would you know how to intall this?

Over the past couple weeks I've felt so empowered, trying my hand at a few things that freaked me out or that I simply hoped some kind soul would do for me. There is much I can do on my own but a few things like the installation of this bike rack... I wasn't so sure about. I'd been putting it off for months, had even bought a new one at the market, it would just stare at my as I left the house each day, perched next to my boots. Every time Gloria or Mark or someone needed a ride on the back of my bike, I would remember my broken rack (from too many passengers!) and it would make me cringe thinking of them sitting on there. But yesterday, I did it! And man, did it feel great to get greasy fingers and and figure out how to install my brand spanking new bike rack (there's actually a better term for it, but it's slipping my mind).

This has come after a few weeks of high "You can do it" moments for me! I was terrified to drive in Amsterdam and had managed not to for 2 years, I had also not driven a manual transmission in 2 years either but then I moved and I rented a huge moving TRUCK ... and I drove it remembering how fun manual driving is. To top that off we went to a conference last weekend in the England AND I rented a van AND drove on the wrong side of the road all weekend. I think my shoulders were in a fixed cramp but I did it! And only merged onto oncoming traffic once! But the Brits are so polite not even one person honked as I backed up and entered the correct lane.

Thanks for relishing my "you can do it" moments!

non-violence is beautiful

and so is this cool poster.

Recently, after hearing stories from my parents who are currently in Palestine, I came across this film, Little Town of Bethlehem, about 3 men who were expected to be enemies but are working together to end the cycle of violence in Israel/Palestine. I haven't yet seen the film but I'm hoping to organize a screening/discussion in Amsterdam soon, so stay tuned for details and come out to watch and discuss. If you want more information about what organize the film is about, check out Holy Land Trust's website. This is an organize doing a remarkable thing, seeking to train people in the manner of Gandhi and MLK in non-violent resistance.

I've been having a lot of weekends "away". Last week I traveled to Nottingham, UK to attend the "Cause to Live For" conference. Eric and Julia were invited to speak so a bunch of us in our 20's from Vineyard Amsterdam went along. It was a great weekend. I realize when I'm in the UK there's a sense of "home" I experience for a bit, maybe it's being able to speak English and sound intelligent (unlike my "very intelligent" 8 year old Dutch skills), or listening to a lovely English accent, or more likely the deep kindness and gift of hospitality Trent Vineyard has. They organized host homes and food for us all weekend, while being just wonderful fascinating welcoming people. Their church serves a huge need in the community providing free furniture to impoverished families and immigrants to name just one thing. I left definitely wishing we were a church of 1200 and able to do things like that.

What will be the areas that will define us as a church? They started those ministries more than a decade ago, how will we start serving and loving the people of Amsterdam now, which God will bless years down the road?

This weekend I'm in Utrecht, just down the road from Amsterdam, for a Benelux leaders retreat, getting to interact with other leaders and church planters in the Vineyard movement in the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) area. Then it's off to Tobi's wedding in Zwolle tonight, Tobi is marrying Geert-Jan! I'm looking forward to celebrating them tonight.

I hope you find yourself also doing what you love and enjoying your weekend whether it's "here" or "away".

With love...