Category Archives: Europe

Learning Church Leadership

by Eric Posted on January 29, 2023

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

by Eric Posted on January 28, 2023

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

by Eric Posted on January 27, 2023

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

by Eric Posted on January 26, 2023

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

by Eric Posted on January 25, 2023

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 →

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, Family, Introspection, Ministry, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on The Ideal versus the Actual

Twenty Years Since our Week of Destiny

by Eric Posted on January 24, 2023

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 →

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, Family, God, Home, Introspection, Ministry, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Transition, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Twenty Years Since our Week of Destiny

Santerklucia Weekend

by Eric Posted on December 10, 2022

We did a little Sinterklaas celebration on Monday night, around 9:30 PM. Pretty late for Marci, Cor, and me. But Elliot had a shift at Subway until closing. Olivia was busy with school work (until she took a little break … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Family, Food, Introspection, Music, Photography, Recreation, Sweden, The Netherlands, Traditions, Transition, Young Adulthood | Tagged | Comments Off on Santerklucia Weekend