Category Archives: Culture Shock

Jesus Revolution

A few friends have recently told me about the film Jesus Revolution. It seems to be a pretty mainstream motion picture release, even though its message is decidedly Christian. So I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I somehow went … Continue reading

Posted in Amsterdam50, Church, Culture, Culture Shock, God, H2O Kent, Leadership, Ministry, Nostalgia, Prayer, Recommendations, Recommended Viewing, Recreation, The Bible, The United States of America, Video | Comments Off on Jesus Revolution

Learning Church Leadership

Our H2O Production Team arrived at 7AM this morning to set up for today’s worship gathering in Bowman Hall. Shortly after starting, they encountered an elderly man in the lobby, just outside the room where we meet. He had long … Continue reading

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Church, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, God, Introspection, Leadership, Ministry, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands | Comments Off on Learning Church Leadership

Amsterdam Asps

We were already a family when we moved to Amsterdam in the last week of January, 2003. Marci and I had been married for almost five years. Elliot was ten months old. Still, we really grew as a family during … Continue reading

Posted in Amsterdam, Children, Culture, Culture Shock, Elementary School Age, Europe, Family, Home, Introspection, Marriage, Nostalgia, Photography, Preschool Age, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Amsterdam Asps

Dutch Winter

Have you ever observed the Dutch obsession with speed skating? Most Americans would only encounter this during the Winter Olympics, if that. But it’s definitely a thing. I’ve heard at least one sports announcer suggest that the Dutch care so … Continue reading

Posted in Amsterdam, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, Family, Introspection, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, Recreation, Sports, The Netherlands, Traditions, Weather | Comments Off on Dutch Winter

Bijzondere Mensen

I’m still reflecting on the fact that it’s been twenty years since our family moved to the Netherlands, in late-January 2003. Our Amsterdam years included so many formative experiences. But even more than formative experiences, I’d say we were shaped … Continue reading

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, Family, Introspection, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Bijzondere Mensen

The Ideal versus the Actual

It’s easy to idealize our Amsterdam years. Marci and I were so full of youth and ambition when we moved. We truly learned how to be a family, there in the Netherlands. And I suppose it often felt idyllic because … Continue reading

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Twenty Years Since our Week of Destiny

This week marks twenty years since the period in our family’s life which I sometimes call our “Week of Destiny.” That was the week in which we raised the last of our financial support. It was the week we closed … Continue reading

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Trend-spotting: Post-COVID College Life

I love trend-spotting. For instance, Marci and I have recently noticed the decline of the single, steady, upraised hand as a gesture of gratitude from the driver of one car to another who has yielded his or her right of … Continue reading

Posted in Adolescence, Church, COVID-19, Culture, Culture Shock, H2O Kent, Introspection, Leadership, Small Groups, Social Issues, Transition, Trend-Spotting, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Trend-spotting: Post-COVID College Life