Simplistic Chaos
Maria has been here this past week and I loved watching Justin and Joran's reaction to the geheim/suprise.
THe last meeting of our wed. night group went so well. We all want to continue meeting weekly but are trying to figure out in what way we can meet. Afterwards, we went out to the beach to catch up on each other's lives and spend time together. Thursday we hung out around downtown Alkmaar, Friday was Haarlem and then cell at night. The sound didn't work and since Ariel was at the good friday service, Durk and I were left to act out what we did in the video. It was interesting to say the least. Sunday was Easter as i am sure you all know...it was my job to cook that night so after a few hours of football, climbing trees, and goofing around...youth contact began with two chickens, mashed potatoes, greenbeans, applemos, bread, and 40 develed eggs! It went well as we had the most people attend that i have ever seen! I hope Ariel's lesson continues to stir questions in everyone's heart over this next week.
The down side--well let me describe:It is past 1 in the morning. A slight mist hovers over the scouting building. I look at my watch discouraged to know that in 6 hours i must get up to prepare Maria for the trip to the airport. I lock the door and praise God for Peggy's heart and generosity that she would volunteer to drive Maria and myself back to Egmond to let us gain an extra 35 min of sleep. I turned around ready to throw my bike on the back of Peggy's car when i realize there is no bike to strap on. Stolen. Go figure, my bike luck this trip hasn't been so grand up to now so why should last night have been any different. The incident that cost me 200 euros extra has now taken away the purchased bike. Pray for additional funds and for trust in God's providence through these trials. After a long day in Amsterdam and the airport today, i have to prepare for yet another crazy busy week here in this slow-moving country. God grant me rest and endurance. Thank You for the gift and demonstration you have given.
May He continue to bless you all to be a blessing
In HIS Grace -Alicia
Say I believe, what what...
This goes out to all the hip-hoppers...
Last week was AWESOME! Dave and Smoove from the band Agape were here all last week and man i had so much fun. Those guys truly have a heart for God even if they don't know exactly what to do when it comes to other cultural styles. The concert went very well and I think it made a lasting impact in lives. We kept Agape busy from playing at a school, then the big concert last thursday, as well as some tourist travels and leading both Scouting or "The Attic" and Youth Contact. I think it was truly great for both groups to get a new unbiased perspective on some continuing situations and questions. I was amazed to see the response God placed on hearts in that room especially during the Youth Contact conversations. It was benificial to me as well personally to get a refreshed view on life through these guys eyes and I was discouraged about my lacking advancement in language study however with the 'fresh meat' i noticed how i have improved since januari.
Maria MacGilvra arrived today and this week is the last for the 40 days campaign however our youth contact group is having a pizza party at my place on wed. and we are all enjoying it so much we want to continue meeting in some way. On friday i start meeting with Alexa and Ilse to have our own personal bible study and i hope to start soon with Alexandria in continuation of our English tuesday studies. Ariel and i are starting to grow close in our ability to talk openly about our faith with each other and encouraging each other (at least i hopefully think so) by letting each other know we are not alone. Alexa has just cooked an Indonese meal so i better go. May He continue to bless each of you to be a blessing. In HIS grace, Alicia
Step by Step...
Wow, God is truly amazing me.
I hope i am in the last stages of sickness as this next week is very busy for me. This morning, i picked up Dave and his DJ from the airport in Amsterdam. Alexa is now sick with what i had and is missing the majority of her exams. I'm trying to take care of her as well as Dave and Mark by biking between Alkmaar and Heiloo. Tomorrow i am leading our 40 days small group since Mattias is in America and Ariel can't. The concert is thursday and that is what is mainly flooding my mind. I am a little concerned financially as i said before since the plane tickets cost way more than the deal i thought i had 'in the bag.' We haven't reached our wanted number of ticket sales yet we have sold over 60 to a group of Greeks over here for a week as exchange students. PLEASE pray for the concert and all i have on scheduale for Dave and Mark to do over this next week that they might glorify God to the fullest. Also pray for financial things to be taken care of and if you wish to give more to this Dutch cause then give my parent's a tax-deductable check made out to CBC and they will make sure it reaches the right place. Pray for my peace of mind as i tend to favor stressing in these times as well as a full recovery of health. I hope everything is going well over there. May He continue to bless you to be a blessing...In HIS grace, Alicia a.k.a. Gummy
Life As I Know It
Things have been so crazy around here these past few weeks. Youth Contact turned one, It snowed like crazy, and I am in the middle of it all.
EKV is still in the middle of the 40 days campaign and I have been busy preparing for Agape's upcoming concert. I got a new bike last week and completed the Scouting films with Ariel. I have been hanging out with quite a few members of Youth Contact when i can and i am still trying to recover as i have been sick for about a week now. My roommate was gone in Germany for 10 days so I had to get used to being sick and alone i guess! It was so great to see all of the snow here as compared to our Texas slush. I've never been on a ski trip before so biking in this weather proved to be an all new adventure for me.
The concert on 17 maart has been a main concern for me this past week as the plane tickets i thought i could aquire fell through and i had to pay much more than expected for new ones. This may turn out to be a problem eventually so please pray for God's providence. I have been personally missing my 8th graders as i have heard from some of them this past week. I just want you guys to know i am still here if you ever need anything or want to talk. A family i care for very much here is also going through a very difficult time as they have decided to get a divorce. Please pray for comfort for them as they are Christian as well as another friend who is having emotional abuse from her husband. Another person has had someone close pass away and had to fly to another state this past weekend for the funeral.
As for me, i still wish i could be doing more but have been amazed to see what God is doing in my own life and thoughts in preparation for how i can assist others even more. May He bless you to be a blessing --alicia
