A Christmas Easter

It’s Tuesday morning and I have had a day to recover from the weekend of singing (which is more than the others have had – I have a flexible schedule, they all have to go right back to work!). It was great to sing for so many different people (350+) in the various cities. We always want to touch people with the GREAT news of life in Jesus with these concerts as well as give the churches an opportunity to let God use them in reaching out to their friends and family.

- getting ready -

A few impressions from the various concerts:
- The Hague was a dress rehearsal and no one was quite sure who would show up. Over 60 people show up on a freezing night - some of the church members, but also people who have no idea who the church is. Two women came early and sat in the back corner (don’t know what kind of group this is after all), but listening eyes and open conversation in the coffee break.
- Haarlem had its largest group yet. Rob invited so many from his work (a school where he teaches and parents from the after-school daycare). They enthousiastically discuss the concert during the coffee break and afterwards. The volunteer caretaker of the church building (a Catholic building in downtown Haarlem) who stays to pray with us as we get ready to leave after packing everything in.

- concert in Maastricht -

- Maastricht is held in a church building in the middle of the town square which is now VERY busy with a “Winterland” including a skating rink and ferris wheel. The building fills with a varied group of students, tourists and friends of the members. Stephan and Sean’s first grade teacher arrives with her husband and sister. Marjon brings an 80-year-old woman she cares for who thoroughly enjoys the song. Ruud’s parents, who continue to hold God at arms length, drive all the way down to be at the concert. The caretaker of this church building joins our prayer as we leave. “I will come by your church in January. I really want to see what kind of group you are.”

- good news in Maastricht -

- The concert in Antwerp is held in a LARGE, modern cathedral. After the concert a man in his 70’s explains how touched he was. “That you mixed the two stories – Christmas and Easter. Yes, of course they belong together, but this is the first time that I have heard them put together. And suddenly I realized – of course they belong together. Wonderful!”

- concert in Antwerp -

It was great in Maastricht to see how the whole church got together to make sure that everything went well. We decorated, prepared, and set up the building before the concert. During the concert the young people helped out where needed and talked to the visitors. Everyone kicked in on this cold Saturday evening. On Sunday morning several of the visitors to the concert were present in our worship to the Lord. We all pray that God will continue to use us as He wants here.

- Joël and Sean help set up in Maastricht -

This coming weekend we have two more concerts coming up. Both places in the past have brought people who are seriously searching for God. We look forward to what God will be doing on those days (Friday evening and Sunday afternoon).