Milestone!

We often say that Traveling Light does so much more than just fundraising. And that's certainly true.

Our motto is "Let your light shine," and we do so within the church, through teaching and preaching, but certainly also outside the church, for example, at our coffeehouse/store Twinkeltje, De Schor, prisons, and rehabs.

The visits to the projects, the prayers with people, the Alpha courses we give, the help we offer... It's priceless. 👉Encouragement is our trademark!

But we've now reached a milestone that we'd like to celebrate. Our treasurer, Martin de Haas, announced that since our founding in 2011, we've been able to donate one million euros to projects in more than thirty European countries.

Isn't that fantastic? We've raised one million euros together. Your donations, the campaigns, the shops, the sales on Ebay, the sponsored events, and so on. Whether you donate €5 or €500 monthly, it matters!

Our gratitude goes out to you. Rest assured that you are part of something much greater. Thanks to your help, lives have been changed throughout Europe, forever! There is no better investment.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to always do what I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19).

Project extra bath and bedroom Comunità Brezzano, Italy

The first post we wrote about Comunità Brezzano in Italy on behalf of Traveling Light goes back to 2013.

We have financially supported the Christian therapeutic community in beautiful Tuscany on several occasions and have also visited many times. We organized work weeks to cut wood for the winter with the help of volunteers. Everyone (!) always enjoyed staying at the Casa Shalom guesthouse.

After our dear friend Maria Meier (who led the residential community) suddenly passed away, it has been quite difficult for the board, based in Switzerland, to gain momentum again.

Over the past few years, the board, together with Boris Michin (Maria's coworker who has lived in Brezzano for years) and many other friends,  prayed, listened, and sought God. In October 2023, we joined them in such a prayer session week. The question was how the Christian community, which has been such a blessing to many people from Europe and Israel, could continue.

First and foremost, a caretaker couple was needed. God answered their prayers and opened the hearts of Yoseph and Roberta Cuoco last year to lead Comunità Brezzano. Yoseph and Roberta have a passion for discipleship and, as native Italians, want to firmly anchor Comunità Brezzano in the region.

Comunità Brezzano is a place for people seeking reflection, peace, and reorientation toward Jesus Christ. Through strong connections with Messianic congregations in Israel, they were able to offer retreat time (especially these past two years) to church leaders and their families at Casa Shalom.

In April 2024, a group of us spent a week in Tuscany to offer a helping hand in making repairs on the dirt road leading up to Casa Shalom!

Starting in August 2025, the new caretakers (and their three children) will live with Boris at Casa Nuova. This new beginning will also require some practical adjustments at Casa Nuova, such as an additional bathroom and bedroom. We are grateful that this very special place will continue to exist and pray that many will find peace, rest, and healing in Casa Shalom. We would like to contribute to this renovation.

If you would also like to help, please send a donation. You can do so in various ways:

💛Send your financial gift to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention BREZZANO

💳 Give by card

👉You can also donate directly via our website!

Project updates

With the summer vacation just around the corner, it's good to recap what we've been up to lately. It's so encouraging!

The proceeds for June in Twinkeltje and de Schor (plus specified donations, internet sales, and PIP25) totaled €2,600, which went entirely to the work of Teen Challenge in Slovenija.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped raise such a wonderful amount. At the end of this month, Jan will be going to Slovenija for a hiking trip in the Slovenian Alps with the men from the rehab program.

We'll write a report later on and give you an update on everything happening at TC Slovenija.

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We were also able to donate a generous €5,000 to the kitchen project at the Teen Challenge women's home in Armenia.

At TC in Armenia, there is always a constant stream of children, women, and men in need of help. We'll let you know as soon as we receive an update from Gagik and Lusine Mkrtchyan.

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Donations have been coming in for the Teen Challenge street outreach project in Sweden. How wonderful! We will soon be able to offer them a substantial donation for the coming fall and winter season, during which they will visit various cities with a traveling evangelism team.

Please pray for this plan as well, as the larger cities in Sweden are facing many challenges.

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We (Jan and Marja) visited Teen Challenge in Lithuania last month. We were invited to give a seminar on "Freedom and standing firm in freedom" for the students at the various rehab centers.

It was a very special time, and we will share a report on it soon.

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The project for the months of July/August in our secondhand stores Twinkeltje and De Schor is the work of Teen Challenge in Moldova. De Schor is closed during the school vacation period, while Twinkeltje is open as usual, so come visit us on Saturday or Monday afternoon.

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Donations are always welcome. You can send a gift in different ways. Please take note:

When in Europe, you can send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention 'general' or otherwise which country or project.

💳 Give by card

👉You can also donate directly via our website!

Project street outreach Teen Challenge Sweden

In 2019, Teen Challenge in Sweden opened Englahaket in Örebro, a second-hand shop that is also a coffee house. The idea is based on our Twinkeltje concept.

At the time, we visited them and Traveling Light also helped with a donation to get them started with the rent. The post about that can be found HERE.

Teen Challenge is committed to spreading the gospel in vulnerable areas (mainly suburbs) of Sweden. From the fall of 2025, they want to have a traveling evangelism team, the Englateamet.

A series of sad events (shootings, bombings, mental illnesses, and increased gang crime) has led to the Teen Challenge team taking to the streets more than ever to reach people with the gospel. An extensive evangelism campaign has been set up.

Teen Challenge currently has contact with serious pioneers in vulnerable areas in Linköping, Borås, Stockholm, Örebro, and possibly some more. The plan is to visit these places strategically, so 2-3 times a year, and then for two to three weeks at a time, which requires good planning.

The Englateam consists of young people. They will be based at Götabro Bible School, work closely with a mentor, receive regular teaching and support during school- and team weeks, and discipleship training in order to grow and be prepared for ministry.

Teen Challenge is asking individuals, Christian entrepreneurs, and organizations, such as second-hand stores, for prayer support and financial help.

Of course, we, at Traveling Light, want to support them with prayer and a donation for the costs that the evangelism campaign entails. With the upcoming campaign, they are following in the footsteps of David Wilkerson, who reached young people in gangs right where they were,  on the streets!

Do you have a heart for street evangelism, and do you want to help shine light in dark places in Sweden? Then send a donation. You can do so in various ways:

💛Send your financial gift to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention TC SWEDEN.

💳 Give by card

👉You can also donate directly via our website!

🔔When in the USA, make your tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention TC SWEDEN

Projects of the month, pop-up café, and PIP25

The project of May in Twinkeltje and de Schor was the work of Brian Slater and Abundant Bread of Salvation in Israel. He manages a food bank, clothing distribution, and soup kitchen in Netanya, has set up a Holocaust Survivor Adoption Program, and regularly organizes outings for the elderly.

Brian was with us in the Netherlands from May 7-18. He stayed in the guest house of Krijn & Cora and spoke about his work during a mission evening in Twinkeltje. We went by bicycle to Dordrecht (with the waterbus!) and then visited Chantal in de Schor.

Brian was invited to speak in various congregations, including the Hoeksteen in Etten-Leur. What a blessing that was. Lots of conversations and prayers. The offering yielded a considerable amount!

He also visited Texel, Gorinchem, and the Kngdm conference in Almere, where he met worship leader Paul Wilbur. We concluded with a BBQ at our place (Jan and Marja) in the garden.

The proceeds from sales in Twinkeltje and de Schor, offerings, speaker fee, and specified donations came to 3,800 euros. That all goes to Abundant Bread of Salvation. Thank you very much for that. How wonderful to be able to bless Israel together!

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The project in both stores for June is the work of Teen Challenge in Slovenija. The drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men in Nova Vas is close to our hearts.

From the very beginning, we have been involved in the work that was set up by Matjaz & Magdalena Horjak. Jan visits there every year. The sales in Twinkeltje and de Schor this month are for this purpose. In the meantime, it is still possible to make a donation for the Teen Challenge Armenia project.

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This Friday evening June 6th, is shopping night again in the Schor + pop-up café. Come by between 19:00-21:00 hrs. for coffee and pastries and nice conversations, of course!

The vintage store is open every Friday from 10:00-16:00 hrs. In addition, a once-a-month shopping night. The proceeds always go to Traveling Light. And this month it is for the Slovenija project.

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On Saturday June 7th, eight churches are organizing PIP25 in Papendrecht. A Pentecost event on the market square, how great is that? There are activities for all ages, music, food trucks, and various booths.

De Schor will be there with a booth full of nice vintage items and Twinkeltje has a booth with beautiful second-hand baby and children's clothing, toys, and books. The proceeds will go to the Slovenija project.

We also have a prayer chair where you can sit if you want to be prayed for. PIP25 starts at 3:00 PM and lasts until approximately 9:00 PM. Will we see you?

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Donations are always welcome. You can send a gift in different ways. Please take note:

• Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention 'general' or otherwise which country or project.
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉You can also donate directly via our website!

New kitchen for Teen Challenge home, Armenia

During the recent Europe Teen Challenge conference in Albania, we spoke extensively with Gagik and Lusine Mkrtchyan, the directors of Teen Challenge Armenia.

In the past ten years (!) they have set up various Christian rehabilitation centers. A house for men with addiction problems and a women's and children's home. They have a special place in their hearts for children; they have adopted ten war orphans while having six children of their own.

Gagik and Lusine also came up with the idea of ​​a housing complex where refugees from both Russia and Ukraine live and work together. It is still going great! We have written about their work throughout the years in our news blogs.

Teen Challenge Armenia also provides hospice support to patients who are at the end of their lives. They help orphans who lost their families in the war with food, clothing, and school supplies. And they also care for children with HIV and AIDS.

Well, we could go on and on. As Gagik himself says: "We have a unique place in the worldwide mission of the Armenian people and Armenia, which is to become an example in humanism and Christianity."

Despite their busy lives, Gagik and Lusine are also regularly on the road to raise funds for their work, which can only continue thanks to donations. Money is always needed; that much will be clear, but at the moment, the women/child home has an urgent need for a new kitchen.

As you can see in the photos (click to enlarge), that is not an unnecessary luxury. How wonderful would it be if we could bless them with a substantial donation for a beautiful kitchen? Especially in a country like Armenia, the kitchen is the central place in the house where a lot of delicious food is prepared.

If you would also like to help... You can send a donation in different ways:

💛Send your financial gift to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention TC ALBANIA.

💳 Give by card

👉You can also donate directly via our website!

🔔When in the USA, make your tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention TC ARMENIA.

ETC conference and mission evening

We have just returned from Albania, where we, together with Krijn and Cora, participated in the Europe Teen Challenge conference in Durrës. You can see us in the picture with Adrian Pasterkamp, who always plays a major role in the organization of the ETC conferences.

We had wonderful meetings, and especially during the meals we were able to catch up with the leaders of the various Teen Challenge drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers and coffee houses in Armenia, Georgia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Moldova, Ukraine, and many more countries!

The conference consists of preaching, worship, project updates, and prayers. And of course there is plenty of opportunity to talk with each other and catch up in a relaxed way. The location on the coast and the beautiful hotel were ideal for this.

The theme of the conference was 'Generations' and Marja was also invited to speak on Saturday morning. This practical and inspiring message can be viewed/listened to on YouTube via this link.

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In the coming days, we will have a visit from our friend Brian Slater from Israel. We have been writing about his work with 'Abundant Bread of Salvation' since 2011. He runs a food bank, clothing distribution, and soup kitchen in Netanya, has set up a Holocaust Survivor Adoption Program, and regularly organizes outings for the elderly.

This Friday we will organize a Mission Evening in Twinkeltje (Korenbloemstraat 20 in Papendrecht) where Brian will talk about his work. Walk-in with coffee and tea from 19:30 and start at 20:00. Admission is free, we will hold a collection for Brian. Feel free to bring someone!

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Donations are always welcome. You can send a gift in different ways. Please take note:

• Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention 'general' or otherwise which country or project.
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉You can also donate directly via our website!

Activities and travels

A few weeks ago we announced the visit of members of the city council (Christian political party) to our store/coffeehouse On Saturday March 29th, we had a pleasant meeting in Twinkeltje.

We were able to share a lot about the ins and outs of running the coffeehouse, impact in the area and the town, activities, collaboration with other organisations, and the proceeds for projects throughout Europe.

We are very grateful for the sincere interest they showed in our work in Papendrecht and beyond. If you like it, you can watch the video that the SGP has posted on their channel HERE (Use the settings button to generate subtitles in your language).

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This Saturday is Kingsday in the Netherlands. We will be present again with a booth at the flea market in Papendrecht. That is always a very pleasant event, and not only for Papendrecht residents. Visitors from all over the area come to the flea market!

We will provide coffee, so come by and let's have a nice chat. The proceeds from the sales will go to Teen Challenge Lebanon.

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Next week we (Jan, Marja, Krijn, Cora) will attend the annual Europe Teen Challenge conference, which will be held in Albania this year. We always look forward to meeting everyone again and catching up.

We have been able to support so many Teen Challenge programs with a visits or donations this past year, so we are curious about the stories and progress in the various rehab centers and coffee houses.

When we return, Brian Slater from Abundant Bread of Salvation in Israel will visit us. More about that later.

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Donations are always welcome. You can send a gift in different ways. Please take note:

Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention 'general' or otherwise which country or project.

💳 Give by card

👉You can also donate directly via our website!

Meanwhile in the Czech Republic, Lebanon, and Kazakhstan + earthquake disaster relief

Of course, we are always happy when our faithful supporters and donors come up with ideas to raise funds for a special project. Alex and Arjanne Roorda recently did that.

In March, they both turned 60 and celebrated that with family and friends. In addition to presents, they also received money, and they wanted to donate that to the children's and youth work of Teen Challenge in Prague, Czech Republic. More than 800 euros in donations came in!

We rounded that up and transferred 1,000 euros. The enthusiastic team of Teen Challenge in Žižkov organizes all kinds of activities and events for children and youth aged 3-20 every day.

Most children come from family situations with all kinds of problems. At the children's and youth center, they find love, acceptance, and hope for the future. Many hear about Jesus for the first time.

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Meanwhile, in Lebanon... It is clear that the situation in the country, and certainly in and around Beirut, is extremely precarious and vulnerable. Nevertheless, Garo Margossian was able to officially open the Teen Challenge rehab center. The first students have arrived.

We hope to meet Garo next month at the Europe Teen Challenge conference in Albania, so that we can catch up.

Donations to run the center and for Garo to come to the conference are very much needed. Everything is welcome!

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It seems long ago that Krijn Donk raised almost 9,000 euros for the youth center of Teen Challenge in Kazakhstan, back in January with his ice skating fundraiser. A passenger van has now been purchased that has 11 seats! It replaces the 20-year old van that has served them all this time.

They are very happy with the new van and that thanks to your sponsorship for Krijn. It's great to be able to support the Christian program there from the Netherlands.

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And then something completely different: If you are in Europe and want to make a donation for emergency aid after the severe earthquake in Myanmar through a Christian organization, you can do so via Samaritan's Purse. We also donated through them after the earthquake in Turkey in 2023.

This organization of Franklin Graham, with a department in Germany we are in good contact with, is always one of the first at the scene of the disaster with a field hospital and God's love. In general, we 'limit' the support of Traveling Light to projects in countries within Europe. That is why we refer to the above link in this case if you want to donate. If, however, you still prefer to do it through Traveling Light, it is possible. We will, of course, pass it on to them. Please clearly state: EARTHQUAKE.

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Donations are always welcome. You can send a gift in different ways, please take note:

Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention 'general' or otherwise which country or project.

💳 Give by card

👉You can also donate directly via our website!

Activities and speaking engagements

As most of you probably know by now,  Traveling Light is not just active throughout Europe but also on many fronts in the Netherlands. This is all possible thanks to the voluntary efforts of lovely people!

For example: Krijn and Cora are responsible for the coffee house work in Twinkeltje and the prison ministry, Chantal provides enormous support in fundraising in her vintage shop de Schor, and Jan and Marja encourage through preaching and teaching and maintain international contacts. This is what is on the calendar for the coming weeks:

FRIDAY March 28

Jan will speak at a campfire evening of the Dutch Reformed Church in Klundert. This event is for men only! Walk-in from 20:15 and starts at 20:30. Location: Loods bij Maarten v.d. Werken (entrance via Hilsepoort 7-9). Admission is free.

SATURDAY March 29

Members of the city council Papendrecht will visit Twinkeltje. They would like to talk with us about the impact of the coffee house/second-hand shop on the residents of Papendrecht and the surrounding area.

MONDAY March 31

Bible study evening in de Schor. It has been a year now, that we have been meeting weekly for the 'Group studies for New Life' as provided by Teen Challenge.

FRIDAY April 4

Shopping evening and cozy pop-up café in de Schor. You are most welcome between 19:00 - 21:00 for  coffee, cake, and conversation. The proceeds will go to Traveling Light, as always.

SATURDAY April 5

Marja will speak, and also present the Portuguese edition of her book 'Grace of Giving', in Comunidade Crista em Amsterdam, a Brazilian church.

SUNDAY April 6

Jan will speak in the Free Evangelical Church De Ark in Gorinchem. Service starts at 10:00 AM.

WEDNESDAY April 9

Mission evening Lithuania in Twinkeltje with guest Willem van Dijk. He will talk about his work among the poor and addicted in Lithuania. It promises to be an inspiring evening again! Door is open at 19:30. The Presentation starts at 20:00.

In May, Brian Slater from Abundant Bread of Salvation in Israel will visit. We will also organize a mission evening in which he will talk about his work. The final dates will follow.

In the meantime, we are still fundraising for the work of Teen Challenge in Belgium and Iceland.

Donations are always welcome. You can send a gift in different ways, please take note:

Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention 'general' or otherwise which country or project.

💳 Give by card

👉You can also donate directly via our website!