I long to see you so that I may impart to you some
spiritual gift to make you strong -- that is, that you and I
may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
(Romans 1:11-12)

Greetings from Amsterdam!  We’ve had a busy season of life and ministry here on this side of the Atlantic.  Not only have we been keeping busy here in Amsterdam, but we’ve been doing some traveling as well.  At the end of March, I had the honor of traveling to Barcelona to help represent Zolder50 at the inaugural meeting of the European Church Planting Network (www.ecpn.org).  Then, after just a couple days back in Amsterdam, our whole family flew to Lake Bled, Slovenia, to participate in Great Commission Ministries’ annual retreat for its missionaries serving in Europe.  It’s been fun getting to visit these unique parts of the world and interact with the many unique individuals serving God on the Continent... But it’s also nice to get back into the rhythm of “normal” life in Amsterdam.

Recently rifling through a pile of mail that had accumulated during all the traveling, I came across a hand-addressed 9” x 12” manila envelope with a postmark from Bowling Green, Ohio.  Upon opening the envelope, I found a small stack of loose leaf paper with a cover letter from Matt McClure, a staff member at h2o (the GCM church with which we had been involved prior to moving to Amsterdam).  In his letter, Matt explained the contents of the envelope:

“On February 16, h2o held a Souled Out service at the Ice Arena Lounge.  The theme for the night was ‘A Heart for the Nations.’  As part of our worship that evening, we told the stories of missionaries who once served here, including you.  We printed short biographies and had the students write letters expressing how your commitment to serving Jesus overseas impacts them.  Enclosed you will find the letters written to you.  We pray you are encouraged by the words of these students.  Most have never met you, yet your lives have influenced them...”

As Marci and I read through the hand-written notes, we were strangely warmed by the words from these friends and strangers.  They offered a rare glimpse of the way our ministry in Amsterdam has been used by God.  Like everyone else, we can be susceptible to getting trapped in the realities of our “daily grind” without realizing that we’re actually involved in something cosmic.  Yet through reading the letters from students in Bowling Green, it became evident that our ministry has had an effect on young people not only in Amsterdam—but also on the other side of the world.  And because you play a very real role in allowing us to be here, engaged in this ministry, it seems appropriate that we should share some excerpts of these notes with you.  Like these words from Bryan:

“I admire your sacrifice, your faith, and your trust.  I know at times things may seem hard and it is hard being a world away, but know that your example is being seen every day.  We think of you often and admire all of your example to us.  Thanks for knocking on my door in Kohl Hall and inviting me to enter the h2o family.  Because of your step of faith my life will never be the same...”

As indicated in the text, I actually did happen to have a pre-existing relationship with Bryan.  But, oddly enough, this same message was picked up and amplified by another young woman named Beth, whom I believe I’ve never even met:

“You saw a need, heard from God, and listened.  That speaks loudly to the world around you!  It is so refreshing to me to hear of people stepping out of their comfort zones to fulfill the will of God...”

Another stranger, Sarah, went a step further writing:  “I cannot imagine myself sacrificing like that, but if God calls me to do it I will...”

And Peter wrote:  “I am a sophomore student here, and in a few days I will have been a Christian for three weeks.  Hearing of faith such as yours is truly inspiring... Thank you all for showing me what real, large faith looks like, and more importantly, for spreading His word to those that need to hear it.”

A few of the notes that were included came from people reporting the effect of their involvement in short-term missions trips to Amsterdam (h2o has blessed us with five mission teams in just four years).  For example, Tiffany wrote:

“Going over to Amsterdam in 2005 (on a short-term missions trip) has left imprints on my heart, and has uprooted passions within me that have not dwindled.  God has used your life to awaken a desire for overseas missions in my life, whether that be Amsterdam or somewhere else...”

And Wes wrote:  “When I think of times when God has really spoke to me, high on the list is the 10-day trip I got to spend in Amsterdam.  God made it clear that I could have a mindset for ministry through sharing with people in the parks and seeing the exciting worship at the Zolder...”

One of the last notes from the packet that I got to read was from my dear friend Jason, who is currently serving as one of the campus directors for the ministry in Bowling Green.  He summed up the feelings that had been packed into the envelope quite effectively:

“It’s so cool tonight to see so many young people here in BG thinking of you and praying for you.  This is perhaps our largest Souled Out service ever!  It is truly a testimony to how we feel about you and your church.  We are honored, as a church, that your roots are in Bowling Green.  These young people (myself included) see your example and believe that God can also do big things through each of us.  In a sense, you are still pastoring us—even from so far away...”

Honestly, I’m not sure what to make of all these sentiments—except to simply give glory to God.  It’s hard to believe that our family can still have an impact in a place where we haven’t lived for almost five years... And yet, the irony is that I can so easily observe the way that you are having a daily unseen-though-immense impact in Amsterdam through your prayer and financial support for our ministry.  So let me just say thank you for everything you do to impact our lives and the lives of young people around the world!  We deeply appreciate it!

Eric