Author: Jurgen & Katja

Destination Madagascar
By Jurgen & Katja

Destination Madagascar

We have waited three months, but finally we have received word: we can go and serve amongst the Bara of Madagascar! We hope to leave for Madagascar in January 2015 to live in Betroka, a small town central to many Bara settlements. Since 2013 a team has been serving there.

The Bara are an unreached people group. This means they have no effective access to the gospel message. There are few Bara believers and Christians from other tribes don’t pay them attention. The Bara are hard to reach geographically: they live in settlements in the hills of 50-300 people. There are no roads leading to their villages, travel has to be done on foot.

We have always longed to work amongst an unreached people group, such as the Bara, so we are very happy to have found our destination for the coming years. More information on the Bara can be found on this prayer sheet.

Going Prepared
By Jurgen & Katja

Going Prepared

From 13 till 16 April we took in an Orientation for new members of Africa Inland Mission (AIM). We have been encouraged by meeting with several christians from other countries with the same goal and purpose in mind: seeing Christ-centered churches among all African peoples.

Many practical issues have been discussed: health, safety, communication, dealing with transition and cultural differences. We are more aware than ever of the risks and likeliness of suffering, but ever the more motivated to go. The children enjoyed a parallel programme.

We had the chance to speak with the Personnel Director about the possibility of being placed in a team on Madagascar. It has become clear that the team and unit leaders were worried they would not be able to suit the educational needs of our children. We have responded this need not be a problem, since we are prepared and willing to home educate our children. We hope the team leaders will soon find the time to see and pray whether we would fit on the team.

To be continued…

Thinking Through Madagascar
By Jurgen & Katja

Thinking Through Madagascar

We have a lot of contact with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) Europe‘s Personnel Director this month. He is looking for suitable assignments options for us.

Sofar we have discussed and thought through eigth different possibilities in four different countries in AIM’s Southern Region: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and Namibia.

Two Projects have drawn our special attention, since it involves working with unreached people groups who are animists. This means they have a strong, life controling belief in spirits who have the power to make them prosper or wither. Ancestral worship is practised and witch doctors are very influential. People live in constant fear.

We would very much like to serve a people with no effective christian witness. Both assignments give us that opportunity. One of the options however no longer exists since the vacancy has already been filled. One options remains, on Madagascar. This seems to be the place for us. In the weeks to come we will examine this further. We much appreciate your prayers on the matter.

Europe Based Orientation
By Jurgen & Katja

Europe Based Orientation

We recently received word from Africa Inland Mission‘s office in Nottingham that a Europe Based Orientation has been planned in April. The orientation entails information about AIM for new members and information about the designated location of service in Africa. The orientation will be held in Kidderminster, close to our friends in Bridgnorth.

At the moment we are reading, thinking and praying through various options for service. Please pray for wisdom for all those involved in the decision making process, including ourselves, staff of AIM and the church leadership team.

We hope to be in England for about two weeks around Easter. It would be nice to see many of you when we are there and encourage each other.

AIM Membership
By Jurgen & Katja

AIM Membership

On the 8th of this month we went to Nottingham for our final interview with AIM (Africa Inland Mission) regarding our application for membership. We had our interview with the Director of Personnel, his colleague and the Director of AIM Europe. The interview lasted for over 4 hours and we were able to discuss many things, including further steps.

The outcome of the interview is that the interview panel were unanimous in their decision that the Lord has prepared and called us for ministry with AIM to work among Africa’s peoples. The next step is that AIM Europe will prayerfully consider appropriate assignment options for us. We hope to hear back from them soon.

Now that the interview is over, we stay on in England for a while to enjoy some holiday time and to catch up with friends and with people in church. We are enjoying our time in England and the lovely countryside. We hope to go back to Holland with new energy to further prepare ourselves for serving the Lord in Africa.

Final Interview in England
By Jurgen & Katja

Final Interview in England

Today we received the news that we can have our final interview with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) at the beginning of October. After this interview we will hear whether we can join AIM. The interview will be held in Nottingham, AIM Europe’s headquarters.

We ask you to pray that the interview will be fruitful. The interview will be held in front of a panel, normally consisting of the Director, the Personnel Director and his Associate, and a member of the Board of Trustees. The interview will take 2 – 3 hours at least and we are expected to give a presentation on the topic, “The needs and opportunities in Africa, and how we believe God has prepared and equipped us to respond”.

It has almost been a year since we left England. We are glad to come back for the interview, and – at least as important – to meet and greet friends and visit our church in England, the Bridgnorth Baptist Church.

Dutch Interviews Completed
By Jurgen & Katja

Dutch Interviews Completed

We are very glad to let you know that the necessary interviews in the Netherlands, concerning our application for membership of Africa Inland Mission (AIM), have been completed. We have had several conversations with the board of AIM Netherlands and the church leaders of our church in Holland.

The outcome of the various meetings is that our Dutch church is willing to support us in our mission, and is positive about our choice for mission organisation AIM.

The above means we can now take the last step towards membership of AIM: an oral examination at AIM’s headquarters in Nottingham. After approval of the European board we hope to attain membership. We seek to have this interview soon: this or next month.

Psychological Assessment
By Jurgen & Katja

Psychological Assessment

We are glad to let you know some progress has been made in our application with Africa Inland Mission (AIM).

In May we have been assessed psychologically to ascertain our suitability as missionaries. We received the rapport a week ago. We are positive about the results and feel encouraged.

The pychologist’s rapport is a useful tool for the mission organisation to get a better picture of who we are and where we are best to serve. The findings of the psychologist also include some tools and tips to help us in our preparations and on the field.

The next step is an interview with representatives of AIM Netherlands and of the leadership team of our church in Holland. It is important to check that we all agree on important points – i.e. what are the roles of the missionaries, church and mission organisation? Lastly there is a final interview in England, after which we can become members of AIM.

Another Move
By Jurgen & Katja

Another Move

It is almost half a year since we left England to return temporarily to the Netherlands. We had hoped to be sent to the mission field this spring, but we have learned this is not so. If we become members of Africa Inland Mission (AIM) and serve on one of their teams, we expect to go to Africa no sooner than in 2014. We have changed our mindset and accepted that we are in Holland for a longer time than anticipated.

A longer stay means we are in need of a long term house. It was very difficult to find a house, but the Lord has provided. Next month we hope to move to the center of Den Helder, the northwest tip of the Netherlands. Jurgen and Issa have already started to build a closet and two desks for the new house.

The past few months have not been easy. There was much uncertainty as to when we would be able to go to Africa, whether we would be allowed to continue home education, and with respect to our new house. We are thankful that these things have all worked out, but we would very much appreciate your prayers for peace in our family. Although we see ourselves grow in the capability of adapting to changing circumstances, it can still feel like tidal waves are coming over us sometimes. That is not a nice feeeling. We won’t give up, but please don’t give up on praying for us either!

Meeting Up
By Jurgen & Katja

Meeting Up

We have been living in Den Helder for one and a half month now and have found our way back to the church, supermarket, swimming pool and library. We enjoy being close to family and Dutch friends.

Much has happened over the last one and a half year, so it is time to meet up with some people. Last week we gathered with some friends who are willing to help us in our missionary task, whilst staying in the Netherlands themselves.

Coming monday we will see the elders of our church, and later this month we hope to have a second interview with Dutch respresentatives of Africa Inland Mission (AIM). After this interview and a psychological test it will be decided whether we can join AIM as members. Then we will enter the next fase: orientation on the possibilities on the field.