The date of our arrival in England is nearing rapidly. Jurgen is kept busy by the logistic puzzle involved. To sell two Dutch cars and buy an English car may seem an easy and straightforward job, but really … it is not. And how do you get 6 people across the canal with some furniture? What to do with that lovely larder and library cupboard? Apart from the logistic problems emotions are involved.

We are happy to receive help from family members and friends in Holland. We have a home front committee with two members especially appointed to help us in our logistic struggles.

So far we have worked out that we will move the furniture we will not need in England to the balcony of our church on Saturday the 3rd of September and on the 5th of September we hope to move ourselves and some smaller things to the United Kingdom.

It is preparation time for the children. On the 22nd of July they will say their good bye’s in their primary school. We try to make it a positive experience for them with treats and such. Vanya, Issa and Abbey will give of have already given a good bye party.

The children are actively involved in the process of moving to England. They are included in some decisions (regarding what to do with this or that thing / toy etc.) and they help us clear things, pack and shove boxes.

We try to mentor the children emotionally as good as we can. We use the help of others and of special talk and do book about moving to another country.

The move comes with double feelings: on the one hand they are excited on the other sad to miss friends.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Dutch.

Our choice for homeschooling means that the responsibility for the curriculum lies with us as parents. This raises important questions relating to the overall issue of what to equip the children with towards adulthood. We have studied many possibilities.

We think it is important that the children become familiarized with the Dutch language. That’s why we won’t just offer them Dutch as part of their program, but Math, Handwriting and History will also be offered in the Dutch language.

We are glad to have found a good homeschooling curriculum on the internet. We hope to buy materials from Sonlight, a homeschooling company with an international focus. Since 1990 Sonlight has been offering homeschool programs and they have won many awards.

We feel confident that we can make homeschooling a succes through the use of both the Dutch materials and the international curriculum.

We are very glad to let everyone know that Jurgen has been admitted to the bible college. He applied to a place the Trinity School of Theology in november 2010. On March 29th we were informed he can commence his studies in september 2011.

Finally the baby has arrived! We had to wait a long time, but on Monday the 21st of February Dani was born in hospital. His weight was 3430 grams and his length 49 cm. Both Dani and Katja are doing fine. Sofar Dani is a happy baby who hardly cries.

The older children are very happy with their new brother. They think it is a pity that Dani sleeps a lot since they love to have him on their lap. Dani gets lots of kisses and hugs from his sisters and brother.

After the leave there lies 1 month of work ahead, until the end of July 2011. In August we hope to make the last preparations for our move to England, planned in September.

Since half May 2010 our Dutch Homefrontcommittee is complete. We are glad to have found 7 people to support us and form a team with us in de period of study ahead and after.

In July we have met with the Committee for the first time. We have had a very good time with them, their spouses and children.

The coming period we would like to invest in making a team with our Homefrontcommittee. Would you please pray for unity and a good and fertile cooperation?

Over the last years we have studied many many mission organisations in many many ways, amongst which:

–  looking up information on the internet;
– watching video presentations;
– participating in a mission weekend;
– conversations with (former) missionaries;
– visits to a mission exhibition;
– interviews with mission organisations and
– reading books.

You can imagine that we have received much information and that we need time to contemplate what to do. However, there is one organisation that has drawn our special attention. That organisation is the African Inland Mission (AIM). AIM workers serve amongst foremost tribal African peoples. We are in contact with AIM to receive more information hoping to find out wether cooperation is possible.

For now the contacts will be via email since the nearest office to us is in England.

On Saturday 5 June 2010 Jurgen has taken the IELTS Academic test. IELTS stands for International English Language Test System. The test is mandatory when applying for a Degree study in England whilst not coming from an English speaking country.

The test was very challenging. During the morning the subtests listening (40 minutes), writing (60 minutes) and reading (60 minutes) were taken without a break. It took al lot of concentration! All went well, but it was much and there was not much time to give the answers.

After this Jurgen had to wait until about half past three for the speaking test interview. This went well. Jurgen had an answer for all the questions, sometimes looking for words, but he managed.

The result: Jurgen scored an overall of 7, a score to be proud of!

During our trip to England in May 2010 we have purchased a method for teaching English during the Reception Year. Vanya is now taught English by Katja so she will not be too much behind when she starts school in England.

Vanya enjoys her lessons very much. She often asks when she will be having another lesson. Sofar she easily picks up the English language. She can read quite some words and even sentences. Learning and teaching English is fun!