i AMsterdam

Before boarding the plane to Amsterdam, many of us had lowered our expectations of the trip so we would not be disappointed, but were once again surprised by a creative God. The physical beauty of the Netherlands itself was disarming. We felt at home in the city environment but disoriented by the calm of the canals and the hush of public transportation. We saw and experienced many things in a short amount of time and will continue to process the lessons over the next few weeks and months. Here are a few initial thoughts:

We observed quite a few differences and similarities as we visited 3 different Navigator ministries during our week-long trip. One of the most striking differences between was found in the educational system. University students pay about $2000 a year for the education and also receive a monthly stipend from the government. As a result, many take their time with studies and make room for growing in character.

Many of us were convicted on how we use our time. The Dutch students didn't seem to mind the 4 hour Bible studies and relaxing at a local pub afterwards. There was little hint of the frantic pace in which we New Yorkers lead our lives, where students complain if a bible study gathering lasts more than an hour. Elizabeth, a junior at NYU, said that during our time in the Netherlands she "finally learned how to rest". We continue to wrestle with finding our identity in work and business. It is ironic that we have to leave the country to learn these things.

Another goal was to learn about prayer and deepen our spiritual lives. Our very gracious Dutch hosts led 2 workshops on ministry prayer and the Holy Spirit. Where we, once again, were asked to slow down and listen before we spoke. We are fiercely independent and want to fix ourselves, but were reminded of the importance of listening, trusting, and submitting to God through prayer in a community of believers. Our time with Bruce Kuhn, actor & teacher, was similarly convicting as he taught us how to read the scriptures as people who actually believed they happened. (We usually tend towards to punctuation-blind monotone.)

We are also grateful for the friendships that we have made in the Netherlands. As opposed to staying in hotels or hostels, we were welcomed with open arms to stay in the apartments and houses of our hosts. The difference between being fully immersed in the culture and observing it on the periphery was significant. We ate what they would have for breakfast and lunch and even partied alongside them. We'll never forget the nearly 1,000 Dutch Navigator students and friends at an enormous dance club singing pop songs and dancing into the night.

Personally one of most important lessons that God has been teaching me through this season of life is that ministry must be mutual. The Bible speaks nothing of lone ranger superstars in Christianity. Even when we want to isolate and exalt people like David and Paul they always seemed to have trusted advisors and people around them encouraging them and sharpening them.

When I played hockey at Dartmouth I hated working out. I was tall and skinny, unlike the other players on the team, and tried to evade team lifting to do it on my own time. But our captain spoke to me reminding that I will always get a better workout with others. Interacting with both U.S. and Dutch staff taught me that I need to make being part of a team, or building one, a top priority.

As we look forward to what God has for us in the future. I can say that we were impressed by the level of thought put into the organization of the Dutch Navigators Ministry. It is not perfect, and the leadership will continue to wrestle with the tension of organization and mobilization, but there is discrete wisdom that we bring back. Currently the staff leaders at NYU are more visionary than administrative and have lacked the organizational muscle to empower, equip, and mobilize the body of believers. We are praying and discussing new leadership structures that will serve both staff and students in reaching the campus and city with the Gospel.

The significance of the trip is hard to estimate right now, nevertheless we believe that God will impact generations of believers because of our time in the Netherlands. Thank you for supporting our trip in prayer and finances. There are 17 people more ready and better equipped to holistically engage the culture in which we live with the unchanging power of the Gospel. We have been renewed and refreshed and are deeply grateful for your commitment to the advance of His Kingdom. You have been a model of generosity and love in our lives.