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