Friday, March 27, 2015

Greetings from Moldova

Charlotte & Johannes Petersen
With spring right around the corner we do not want to think about ice skating anymore. Yet, it is good to look back to the Weissensee sponsor event one more time

The final result was fantastic! 6,000 euro came in for the completion of a shelter for girls and young women in Moldova, who are being rescued from human trafficking.

The construction of the shelter is an initiative of Johannes and Charlotte Petersen, a couple from Denmark who have been living and working among the poor in Moldova for twenty years. They have set up a Teen Challenge rehabilitation center, children's work and activities, a church and they offer humanitarian help. You can visit their website www.pilgrims.mono.net and find out all about their work among the poorest people in Europe.

Church planting is also part of the work
Traveling Light would like to thank all sponsors, businesses and organizations for their support: the response to this plea for help was heart warming. Not too long ago we were surprised by another gift form Christian book store De Bouwsteen in Bleskensgraaf which raised the funds to a final 6,000 euro. The money will be used for the completion of the shelter. Johannes and Charlotte wrote:

"Thank you for your fantastic initiative… you just came in like that, as an answer to prayer. The money will cover a lot of ground in the reconstruction of the house for the girls.... The last frost is leaving and we will now get on with the job of finishing the repairs.  We are so thankful to God for people like you who have made this effort and given so generously. Please give all our LOVExxx to the two brave skaters."

German film maker Markus Haist made a short documentary about The Shelter, which is the name of the house that will be opened. Click on the link to view the film and KNOW that your gifts made this project possible. Please, continue to pray for the girls.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Operation Love Splash, Turkey

Kurdish children in Suruc
More than 200.000 refugees have fled the Kobani region in Syria in the past months. Many of them are now living in refugee camps around the city of Suruc in southern Turkey.

Roughly half of these refugees are children, most of them twelve years and younger.

Is there something we can do to help, many people wonder. The answer is YES! There are several organisations who have access to the refugee camps. One of these organisations is, for example, 222 Ministries. They have an office in The Netherlands as well.

222 Ministries is an organisation that saw it's beginning at the end of the eighties. They invest in growing up Christian leaders in Iran, but they also give humanitarian aid in other countries,  working together with other organisations such as Pearl of Persia.

A small Pearl of Persia team is currently preparing for a trip to Suruc and Traveling Light has become involved as well. The team will be doing all kinds of activities with children and women. They wants to bring a splash of love to the refugee camp, showing the brokenhearted that God has not forgotten them.

Funds are needed for: note books, coloring books, pens and pencils, markers, toys, movies, a beamer, toiletries, sound system etc. etc.

The team has named this plan Operation Love Splash... they see it as a love invasion of games, fun, prayer and care. Well, that's exactly what we like to call 'letting your light shine in dark places!' Traveling Light wants to support this operation by raising at least 3,000 euro, so all materials can be purchased and the team will be able to start the long journey.

Make your gift payable to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U. Make sure to mention: LOVE SPLASH. Make sure to watch this short Youtube film.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Project HEART seafarer's evangelism

Guus in action
If you have been following this blog (which can be done by signing up with your email address in the sidebar) for some time, you certainly have heard of seafarer's evangelist Guus Peters from Terneuzen.

Guus and his wife Annemiek have been visiting sailors on board of ocean vessels in the sea ports of Antwerp, Gent and Terneuzen, since 1992. They have been building friendships with sailors from all over the world. They share the love of Jesus, give Bible studies and encourage existing believers. Guus is a father to many of the young men on board of the ships.
.
The projects of Guus are never boring. In recent years we were able to help him with Christmas goodie bags, fruit & vegetables, Bibles and other materials for the sailors. Guus encounters people from ninety different nationalities on board of the ships and he often has deep conversations with them, whether they are Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or Atheist.

In his conversations with Muslims he often uses the little book Navigating to the Muslim Heart which he wrote a while back. This book consists of stories of his conversations with Muslims and is available in Dutch, English and Arabic. Guus gives away many of these books and so they travel around the world. The books are being used as conversation starters about the Gospel in the Philippines for example

Using the book in the Philippines
Guus furthermore gives away many Bibles, dvd's, flyers and New Testaments in various languages. He is in constant need of restocking his materials. Sometimes he receives gifts for this purpose, sometimes he uses his own resources to pay for everything. Currently his book Navigating to the Muslim heart is ready for 3rd print!

He asked Traveling Light to help raise some funds for this. He wants to print at least thousand (but preferably two thousand) copies, which basically means he is in need of a minimum amount of 1,000 euro. Of course we would love to help him.

Guus and Annemiek are reaching out to people who are away from home for months at the time and are often lonely. People who are longing for Gods love and His presence in their lives. If you have a heart for evangelism, please make your gift payable to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U. Make sure to mention: MUSLIM HEART.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Follow-up project jewelry from Israel

Last year we announced creative work project  Jewels of the Ark. Exquisite and colorful necklaces and earrings made by volunteers and by ladies who are staying in the women's home in Arad, Israel.

For a gift of 50 euro or more supporters of Traveling Light received a beautiful necklace in support of the work at the women's home Ark in the Negev in Israel, which is a Messiah-based discipleship ministry for Israeli women (Jewish or Arabic) overcoming life-controlling problems such as drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, and abusive relationships.

Jewels of the Ark has a great Facebook page where you can view their jewelry. It is also possible to order a necklace through their FB page or the website. This is a great way to support the work among the desperate women in Israel. They are learning the craft of jewelry making and at the same time the sales of the jewelry brings in funds for the day-to-day operation of the women's home.

We took ten more necklaces back to Holland. The necklaces are made with semi-precious stones and come in all colors and shapes (click on the picture for a larger view). So, for a donation of 50 euro or more you will receive an awesome piece of jewelry... you pick your favorite one.

Ten necklaces = ten x fifty euro = 500 euro. Well, that would be a wonderful gift towards the work in Arad, don't you think? Within Europe you can send your gift to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U
Make sure to mention: PROJECT JEWELRY

This makes giving even more fun!