In our last newsletter (June 2012) we wrote that we had truly found a second home in England. Now we are sadly writing you that we are leaving. Below we explain the why of our anticipated move to Holland on the 3rd of October. We also inform you about our progress towards the missionfield.

When we moved to England in September 2011 we expected to stay for 2 – 3 years, as long as Jurgen would need for his studies or as long as it would take us to be ready for the missionfield. Now we are leaving after 13 months. We are sad to go, as we have attached to the people and places here. God has really blessed us!
What happened? First Jurgen heard he could not continue his studies at Trinity School of Ministry due to a lack of students. He had to find an alternative. After consulting his tutors he chose to study in a different way, via distance learning. Jurgen's studies no longer require that we live in England.
Missionary friends in Holland learned about the change of study and offered us to live in their house during the time they would be on the missionfield, which is for 5 months from half November. We have given this offer a lot of thought, as well as the fact that it has become a lot more costly to live here (part of that because of the euro dropping in value against the pound). Finally we reached the conclusion it is no longer wise to stay.

Our move is planned for 3 October 2012. Before we move into our friends' house, we can stay in a small holiday cottage of Katja's mother. As you see, we will probably be moving a lot. To reduce the negative impact of those moves on the children, we have chosen to continue to home educate them. We have much enjoyed to learn together this last year. Through home education we hope to prepare the children for the 'big move' to the missionfield
In the Netherlands home education is not widely practised and parents are not free to choose how their children will be educated. The Law only makes a  few exceptions. We will apply for such an exception, but it might not be easy to get it accepted by the local authorities. Your prayers regarding this matter will be highly appreciated.
As mentioned, Jurgen will study for his Diploma by way of distance learning. He has recently applied for a place with the London School of Theology. He hopes to be sent his materials soon after we have arrived in Holland, so he can move on.

At the end of June we have sent in the application papers to mission organisation Africa Inland Mission (AIM). Because of the summer holiday and personal circumstances of AIM's contact in Holland, it is taking quite some time before the application process is set in motion. We have been told reference questionnaires will be sent out presently. We also hope to hear more about what we can expect further and what steps need to be taken before we can go and serve in Africa.

From the other side of the sea, we hope to keep you posted!