An Update from the Netherlands and Finland
Brother Shahar and Sister Kim Yarden continue their travels, strengthening communities and connecting with those seeking more from God. Last month, Brother Tony and Sister Pat Salmeri, who came to the Lord in New Jersey in 1977, joined them in the Netherlands and traveled with them across Western Europe to Finland.
The Salmeris participated in several meetings with brothers and sisters in the Netherlands, as well as with seekers who expressed interest in joining our community. One gathering took place in the “Upper Room.” (Editor's note: The Upper Room is a dedicated gathering and prayer space available for reservation, not part of Brother Maarten and Sister Lobat’s home.) During the meeting, Brother Shahar encouraged everyone, reminding them that just as God used Moses despite his failures and struggles, He has a unique calling for each of us.
On their road trip to Finland, the Yardens and Salmeris visited several historic sites. They stopped by the Berlin Wall, of which only a fraction remains standing today. Once spanning 155 kilometers, it symbolizes the division imposed by the Communist East German State to prevent citizens from fleeing the country. Formal hostilities between East and West Germany have ended, but true peace remains elusive.
They also visited the Treblinka death camp in Poland, a somber memorial to the horrors of the Holocaust. Although the camp was liquidated and much of the evidence destroyed by the Germans in 1943, ongoing excavations have revealed that 900,000 Jews, primarily from the Warsaw and Łódź ghettos, were deported and murdered there over 17 months. Stones now mark the execution sites, representing the 17,000 people who lost their lives daily.
The group took a guided tour of the Fort Museum in Kaunas, Lithuania, where about 50,000 people, including 30,000 Jews, were killed. The tour highlighted not only the tragedies but also the bravery of those who risked everything to help save others.
Upon arriving in Finland, after a ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland, they spent the day with a small group of Christians eager for a deeper connection with God. Micah and Jessie Borman, who had traveled from Idaho, joined to help lead worship. The Scandinavian attendees, often shy and reserved, began to open their hearts and experience the beauty of vulnerability before God. They sang “Our Father Is Alive” and danced the hora.
As the Yardens and Salmeris shared, the Finns asked questions about community life. Passi and Anne, a couple who had dreamed of such a community 20 years ago but had lost hope, felt renewed. Passi expressed that hope was reigniting in his heart, and others echoed this sentiment. In another session, Brother Shahar emphasized that building a community comes at a cost: surrendering individuality and embracing true repentance. One sister shared that she felt like they had been in the valley of dry bones but now sensed the Spirit's wind stirring them into God’s army.
After the Salmeris returned home, the Yardens and Bormans stayed in Finland for two more weeks, meeting with various groups of Finns and Swedes. Brother Shahar shared this update:
“We had a wonderful move of God at the end of our three-hour meeting yesterday. Many responded with faith, desiring to overcome what separates them and become part of a Body fitly joined together. These people have known each other for a long time and have tried to gather before. We were about to dismiss when a visiting English woman began singing, 'Here I am, down on my knees again, surrendering all,' and the Spirit filled the room. Almost everyone knelt, repenting and crying out to God. It feels like something real and significant is happening in their hearts. Brother Tony Tolsa, baptized in Texas last year, shared a heartfelt testimony and was in awe of what’s unfolding here. He keeps saying that this move of God is so uncharacteristic for this culture. We feel like an alternative culture of the kingdom of God is taking root in Finland.”
Here is a sampling of responses from participants since the Yardens’ departure:
“We are trying to make changes in our family life. We were, and continue to be, so blessed that you took the time to fellowship with us and discuss different matters of the church and the body of Christ. We are ever grateful.”
“Thank you again for everything. It was an absolute honor to meet you all and a blessing to hear you share and witness the joy of walking in the kingdom of God. We talked for a solid three hours on the drive home, reflecting on the weekend. We experienced something so glorious. We tasted and saw that the Lord is good.”
“Even though I just met you, I feel you are dear and precious to me, like family—which we are!”
“The seed you planted is already growing. I see changes in my friends who met you, and they are spreading blessings through their actions!”
