Visiting Teen Challenge in Copenhagen, Denmark

Allan & Pernilla Frederiksen

Last weekend we (Jan and Marja) were visiting Teen Challenge in Copenhagen, Denmark upon invitation. In September 2016 Teen Challenge Denmark celebrated her 40th anniversary.

They have a rehabilitation center (Betesda) in Jutland for men and women with addiction problems. In addition there are several coffee houses and street evangelism projects across the country as well as youth prevention work in Roskilde.

Denmark is, like the Netherlands, a rich western country, but that does not mean there are no problems. In Copenhagen, we were introduced to a growing number of homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, refugees and displaced persons. Such pain in the streets ...

Street work in Copenhagen

Allan & Pernilla Frederiksen work for Teen Challenge with an enthusiastic team of volunteers. Pernilla manages the 2nd-hand shop Cirkelines Æske, a successful store in children's clothing. The revenue goes towards the rehabilitation center, but also to Teen Challenge centers in other countries. Giving makes rich!

Allan hits the streets on certain weekdays with students and volunteers. They offer coffee and sandwiches to the homeless and drug addicts and have conversations with them. They often hand out invitations to coffee house Klippen. This is a place where they can come several times a week to warm up, eat and drink a cup of coffee.

After dinner there is time to sing a few songs and to listen to a short message from God's Word. Over the years many people have made the decision to go to the rehab center where they received hope for a new life and came to know the love of God.

Sharing an encouraging message with volunteers in Klippen

It is not only financial support Traveling Light offers, but certainly also spiritual encouragement. It means we come to visit with encouraging words, we pray with people and we  listen to their stories.

Over the weekend we were guests at the annual volunteer party where Jan shared his testimony. We were also asked to share an encouraging message with the volunteers at Klippen. Jan went with Allan to the streets and on Monday night we were guests at the coffeehouse where we had interesting conversations with visitors and were able to pray with some of them.

Jan talked about John 3:17: God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save the world through him ... and as the Father sent Him, He sends us. How good to see that even in the darkest streets of Copenhagen God's love is revealed.

Be Free youth prevention work at Roskilde skate park

We furthermore visited a skate park in Roskilde. Teen Challenge has a meeting place in that location where some 60 young people come every week to chill and hang out together. Be Free is a fascinating project!

We believe that God has not forgotten Europe. We see His heart at work through people, in all countries, cities and neighborhoods. Everyone can join in by making a contribution towards that work. Donations are always welcome at IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht. Because of the connections and network we have, we can ensure that the money ends up for the designated project.

Project Cross and the switchblade Albania is still open, we have almost raised 3,000 euro.

Weissensee 2017 for Teen Challenge Georgia is also in full swing, we have already received more than 4,000 euro in pledges.

Great kick-off project sewage treatment plant, Poland

Yes, this is what really makes us happy here at Traveling Light: within a week almost 2,500 euro came in for project sewage treatment plant, Poland.

What a great and quick response to our appeal for help. The proceeds of the Rabobank Clubkasrun and the free market at Kingsday are included in this.

In the picture on the left you can see the men at the Teen Challenge rehabilitation & crisis center in Winiarczykowka working to improve the property around the house. We sincerely hope to be able to visit Poland later this year; we're looking into possibilities to go with one or two of our volunteers.

We mentioned it on our Facebook page last week (By the way: you can access our FB page even if you do not have an account): to love the unloved, that is giving heed to the call of Jesus.

Showing love to the downcast, poor, addicted and lonely people of this world. And more than love: HOPE.

Because of your faithful (and sometimes surprising) support we are able to say YES to these wonderful projects... and to be honest, we have a waiting list right now. So, if you have a heart for this work in Poland, please send us your donation asap:

When in EUROPE: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275, BIC: RABONL2U

When in USA: Eastern Europe Outreach, make sure to mention: TC Poland Winiarczykowka

For God so loved...

Sharing the good news with  the poor and helpless

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son... An offer beyond our understanding, especially because we (now that it is our turn) don't always love the people in the world. Often we speak (or think) words of judgement and critique: it's their own fault, wrong choices, bunch of criminals etc. etc. But God... how does He look at people?

Mobile contact center Teen Challenge Czech

It is not always easy to look at people through the eyes of God, and yet... this is what we need and want to learn. That is why at Traveling Light we support the work among the last, least and lost in society: the addicts, the alcoholics, the homeless and prostitutes. Humans beings like this man you see on the picture above, which was taken in Czech Republic.

Do you remember we helped Teen Challenge Czech Republic to purchase a coffee bus? Last week we received a news letter from our friends in Czech Republic with some photo's. The coffee bus (now called: the mobile contact center) regularly visits (once a week) the second largest city in Czech, Brno and newly, also Teplice, known for it's red-light district.

God knows him by name

The outreach team of Teen Challenge Czech is determined to find the least, the lost and the broken... they do find them in the strangest places. Like Petr, they found him during their street outreach in the underground channels of Brno. They would never have thought that in a distant corner there lies a man, who is ready to die in hopelessness. Through the Holy Spirit, they were able to find Petr and share the good news about Jesus with him. The following week he visited the mobile contact center and decided to come to the rehab program that night.

Sharing soup and the good news in the bus

Through this coffee bus ministry a number of people have already decided to enter the Teen Challenge program. So, you see that the gifts we donate reach people beyond our imagination. Every person that comes to the mobile contact center and receives soup, coffee, attention and love, is a person that God knows by name. A person He loves with a desperate and passionate love. Who knows, they are the future preachers, pastors, business men and artists of their nation! When they make the choice to go into one of the rehab centers, we celebrate! Petr has made that choice. That is the fruit of your generosity and prayers. 

And so we move on with our small scale, local projects. Jesus once said: I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent... We rejoice with heaven, because it is clear that every human life counts!

PS: the teller for the heater in the rehabilitation center at Teen Challenge Poland stands at 5,100 5,400 euro. We still need 1,600 euro.

HOORAY, 2,500 euro for project chapel Teen Challenge Slovakia!

The Teen Challenge men are working hard

HOORAY! As the result of a quick and effective Facebook post we received the last gifts for follow-up project chapel Teen Challenge Slovakia. In just a few weeks the wonderful amount of 2,500 euro (3,300 dollars) came in for this project. Thank you all who gave towards this, your enthusiasm and generosity is appreciated very much.

As you can see in this picture the construction of the David Wilkerson Memorial Chapel at the grounds of the men's rehabilitation home, continues. How awesome that these men can work on a physical house, while the Lord is working on their inner souls. He forgives their iniquities, softens their hearts and heals their wounds from the past. This house of prayer will be a living monument of God's unending love for people in need. He is able to restore and renew broken lives, no matter how deep they have ended up in the gutters of addiction and shame. It is such an honor to be part of this through our finances, through personal contacts and visits (we've been there twice already). As soon as we have new pictures we will share them on this weblog!

For all of us it is true: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain [Psalm 127:1]

May we remind you of Project Code Red in Amsterdam, we want to sponsor this outreach event in the red light district with a gift of 500 euro. Elaine MacKay mailed us, on behalf of Victory Home, this week with the following: "I really see the faithfulness and favor of God in this. We continue to pray for financial breakthrough in sponsoring... In the meantime we are almost daily on the streets, reaching out to the women. We do see an enormous open-heartedness, many women (prostitutes) give their lives [to God] when we tell them the Good News. We can see the hopelessness and emptiness in their faces...

I want to thank you for your willingness to participate in our efforts, we appreciate this very much!"

Your gifts (large or small) for this practical and loving outreach event in the red light district in Amsterdam are welcome. Within Europe make gifts payable to:

Rabo bank nr. 1185 82 275

IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275

BIC: RABONL2U

We want to use this time to announce some of our upcoming projects. We have many plans for the next couple of months. We hope you will join us in our efforts to make this an exciting, challenging and encouraging time!

• Sponsoring of the annual Teen Challenge conference in Kiev, Ukraine. 30 euro's will help someone (from Ukraine, Belarus, Kazachstan or Georgia) to attend this powerful and uplifting conference.
• The purchase of a tractor lawn mower for the Teen Challenge men's home de Spetse Hoeve in Groningen, The Netherlands. Costs: 1,000 euro.
• A very practical project at Teen Challenge Poland.

Project Code Red, Amsterdam

Besides our follow-up project chapel Teen Challenge, Slovakia (for which we already have received more than 1,000 euro over the past few days!) we would like to ask your attention for project Code Red, Amsterdam.

Outreach in six major cities

Project Code Red is a two-day outreach event organized by Victory Outreach. They specifically want to reach women (homeless, addicts, prostitutes, abused) in six big cities: Tijuana, Chicago, Oakland, Capetown, Van-couver and Amsterdam. In the Netherlands this event  is being organized by Victory Outreach Amsterdam and Victory Home, a christian rehabilitation home for men and women in Amsterdam.

During this event volunteer women from all over Europe will come to Amsterdam to reach out to homeless, addicted and abused women. Through this outreach, Victory Home wants to show them that someone cares and is concerned about their living situation and future.

On August 5th and 6th mobile beauty parlors and hair salons will be set up on different locations in Amsterdam where women are welcome for a beauty treatment. In the afternoon they can enjoy a catered lunch as well as a wonderful dinner in the evening. During the dinner there will be a theater play. All women will receive a goody bag at the end of the day. If or when a woman decides she wants to change her life, Victory Home can offer them professional help and a place to stay where they will be assisted in making a new beginning.

We think this is a great and loving initiative and we would like to sponsor this event with a gift of 500 euro. Will you help us? This event is being organized by volunteers and will only take place if enough donations come in. The money is needed for food, drinks, location rent, goody bags, make-up etc. etc. If you have a heart for abused and mistreated women please send your gift to

St. Traveling Light

Rabo bank nr. 1185 82 275

IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275

BIC: RABONL2U

Make sure to mention CODE RED

Maybe you can share this blog post with your church/group/family or business partner and see if you can sponsor them as well.

If you need more information for the event in Amsterdam, please call or email  Elaine Mackay of Victory Home, email: e.mackay@voamsterdam.net

Investing in human lives

Maksim, Sergey and Gena, set free by Jesus

Once addicted, always addicted. Once a thief, always a thief. That's right, or isn't it?

Thank God, at Traveling Light we know this is NOT true. Every year we encounter tens, if not, hundreds, of people who have received a new life against all odds. Men like Maksim (do you recognize him?), Sergey and Gena from Kiev. (Please check our projects tab to see how you were able to help them in 2011 and 2012) 

They can tell you bizarre stories of their lives on the street, in prison, on drugs and alcohol. Horrible stories of a life in hell on earth. Condemned or ignored by society because of their wrong choices. If we wouldn't know any better, hopeless cases...

Maksim in New Dehli, India

Maksim used injection drugs for sixteen years and has been in prison twice (five years). Gena lived on the streets and was involved in criminal activity for thirty years. He also used injection drugs for twenty years and was in prison. twice. Sergey used drugs as well. Hopeless cases? That's what most people would think.

Somehow they came in contact with Teen Challenge. During their time in the rehabilitation program they encountered the love of God. A God who showed them unlimited grace and picked them up from the deepest pit of darkness. 

Gena has many reasons to smile again

Maksim has been clean for more than three years, Gena more than four years and Sergey even longer. Last week Maksim returned from a mission trip to India with YWAM as part of the DTS (Discipleship Training School) he attended. Gena travels all over Ukraine and gives drugs prevention classes. And, oh yes, Sergey is the National director of Teen Challenge Ukraine.

Hopeless cases? God has a different opinion and so do we at Traveling Light. Please, never forget that your gifts are so much more than just funds to support a program or project. Humans lives are being changed, forever, for eternity! There is no better investment... this is literally storing up treasures in heaven. (And by doing so you will never be in a financial crisis).

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. [John 8:36]

News items & prayer

We have gathered some news items and prayer requests and, as we often twitter: it's all good news at Traveling Light :)

• In a very short time we have received  more than 1,000 euro for our Project Heating System Teen Challenge Macedonia. so that project is going very well. Please pray that the outreach work in Macedonia will bear much fruit!
• Womy Equipment Supplies in Holland has a beautiful M.A.N. bus (1996) for sale that we would like to purchase for our Project Coffee Bus Teen Challenge Czech. Jan will go there next week to take some pictures and get some more information. We want to bless Teen Challenge Czech Republic with this bus. Please pray that we will be able to get a good deal and that there will be enough money to get the paperwork and insurance done and to fill it up with diesel.
• Next week we will drive to Hlohovec in Slovakia. We will visit the Teen Challenge Fall Meeting, where many European directors will gather. It is a great opportunity for us to meet many people all at once.
• On the way to Slovakia we will visit Teen Challenge Gutes Land in Germany, where we are always welcome to spend the night. There are currently three men living in the after care house that Traveling Light donated some money for earlier this year. Please pray for a safe journey.
• A while back we received a thank you note from pastor Gerard Lewerenz from Fels in der Brandung Evangelical Church in Ludwigslust, Germany. His writing is a great encouragement for us and we hope you will experience this as well: "Greetings from Ludwigslust... I will let you, and your whole team, know that we are really, really thankful for all the things the Lord did through you in the lives of our people, your teaching and the worship touched all people during the whole weekend. It was a spirit filled and life changing weekend conference. Thank you so much for all the things you did, for all the love and energy you put into this weekend. We will never forget this incredible time."

We often emphasize that our projects are small-scale, but at the same time we can see that the area of influence Traveling Light has, is growing and expanding. You can certainly help us too, by sharing this weblog with others or by telling them about our Facebook page.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

[1 Corinthians 15:58]

Visiting Serbia

At the women's home in Novi Sad

We had a great time in Slovenia!. We both had the opportunity to share a morning devotion with the guys in the rehabilitation center and to pray with each one of them; staff and students. It is at moments like these that we can truly sense what Traveling Light is all about: encouraging one another to keep the faith!

Beautiful women, free from drugs, restored by Jesus!

Thursday morning at six o'clock we quietly left and went on our way to Serbia. Saying goodbye is always difficult, especially after we all had such a good time and great fellowship together. Anyway, we took the freeway towards the border with Croatia where we had coffee and a sandwich, they even stamped our pass ports :) A few hours later we entered the country of Serbia, and without navigation or phone we easily found our way to the office of Raskrsce Teen Challenge Serbia, where the directors Sasa & Svetlana Ivanovic greeted us warmly. After lunch we visited the men's and women's rehabilitation homes and in the evening Jan shared his heart and God's Word at the men's center and so did I at the women's home. It is our goal to bring words of encouragement and joy, as we share truth from God's word.

Overlooking the Danube from the fortress

Friday we were able to spend the day with Sasa & Svetlana, we had time to talk, to pray with one another and to see part of Novi Sad, the city where they grew up and live now. Novi Sad is a beautiful city located on the Danube. An enormous restored fortress overlooks the city and the river, as well as the rebuilt bridges that were destroyed earlier, during the Kosovo war in 1999. We had a very interesting, sweet and useful time together. We quickly discovered that Sasa & Svetlana needed a lot of prayer, love and encouragement (personally and for their work). Our visit was only a minimal attempt to let them know that they are not alone, that people from all over Europe and the USA are praying for them and that light will shine again!

Broken lives healed and restored! Hallelujah!

Friday night Jan spoke in the church in Novi Sad, and oh, what a response from the people! It was incredible to see how many are sincerely longing to follow God's call for their life. We believe God is raising up men and women in Serbia who will spread the gospel of peace throughout the Balkans. We also realize this is not going to happen without a battle. Wars, communism, different religions and poverty have ruled over this area for a long time by oppressing and suppressing the people. It is of great (strategic) significance that with the help of huge support from the USA, Teen Challenge Serbia has been established and continues to do their work.

Received new life, new hope, new purpose!

As far as we know there is not much European support for our Christian brothers and sisters in Serbia, so we are delighted that through Traveling Light we can plant little seeds of hope! Thank you, everyone who has stepped up for Serbia. We still need 1,000 euro to reach our goal of 4,500 euro, which will go to the payment of utility bills in both centers. We have also received several pledges from people in the Netherlands and from Teen Challenge centers AND individual people from all over Europe for temporarily monthly sponsorship, we will give an update on that in an upcoming post.

Sunny day in Novi Sad with Sasa & Svetlana

We cannot even find words to describe how thankful we are that we were finally able to visit Serbia. Although we have met with Sasa & Svetlana before, we now have a better feel of the city, the centers and the church there! Please continue to pray and give as you are directed.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails!

(1 Corinthians 13:6-8)

Annual conference Teen Challenge Ukraine, Kiev

A rainy Sunday in Kiev

We just came back from a truly blessed time in Kiev, Ukraine. Remember how you all gave generously to sponsor this conference? Because of your faithful support we were able to donate 2500 euro towards this event. Jerry Nance (director of Global Teen Challenge) spoke on vision, leadership & commitment!

More than 150 people from all over Ukraine, Russia and Kazachstan were able to attend this conference; all people who are in some way working and volunteering in rehabilitation centers, coffee houses, clinics, churches and other places where the addicted can begin a new life. Most of these workers were addicted in the past and are now helping others to become free!

Maksim & Jan

We were so glad to be greeted by  the big smile of Maksim who, just two days prior to our arrival, had his last treatment at the dentist. Wow, he was so happy and thankful for your gifts towards his new smile! It was such a joy to spend time with him!

Yura & Ira

We also met with Yura and Ira, a sweet couple from Onyfrievka. They will be the directors of the new to open men's center. This was our first project when we started with Traveling Light about a year ago. We raised 10.000 euro for the purchase of this building, the final papers will be signed within the next few weeks. A plan to renovate this house has been drawn as well as a rough calculation of the expected costs.

Praying with Andre

We also went to a Methadone clinic where Teen Challenge has a small office where people addicted to drugs can come in for coffee or tea and prayer. They will receive an invitation to come to the Coffee House on Wednesday evening and hopefully they will make decisions to go to one of the many Christian rehabilitation centers in Ukraine.

It was amazing to hear how many broken dreams lay underneath the broken lives... We were able to encourage many by telling them that there is hope, that Jesus Christ can set them free!

Rehabilitation home in Kiev

We were invited to speak in one of the rehabilitation centers, where 11 men live and study God's word. We even had the opportunity to pray with all of them individually, many received confirmation and encouragement from the Holy Spirit in regards of personal struggles and questions. Please pray for this men, that they will learn to walk in God's will and that they will be used for the glory of God!

Pizza party!

We also had a wonderful time at Kevin & Eunice Tyler's home (the directors of Teen Challenge Eurasia). They threw a pizza party for the whole gang and we had a great time of fellowship and friendship. We were able to hear many of the personal stories of the guys, unbelievable stories of pain and suffering, but also stories of hope... because they finally found new life in Jesus!

We were truly, truly blessed during this conference and during our time with Sergey & Mariana Glushko, they have such a heart for this work and together with their team they will make a difference in Ukraine.

They are super thankful for all your support, and so are we. Without you this would not have happened!

PS: The gifts thermometer for Serbia has risen to 2,000 euro. Super!

Visit to Gdansk

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....