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!