After some lost and foun luggage, 7-hour delays, and taking the wrong train, we finally arrived at the YWAM Amsterdam base on Sunday evening. The last few days have been busy. Getting to the know the city, settling in, introduction to the base.
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| train from the airport to the city |
We have only really stayed in 1 or 2 parts of the city. We have walked around but not everywhere yet. I think I have been in the Red Light District everyday at least once.
About that...
So on Monday we picked up our other leader, Chase, from the train station. Did a lot of introduction stuff. There is a DTS that just started when we arrived...only 10 students. TEN! We had 86 students in mine because we were on one of the biggest bases. But yeah, the DTS and a school of intercessory prayer (with 5 students) just started. So we will be here the whole time they have lecture which is cool because they will become part of our family as well.
Tuesday...found out we were going into the Red Light District for an introduction. YWAM has 2 building in the middle of it. One is The Tabernacle which is a house of prayer and worship. The other is The Lighthouse which is a ministry to homeless, prostitutes, etc. So we prepared to go. A guy, Will, took us there. It was kind of nerve-wracking. Didn't know what to expect. You can feel the heaviness in your spirit as you get closer. Soon enough we were at the Lighthouse and went in. Kim and Will talked with us about what to expect, spiritual warfare, ministry they have done there, etc. I found myself sitting on the couch being overwhelmed. It was more intense than I thought. What can I even do here? How can I even make a difference in 3 months? Kim told us that we wouldn't be doing ministry to the women because you kind of should be trained about what goes on and be someone who is there long term. So we found out that the most we can go is speak to the people (men) walking around there along with prayer and worship to change the spiritual atmosphere. It really does make a difference.
Our group split up. Four of us went with Kim on a prayer walk down one of the streets. I found out that there are 3 RLD's in Amsterdam but this was the main one. It is only 4 streets wide but dense with mafia, drugs, prositiution, etc. I would explain it but I don't even want to. As we headed out, I found it easier than I thought to be there. Things didn't shock me as much. I either was desensitized or I was hopeful. Beforehand I felt so heavy in my heart, but when Kim took us around and explained the neighborhood, I felt hope. I didn't feel bogged down. I felt like that place can change. We stopped in front of the biggest, most popular theater (for disuse of better terms...). The man who owns it is one of the richest in Amsterdam and many people from YWAM have shared the gospel with him but he thinks it's too late for him. We prayed for him again and for the club. There have been many prophesies over that place about it becoming a church in the future. How awesome.
But yeah, we walked through that place just stopping to intercede with what's going on. We were there in the daytime so it was less intense. Still busy....almost all men. But it is so touristy. Then we went back to the Lighthouse to debrief and talk about everything. Our group left there feeling a little overwhelmed, but excited to do work there and bring heaven down upon those 4 streets.
Wednesday...
We planned for this day to be a "faith journey". Just going where the Spirit leads us. 9am. Red Light District. Stood on one of the bridges, Sam (a Kona staff that was visiting) brought his guitar. Sang worship over the district for a while. Man...that was powerful. Standing in the middle of the RLD and singing about Jesus and declaring his name over that area. People passing by and wondering what's going on. It wasn't that busy but it was awesome. One of the most powerful times of worship I have experienced. Our words meant something. They were tugging the kingdom down upon earth.
After that, we planned to walk to Dam Square and split off there. Dam Square looks like normal squares of Europe. A big area with a "royal palace" and surrounded by tons of shops and old buildings. Touristy and crowded. So we busted out the guitar and sang worship there too! Right on the steps. We ended up not splitting up and leaving because we felt so much peace there. God was moving in that square. Our music drew people in.
One girl stood by herself close to our group, listening. Chase went up and talked to her and ended up being able to really encourage her. She stood there wiping away tears as he prayed for her seemingly prodigal heart.
At the same time, a worker (who wasn't really all there...) joined our group to listen. Sam played even more. He loved it. He tried talking to Eli in Dutch and she could speak a little bit. He told her he speaks French as well so she pointed to me. Ummm. My French is a little rusty. But it was awesome! I did speak a little bit to him and it was funny. It really was the first time actually trying to communicate in French with a stranger and now I think I have more confidence to do so.
(side note: I'm finding my french very handy. A lot of labels on things have only Dutch, German, and French so I am able to read them in French!)
Anyways...a little while later, Jeanette got a word for a guy sitting by himself a few feet in front of us. Her and Eli went up and started talking to him. All I know is that he was really interested in talking to them about God and spirituality. They actually ended up taking him to coffee at a shop in the square and didn't meet up with us for an hour or two later.
Then Sam told me he thinks I'm going to have a word for this girl sitting behind us by herself. Awesome. So I felt God just telling me that he loves that girl the way she is and doesn't have to keep striving to change herself.
Moment of truth, took Amanda with me and went up and introduced myself. She was probably 23, name is Jenny. She was from Germany but went to school at UCLA so her English was great. We just chatted with her and I was able to tell her what God wanted me to say. She was actually a Christian and had just got back from Tanzania for teaching English. We were able to pray for her in some of the things she wanted us to pray for. Basically, she was really encouraged and walked away across the square really hit with God's love. You could see it on her face.
Wednesday night...
the DTS students and us were invited over the Ross' house...a YWAM family on base. Weird going into a Dutch house...especially in the city. Typical city apartment-style. Steep, steep stairs up one level. Europeans have such steep, narrow, small stairs. And everything is smaller...but I already knew that from my last Europe trip. But really...there were a lot of us in that little building. Good time of fellowship and hearing an amazing story from the Ross'.
I think that's all. I could write so much more but it is probably best to only write about the significant things. Here are some photos :)
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| right outside the ywam base |
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| in the red light district, outside the tabernacle |
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