Groetjes from Amsterdam!

Hi friends - I have been gone for about a week now and I feel like my life has turned upside down, it's crazy! Crazy but so good though because God is the same where ever we go - so sweet to experience that first hand right now. Here's a quick rundown of my life for the next couple of months: I am serving with the Shelter, a super legit and gospel centered organization in Amsterdam that runs two youth hostels in the city. I, along with about 40 other crazy people like me, serve here by running the hostel (cooking and serving food as well as reception stuff) and by doing "Bible discussions" and outreach events for the guests who stay. We also reach out to the "cleaners", which are people that the hostel managers (full-time staff members) hire to keep the hostel tidy. These are people who are often down-and-out for a while and need a place to work and stay. They are only allowed to stay for a month with the hopes that this will be enough time for them to ge back on their feet again. Typically these are people from other countries then the Netherlands and it's such a neat ministry. We as staff all live together in an awesome house in the city - it's a blast, I feel like I'm back in the dorms which for the most part is a-okay with me! The kitchen tends to get a little messy but I'll cope for the time being! If you get the chance to lift up a couple of prayers then pray for boldness for the staff, that we may spead the gospel in this city and see people come to know Christ. Also pray for strength for the staff team - it really is rather hard and tiring work, times of refreshment are key! Well, I will be working the evening cafe shift in a couple of hours but am now going outside to enjoy some of this California-like weather, it's amazing right now! I'll try to post weekly but check out my own blog for pictures and more details.

In Christ, Arijaan

Missionaries of the Week (last week and this one!)

June 25 - July 1
We will be featuring 3 college students as our Missionaries of the Week. Shannon Todd, Nicole Royster, and Jessica Van Dyke are all being sent out on short-term mission trips this summer. Shannon will be serving with Campus Crusade for Christ in the inner-city of Chicago to organize and run camps for children of low income families from 6/8 – 8/5. Nicole will be serving with Pioneers in Tibet focusing her time in elementary schools from 6/12 – 8/11. Jessica will be serving with Navigators in Namibia to provide bible based abstinence training from 6/19 – 7/19. Please pray for these women: that the Lord would bless the work of their hands, that they themselves would feel the Lord’s pleasure in what they are doing, and that souls would be reached for the glory of our great King.

July 2 - July 8
We will be featuring 3 college students as our Missionaries of the Week. Janelle Meyer, Alan Tonissen and Brendan Clark are all being sent out with Campus Crusade for Christ on a short-term mission trip to East Asia. They will be taking language classes, developing relationships with and engaging in conversations with the students at the university where they will be staying. Please pray for these students: for safety, that the Lord would open doors for the gospel, and that their team would demonstrate authentic love and grace.

Alan Tonnisen - East Asia Team

Hello All,
This is Melissa...Alan's sister. I am going to be keeping you all updated throughout the next six weeks or so on what is going on with Alan. He left Grass Valley last Tuesday to fly to LA to meet his team for briefing. He was so excited as I dropped him off at the airport. Of course, I was really excited for him as well. Anyway, I have talked to him a few times. Briefing went really well and Alan feels really confident about what they will be doing and how God will use them on this trip. So, Saturday, June 24, the team headed out of LA for a nice long flight. We were informed this afternoon that they have arrived safely in country and are getting settled
in the dorms. I hope to be receiving a letter from him soon and will let you know what he says.

Anyway, it is a short update for now, but I just wanted to let you all know the latest information. I know he covets your prayers for him and the team as the begin the adventure in the country. Pray for the people they will meet, as well as quick adjustment for the team.
If you have any information you would like me to pass on to Alan I will include it in the letters I will be writing him. I hope this finds you all well and you will hear from me again soon. Have a wonderful day.
In Christ,
Melissa

With so many of our students away on missions trips and projects this summer, we thought it would be a great idea to provide a way for us to stay in touch and hear about the Lord is doing through our students all over the world. Check in to read what your friends are up to. Log in to interact and dialogue about what God is teaching you. Ask questions. If you are a Grace college student who is serving somewhere this summer, you're invited to jump in and post. If we missed you somehow (please please forgive!), email me (steve@graceslo.org) and we'll take care of you!