it.  

A few days ago we visited a lovely family, staying in the refugee camp nearby. They were born and raised in the Middle East and experienced some of the rigid rules of their fathers religion. With their two little girls of 3 and 5 they left their country. After 5 attempts on a rubber boat at the Mediterranean sea, they finally made it the sixth time to Greece, in the middle of the night. Six months they stayed in a tiny tent, no bathroom, no kitchen, no running water, no bed….nothing except each other. God knows how they ended up here, the mom being 8 months pregnant. Meanwhile…. God’s hand was guiding them, they met a Christian who shared the gospel. Now they want to know everything about God and His Word. During our baptism service last Sunday, 4 new believers were baptized. This family was watching eagerly, didn’t want to miss one second.

For our Christmas service we had many visitors from the church neighborhood. Most heard the gospel for the first time. Like every Sunday after the service, we had a meal as well. Visitors had time to converse with ‘our own people’. Beautiful how new believers, recent converts, become witnesses right away.

Looking back at the past year, we rejoice in the Lord.   For the year to come, we pray for lots of love and wisdom to serve in the very dynamic, multi-cultural ICF ministry in our little town.

God’s grace is true grace indeed! Praying that you get to enjoy much of this grace, too!