October 1, 2006

I've been here in Amsterdam nearly a month now working with YWAM at the Cleft in the heart of the Red-Light District. I'm living with my Grandma, Lura Garrido, who is an amazing lady and a bit of a missionary 'hero' here in the city. Despite many challenges, it is wonderful to be back in the city in which I spent much of my childhood.

Amsterdam is as beautiful as I remember as a child, yet at the same time I am so much more aware now as an adult of how dark this place is! It's absolutely awful what takes place in the red-light district, and yet they try to pass it off as so normal. None of the enthusiastic tourists are aware of the heartbreaking stories of how many of the women have ended up behind those windows, and one has to wonder if it would make a difference if they did know.

After two weeks of orientation and settling in, I jumped right into ministry at the Cleft. Our mission focuses on mercy ministry and sharing the gospel with tourists, homeless people, businessmen, prostitutes, drug addicts and lonely people.

We do lots of evangelism on the streets, we run meetings where we serve anyone who wants to come in with tea and coffee and food, seeking to get to know them. We try to build relationships with the regulars (mostly homeless people and addicts). The emphasis is to 'earn' the right to speak into peoples lives through developing friendship and trust in the relationship.

We provide counseling for those wanting to get off the streets or out of their addictions, and we have good relationships with many rehab centers in the area. The girls also bring tea and coffee to many of the prostitutes behind the windows and listen to their stories and offer prayer and counseling.

Its not an easy job. Each day brings new challenges. Of course many street folk are difficult and unappreciative of our efforts to serve them. It requires lots of grace to love some of these people. But its so worth it!! Hearing amazing stories of God changing lives from those who have been here longer is one motivator to keep me at it!

I'll be attending a once a week Addictive Behavior Counseling school beginning tomorrow to get further training in dealing with the people here. Its a 9-week certificate-earning seminar being run here at the Cleft free for ywamers.

Predictably, I've also been put in charge of the computers and network here at the base. The guy who was in charge is leaving soon, and there is no one else who knows enough to do it. So between that and working at the cleft I'm quite busy! I'm also starting Dutch lessons soon to relearn what I lost living in the States.

I've found a great English-speaking church here in the center of Amsterdam called the Zolder. Its a fun place and provides me a chance to make friends outside the ywam 'bubble'. They've been meeting in the attic of a Canal house, but are in the process of moving to a new location.

Something that is not going so well is my arm. On my last day in Egypt, I hyper-extended a tendon in my wrist and it's developed into tendonitis. After 5 weeks it STILL has not healed, and is swollen and painful. It makes it difficult to write and type, to do any sort of cleaning/washing etc., it makes it impossible to ride a bike. But worst of all it keeps me from playing my guitar! Please pray that I'll recover from this soon.

Please also pray for the work we're doing. Pray for God's power and annointing to bring about transformation in peoples lives here. Pray that I'll have wisdom in sharing the gospel with people, and that I would hear from God. Pray for the hearts of the people we are serving to be softened and receptive.

If you are interested in joining the Cleft Prayer Network, and praying regularly for the specific needs of the people we meet, please let me know!

Of course I can't forget to say Thank You for your continued prayer and financial support, it wouldn't be possible without your partnership!

Please stay in touch, I always appreciate hearing from you! Make sure to check my website for updates and prayer requests!

   The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to preach good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,
   to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
   to comfort all who mourn.