Traveling Light

Successful fundraiser for Teen Challenge Ukraine!

2012-03-05T19:21:00.003+01:00

This past Sunday morning Jan walked, without any suspicion, through the doors of De Hoeksteen church in Etten Leur. He gets invited to speak there on a regular basis...

The dear folks at De Hoeksteen, however, knew about our latest project, the sponsoring of the annual Teen Challenge Conference in Kiev, Ukraine. We had shared with them our desire to sponsor people from all over Ukraine by paying part of the cost for the conference. We had set our goal at $1,350 and Jan had offered to cut off his ponytail if that amount would come in before the conference. Well, what do you think? The offering during this Sunday morning service was more than $2,800, which De Hoeksteen gladly donated towards our project! YES!

To make this an even more special morning De Hoeksteen had invited one of the best hair dressers in Holland to come and cut off Jan's ponytail. Under the artistic hands of Rene, from Acoli Elite in Breda Jan received a brand new haircut and that after 35 years.... go figure :)

Together with the gracious gifts we already received from you all, we are able to donate $3,300 towards Teen Challenge Ukraine, what a wonderful, warm gift of love and encouragement. We will post more news and photo's in April, after we have visited the conference in Kiev.

By the way, Jan spoke about practical faith that morning, about adding actions to our faith. Well, all of our faithful supporters have certainly understood that. Thank you all, thank you De Hoeksteen!

News & prayer

2012-03-01T14:45:00.003+01:00

We have gathered some news, prayer items and photo's (!) for you on this blog. Please keep an eye on our writings this week, as we will give you news on the gifts thermometers for project Gutes Land, Germany and project Annual TC conference, Ukraine.

Teen Challenge the Spetse Hoeve in Groningen, sent us some more photo's of their newly installed fire distinguishers. Thanks to your donations the fire safety is up to code again at the Spetse Hoeve!

We have purchased our tickets to fly to the Ukraine. We hope to be in Kiev from April 5-9 2012. We will attend the annual conference and visit with Sergey and Mariana, who are also planning to visit Onyfrievka with us, where we will be speaking in the church.

We received a newsletter from Ark in de Negev, Israel. For security reasons we will not post anything on this weblog, but if you would like to receive the newsletter, please email us. There are currently three women in the program, please pray that will find peace and hope! Pray also for the volunteers who are working there. A team from Teen Challenge Chech Republic went to visit and worked on building a beautiful white fence!

Dirk Hellmann, the director of Teen Challenge Gutes Land sent us some more photo's, taken on the farm in Germany. We often talk or write about 'projects' on this blog, but basically this is all about PEOPLE! Behind every face is a story and a future. Faces are the heart of our projects. So, here is a great pic of the guys in Gutes Land. Awesome, right?!

Last week we received a newletter from Teen Challenge in Serbia. They had to lay off four of their paid workers because a big sponsor couldn't support them anymore. They lost 25% of their support as of January 1st. This is a huge discouragement for the directors Sasa & Svetlana Ivanonic and their staff and students. Teen Challenge Serbia has a men's and a women's home. We don't know yet how we can help them with Traveling Light, but we DO know that we can pray! Please, pray with us that new sponsors will arise, that more than the lost 25% will recover and that this year will be a year of growth and favor. Will you help us?

Photo's Gutes Land, Germany

2012-02-23T13:38:00.002+01:00

Teen Challenge Gutes Land

As promised some photo's of the building project at Teen Challenge Gutes Land in Germany.

When we first visited the center we were in awe, because of the beauty of the buildings that are literally hundreds of years old. The Teen Challenge staff and students all live there.

after care house

The farm is located in the beautiful countryside of South Eastern Germany (nearby Munich). There are several men in the program right now and they are learning that 'once an addict, always an addict' is not true! Jesus can set people totally free from a life of bondage!

Finishing the inside

A few years ago they started building a small house on the premises, meant to be used as an after care house, where men who have finished the program can live in preparation for their return into society, but still be under the protection of Teen Challenge. Due to lack of finances and all kind of other issues the work was never finished. Currently they have a contractor working on the house and it starts to look great, as you can see in the pictures. The total cost for this building project will be around 20.000 euro and we offered them our help in paying part of the bill by raising 5.000 euro. We want to see this house finished!

basic rooms

As in most places the work of Teen Challenge can only continue thanks to gifts from churches, individuals and organisations, like the one we recently started :) It is just wonderful to be able to encourage staff and students at Gutes Land: 'you are not alone, we are standing behind you. Keep going, do not give up.'

We can only do it if you decide to help us! Thank you for your support and faithfulness.

Sponsoring TC Ukrainian Annual Conference 2012

2012-02-15T10:02:00.002+01:00

The gifts for our current project Teen Challenge Gutes Land in Germany keep coming in and the gifts thermometer has risen to almost 3,000 euro, which is super! Please, keep up the good work until we reach our goal of 5,000 euro. We have asked Dirk Hellmann to send us some pics of the after care house that they are building. More about that next time.

In the meantime we received a request from Teen Challenge Ukraine to help them with their annual conference which is coming up April 5-7 2012. What exactly is an annual conference? Well, working with the poor, lost, homeless and addicted is not a nine to five job and surely not an easy one, although very rewarding. It is necessary to train, equip and encourage the workers on a regular basis. Most workers with Teen Challenge have been through the program themselves at some point and are what we call experience experts. No matter how dedicated, excited and passionate they are about their work, there will always be times of disappointment and discouragement. That is why regular training and attending conferences is required. The theme for this conference is vision - leadership - commitment and the main speaker will be Jerry Nance, president of Global Teen Challenge.

So, how do we wish to help them with Traveling Light? Well, first of all we have been invited to attend the conference, so we're currently shopping for a good deal on airline tickets :) It will be a great chance to meet many people from TC Ukraine and to learn more about their work. And second of all: the cost to attend the annual conference is $45 per person (or 35 euro). If you wish to sponsor someone so he or she can attend the conference that would be a great help, often they do not have the finances available or they will need it for transportation. We hope to give at least 30 people a chance to go, which is $1,350 or somewhere around 1,000 euro.

So, what do you think? Let's warm their hearts during this incredible cold and harsh winter and GIVE!

The fun part and challenge of this project is that Jan has promised to cut off his pony tail if we reach the 1,000 euro mark.

PS: For our supporters in the USA, you can give your tax deductible gift here. Make sure you mention TC Ukraine conference and send us an email, so we can start to count!

New board member

2012-02-09T21:12:00.002+01:00

Photo: Krijn Donk

We are happy and delighted to introduce our new board member Martin de Haas to you. He agreed to join us and will be our official treasurer. We have signed and sent in all the official paperwork and as of February 1st 2012 Martin is our new board member.

Martin has worked for several years as the treasurer of International Agape Ministries and we have come to know him as an honest, upright and kind person. We have no doubt he will be able to help, guide and support us in the work. In the picture you can see Martin with his wife Annet.

Annet is super creative and is always full of good and colorful ideas. One of her hobbies is designing and making her own greeting cards. She is going to make some special cards for Traveling Light which we will be sending out as encouragement to our contacts. Most of the communication with the people behind the projects is through Email, Skype and Facebook, but nothing beats a handmade and hand written card received at the right moment :)

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

[1 Peter 4:10]

Visit Veelerveen, Groningen

2012-02-06T20:33:00.000+01:00

Saturday night praise & worship

This weekend we visited the Teen Challenge center, De Spetse Hoeve, in Veelerveen, Groningen, all the way in the north eastern corner of Holland. Every first Saturday evening of each month they organize a church service at the center that is open to the public. These evenings are a time for worship and prayer and the men in the program are invited to share their testimony. We had never been to a service at de Spetse Hoeve, so we were happy to finally be there.

Ice and snow at the IJsselmeer

Furthermore we were able to spend some fun and valuable time with Stephan and Marianne Barendse, the directors of Teen Challenge Netherlands. It was so good to talk and share homemade meals together. They were really encouraged by our visit, and we were glad to hear that of course :) On our way back home we drove over the Aflsuitdijk and it looked like we were on the North Pole or something, wow, so much ice and snow!

PS: Stephan proudly showed us all the new fire extinguishers they purchased with the money from the gifts you gave last October.

Money for dental work Maksim comes in!

2012-02-02T10:22:00.001+01:00

We have collected a few great international news stories for you, let us start with the one that will make you all smile:

Last week we sent out a call for help in order to collect 400 euro. The money will go to Teen Challenge Ukraine and will be used to pay for some dental work for Maksim Demkin. It was such a joy to see how you all responded, in a few days the money came in. Soon, we hope to be able to post a photo of a bright smiling Maksim. Thank you everyone for a great job.
In the meantime the gifts thermometer for our project Gutes Land, Germany kept rising too and has come to 2.000 euro. We desire to help them finance the construction of an after care home at their grounds. It will open a possibility for men who have finished the Teen Challenge program, to temporarely live independently, yet still under the protection of the program. This step will prepare them to go back into the 'world'. We love this idea.
This weekend we will go and visit Teen Challenge De Spetse Hoeve in Groningen. It is time to catch up on things with Stephan and Marianne Barendse and see how we can help them in 2012. It is freezing cold in Holland at the moment and we might have a chance to go ice skating... More on this visit and some photo's next week.
We have more great news to share: Traveling Light has a new board member. We are honored and delighted that Martin de Haas has agreed to be our new treasurer. So, Jan will be the chairman, Marja the secretary and Martin the treasurer. We will introduce him in a next post.

Project Dental Work Maksim, Ukraine

2012-01-25T12:19:00.001+01:00

Maksim before and after Christ!

Who says we can't have more than one project at the same time? So, besides our Gutes Land project we like to ask your attention for Maksim Demkin.

Through Teen Challenge Ukraine and one of our faithful supporters here in Holland we received the request to help Maksim. How? By raising funds to pay his dental bill! Maksim is in need of some serious dental work. Now that he is no longer addicted to drugs he wants a new smile and we can't blame him. Who wants to be reminded of his horrible past when looking in the mirror? Maksim found a new life in Jesus Christ and has many reasons to laugh. The estimated cost for the dental work is 400 euro (or around $500).

If you would like to help him, you can give a love gift in:

Europe: Bank nr. 1185 82 275 Traveling Light, or in the

USA: http://www.ukraineteenchallenge.org/Ukraine_Teen_Challenge/Donations.html

Make sure to mention DENTAL WORK MAKSIM, UKRAINE

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

[2 Corinthians 5:17]

Project Gutes Land, Vilsbiburg, Germany

2012-01-16T14:42:00.004+01:00

The fun thing about a new project is that we have a chance to introduce the people behind it. In doing so every project gets a face, which makes giving much more enjoyable and less impersonal... Well, that´s how we see it.

Dirk and Meike Hellmann

For our first project of 2012 we need to go to the south eastern corner of Germany, to the little town of Vilsbiburg. Our friends Dirk and Meike Hellmann live there on a centuries old farm, Gutes Land, where they offer a residential program for men battling addictions. We met Dirk and Meike a few years ago during a Europe Teen Challenge conference in Prague and we have stayed in contact ever since. We visited Gutes Land and later invited them to stay with us for a few weeks in our house in California. Last summer Jan visited Gutes Land again.

What we love about Dirk and Meike is that they both have a very powerful testimony about how God changed their lives in the past. They really have a heart for lost and broken people and have given their lives to help them. Gutes Land is part of Teen Challenge which means that the program is based on biblical principles and values and dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit. There are currently 5 men in the program and the staff is praying for 5 more men to come in within the next 2 months. After finishing the program Dirk and Meike want to offer the graduates the opportunity to live in an after care house, this semi independent living will prepare them for re-entry into society.

Teen Challenge Gutes Land

A few years ago they started building a small house on the property. Much of the building material has been donated, but it turned out to be very difficult to find volunteers with building skills. They finally decided to hire a contractor to do the work, the expected costs will be 20,000 euro. That is a lot of money if you don´t have it and we would love to help them by at least paying part of that bill. We desire to raise 5,000 euro (6,300 dollar) to help them out and in the meantime we will pray that the rest of the money will come in as well, so that Dirk and Meike do not need to worry about it anymore.

Outdoor lunch during our visit in 2010

Nothing touches us more than to see human lives changed by the power of the gospel, that is still the biggest miracle there is. Working in this kind of ministry is not easy and we hope to be an encouragement to the staff of Gutes Land. If they can do their work with joy, the men in the program will benefit too!

We will start joyfully, the gifts thermometer is already at 1,000 euro.

Documentary soup kitchen Netanya

2012-01-06T20:47:00.002+01:00

Remember Brian Slater? We visited him last October and helped him in the soup kitchen in Netanya. Traveling Light was able to donate 3,000 euro for his new to open food bank in the center of Netanya.

For the past several years we have translated Brian's newsletters into Dutch and distributed them among his supporters in Holland. That's a great way for us to offer practical help :) If you would like to receive his newsletters, they only come out a few times a year, please email Brian at returnuntome1@yahoo.com and he will add you to the list. If you're interested you can also visit his blog Yeshua's fresh bread in Israel. Here's a great documentary about his work in Netanya, enjoy!

2,500 euro for Ljubljana!

2012-01-03T17:26:00.001+01:00

Yes! What a great way to start a new year! The 2,500 euro for Steve & Barbara Telzerow & ICF came in. Thank you all who helped to raise these funds and a special thank you to all the people in Southern California who donated over Christmas, we received a bunch of checks... that was awesome!

We will keep you all updated about happenings in Slovenia, so keep an eye on this blog. Personally we are planning to visit there in April. Let us continue to pray that the Lord will use pastor Steve & Barbara and their church ICF (International Christian Fellowship) in a very special way to lead Slovenia into a spiritual awakening.

Within the next few days we will announce the next project we would love to sponsor!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-29T19:02:00.001+01:00

We would like to thank you all very much for the gifts, the love, the support, the prayers and the ideas you shared with us during this first year. We wish you all a happy, healthy, wholesome and most of all blessed 2012!

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

[Matthew 5:14-16]

Photo's De Spetse Hoeve, Groningen, Holland

2011-12-17T20:39:00.001+01:00

Fire alarm installation

Last month we were able to donate 2,500 euro's to Teen Challenge De Spetse Hoeve, Groningen, in Holland. The money was desperately needed because they had to bring the fire safety system on the old farm up to code; orders of the fire department.

Because we are currently not in Holland we asked the directors Stephan & Marianne Barendse to send us some pictures of the work that is being done. We are happy to share 'm with you. Isn't it fun to see your donations at work?

Installation of lightning protection system

The checking of the excisitng fire alarm installation alone costs 750 euro's. They also had a lightning protection system installed on the roof, quite a job as you can see on the photo's.

Teen Challenge De Spetse Hoeve offers 24-hour help for men with all kind of addictions, there are currently 13 men in the residential program. You can check their website HERE and use Google translate if needed. Haha, let us know how that turned out for you.

If you have a friend or family member that is fighting addiction and wants to be free, please contact a Teen Challenge near you! It is often a matter of life and death.

As for us, we are happy that we were able to help them with this financial need and we sure hope we can be of service again in 2012!

PS: The gifts thermometer for Steve & Barbara (ICF), Ljubljana, Slovenia has risen to 2,100 euro's... almost there!

Update & notes

2011-12-05T04:46:00.001+01:00

We are in Tonopah, Arizona, USA at the moment, quite a remote area... but wifi nonetheless :) So, here's a few updates on current projects:

Since we announced our latest project, the support of pastor Steve and Barbara in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the gifts kept coming in. So far we have received 1,800 euro's for them, which is super! What a great response. It makes the goal of 2,500 euro's suddenly less difficult. What do you think, will we reach our goal before the end of this year?
We have removed some sensitive information about the Arad project in Israel, for security reasons. We hope you understand this. There have been some threats from ultra orthodox, so please pray for the safety of Polly and the women involved in the program.
As far as the Onyfrievka project in Ukraine is concerned, negotiations to buy the property are still continuing. Please pray with us for a breakthrough in this, so that a new Teen Challenge men's house can be opened asap!

The work we do as Traveling Light is slowly being noticed in Europa and the USA. In recent weeks we have received some very kind and encouraging reports. So, thank you to our supporters, it is only because of your generosity that we can do what we do! Who knows, one day we will incorporate as a non profit in the USA too.

Greetings from Jan and Marja.

Project Ljubljana, Slovenia

2011-11-24T22:06:00.004+01:00

As we are nearing the end of 2011, we would like to introduce you to Steve and Barbara Telzerow, the people behind our next project. They are the pastors of the International Christian Fellowship (ICF) in Ljubljana, Slovenia and faithful supporters of Teen Challenge Izhod, Slovenia.

We have met them on several occasions over the past few years and visited their church. The International Christian Fellowship or Mednarodna krščanska skupnost (hey, try to pronounce that without hesitating) was born about 13 years ago in a prayer meeting and currently meets in a rental building in Ljubljana. Although the church is small, they have a great vision for the future of Slovenia. Last year they organized a nationwide outreach with evangelist Nick Vujicic. Nearly 17.000 people attended the events in that week. Many churches came together and worked in unity. Our friends Matjaz & Magdalena Horjak were hosts of the event in the city of Koper and we were just thrilled to hear their stories and we agreed with them that this had to be the first of many events to come. Slovenia 4 Jesus, yes! We just love it when people have a heart for evangelism. Together we can reach a person, a street, a town, a country... yes, the whole world, with the Good News.

The idea began to grow to sow our seeds into the ministry of ICF. When we e-mailed pastor Steve to ask if he had any needs we could help him with, he was greatly surprised. He wrote: “Thank you so much for your letter. It was extremely encouraging to receive. I deeply appreciate you asking about our needs. It has come as a great surprise. I am very rarely asked that question. Thank You.”

Well, being an encouragement to believers; that is certainly our goal! To make a long story short; we desire to raise € 2,500 for Steve and Barbara and ICF. The money will be used to purchase heating fuel for their house, to pay the expenses of a women’s conference they recently helped organize and to support a children’s bible club among gypsy children, which is really exciting. Hey, wouldn’t it be great to be a part of revival in Slovenia? Let’s sow our seed in fertile soil. Let's encourage one another.

For more on the event with Nick,see also: http://nickvujicic.si/odmevi.html

2,500 euro for The Spetse Hoeve, Holland!

2011-11-23T05:20:00.002+01:00

Hooray, we're celebrating again here at Traveling Light. We have reached another goal: 2,500 euro's for Teen Challenge The Spetse Hoeve in Groningen came in, thanks to the faithful and often surprising donations from our supporters.

Thank you very much; we are very grateful for all of you who helped us to reach this goal, one way or another... whether through your prayers, your encouraging words or your donations. The money will be used to bring the fire safety system in the old farm up to code. We are happy to help 'm pay the bill :)

Things are going very well at Teen Challenge, the Spetse Hoeve. Seven men graduated last summer and there are currently 13 men in the program, all being set free from addictions and becoming disciples of Jesus Christ!

New website Ark in the Negev

2011-11-15T00:55:00.002+01:00

One of the projects in Israel we have sponsored and will continue to sponsor and pray for is the recently opened women's home, Ark in the Negev, in Arad. It operates under the flag of Teen Challenge and we are so honored to be able to introduce this ministry to our supporters in Holland and beyond.

When Polly Sigulim told us a few years ago about her dream to open a center for abused and addicted women (and their children) in Israel, we were thrilled. It took her a lot of work and patience before the center became a reality. We here at Traveling Light are excited that we were able to sow our seed into this ministry and we can only hope and pray we will have many more opportunities to give and so be part of this wonderful work in Israel. We can only do this with the help of your faithful donations, for which we are truly grateful.

You know what is so cool about being part of the Teen Challenge family? We can help each other, worldwide. One of these weeks a team from Teen Challenge Czech Republic will go to the center in Israel for some maintenance and repairs. Is that a blessing for the ladies or what?!

The center has now a web site too, please feel free to check it out at Ark in the Negev.

PS: The gifts thermometer for our project The Spetse Hoeve, Teen Challenge Netherlands has risen to 2,400 euros, only 100 more to go and together we have reached another goal! Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who gave.

Greetings from Slovenia

2011-11-07T19:28:00.002+01:00

Staff member Dejan & a student happy with the saw!

About a month ago Traveling Light donated 2,250 euro's (about 3,000 dollars) to Teen Challenge Izhod, Slovenia. The money was needed to purchase firewood and a chainsaw in preparation for the coming winter.

Last week we received a thank you note from Matjaz and Magdalena Horjak as well as some photo's. We just LOVE to share it on this blog, so you all know where the money goes. And besides that... who doesn't want to see such happy faces?

Dear friends,

You, who have donated your financial gifts to TC ministry in Slovenia through Travelling Light thank you sooo much! We really appreciate your help, which enabled us to get wood for the whole winter and a chainsaw to cut it. Thank you for being a part of a ministry which helps to restore broken lifes. Thanks to you we will enjoy a warm winter. :-) We are truly overwhelmed by your compassion and a heart to give.

Truck load of firewood

May God bless you abundantly in all areas of your life!

In His love

Matjaž & Magdalena Horjak + TC team

Update project Spetse Hoeve

2011-11-02T13:53:00.001+01:00

We barely announced our new project The Spetse Hoeve, Groningen, or donations started rolling in :) Wow, the gifts thermometer rose to 2,050 euro's in just a few days, that is so awesome.

Our goal is to raise 2,500 euro's needed to pay the recent fire safety bill that was presented after inspection. They will need to purchase new fire extinguishers, fire alarms, camera's and cables, an AID and some other emergency equipment.

Together with Stephan Barendse, the director of the Spetse Hoeve and Teen Challenge Holland, we also came up with a way to bless the guys in the program personally. Each time a student enters the program they receive a pocket New Testament. For many that is the first time they read the good news. After a few months in the program the men receive their own Bible. A good quality Bible costs around 50 euro's. If the Lord puts it on your heart to purchase a Bible for one of the students in the program, you can do so by sending a special gift of 50 euro's to Traveling Light. Make sure you mention 'Spetse Hoeve Bible'.

Visit Netanya, Israel

2011-10-31T13:43:00.001+01:00

During our stay in Israel we not only visited the women's home in Arad, but the new food pantry in Netanya as well. We also volunteered at the existing soup kitchen in Netanya, which takes place every Monday at Beit-Asaph Congregation. When they open their doors many people (some elderly, some single moms, some low income) can come in for a free hot meal, groceries and clothes. Below are some pics we took:

Collecting donated food for the soup kitchen

Lunch with Brian Slater and the volunteers of that day

Sorting, folding and displaying 2-hand clothes

New, to be opened, food pantry in Netanya

Presenting the cheque from Traveling Light

Many thanks, also from Brian Slater, for giving generously for this project. Oh yes, there is another cool photo we want to share with you... in the soup kitchen and food pantry there is always a book table with bibles and other mateial. Since it is forbidden in Israel to evangelize to Jewish/Muslim people, there is a sign at the book table that says 'free to take'. In that way material is not being hand out, but people take it home by choice and that is okay! We found some beautiful bibles there, like this one:

Old and New Testament in Hebrew and Arabic!

While Jan served the people their meal, I had the opportunity to pray with several older people for physical ailments. So much joy was released that two elderly ladies started to shout and sing. It was awesome, God is so good!

Project Spetse Hoeve, Groningen

2011-10-27T16:07:00.001+02:00

In the first months since the founding of our non profit organisation, we have been able to financially, practically and/or spiritually support projects/churches in Ukraine, Germany, Israel and Slovenia. It is our goal to stay in contact with the people behind these projects as much as we can.

Stephan & Marianne Barendse

The next project we would like to introduce to you is one in our own country, Holland! As some of you may know, we have good contacts with Stephan and Marianne Barendse from the Spetse Hoeve. A home where men with all kinds of life controlling problems are welcome. The Spetse Hoeve operates under the flag of Teen Challenge and they offer personal as well as group studies and work projects. Stephan & Marianne exchanged their city life in the heart of Amsterdam for a life in rural Groningen, the north eastern corner of Holland. We greatly admire their choice and courage. The Spetse Hoeve has a wood workshop, a vegetable garden, a green house, a second hand store and a bicycle repair shop.

Teen Challenge Spetse Hoeve

While we were in Israel we had a pleasant talk via Skype with Stephan, the director of Teen Challenge Netherlands, and a few things surfaced that are of interest for our organisation. After a recent visit from the fire department the Spetse Hoeve received a list of things to do in order to keep up with the current regulations. They will need to purchase new fire extinguishers, fire alarms, camera's and cables, an AID and some other emergency equipment. A hefty bill of 6000 euro's! The day Stephan contacted us through Skype was a good day, because they had just received a 3500 euro gift from World Challenge. So... where does that put us? We believe we can raise the other 2,500 euro needed to pay this fire safety bill. We hope you will believe with us.

Is there a better investment than the investment in human lives? What it it were your brother, son, father or husband who needed the help of a rehabilitation program like Teen Challenge? Every life is important, every life counts, every life is valuable. Men's lives will be forever changed in the Spetse Hoeve, and so their families will be forever changed. There is no greater joy!

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

[Matthew 6:19-21]

2,250 euro for Teen Challenge, Slovenia!

2011-10-21T22:52:00.001+02:00

It's time to celebrate again here at Traveling Light. Oh, how we love to bring good news: the 2,250 euro (3,000 dollars) for Teen Challenge Izhod, Slovenia came in, thanks to your generosity.

The money will mainly be used to purchase a good chainsaw as well as heating fuel for the coming winter. It is just awesome that we are able to help our friends in Slovenia in this simple and practical way. Let's pray that this coming winter there will be homeless and addicted men who decide to seriously turn away from the lifestyle that is slowly destroying their future and that they will enter through the doors of Teen Challenge.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made this possible!

Visit to Arad, Israel

2011-10-18T12:51:00.005+02:00

Women's home Ark of the Negev

While on vacation in Israel, we visited the women's home, Ark in the Negev, In Arad, Israel. Our organisation has been able to donate 1,500 euro's (7,500 NIS) towards this project in Israel and we were honored to visit the house last weekend.

Arad is a desert town, high above the Dead Sea, not too far from Be'er Sheeva. The house is tucked away in a quiet street overlooking the Negev desert. We met with several of the volunteers who are living there at the moment and who will be functioning as house mothers once the first guests will arrive. How wonderful it is to be able to provide a safe house for women and children!

New patio furniture

We were shown around the house, which looks cute as a button. All walls are freshly painted, the rooms clean and orderly with new beds and furniture (a gift from Operation Blessing, the 700 club). Others donated a washing machine and some potted plants for the front yard.

We shared a wonderful meal together and talked and talked.... We also prayed together for the future of this house and everyone who will enter through the doors. And you know what was so great about the meal we had? Here we were, Jew, Arab and Christian, all with different backgrounds, but united in the name of Jesus!

PS: the gifts thermometer for Teen Challenge Izhod, Slovenia has risen to 2,100 euro's!

Update on Slovenia project

2011-10-08T11:03:00.002+02:00

Last Monday we announced our new project: Teen Challenge Izhod, Slovenia. We will be raising 3,000 dollars (or approx. 2,250 euro's) for the men's center in Nova Vas. They will need this for heating fuel and the purchase of a chain saw (600 euro's).

The gifts thermometer rose this week from zero to 1,300 euro's, which is awesome! We transferred the money for the chain saw, so they can get to work, chopping trees, before winter comes. Thanks everyone, for helping others, your gifts are greatly appreciated.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

[2 Corinthians 9:7]

Project Teen Challenge Izhod, Slovenia

2011-10-03T10:54:00.008+02:00

MS 280-L

You may wonder... what in the world is a chain saw doing on this weblog?

Well, you may remember our friends Matjaz & Magdalena Horjak in Slovenia. We have written about their work among the drugs addicts in Slovenia on this weblog and we have visited them on several occasions. After years of preparation and waiting they opened the Dennis Griffith House in Nova Vas, Slovenia, a rental home where men who sincerely want to break their destructive habits can come and enter a year long program, as offered worldwide through Teen Challenge. There are currently three men in the program and Matjaz has been blessed with full time staff member Dejan & Renata Berginc!

The Horjak family

Recently we asked them if they could give us a list of current needs. As many other Teen Challenge programs they largely depend on donations as well as on any income they can make through operating small businesses. In Slovenia the men have a moving company and quite regularly they are asked to remove trees from people's property. In order to do this they have an immediate need for a good chain saw. Matjaz emailed me the page from a tools catalogue to show us the one they want to buy. They will need 3,000 dollars for the coming winter, which is about 2250 euros. Part is for heating fuel and about 600 euro's is for the chain saw.

This is a project Traveling Light would like to take on. Why? Because lives are being changed here, forever! Because we just love small projects like this where people are really working hard to make a difference in this world!

Who wants to join us in raising the needed funds?

For those in the USA, you can donate HERE, make sure to select TC Slovenia at step 2!

1500 euro for women's home Arad, Israel

2011-10-01T14:50:00.003+02:00

Hooray! We're happy again here at Traveling Light. We're happy because we can bring you good news. The 1,500 euro's for Ark in the Negev, a women's home in Arad, Israel, came in.

A heartfelt thanks for everyone who donated for this cause. How awesome that we can support and help Polly Sigulim this way, from Holland. The home was officially opened September 20th and the money we are going to send will be used for the purchase of sturdy deck furniture and much needed repairs of the patio cover.

Polly had the dream to open a home for abused women in Israel for years and now her dream has come true. Within a few weeks we are hoping to visit the new home. We will then post a report and some photo's on this weblog!

In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit!

Isaiah 27:6

Weekend Conference Ludwigslust, Germany

2011-09-26T21:14:00.003+02:00

Fels in der Brandung

We just came back from a great weekend in Ludwigslust, Germany. Pastor Gerhard from Fels in der Brandung, a small and active evangelical church in the North Eastern corner of Germany, had invited us to come and speak at his church. We gladly accepted his invitation to come and encourage the believers in Ludwigslust and surrounding areas. The last few times we visited were as much a blessing for us as for them! So, we packed the camper and headed east.

Family of God

We picked as theme for this conference: Building Better Relationships. We spoke on the importance and relevance of a relationship with Jesus, who came to communicate grace and truth, with the Holy Spirit who communicates power and with the Father who communicates love. Except for these spiritual relationships, we also spoke about natural relationships, as in husband and wife. Saturday afternoon we watched the movie Fireproof, a very powerful movie when it comes to the marriage relationship. It was subtitled in German, so most people were able to understand what it was all about.

Relaxing and fun afternoon stroll

We were super blessed with a sunny and warm autumn weekend. We took time for a long walk through the castle gardens, an absolute beautiful place to visit! It gave us time to enjoy the outdoors, to stretch our legs and to talk with many people who attended the conference. Pastor Gerhard has a way of inviting people from all over the place, and this time we were blessed to have among us a group of men from Afghanistan and Iran, currently seeking asylum in Germany. They attended the whole conference and heard the message of grace, love and salvation. What an honor to have them in our midst!

New friends from Afghanistan

We were also very happy to have spiritual and practical support from our home town, Papendrecht. Matthijs Goedegebuure came with us and took care of all the praise and worship sessions. Wow, can he sing or what? His songs brought many people to tears, especially when he dug up some old favorites like The old rugged cross and Don Franciso's He's alive. Piet & Anneke Stehouwer came as well, their presence is always the icing on the cake as their love and kindness is evident in everything they do.

Powerful praise & worship

Sunday afternoon we headed to the Evangelisch Freikirchliche Gmeinde in Putlitz, a small baptist church about an hour away. Jan had the honor to speak there as well. After the service we were invited for a traditional kaffee & kuche fest! Wow, what a hospitality, what a kindness and love and what a great delight for our taste buds :)

We can look back at a great weekend, many people were touched by the love of our heavenly Father. The international fellowship was awesome and the kindness and love with which we were received and welcomed was again outstanding. All the ladies that took care of the food are such a blessing, they made us feel right at home. Special thanks are in place for our translators, we just LOVE working with Julie, Christoph and Thomas!

Update Womens Home Arad, Israel

2011-09-13T15:00:00.001+02:00

Arad, Israel

Today we received an email from Polly Sigulim in Israel that we would like to (partially) share with you all.

Dear Friends, Shalom from ARAD!

We are thrilled to finally be able to announce to those who have stood with us in Prayer and encouragement that the ''ARK IN THE NEGEV'' is actually OPEN! We are ready to receive our first 'trainees' ! The 'ARK IN THE NEGEV' is a home style, live-in center for Israeli women who are in need of spiritual guidance, disciplining and practical vocational training. This Is a life changing, 'learning program' based on the WHOLE Bible and it's principles. We are happy to invite ALL who wish to join us in blessing this Home, to a 'Dedication to the Lord' evening. We will have an Open House, with a Pot Blessing Dinner and we invite all who come to bring either food or drink. Please join us in celebrating the birth of this new program and adventure that the Lord has put together. For those who wish to bring a 'house warming gift' an indoor house plant would add much and be wonderful for that final 'perfect touch'.

Yes! Things are moving and slowly taking shape. We pray and hope to be able to present Polly and her staff with a gift as well. The gifts thermometer is steadily rising, we have received 1.000 euro's already, so we need 500 more in order to reach the desired goal. The best thing is that within a few more weeks we will be able to see the house for ourselves when we visit Israel.

PS: Please, click on the link below for an interesting article and film about Polly's work in Israel.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2011/March/Ultra-Orthodox-Demonstrate-against-Israeli-Believers/

Ark in the Negev project

2011-09-05T19:52:00.003+02:00

Well, today we transferred the 3.000 euro's for the soup kitchen in Netanya, Israel. With that done, the project didn't come to an end, it's just getting started. We will continue to follow Brian Slater's efforts, who manages the soup kitchens in Israel. He is ALWAYS in dire need for volunteers, so if you're thinking about visiting Israel, make sure to sign up for a couple of days or weeks of volunteer work. You can email us about details.

The next project we would like to sponsor is also in Israel. May we introduce to you Polly Sigulim. Jan met Polly in 2009 during a seminar in Israel and later that year we both met her during Spiritual Emphasize in Riverside CA, an annual event organized by Teen Challenge Southern California. She then stayed with us in Ventura for a week or so and during that time she shared her dream with us: the opening of a home for battered and abused women in Israel. A safe place for women from all backgrounds (Jewish, Arab, Bedouin, Russian etc.) where they can experience the love of Yeshua (Jesus).

Polly grew up in the USA but has lived in Israel for more than 20 years. She became a widow at a young age and was left with the care for her three small children. She also took in many foster children. Now that her children are adults she really wants to give meaning to her life by helping others in need. We believe in Polly's dream and are happy that now we are able to help her 'officially'. A few weeks ago she e-mailed us that she finally was able to rent a house that would serve as a womens' home. Yes, we are so happy and excited that Polly's plans are beginning to take shape. We asked her for immediate needs and she told us she is getting a lot of help from all over, even from the 700club, which is awesome. However, they still need money to fix the roof of the porch and to purchase patio furniture, so they can have a livingroom outside. Arad is in the Negev desert, so it's always warm. They will need 1,500 euro's for this.

We think that is just the right amount for Traveling Light. We will start fundraising this week for this small scale project that will have a huge impact on the lives of women, mothers, & children in the land of Israel. We are hoping to visit the new home next month.

Money for soup kitchen Netanya comes in!

2011-09-03T11:43:00.001+02:00

Hooray, we are celebrating again here at Traveling Light (something we just love to do). Thanks to our faithful partners we were able to raise 3.000 euro's for the new soup kitchen in Netanya, Israel. Yes!

We wrote a beautiful check which we will symbolically present to Brian Slater when we visit him in Israel next month. The money will be transferred through internet banking, so Brian can use it as soon as possible for the new soup kitchen. Again, we were delightfully surprised at the gifts that came in like a life giving stream from all over the place. We even received a gift from the prayergroup at Church of the Living Christ in Ojai, CA. Thank you ladies, we love you and God loves the cheerful giver :)

We hope you all enjoy reading about the projects we want to sponsor. It is almost like we are zooming in at a tiny speck on this globe where people are working hard to make this world a better place. We just LOVE to send them support and encouragement from Holland. Next week we will introduce you to Polly Sigulim, the lady behind the Ark of the Negev project, a house for battered women in Arad, Israel.

As for now we like to wish everyone a great weekend and leave you with a blessing from the Book of Proverbs (11:25):

A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

5-year old girl starts fundraising

2011-08-22T18:24:00.002+02:00

We just want to share with you how the 5-year old daughter of a friend helped us to raise money for the soup kitchen in Netanya, Israel.

Little blond Mara decided that a cupcake sale would definitely bring in some money for this new project that we decided to sponsor. And who would disagree with that? So she headed to the kitchen and, with a little help of her parents of course, started to make some cup cakes. She used colorful decorations to make 'm even look more yummy. Mara then walked the streets in her neighbourhood and sold her homemade cup cakes. Her action brought in 20 euro's, which is an awesome amount for a little girl like that, especially when you're saving up money for a Nintendo.

And you know what we did with the bag of coins she handed us? We prayed over it as Jesus prayed over the loaves of bread and the fish that later fed more than 5.000 people. Anything we put in God's hands will be blessed and multiplied. We pray that many people will receive food and clothing through Mara's act of giving. We are so honored to have supporters like her!

Birth announcement and Israel update

2011-08-17T10:20:00.003+02:00

Last week we received news from Dejan & Renata Berginc (Slovenia) that they are the proud parents now of a brand new, healthy and pretty baby girl: Bianca. Dejan is a staff member with Teen Challenge Slovenia. Together with Matjaz Horjak he runs the new men's home in Nova Vas. Dejan used to be a drugs addict himself, he went through the program in Czech Republic, because at that time there was no facility in Slovenia. After finishing the program he had the growing desire to help others as he had been helped. He works in the men's home now and is happily married to Renata. If you want to surprise them by sending them a card or present, please e-mail us for their address at janandmarja@gmail.com

As far as the Onyfrievka project is concerned; we are just waiting for all paperwork to be filed. As soon as we receive green light form the Ukraine, we will transfer the money. Please pray that all paperwork will be filed properly and in short time!

Last week we announced the new project we would like to sponsor in Netanya, Israel: equipment for the new to open soup kitchen where Brian Slater will feed the hungry, poor and lonely people of Israel. The first need for this set up is about 3,000 euro's. We are so happy to see that the gifts thermometer here in Holland is rising steadily. As of today we have already received more than 2,200 euro's and we are well on our way to present Brian with this love gift!

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'."

[Book of Acts 20:35]

Project Netanya, Israel

2011-08-11T12:35:00.008+02:00

Now that we have raised the 10,000 euro's (!) for Ukraine we will be introducing our next project. This doesn't mean the Onyfrievka project is a closed chapter, by no means! They are working out the official details and everything that comes with buying a house in Ukraine, so we will wait for the signal to transfer the money. Then, the real work can begin: renovation of the house. We'll keep you updated.

The next two projects we would like to support are a soup kitchen in Netanya and a home for abused women in Arad, both in Israel. We believe it is important for all Christians, as well as for Christian churches and organisations, to support Israel. God told Abraham (one of the patriarchs of Israel) that He would bless those who would bless Israel. Well, we all want to be blessed, right?! So, two projects in Israel it will be. Let's start by introducing the man behind the soup kitchen in Netanya: Brian Slater.

We met Brian a few years ago at a mission night in Jubilee Church in Camarillo, California. He presented a slide show and told the audience about his work in Israel. We felt an immediate connection with him and his work and we have been in contact ever since. Brian was born and raised in a Jewish family in Southern California and later moved to Israel where he met his wife Racheli. They have three children and Brian works through Chosen People Ministries (an American organisation). He manages soup kitchens and clothes distribution centers in Tel Aviv and Netanya, where he feeds hundreds of homeless, poor and lonely people (including Holocaust survivors) every week. He works with a team of volunteers who faithfully help him. We have been supporting him, not just financially, but also practically by translating his newsletters into the Dutch language and distributing them among his support group in Holland. We have visited him in 2008 and a year later, in 2009, Jan went to volunteer in his soup kitchen for a few days.

It is not allowed in Israel to evangelize in public, but behind the doors of the soup kitchen people can be prayed for or take books, bibles or flyers home. They also play worship music and show movies during the meals. In Israel it is as hard for Arabs as for Jewish people to live out their faith in the Messiah. They often experience persecution, criticism and sometimes exclusion from their families. Yet, the number of people confessing their faith in the Messiah (Jesus) is growing every day. Jan witnessed the reconciliation between Arab and Jew in person when he visited Netanya. Jesus is the only one who can bring real peace in people's hearts!

Brian just signed the papers for the rental of a store front building in the center of Netanya where they will open up a soup kitchen. we have asked him for a list of immediate necessities so we can purposefully start fundraising for this project. They are in need of tables, chairs, benches, curtains, coffee makers, banners and a wheel barrow as well as many other things. The most needed items can be purchased for about 3,000 euro's. So we will start all over again and try to come up with the needed funds as soon as possible. That way we will be able to bless the people in Israel and who knows we will be able to do much more in the near future. YES!

We are planning to visit Israel in October and we will certainly go and see Brian and hand him a helping hand in the new soup kitchen. You can click on the following link to see a slide show of the happenings in the soup kitchen in tel Aviv: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp0Ta4ljAIU

For those in the USA who would like to give, please click on the below secure link to give a TAX DEDUCTIBLE gift and don't forget to designate your gift in the special designation box to: The Slater Family in Israel.
https://www.chosenpeople.com/main/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenetonce
OR
By Pay Pal
https://www.chosenpeople.com/main/index.php/donate/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=pre_paypal&Itemid=261

10.000 euro's for Ukraine!

2011-08-04T20:48:00.002+02:00

HOORAY!

We are so happy and thankful, we want to scream it from the roof tops: the 10.000 euro's needed for the Onyfrievka project in Ukraine are here. We have received the necessary gifts towards the purchase of this building and all we can say is thank you, thank you. Praise the Lord! We started our non profit in faith, not knowing where it would lead us or how things would turn out. All we knew was that we wanted to help Sergey & Mariana.

Today, after sending some e-mails back and forth, we talked with Sergey through Skype. There are some details to be discussed with the owner of the house. We will wait for international bank details and then transfer the money. Jan is planning to go and visit Ukraine when all details have been worked out.

The fact that we have reached our goal doesn't mean that we will stop fundraising :) There is a need wherever we look and we have some other projects in mind that we would like to support. More info will follow.

Visit to Vilsbiburg, Germany

2011-07-27T10:59:00.003+02:00

One cannot stay angry when singing before God!

Teen Challenge Gutes Land

After Jan's visit to Teen Challenge Slovenia he left for Germany. A five hour drive brought him to the small town of Vilsbiburg, in the vicinity of Munich. Last year we visited Teen Challenge Gutes Land there, upon invitation of the directors Dirk & Meike Hellmann. They showed us around the beautiful farm and told us about the work they do there: bringing hope to the hopeless! The farm gives room to men with life controlling issues. Often it is the first time they truly hear the Gospel and they can experience the life changing power it brings.

Too cute to eat, right?

The centuries old farm currently houses 7 men who are in the Teen Challenge program and two families who work as staff. The program receives part of their income from the pigs they farm and from a kinder garden school they operate and of course from gifts! Local supermarkets and stores that are in favor of the program donate a lot of food which is really wonderful, because feeding 10-12 people three times a day is costly. Dirk travels around the schools in the region to teach drugs and alcohol prevention. In cooperation with Teen Challenge Landshut (a youth center) he is also involved in street evangelism.

Sing & make music for God!

Jan was invited to share a word from the Bible during their Tuesday night meeting. This is always a great way to bring encouragement to both students and staff! As always they started with singing several songs for God. When we do that, something wonderful happens: problems, anger and difficulties disappear during praise and worship. Jan really experienced this in both Slovenia and Germany, one cannot stay angry when singing before God!

Visit to Teen Challenge Slovenia

2011-07-21T21:19:00.001+02:00

vegetable garden & chicken coop

When we attended the Europe Teen Challenge Conference in Gdansk, Poland last April we met with our friends Matjaz & Magdalena from Teen Challenge Slovenia and promised to visit them this summer. So, last Thursday evening, after work, Jan took off for a short trip with the sole purpose of encouraging and helping the staff of Teen Challenge in beautiful Slovenia. Although he had planned to go on his BMW motor bike, he had to go by car due to extremely bad weather in this part of Europe.

Communal kitchen & dining room

About a year ago, in April 2010, we visited the newly rented house in Nova Vas. At that time we were able to help with cleaning up the yard and planting a vegetable garden. Last winter the first students arrived, men with serious life controlling issues crying out for help. Currently there are three men in the program, who are serious about following the Teen Challenge curriculum and growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Jan was invited to share a message from the Bible each morning during morning chapel. Sharing from the Word of God is as encouraging for Jan as it is for the students, because they are so hungry for God's truth.

hard work under the sun

Teen Challenge operates a moving and cleaning company, so during the day the guys also work. The money earned pays partly for room and board and utilities. This is not a government sponsored program and, as elsewhere in the world, Teen Challenge depends on donations from supporters, churches and other organisations. The truck you see in this picture was donated by a family in California!

Ready for church

On Sunday morning they all attend an Assemblies of God church in Ljubliana, which is about 75 miles away. Why so far? There are not that many evangelical churches in Slovenia, a country that has been oppressed by communism for many years which left no room for God. The official recognized church in Slovenia is the orthodox roman catholic church. It is such a blessing to see these former drugs/alcohol addicts leafing through their Bibles and learning more and more about the life they can have in Jesus!

Teen Challenge Slovenia is a small ministry. The work seems insignificant on a larger scale: still so many addicts, still so much crime, still so much pain and hurt. But let us not forget that every life counts for the Lord. He cares for the individual, so much so that heaven rejoices over every lost soul that comes home to Jesus! How awesome is that. God is patient, He doesn't give up. Let us behave likewise. As Jan said: was it worth it to drive 3000 km to pray for someone to be set free from bondage? YES!

Men @ work

A small scale, local project where lives are being changed, one at the time. Although under the flag of Teen Challenge, each center has a responsibility to raise funds and keep things going. A helping hand is always welcome.

From Slovenia Jan drove to Vilsbiburg, Germany, where he visited another Teen Challenge men's home. But we leave that story for the next post.

Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation [2 Peter 3:15]

Interview with Sergey Glushko, TC Ukraine

2011-07-13T13:34:00.003+02:00

Sergey & Mariana Glushko

As you all know by now the first project we would love to support through our Holland based non-profit is the purchase of property in Ukraine, also called the Onyfrievka project. We are currently raising the 10.000 euro's needed to purchase this property. We thought it would be fun and interesting to ask Sergey Glushko, the director of Teen Challenge Ukraine, a few questions. Here we go!

Sergey, can you tell us how you became involved with Teen Challenge (TC)

First of all I’m involved in TC Ministry because I was a drug addict myself. Second, from the year 2000, after God saved my life, I have always been working with people with life controlling problems. The last few years I was really dreaming about transformation in the Ukraine through rehab ministry. Then I met Kevin Tyler (coordinator TC Eurasia) and after a conversation with him I went to TC Poland and then to TC Czech Republic where I found a new way how we can help addicted people. After this trip I received the vision to start TC in Ukraine. Because through this discipleship/rehab program I saw how many people are able to continue to live clean after they leave the program. Many of them become good and great people in society and church.

What are some of the things Teen Challenge is doing in Ukraine?

We serve in 10 methadone clinics where we are doing counseling and motivate the addicted people to start a new life with Christ. We are sharing testimonies and the Gospel with them and invite them to our Coffee Houses and rehab centers.We also serve on the street and train station. This is an area where we try to reach homeless adults and street kids. We lead a Coffee House Ministry. Today we have already 6 Coffee Houses for people with life controlling problems. After they come to the Coffee House we encourage them to enter the Residential Rehab Program.

Today we have more than 10 centers already, who would like to be a part of the Teen Challenge family. Then we encourage those who are in the program, and will finish soon, to build close relationships with local churches. Because we believe this is one of the keys for them to be strong Christians; belonging to a good and healthy church. Also, we are doing many other trainings, seminars and conferences where we teach leaders and other workers who are involved in Christian ministry. Every year we organize camps for people from rehab centers from all over Ukraine and other countries.

How did you find the property in Onyfrievka?

Kevin Tyler knows one of the pastors in this area for more than 15 years. And in this church they have a few rehab centers, but far away from church and civilization. We started to visit them in 2009 with seminars and training. Later they decided to become part of TC. I recognized that one of the reasons why they always struggled (no support, no result) was because they live far away from people and a church. I started to encourage them to try to find some building close to civilization and close to the church. Finally they found this empty house. And now we have the dream to buy this facility and use it for God’s kingdom.

What are your plans with the property?

We would like to renovate this building, because this house is very empty. And start a rehab center where about 30 people can go through a Christian discipleship program. Also, these people will be involved in local church ministry (Coffee House, orphan shelter and many other activities) and they would like to start some small business with chickens. Through this business they want to raise their support for the center (I think this is great idea!!!).

Any words for your supporters?

I just want to share with you from my heart: We have had this project in our hearts for many years. I know we cannot do anything alone, but with your help, support and participation we can influence many people who are still lost, broken and addicted. Thank you that you believe with us!!! Your participation means a lot for Teen Challenge in Ukraine. Thank you for your investment in many people's lives!

With love Sergey Glushko (Teen Challenge Ukraine).

Thank you Sergey for taking time to tell us a little bit more about Teen Challenge Ukraine. We are believing with you that with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Long awaited update

2011-07-06T10:43:00.001+02:00

It has been a while since we updated this weblog. That doesn't mean we've been lazy or inactive :) It is our great joy to share the following news with you:

Onyfrievka property

Over the past month a steady stream of gifts came in, all dedicated to the Teen Challenge Onyfrievka project in Ukraine. Small gifts, large gifts, surprising gifts and spontaneous gifts. We are super happy to announce that we have passed the € 6.400 mark here in Holland! Isn't that awesome? We are striving to collect the needed 10.000 euro's that are necessary in the first place to purchase the property in Onyfrievka. We will be planning a trip to the Ukraine soon, but we NEED to have the 10.000 to take with us :)

For those in Europe who would like to help us, you can donate to our Dutch non-profit, see the FAQ's tab at the top of this weblog.

For those in the USA who would like to help us, you can give your tax deductable donation HERE, make sure to mention Onyfrievka.

Dennis Griffith House, Slovenia

Next week Thursday Jan is planning to hop on his BMW motorcycle and go to Slovenia, where he will visit Matjaz & Magadalena Horjak. The Teen Challenge center is up and running since last winter and they always need encouragement, whether it is in the form of practical help, financial support or spiritual uplifting. Of course we will post about this trip on this weblog and share some photo's of the new Dennis Griffith house.

Get His Power Conference, Kuckuck, Germany

2011-06-06T21:53:00.001+02:00

Changed lives & encouraged people

our new/old camper

Last Wednesday night we took off in the direction of Kuckuck, a small town in the North Eastern corner of Germany. What a marvelous name by the way :) We were invited to give some workshops at a youth conference by our dear friend pastor Gerhard, from Fels in der Brandung in Ludwigslust. We thought the invitation really fit in with one of the goals of our non profit: to offer spiritual encouragement. So we packed the camper and left with a sweet couple from our church in Holland, who have been faithful supporters and encouragers from the very beginning, when the idea about starting Traveling Light was still a vague dream. The weather looked promising, perfect for a camping trip.

Outdoor workshop

The conference was being held at a sport complex, a huge soccer field with several buildings. People from different (small) churches in the area signed up for the 4-day conference and all together we had a wonderful group. The worship team and youth pastor from Grace World Outreach Church in Brooksville, Florida, were invited to do the morning and evening services. It was awesome! In the afternoons we did a series of workshops on the will of God for your life, the plan of God for your life, the voice of God in your life and the power of God in your life. We received great response. Several people really experienced breakthrough in their life, because of what the Holy Spirit showed them through the workshops. Over the weekend we could see some people change, right before our eyes. That is the reward we receive!

Mindy Kerr & Traveler

The worship team was incredible and every night we sang and danced until the roof almost came off. We prayed with many people, especially young people with the desire to use their gifts and talents for God. In the afternoons there was time for a game of soccer or just relaxing. We were excited to meet our Iranian friend X again, who became a Christian earlier this year and was water baptized two weeks ago. We had time to talk and catch up on things regarding his paper work etc.

Jan talks about the workshops

It was also great to work again with several translators, everything needed to be translated from English into German. This is a great exercise in public speaking, it gives you time to think about every sentence, and if you speak both languages... you'll hear 'm twice! We can really look back at a great weekend, lives were changed, people gave their heart to the Lord, friendships were made and many people left encouraged.

Open House Teen Challenge, Groningen

2011-05-30T22:43:00.002+02:00

Spetse Hoeve

Saturday May 28th 2011, we headed to the most North Eastern part of Holland, to visit De Spetse Hoeve, a residential drugs and alcohol rehabilitation program under the flag of Teen Challenge Netherlands. De Spetse Hoeve is a very old farm in the middle of the beautiful Dutch country side. Last summer we volunteered there on a regular basis to help out the new leadership.

Information about Ukraine project

Two family members who wanted to learn something more about the work of Teen Challenge came with us. We were welcomed by the smell of BBQ chicken and hamburgers :) We met many old friends and also some of the new men currently in the program. As everywhere else in the world Teen Challenge offers help, counseling and discipleship programs to (wo)men with addictions. The greatest surprise of that day was a big sign at the entrance that said (believe it or not): today's offering will go to the Onyfrievka project in Ukraine. "That is 'our' project" we exclaimed surprised. How wonderful that others have decided to help Sergey & Mariana in Ukraine to reach their next goal! We were so encouraged, together we will reach the 10.000 mark soon.

broken pieces at the cross

All visitors were invited to tour the farmhouse and the premises, where 7 men are currently following the 12 step program. With the help of faithful volunteers Teen Challenge built a new prayer house which was officially opened and dedicated on this day. The men were asked to lay down the broken pieces of their life at the cross, as you can see in the picture. It was an emotional moment for many, as one of the students had passed away recently, loosing his struggle with drugs but winning the one with God!

The day ended with a service in the barn, amidst the hay and farm equipment. Some men gave their testimonies, which is always the moment for us volunteers and supporters to be reminded why we have a love for this kind of work. Nothing is more awesome, nothing a bigger miracle than a changed life. The step from darkness into the light is only one small step, but the results are huge. From severe addictions to a life in freedom, thanks to Jesus Christ and the work of dedicated staff and volunteers. It is absolutely moving to be a witness of such power of God displayed among people.

happy family of God

There are many small projects in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea that deserve a helping hand, but sometimes we don't have to go that far. In our own country Holland we are blessed to have a Teen Challenge ministry that we can support and encourage. We can only pray the work will expand.

Newspaper article

2011-05-20T14:41:00.003+02:00

Half a page...

This week our local news paper carried a story about our new non-profit and our first project in the Ukraine. It even had a huge photo of the two of us, ouch! Well, we are very happy with this press coverage, especially since we are still in the birthing stage of this new endeavor.

We are currently working on a FAQ section, you'll be able to find it at the top of this weblog. We will try to tackle most of the common questions people are asking us. So, feel free to send u an e-mail or leave a comment at the bottom of any post if you have anything helpful, useful or downright funny to say.

Sergey Glushko

The donation level for the Teen Challenge Onyfrievka project in Ukraine is slowly rising, we are approaching the 3000 euro mark here in Holland, which is absolutely awesome. We have not reached our goal yet, but we believe it can be done!

The director of Teen Challenge Ukraine, Sergey, told us that he is in regular contact with the owner of the house, who will hopefully hold it until all the money has been raised. Yes, it takes faith and prayer and perseverance. Yes, it is good to know the words of Jesus, everything is possible for him who believes. (Mark 9:23).

For USA donations CLICK HERE. Make sure to mention Onyfrievka, which makes a great spelling exercise by the way :)

Onyfrievka Project

2011-05-11T15:24:00.004+02:00

room for at least 20 men

Where in the world is the Ukraine?

As we posted earlier on this weblog, the first project we want to financially support is the purchase of a building/house in Onyfrievka, Ukraine. This property will be used for the establishing of a Teen Challenge rehabilitation center for former addicts. Worldwide more than 1100 such centers can be found in over 85 countries. Each center takes care of their own fundraising, some generate income through work projects while others are being supported by local churches and families. Although circumstances differ from country to country, each center relies on the goodwill of donors and supporters. The other day someone asked us why we choose a project so far away. Where in the world is the Ukraine?

Sergey teaches Bible study

Well, it is a European country north east of Romania... does that help? :) When we started this non profit, we wanted to support small projects in countries where the local people have decided to put their hands to the plow and change the social, economic and personal circumstances of individuals and families... and eventually towns and regions! We would love to inspire and motivate them to keep up the good work. As a result of our traveling we already have useful contacts in Holland, Sweden, Germany, Slovenia, Serbia, Romania and Israel, and yet our heart was captured by Sergey & Mariana from Ukraine. Teen Challenge Ukraine was established in 2008 and currently Sergey & Mariana are the national directors. Within a few years time six centers and seven coffee houses have been opened! Sergey was a drug addict himself but Jesus Christ has set set him free from a destructive lifestyle. He now has the desire to help others! And it works, we have personally seen it work like this in many countries. People like Sergey have a drive, a passion and a love for their fellow men. There is no lack of enthusiasm...

Bible in many languages

Many Teen Challenge centers have started with a coffee house, a place where addicts can come for a cup of coffee and a listening ear. Often this is the place where many people hear the good news of Jesus Christ for the first time: they can be FREE! When addicts decide they want to start a new life they can enter a residential program (if one is available in that country). In the Ukraine, as in many other countries, there is no lack of addicts...

Street work

So, what is lacking? Finances and encouragement. When we heard Sergey's story and saw the pictures of the house he would love to purchase we were sold out: 12,500 dollars for a place where an additional 20 or 30 men can live, work and study. Can you imagine how many lives, how many futures and how many families will be positively affected when these men have a safe place to stay and grow in their new found faith? It is a lot of money if you don't own anything, it is nothing if we decide to collect it as a team. Yes, the house will need an extreme make-over in order to make it into a home, but that is the next step :) We seriously want to do our best to help this young couple to reach their next goal. Sergey e-mails me a few times a week, asking for updates. I can't wait to tell him we are on our way...

For our friends in the USA who asked us if they can make a contribution: YES! It is certainly possible to give a tax deductible donation. Please e-mail us at janandmarja@gmail.com when you do. Click here to donate!

Back from Germany

2011-05-06T12:15:00.003+02:00

Oh happy day...

A great blessing for all!

As we mentioned in our previous post, we got on the BMW bike and rode to Ludwigslust, Germany last weekend. Pastor Gerhard from Fels in der Brandung had organized a weekend conference. The theme was the Kingdom of God. We can all look back at a great and useful weekend! The teaching and work shops we gave were received with gladness and interest and it really helped many people to understand the Kingdom better as well as the role we have as believers! Saturday night we all practiced what we had learned: to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. Some people received healing, others words of knowledge and wisdom! It was a great blessing, thanks also the the awesome music of Chris and Hendrik! Wow, can these men play, or what!!

Great home made food!

It was great to see old friends and make new ones! We met so many kind and loving people. The church is small (about 40 or 50 people came) so we were able to share our meals together in a tent that was set up for that reason. This was awesome, because it gave us the chance to talk with many people. There was also time reserved to wander around the beautiful castle and gardens in Ludwigslust.

Small churches in this part of Germany often have a difficult time, they experience resistance and criticism. Pastor Gerhard's church burned down a few years ago as a result of neo-nazi's throwing molotov cocktails inside; since 2008 the services are being held in an industrial building. Pastor Gerhard always helps troubled youth and allows them to do their community service at his church/office. Many lives have been changed here!

Ludwigslust is beautiful

We were also happy to receive invitations to do Kingdom Conferences in Sweden and other places in Germany! This way we get to travel and shine our light in different places. Offering spiritual encouragement through sound Biblical teaching and prayer is certainly one of our goals! The first weekend of June we will be traveling to North Eastern Germany again, we will give some work shops at another conference in Kuckuck, Prignitz.

PS: A quick update on our Ukraine project, the donation thermometer has risen to 2000 euro's here in Holland!!! That is awesome. For those in the USA who desire to support this project, you can give your tax deductible gift here! Offering financial support is one of our goals too! We believe it can be done!

Conference Ludwigslust, Germany

2011-04-28T21:28:00.002+02:00

Ludwigslust Castle

Well, slowly this new weblog is getting it's proper form :) As you can see we have added a subscribe by e-mail button in the sidebar. If you sign up with your e-mail address you will be notified through feedburner each time a new post appears on this blog.

In the first week after announcing our first project, the Teen Challenge home in Ukraine, we have received almost 1000 euro's in donations here in Holland! Wow! We are happy with such a great response and are confident we will reach our goal soon!

Tomorrow morning we will leave on the BMW R1100GS for Ludwigslust, Germany, a small town in the north east of Germany, a seven or eight hour ride! We will be speaking and giving some work shops at a weekend conference in a small church, Fels in der Brandung. We have visited this church last summer and were received with such love and kindness that we are very excited to go back there! Churches in that part of former Socialist Germany do experience a lot of resistance. We will be happy if we can let our light shine!

Have a great weekend everyone. Peace!

First project!!

2011-04-22T13:53:00.004+02:00

Rehabilitation home in Onyfrievka

During the Europe Teen Challenge Conference we had several talks with the directors of Teen Challenge Ukraine, Sergey and Mariana Glushko. A young and dynamic couple that have a heart for those suffering as a result of drugs and alcohol addiction. Sergey knows what the power of God can do in such a life, he was a drug addict himself and is now totally free!

Sergey told us about his dreams and vision and, we must admit, his enthusiasm is very contagious! Currently there are already six centers in the Ukraine, also an orphanage! There is however a need for more residential homes, so even more former addicts can live, work and study. "The house we are currently looking at is perfect", Sergey told us. "It is close to the church and to the orphanage, it even has apartments where staff members can live and some land so we can start a vegetable garden. It is in the village of Onyfrievka." The house will offer room for an additional 30 people! Just imagine the difference this will make in the lives of people who think there is no hope and no future!

The price of this property is 12,500 US$. We went home and just couldn't stop thinking about it and so this will be the first project we would love to support! We believe it can be done! We already started fundraising in Holland and we are planning to visit TC Ukraine as soon as we have all the support necessary to really bless this young couple! If you're in the USA and feel you want to join us in our efforts, it is possible to give your tax deductible gift HERE. Make sure you mention ONYFRIEVKA UKRAINE!

Visit to Gdansk

2011-04-19T20:52:00.004+02:00

During the conference we had time to visit the old city of Gdansk and what a surprise that was! The beautifully restored houses in the old center reminded us of Amsterdam and Copenhagen, same architecture, same atmosphere! It was such a joy to stroll around the old streets (no cars allowed!) with our group and sit down for a well deserved cup of coffee and homemade apple pie! It was also a time to get to know each other better. We got better acquainted with the directors of Teen Challenge Ukraine, Norway, Ireland and Scotland and many more. After the coffee break we visited the Solidaridad museum and learned more about the world famous movement that started right here at the docks. The monument is a tribute to those that lost their lives during the violence. The pillars are three crossed adorned with anchors of hope!

During the weekend we heard many personal stories. Testimonies of God's great power over sin and addiction. People being totally set free after years of drugs and alcohol abuse. Some centers in Western Europe are struggling as a result of liberal government regulations. The availability of free methadon and heroine, social security and good healthcare results in many addicted people becoming functional in their dis-function... and thus reluctant to radically change their lives. On the other hand; many centers are being opened in eastern and northern Europe and the Middle East! I will post more about this soon....

Country reports

2011-04-16T11:02:00.003+02:00

One of our favorite things on the Teen Challenge Conference agenda is the country reports. Representatives from the various Teen Challenge centers throughout Europe give reports of their recent activities and developments, often with the help of a short slide show or dvd. New centers are still being established all over the world.

Worldwide, Teen Challenge currently has 1170 centers in 87 countries and 27 nations are in the development stages of opening a center or coffeehouse.
The first European update report came from TC Slovenia, our favorite European center of course! In the photo you see Matjaz & Magdalena (TC Slovenia), Suzanna (TC Italy) and myself. In the fall of 2010 Slovenia opened her first residential home for drugs- and alcohol rehabilitation and discipleship training, the Dennis Griffith House. According to Matjaz their first winter was difficult, with students coming and going, not being able to commit to a year long program. But as of now they have two dedicated and serious students as well as two staff members: Dejan & Renate!
We furthermore heard news from TC Poland, the UK, Ukraine, Hungary, Portugal and Lithuania. Each country is dealing with specific, sometimes culture related, problems and circumstances, but the solution is the same everywhere: the good news of Jesus Christ still has the power to change lives, forever!

Europe Teen Challenge Conference 2011

2011-04-14T12:42:00.003+02:00

We have a heart for the ministry of Teen Challenge and many of our international contacts came as a result of our involvement as volunteers with this organisation. Every year Europe Teen Challenge hosts an international conference, where staff, students and volunteers come together for a few days. For us it is a great way to meet people, to talk and listen and find out what the needs are in the centers throughout Europe. Is is our desire to visit some of the centers in the coming months and see how we can offer help and encouragement.
This year the conference is being held in Gdansk, Poland. We flew form Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam where we met with the directors of Teen Challenge Holland. It turned out we had booked the same flight! How awesome is that? We had not seen each other since last summer, when we volunteered at the center in Holland, so there was plenty to talk about over coffee at the airport and during the flight.

We signed the papers...

2011-04-07T16:14:00.003+02:00

This morning we signed the official papers that make Traveling Light a registered non-profit here in Holland! Now, we can move on the next step, which is the opening of a bank account at Rabobank, Papendrecht and apply for a ANBI status with the federal tax department. ANBI is what 501(c) is in the USA.

In the meantime we are still working on this blog (as well as on a Dutch version) and an official website. We'll keep you posted!

Welcome to our weblog!

2011-03-05T18:56:00.002+01:00

God's love in every day life!

We are excited to start a new adventure and we are even more excited to be able to share it with you! We can only pray and hope that our travels will inspire and motivate you to look around and find the place where you can help others! It might be in your own country, your town, your street or even your own house! A helping hand, a kind word or a friendly visit are all reflections of God's love for mankind. Pass it on!