Category: blog

AIM Membership
By Jurgen & Katja

AIM Membership

On the 8th of this month we went to Nottingham for our final interview with AIM (Africa Inland Mission) regarding our application for membership. We had our interview with the Director of Personnel, his colleague and the Director of AIM Europe. The interview lasted for over 4 hours and we were able to discuss many things, including further steps.

The outcome of the interview is that the interview panel were unanimous in their decision that the Lord has prepared and called us for ministry with AIM to work among Africa’s peoples. The next step is that AIM Europe will prayerfully consider appropriate assignment options for us. We hope to hear back from them soon.

Now that the interview is over, we stay on in England for a while to enjoy some holiday time and to catch up with friends and with people in church. We are enjoying our time in England and the lovely countryside. We hope to go back to Holland with new energy to further prepare ourselves for serving the Lord in Africa.

Final Interview in England
By Jurgen & Katja

Final Interview in England

Today we received the news that we can have our final interview with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) at the beginning of October. After this interview we will hear whether we can join AIM. The interview will be held in Nottingham, AIM Europe’s headquarters.

We ask you to pray that the interview will be fruitful. The interview will be held in front of a panel, normally consisting of the Director, the Personnel Director and his Associate, and a member of the Board of Trustees. The interview will take 2 – 3 hours at least and we are expected to give a presentation on the topic, “The needs and opportunities in Africa, and how we believe God has prepared and equipped us to respond”.

It has almost been a year since we left England. We are glad to come back for the interview, and – at least as important – to meet and greet friends and visit our church in England, the Bridgnorth Baptist Church.

Dutch Interviews Completed
By Jurgen & Katja

Dutch Interviews Completed

We are very glad to let you know that the necessary interviews in the Netherlands, concerning our application for membership of Africa Inland Mission (AIM), have been completed. We have had several conversations with the board of AIM Netherlands and the church leaders of our church in Holland.

The outcome of the various meetings is that our Dutch church is willing to support us in our mission, and is positive about our choice for mission organisation AIM.

The above means we can now take the last step towards membership of AIM: an oral examination at AIM’s headquarters in Nottingham. After approval of the European board we hope to attain membership. We seek to have this interview soon: this or next month.

Psychological Assessment
By Jurgen & Katja

Psychological Assessment

We are glad to let you know some progress has been made in our application with Africa Inland Mission (AIM).

In May we have been assessed psychologically to ascertain our suitability as missionaries. We received the rapport a week ago. We are positive about the results and feel encouraged.

The pychologist’s rapport is a useful tool for the mission organisation to get a better picture of who we are and where we are best to serve. The findings of the psychologist also include some tools and tips to help us in our preparations and on the field.

The next step is an interview with representatives of AIM Netherlands and of the leadership team of our church in Holland. It is important to check that we all agree on important points – i.e. what are the roles of the missionaries, church and mission organisation? Lastly there is a final interview in England, after which we can become members of AIM.

Another Move
By Jurgen & Katja

Another Move

It is almost half a year since we left England to return temporarily to the Netherlands. We had hoped to be sent to the mission field this spring, but we have learned this is not so. If we become members of Africa Inland Mission (AIM) and serve on one of their teams, we expect to go to Africa no sooner than in 2014. We have changed our mindset and accepted that we are in Holland for a longer time than anticipated.

A longer stay means we are in need of a long term house. It was very difficult to find a house, but the Lord has provided. Next month we hope to move to the center of Den Helder, the northwest tip of the Netherlands. Jurgen and Issa have already started to build a closet and two desks for the new house.

The past few months have not been easy. There was much uncertainty as to when we would be able to go to Africa, whether we would be allowed to continue home education, and with respect to our new house. We are thankful that these things have all worked out, but we would very much appreciate your prayers for peace in our family. Although we see ourselves grow in the capability of adapting to changing circumstances, it can still feel like tidal waves are coming over us sometimes. That is not a nice feeeling. We won’t give up, but please don’t give up on praying for us either!

Meeting Up
By Jurgen & Katja

Meeting Up

We have been living in Den Helder for one and a half month now and have found our way back to the church, supermarket, swimming pool and library. We enjoy being close to family and Dutch friends.

Much has happened over the last one and a half year, so it is time to meet up with some people. Last week we gathered with some friends who are willing to help us in our missionary task, whilst staying in the Netherlands themselves.

Coming monday we will see the elders of our church, and later this month we hope to have a second interview with Dutch respresentatives of Africa Inland Mission (AIM). After this interview and a psychological test it will be decided whether we can join AIM as members. Then we will enter the next fase: orientation on the possibilities on the field.

On the Seashore
By Jurgen & Katja

On the Seashore

n Thursday 22 November we arrived in Den Helder (The Netherlands), where we have lived before our move to England. Friends, who are away on a 5 month mission trip, have borrowed us their house. The house is quite big and there is a playground out front. Jurgen even has a seperate study!

The coming months will be used for study as Jurgen starts his second year of Theology. We would also like to take the time to strenghten the relationships with family and friends. Our contact with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) will be intensified. An interview will be planned for January and we begin our orientation to the possibilities for us within AIM.

To prepare ourselves further as a family, we will study a special online curriculum about Bible story telling, a way in which many peoples are introduced to the Word of God.

Accepted at LST
By Jurgen & Katja

Accepted at LST

This week we received a letter of acceptance from London School of Theology. Jurgen can finally begin his second year of study. We are very happy about that. For the Diploma Level Jurgen needs to complete at least 9 modules.

The first module is titled: ‘Encountering God and Neighbour’ and deals with our relationship with God and our fellow man. Many Old Testament books will be studied, especially Genesis, Micha and Proverbs.

The theological books in this module relate to questions of origins, possessions, Old Testament Spirituality, poverty and guilt.

A Cozy Little Cottage
By Jurgen & Katja

A Cozy Little Cottage

On the third of October we moved from West Farm Cottage in England to a little cottage in Holland. The journey took us about 20 hours. The first few days were spent unpacking boxes, but now we have settled into our nice little cottage. The cottage, which used to be a pigsty, belongs to Katja’s mother who moved to the old farmhouse three years ago. The children have quite some room to play, and the ducks have found their way to granny’s pond.

Since last week the children’s lessons have been resumed. All goes well, although it is not an easy transition for us. We miss England and our friends there, and we have not returned to the Netherlands to stay. We all realise we are only here temporarily.

Please pray for our family as we settle back into Holland, especially for peace as we seek to trust the Lord to unfold His plan with our lives

One more time…
By Jurgen & Katja

One more time…

Time flies, especially when it is almost time to say goodbye. We have now less than two weeks ahead of us before we return to the Netherlands. It is a time of looking ahead, looking back and goodbyes.

We look forward to spending time with family and friends in Holland. We also long to smell the salty air of the sea, to walk on the dyke and the beach. It will be good to be back, but at the same time we realise things will not be the same as when we left. We are not returning to Holland to stay, it is just a pitstop before we move on to our destination.

Looking back we are enormously thankful to have been in England these past 13 months. We have experienced what it is like to make a fresh start in a different country with a different culture. We have had a taster of living away from loved ones. We feel we leave richer people in many ways. We have gained more trust in the Lord to take care of us when we go to the mission field, as we have experienced his care over the last year. We know God is faithful!

Then goodbyes, certainly not the easiest part. Having become richer means we are leaving behind people who and places that have become very dear to us. So we hope to enjoy every minute of what time rests us here. One more time to the swimming pool, going blackberrying, goodbyes in church, one more meal with friends… thank you all so very much for being part of our lives!