Ministry update

I had a rough few days earlier this week. I saw so much of God's power in the whole situation. I learned forgiveness, I learned not to give in to pride, I learned about what it means to be part of the same body. It's one thing to read truths in the bible, but it is a whole different story when you have to put biblical living and principles into practice. I realize this is all very vague, but it's all I feel comfortable posting in such a public place.

Ministry to the cleaners:
My main ministry is to the cleaners, then to the guests. I really love our cleaner ministry at the hostel. Through this ministry refugees, travelers, and people stranded in Amsterdam have the opportunity to live among Christians, be emerged in a Christian community, and attend a devotional each day. It is so awesome to see people change over the course of 28 days.
Praises:
We have 3 cleaners. They are all confronted with Jesus, and Christians everyday. Let me tell you about them. One of our cleaners from Scotland has been away from the church since he was a boyscout (that was probably about 40 years ago). Guess where he was last Sunday. Yep, church. He loved it. He shows me his favorite bible verses, and tells me how he doesn't need to get drunk anymore. We have another cleaner from Denmark that almost signed his life away to the foreign legion before my manager met him on the street. He has been in many wars and obviously needs a lot of love and healing. God is transforming him in such a beautiful way. He carries a New Testament bible around, and reads it all the time. He prayed Sun night for the first time in probably 20 years or more. He is on the brink of completely surrendering his will to God. Our last cleaner is a traveler from the U.K. She has commented on how she has seen herself change for the better over the last weeks because she is surrounded by such loving, and positive people. Guess where she was tonight? Bible study. Praise God for the lives he is changing every day!

One of the things I love most about our ministry is seeing the body of Christ in action. God has made each of us so different. We have so many talents, and so many weaknesses. Where one is weak another is strong. We have no choice but to live according to God's word, or else the body suffers.

Our ministry to the travelers:
It is a very common sight to see people walking around our hostel with a book called "Living Water." It is the gospel of John with a lot of interesting introductory information. Only God knows how he is transforming these people through the reading of the gospel of his word. The staff spends a lot of their free time hanging out at the hostel, just being available for guests. Many great conversations take place and friendships are formed. We invite the guests to bible discussion every night, which is obviously a really great opportunity for people that are authentically searching for answers about God and Christianity.

I am really encouraged by what God is doing through us. We are merely broken vessels with a light inside of us. The light shines through us, and it is up to people what they want to do with the light they see and the light we proclaim.