Strengthening the Church in the Netherlands
We bring you greetings this week from the Yardens.
Brother Shahar and Sister Kim arrived in Germany at the beginning of September. They visited some friends before driving to the Netherlands to strengthen the brothers and sisters there. Everywhere they go, they “seek their brothers,” as God leads them to encounter those who desire a deeper relationship with Him and His people.
Sister Kim wrote, “We have traveled from the south to the far north of the Netherlands, visiting our brothers and sisters. Since our last visit in March, we’ve seen significant changes in this small group. Sister Meklit has begun to lead worship, and the Dutch brothers and sisters are drawing closer as they meet regularly.”
Brother Maarten, Sister Lobat, their eight foster children, and her niece Carmen, along with her family, have recently purchased a four-acre farm with a large house, big barn, pond, and other outbuildings. There’s plenty of work to be done to get the place in shape, but there’s also a lot of potential.
The previous residents of the house had spread suspicion about Maarten, Lobat, and their family. However, as soon as they could, Maarten and Lobat gathered with a group from the local churches and shared a meal together. Now, their new neighbors have welcomed them warmly into the village.
Sister Kim continues,
“Brother Tony and Sister Pat joined us in the Netherlands after their visit to Italy. Besides visiting with our friends, we also toured a heritage site with 19 windmills. Shahar and I had visited here six years ago and met two of the men who worked there. We had a special reunion with them.”
“This past week, we spent time with our friends Mark, Debora, and their family. They worship with a group of serious Christians, some of whom will be visiting Texas this month. They have expressed a desire to learn more about our community, and we have had many meaningful discussions. We are grateful for the relationships that are forming as God builds a context where the vision of self-sacrificing brotherhood can be shared and experienced.”
“Last Sunday, the entire group that is forming here met for the first time at Maarten and Lobat’s new home. Brother Tony shared about training horses at the ranch in Colorado and how God used the lessons they learned there to change their character.”
“As we worshiped together, we remembered the scripture, ‘Those who feared the Lord spoke to each other.’ Those who feared the Lord spoke together and learned His patterns at Rehoboth Ranch in Colorado in the 1980s. Those who fear the Lord are speaking together today in the Netherlands, and the same Lord is teaching His patterns as He builds His church here today.”
The Yardens, accompanied by the Salmeris, will leave the Netherlands today and travel over 2,200 km to Finland to visit and strengthen the group of believers we shared about in a previous newsletter. Please keep them in your prayers and consider sending them support as they continue their travels and ministry.
