Koninginnedag

We had our second Koninginnedag here in Holland yesterday. (a.k.a. "Queen's day" - the Queen's birthday celebration, for you Americans reading) We went out early and biked over to Vondelpark where kids from all over the city come to sell their stuff and perform all their amazing talents. We saw so many amazing things! One girl who was about 7 was playing a beautiful song on classical guitar. Other kids were dancing, playing violin, drums...one kid even dragged his huge keyboard into the park and was playing it! Kids came up with incredibly creative games and other entrepreneurial ideas like selling food and drawing people's portraits! I loved the creative vibe the kids had. Lucas and Connor were selling too. Mostly, they were trading junk with their friends. In the end, I think everyone brings all their junk out and switches it with everyone else, so you just go home with different junk. Check out the orange hair!

We walked around the park with some new friends, Karim and Annemarie. Annemarie is Dutch and grew up in Amsterdam, so we learned a lot about the day & celebration from her. Then we spent the evening with dear friends from home who are visiting Amsterdam. I even scored some free clothes at the end of the day - it was a dumpster diver's heaven here as people abandoned their stuff that they couldn't sell. We rode home through slight chaos and managed to avoid crashing.

Most of the day was just a sweet time with friends experiencing the city at its best (and its worst). The only way to describe koninginnedag is a city-wide non-stop party that lasts about 36 hours straight. A lot of fun, but also a lot of the 'junk' that goes along with a party/rave/mardis gras type atmosphere. I am grateful to be living here but I am reminded again of why we came. I found myself thinking as I was riding home, I think the new earth is gonna be a sweet party. But the joy of that party will only bring life and health and restoration...rather than the trashed city (and people) that remained here last night.

Can't wait for the Kingdom to come!

Spring in Amsterdam

We have now lived in Amsterdam for more than half of a year. The cold dreariness of Winter seems to have faded away, and Spring is in full force. Spring in Amsterdam is BEAUTIFUL. The whole city, not just the budding trees, has come to life. Outdoor cafes, flowers, parks, boats on the canals, tourists...experiencing A'dam this time of year is new and refreshing. Once we started feeling like we knew the place, it has completely changed, and we get to go exploring again.

It makes me think of the kingdom of God, and all of those perplexing parables that Jesus told in explanation of the kingdom. Just when I start to think that I've got it figured out - something new blossoms. His kingdom is always so much bigger, more beautiful and more sustaining than I expect. But it is so easy to get caught in the rut of what I think I know...just like living here in Amsterdam. It is easy to take Grayson to the same park; and not only the same park, but the same corner of the park; and not only the same corner, but the same shady-tree in that corner. After all, it's a nice and comfortable and safe spot. And Grayson loves the playground that is close by. But there is so much more of the park to see! And so many more parks in the city to visit!

But God's kingdom is big, and is always growing. That is our hope, and that is why I am excited to be here. Luke 13:18,19 'Then he (Jesus) said, "How can I picture God's kingdom for you? What kind of story can I use? It's like a pine nut that a man plants in his front yard. It grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches, and eagles build nests in it."'

The fun of language learning

I've been having lots of fun starting my dutch classes this month. At first, it was overwhelming, all the new words and concepts. But after a few weeks, I am just having fun with it. I wish I could go back to learning like a baby does. I watch Grayson absorbing our words and starting to understand more and more. He can understand most of what we say now, but still struggles to speak. I am in a similar place...althought I don't think I understand as much dutch as Grayson understands english! Well...I am in process right?

I've started to try to use dutch when I shop, buy a train ticket or even ask where the bathroom is. I know that should be standard...but I still feel silly calling it a "WC". A lot of my learning is coming from watching Dora the Explorer in dutch and listening to Grayson's dutch toys talk. Gray just found the on/off button on his car and he is constantly pushing it. It turns off with the phrase, "tot de volgende keer!" which means, "until next time." I use it everywhere now and people think I am a natural. It's amazing what hearing something a million times will do.

The best thing about speaking dutch here is people are so happy if you just try to speak. I asked the guy at our little Natuur Winkel downstairs (kinda like a raisin rack - but not as good) how he was doing in dutch and he lit up like it was Sinterklaas (or Christmas for you Americans). He was so excited that he started speaking dutch so fast, I was totally lost. I didn't have the heart to tell him though, so I just said, "tot de voldende keer!" That was a winner.

I've made lots of mistakes too though. One time, when addressing a friend's mom, I neglected to use the formal form of "you". You are supposed to use the formal version when you address someone you don't know or someone older than you. She was both. But I think I won her back when she confessed how old she was, 85 I think...and I responded immediately with a phrase I'd heard a million times in class, "wat jong!" which means something like, "that's so young!" It fit perfectly.

It's fun faking it, but I am finding it difficult to really be able to communicate with a new language. I feel that I can relate to Grayson's frustration as he grunts and points to something (who knows what) and tries to communicate. I hope that I can move past the grunting and pointing stage soon. As long as I am having fun, I think I can handle the pain.

Tot de volgende keer!

Conference in Germany

This past week, our team had the opportunity to attend a church-planting conference in Germany. We had a such a wonderful time! We rented a 9 person van and drove about 8 hours down through the black forest to the south of Deutschland. John and Eric were champion drivers on the crazy autobahn - the highway in Germany that has no speed limit. Even though we were zooming along, cars would just fly right past us. It was shocking.

We were also surprised to find that what we thought was a conference center (where the conference took place) was actually a huge church! This church - called G5 - was such an inspiration to us. It was not only a church, but a restaurant, a cafe and also a hotel. The restaurant was packed out every night - mostly with people outside the church. We couldn't even eat there because every night, all the tables were reserved! During the day, though, we got to eat at the cafe. The coffee was a work of art...it was simply amazing. One afternoon I met two young German moms who were not from the church, but said that this was the only place they could bring their kids to get a coffee. They had always been curious about the auditorium (in another part of the building, where the church meets on Sundays), so I snuck them into the conference! Before we parted, they shared with me that they were going to visit the church! I was so encouraged to see outreach in action...it was amazing to see that even here in Europe there are churches like VCC that love the cities they are a part of.

The conference itself was a great blessing. It was put on by the Mosaic church in LA pastored by Erwin McManus. Erwin's talks were a confirmation of what God has already been speaking to us, and it was so encouraging to realize that God really is leading us here in Amsterdam. We also got to meet so many church planters from all around Europe. It felt great seeing how many people are out there trying to reach people for Christ. We exchanged ideas, encourgements and prayers. From all the teachings and converations throughout the conference, we felt God really giving us vision for what to do next and also dream about what could be in the future.

Grayson was a champ - we truly felt the grace of God on him. He seemed to enjoy the conference as much as we did; he's our little church-planter! On top of it all, it was so sweet to spend time with our team. We had so much time to talk, reflect, learn and worship together. The conference was near the border of Switzerland, so we went to Basel for a few hours on Saturday morning and just enjoyed the city. We are so grateful to get to do missions with such an incredible group of people that we love and respect. Be praying for us as we share vison with the rest of our team here. Pray that God would catch all of us up in a vision to see His Kingdom come in Amsterdam!