This weblog has moved to www.boerenroem.nl - update your bookmarks and rss feeds!
It is finished: a completely renewed website at www.boerenroem.nl! I have spent half of the holidays to do it, but finally it is done. For a long time already I wanted a 'webspace' that would integrate the blog, pictures and video and have some extra features that blogspot does not provide; i.e., all newsletters are nicely archived and accessible. Wordpress seemed to be able to do most of that. As you will see, the look-and-feel are much alike this site, so I think you'll feel at home quite soon.
Hope to 'see' you there. Let me know what you think of it!
Hope to 'see' you there. Let me know what you think of it!
As of today, this weblog has moved to www.boerenroem.nl - update your bookmarks and rss feeds!
Labels: new website
Right after the Campus Mission conference in South-Korea early July, the dramatic events with the Korean missionaries/aid workers in Afghanistan started. As I have been sharing my experiences and the wider stories of Korea since my visit here and there, I was especially intrigued by these developments. Today I read an interesting article in the 'Dutch Daily', where a German missiologist confirms my thoughts that these events are not just coincidental. The father of one of the martyrs, a high politician, was so touched by the love and care in the christian community that he found Jesus himself.
I still think even beyond these effects on Koreans. It would not surprise me to hear some day that these missionaries have had an impact on the Taliban who held them hostage. This could be God's way of getting to the hearts of them!
I still think even beyond these effects on Koreans. It would not surprise me to hear some day that these missionaries have had an impact on the Taliban who held them hostage. This could be God's way of getting to the hearts of them!
Labels: thoughts
... it has been a while since I posted an update here, but hey - it is holiday time! Or at least, it was for me. I have been off for four weeks, enjoying holidays with family and friends and doing all sorts of things that we have not found time for in previous months.One of the things I did was refurnish my study. After Annemieke left in July, I gained back this little space in our house, and I am enjoying it thoroughly. We turned it into a very nice place, and I had three posters made of the kids (sized 50x70 cm each) for on the wall. Looks really fancy. See Flickr for the other pictures.
Anyway. It's late at night and I have to finish my sermon for tomorrow. Come back soon for more spectacular updates!
Sara was in the mood yesterday: she sang for almost an hour while playing in the inflatable pool in our backyard. Transcript: "Kendra, Rosa, Sara are girls; Joran and Johan are boys; Johan is naughty because he bullies Mandy-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y, Ma-a-a-a-a-ndy-y-y-y-y-y-y-y"
Watch and enjoy!
Watch and enjoy!
Tryin' to catch up with everything after the trips I've made. Korea was a wonderful experience, not only because of the masses in the conference (almost 20.000!), but also because of the specific Korean touch. Prayer and worship are really special over there!
Check www.cm2007.net to see some of the meetings yourself, for example Andy Atkins' speech.
An successful experiment: this video was uploaded directly from my mobile phone! (I think it is kind of costly, I will find out at the end of the month :-)). It shows the place I was last week, together with the colleagues from Western Europe. Not too bad, as you can see... Stories to follow.
Labels: agapè, leadership, travel, video
A special birthday, and an evenly special present. I've been traveling all day to arrive at the beautiful chalet in Findeln, Switzerland to celebrate my birthday with cake and wine in the company of 10 international friends. But the most original present is to be given later this week by Mira: a revision of our piano! Like a car, a piano needs an update every now and then, but it is a costly thing. Mira has been saving for it since months... and I'm really looking forward to it!
This weekend I have been preparing my upcoming trips to Switzerland and Korea, and because of that I'm all into world missions right now. Tomorrow I leave for the Swiss Mountains, to 'share hearts' with my colleagues from 12 different nations. We will be in a mountain lodge at 2.000 m. altitude, close to Zermatt, for 5 days. After extremely tiresome weeks (mostly stress I put on myself...) I am really looking forward to it.
Then, next week, I will fly out to Busan, Korea for the Campus Mission 2007 conference. That will be a major event with some 20.000 students and staff from around the world. The vision is to initiate a movement that will bring the gospel to the remaining 6.000 campuses that have no active christian influence so far. People like George Verwer and our own Andy Atkins will be keynote speakers.
As I searched the web yesterday for some background info on Korea, I found some interesting stuff. After the United States, Korea is the largest sending nation of missionaries around the world. 3 of the 10 largest churches are found over there. In 1974 a huge missions conference was held (Explo 74), and it was so influential they even made stamps of it! (No kidding: see it here).
But the thing I am most excited about now has not to do with Korea but with Mongolia. It is exactly 6 years ago that we started our 5-month DTS with Youth with a Mission. In October 2001 we visited Mongolia with the DTS Outreach. We have since then always kept a connection to Mongolia, as we support a Campus Crusade staff member there, a lady that we stayed during our visit. Coincidentally (or not), now Rahel (who we know from Switzerland) is living with her. 
Anyway. We went to Erdenet and to a small town called Kharhorun, the former capital city. In both places we got to know Mongolian worship. There was one famous song they sang all over the place, which was truly heart moving. I remember one night in Erdenet when we were invited to the worship rehearsal. There was a crowd packed in a small room, and when they started singing it was like heaven... can't describe it any other way. I had never heard a thing like that, and never heard it afterwards. Later, in Kharhorun, the worship leader gave me the text and chords, and I tried to make something out of it - which was quite hard (see picture right :-)).
To make a long story short: with world missions on my mind, knowing that I'm going to meet some Mongolians in Korea, I recalled this worship experience. And while taking my guitar, I did another Google search for 'popular Mongolian worship song', and to my utter surprise I found the song - in mp3! I copied it, so listen and enjoy. It is a little different from what I remember, but it sure is the song. In the second half you can experience a little bit what I experienced live some 6 years ago... Enjoy!
Then, next week, I will fly out to Busan, Korea for the Campus Mission 2007 conference. That will be a major event with some 20.000 students and staff from around the world. The vision is to initiate a movement that will bring the gospel to the remaining 6.000 campuses that have no active christian influence so far. People like George Verwer and our own Andy Atkins will be keynote speakers.
As I searched the web yesterday for some background info on Korea, I found some interesting stuff. After the United States, Korea is the largest sending nation of missionaries around the world. 3 of the 10 largest churches are found over there. In 1974 a huge missions conference was held (Explo 74), and it was so influential they even made stamps of it! (No kidding: see it here).
But the thing I am most excited about now has not to do with Korea but with Mongolia. It is exactly 6 years ago that we started our 5-month DTS with Youth with a Mission. In October 2001 we visited Mongolia with the DTS Outreach. We have since then always kept a connection to Mongolia, as we support a Campus Crusade staff member there, a lady that we stayed during our visit. Coincidentally (or not), now Rahel (who we know from Switzerland) is living with her. 
Anyway. We went to Erdenet and to a small town called Kharhorun, the former capital city. In both places we got to know Mongolian worship. There was one famous song they sang all over the place, which was truly heart moving. I remember one night in Erdenet when we were invited to the worship rehearsal. There was a crowd packed in a small room, and when they started singing it was like heaven... can't describe it any other way. I had never heard a thing like that, and never heard it afterwards. Later, in Kharhorun, the worship leader gave me the text and chords, and I tried to make something out of it - which was quite hard (see picture right :-)).
To make a long story short: with world missions on my mind, knowing that I'm going to meet some Mongolians in Korea, I recalled this worship experience. And while taking my guitar, I did another Google search for 'popular Mongolian worship song', and to my utter surprise I found the song - in mp3! I copied it, so listen and enjoy. It is a little different from what I remember, but it sure is the song. In the second half you can experience a little bit what I experienced live some 6 years ago... Enjoy!
We were invited to the annual EO Youth Day in Arnhem. Some 34.000 young christians from around The Netherlands gathered to celebrate, worship and be inspired. We had a great time, since it was already some years ago that we were young enough to visit the event. Now, in a different capacity, we had the privilege to be 'upstairs' with some guests, have a drink and a lunch and sit in the event when we felt like. The day's theme was 'Dream Bigger'. In the morning the speaker had a good message, and in the afternoon Mira enjoyed Group1 Crew - a band we had never heard of before.
Yes, we're getting old...
Watch while Mira enjoys the band...
Yes, we're getting old...
Watch while Mira enjoys the band...
Had an interesting day in Haarlem at a networking day organised by the Evangelical Alliance and Hoop21. Our colleague Hans Luttik hosted the day. I am truly impressed with the way things are developing in Haarlem. Churches are working together, trying to seize opportunities to make a positive difference in the city. In the morning I joined the workshop with Jos Douma, pastor of the Fonteinkerk and rather well known because of his 'Passion for preaching'. We talked about the challenges of being church in the city, and the changes it requires to be truly relevant and outgoing.In the afternoon I met up with Jeff Fountain, director of YWAM Europe. I read his book 'Living as people of hope' during our Mallorca conference, and it inspired me a lot. We talked about vision for Europe and how this affects local efforts. Jeff writes a 'weekly word', make sure you get a subscription of you want to stay up to date with European wide developments. All together an inspiring day.
Back in the old days ("B.C."), Pentecost was the celebration of the Giving of the Law. An interesting fact, if you take into account that there was not much to celebrate when the Law was actually given. Because of inobedience and ignorance, 3.000 people died after Moses had come down with the 10 commandments in stone.
No, I'd rather have the new days ("A.D."), where Pentecost is the celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On the day that happened (about 1974 years ago) 3.000 people came to life!
More on this in the sermon I held in church today. Read it in Powerpoint or hear it at the Rafael Almere website!
No, I'd rather have the new days ("A.D."), where Pentecost is the celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On the day that happened (about 1974 years ago) 3.000 people came to life!
More on this in the sermon I held in church today. Read it in Powerpoint or hear it at the Rafael Almere website!
Back after another event... this time the Rafael Almere leadership retreat. We were with some 50 people in Nunspeet for a long weekend to seek God, share vision, be trained and go out... The topic was The Great Commission, and Mira and I had the opportunity to share some (many) things around evangelism and discipleship. If you're interested: Powerpoints and some other materials are on boerenroem.nl/rafael (in Dutch). It was a great time. On Friday afternoon some of us went into Nunspeet two by two to pray for people, and some others made '60 seconds' videos like we did on the Agapè conference. Fantastic results, if I may say so... Not the least because of the help of Jeroen, who wanted to be mentioned at this blog for sharing some food with us ;-). Actually he did a superb job in staging and editing the videos. Thanks, man!
More good news on Saturday. We did not expect to have our car repaired before the end of next week and with a cost of at least 700 euro (which was already a bargain). Mira had received almost 350 euro through an offering on Tuesday, so we needed to find the other half. On Saturday afternoon I heard that the car was ready, and that we had to pay... 350 euros! This is one of those occasions that we Christians say: praise the Lord!
More good news on Saturday. We did not expect to have our car repaired before the end of next week and with a cost of at least 700 euro (which was already a bargain). Mira had received almost 350 euro through an offering on Tuesday, so we needed to find the other half. On Saturday afternoon I heard that the car was ready, and that we had to pay... 350 euros! This is one of those occasions that we Christians say: praise the Lord!
Labels: leadership, rafael
The good news: we're back from a super-holiday in Spain. Five days of sun, beach, good food, family time etcetera. It was good to spend time with Ruben and Lydia and with Javier and Gema. For the kids the highlight was the visit to the Barcelona Zoo, with a dolphin show and horseriding. For Mira and me it was probably the dinner on Friday night in Hostal de la Plaça in Cabrils.
We returned early yesterday morning, leaving us tired for the rest of the day. Rosa and I went to the Award ceremony of the 'most failed picture of the year' ("De Misluktste Foto van 2007"), for which we were nominated with this picture. We did not win, but it was fun to go there and see all these silly pictures exhibited. We took the large scale canvas of our picture home, which was a nice price after all.The bad news: on the way back, the car broke down. Not a bit, but really... And not only that, it turned out I did not have the road assistance service I thought I had. But fortunately we have dear friends who helped us out by taking us home and even towing the car to the mechanic. Thanks, Bart! Now we have to hope and pray things are still repairable.
Anyway. Have to get back to work...
It has been silent on this blog, and it probably will be for another while. Last week I was at Mallorca, attending the Agape Europe Leadership Forum. Yes, one of those suffering for the Lord occasions... but seriously, it was hard work. We had a two day intensive team training followed by a three day leadership forum. Great stuff altogether, but I was quite exhausted when I got home.And tomorrow morning we're off for Spain again, this time for a spring holiday with the family. We have the opportunity to stay with Ruben and Lydia Fernandéz, our colleague National Directors from Agape Spain. The girls are really excited about flying tomorrow. Rosa asked today how many nights we will be on the plane...
And if you're bored because I'm not blogging a lot, why don't you join LinkedIn for a business & professional network or Facebook for a social network... Facebook is really hyping in Agape right now, so this is your chance to make many friends ;-)
Or: take a look at this site and start wondering why I am linking to it. (Tip: see the archives...)
Labels: agapè, family, leadership, travel
