News + prayer points

Unfortunately there is a daily abundance of bad news from many countries. We like to share GOOD news of the nations in Europe. Negative news is easy to find, good news we need to purposely search for. Psalm 72:19 says, "Let the earth be filled with His presence Yes, let it be so."

Last week we were guests at the annual Roma conference in Macedonia. Spiritual leaders of Roma communities in different countries (Bulgaria and Serbia for example) were gathered for a time of reflection, fellowship and education. For us it is a unique opportunity to learn more about the Roma culture and the specific issues that arise when they become believers.

Miki & Suzanna

Pastor Radko and Nevin Kratsov shared practical lessons about leadership and marriage. Miki & Suzanna Kamberovic blessed us again with passionate music. This time we stayed at beautiful Ohrid lake in the south of Macedonia, a wonderful relaxed place for good conversations.

It is a huge encouragement for us to see and hear how God works among the Roma people.

God sets people free!

Two weeks ago, it was also time for the annual čuvar brata svoga conference (My Brother's Keeper), this time in Slovenia. We were there for the sixth time in a row on behalf of Traveling Light.

More than 420 men from several Balkan countries (all former Yugoslavia) came together for fellowship, teaching, prayer, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Amazing to see and experience what happens there! Perhaps such things will not appear in the newspapers, but we are convinced that these are major happenings with a huge spiritual impact on the nations.

Teen Challenge Slovenia

After the conference Jan and Jim visited the Teen Challenge rehabilitation center in Nova Vas. The center is always full, and they are currently looking for a larger location.

On September 28, Nick Vujicic will be coming to Slovenia for a major campaign against bullying. The Ministry of Education has given permission to broadcast the event LIVE in all schools! The event will be live on national TV. That is awesome, because Nick brings a clear biblical message.

Pastor Steve Telzerow from Ljubljana pointed out that they started a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money needed to organize everything. Make sure to watch this touching video. Investing in the future of Europe from a gospel perspective. Who would not want that? Seeing all those changed lives is the greatest encouragement.

Summer camp Berdychiv

Furthermore, we were able to donate a nice amount of 2,000 euro for the summer camp in Ukraine which will start next week. Thank you for your generous gifts.

And in our own town...
Teus Donk raised more than 800 euro for the benefit of the second hand store we will open after the summer. With his gift we will be able to show shoppers hospitality by serving free coffee, tea and cookies.

Happy summer everyone!

Project Roma leadership, Bulgaria

Radko Kratsov & his family

Later this month we will visit an international Roma conference in Ohrid, Macedonia. Last year we were there as well and we were very encouraged by the preaching and training we received from Pastor Radko Kratsov from Bulgaria.

Together with his wife Nevin and in cooperation with YWAM Sliven he has been active on many fronts within the Roma community, which stretches all across south eastern Europe.

Radko has the vision to bring healing and development among the Roma gypsies.

Street evangelism

He works for healing and development of Roma leaders and ministers in Bulgaria and abroad, so that they can be trained and developed in a Biblical worldview, equipped for relationships at all levels, and encouraged to be dependent on and moved by a personal relationship with God.

1 million Roma's in Bulgari

They organize activities such as children's work and street evangelism. Pastor Radko will speak again at the upcoming conference in Macedonia and we are looking forward to hearing more good news from this region of Europe!

Traveling Light wants to encourage and support people who take on initiatives in their own country. Every year dozens of people follow the discipleship training given by Radko and YWAM and they are then sent into their streets and neighborhoods. The good news that there is a better life with Jesus is spreading slowly but steadily.

There are many (humanitarian) organizations doing great work among the Roma's. Pastor Radko focuses his work with YWAM first of all on the spiritual development of the Roma people. He knows from personal experience that receiving God's love is the beginning of a new life ... for everyone!

Group picture Roma conference 2015

If you would like to help to bring a positive change among the Roma people in Bulgaria, then make your gift payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention: ROMA BULGARIA

Thank you!

News from Kazakhstan

Thank you for your help!

We started off this year with the Weissensee action for a new kitchen in the juvenile home of Teen Challenge in Kazakhstan.

We were able to send a donation which enabled them they to start the reconstruction of the kitchen area almost immediately. A few weeks ago we received the following message and a series of photo's:

Hard work with a smile

"Thank you very much for your care and love. You gave a lot of joy and happiness to our children with your great blessing. Before our kitchen was not safe for kids. We were praying for the new kitchen, dishes and other things. Finally God answered our prayers and provided everything for us, through you.

The children really like their new kitchen very much. They say: “It is 'fancy', clean and comfortable!!!” And when we were building the kitchen their eyes were shining and a big-big smile was on their faces. During the construction and while buying everything for the new kitchen their hearts were full of joy. Now everyone likes to clean the kitchen :)

We are very grateful that you were willing to help us by donating this offering for us. God will bless you and your ministry abundantly."

Everything new and shiny

Isn't it great to see that donations are spent well? We can only hope that this will make you just as happy as they are. Please, feel free to forward this blog post to family, friends and acquaintances who helped to raise the amount and let them know how much joy their generosity produced.

There was some money left over and they have decided to use it to fix up the central corridor. Every penny is used to make the house more beautiful.

In July we (Jan and Marja) will visit the boys home in Almaty and there is no doubt will will bring back more pictures and news.

All professional equipment

We already have plans to share another project in Kazakhstan on this blog in the near future. Funds are urgently needed to fix up the dormitory in the Teen Challenge woman's home, where currently 20 women + 30 children are living . Keep an eye on this blog!

Your general GIFTS (large & small) are always welcome, because we have a lot of projects on our waiting list! You can make your gifts payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U

Visit to Teen Challenge Albania

Jan & Orges in Tirana

Earlier this month Jan went to visit Orges & Blerina Hysenaj in Tirana. They have recently opened a Teen Challenge coffee house. Orges took Jan to the streets ...

Orges has a heart for the hopeless addicts in his city and he speaks regularly with them in the streets. In doing so, he establishes good contacts and invites the men to come to church and to the coffee house ...

In front of the coffee house

The coffee house is a nice place to meet and to have further discussions. It is awesome to see how hopeless men receive hope again as they begin to realize that another life is possible with the help of God. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe with a long history of Communism and Atheism. More than 60% of the population is Muslim.

By the way, Albania is a beautiful country. Jan and Orges went around Tirana on bicycles, a nice (and Dutch) way to see everything! They invited three men to come to the church and later to the coffee house, and the came. One of them decided to give his life to Jesus, victory over darkness. Pray for him.

The didn't mind to take a photo with Jan

While in Albania, Jan stayed in a guest house of Hope for Albania, an organization that also has its roots in Papendrecht :) He was very well looked after by a sweet Dutch couple: Koos & Dinie.

Orges has hope for those who struggle with addictions. One man, a small beginning. We would really like to encourage and support him in his work among the least of these. Funds are needed for the rent of the coffee house (250 euros per month), for a coffee machine and a kitchenette, evangelistic materials, music, movies ... you name it.

Stunning views

Do you dare to have hope for a nation where many people have never heard of the love of God? Please, make your gift payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: ALBANIA.

Let your light shine!

Project sponsoring summer camp Teen Challenge Ukraine

Fun for young and old

Thank you for your generosity, we were able to donate 4,000 euro for project repair Casa Nuova in Italy. We will go there late August with a group for a workweek. Currently we are fundraising for project coffeehouse Teen Challenge Tirana, Albania. Jan is visiting at the moment, so more news as soon as he gets back.

This week we also want to ask your attention for the summer camp in Ukraine that is being organized each year by Teen Challenge Ukraine and the Jewish Messianic congregation of Pastor Sergey Romanenko. They expect around two hundred participants in Berdychiv.

The camp will be organized for men and women who are in drugs- and alcohol rehabilitation centers all over Ukraine. But also volunteers, workers, leaders, pastors, church members, children and family members are very much welcome. A mid week camping out, playing games, laughing, Bible study, music, food and just plain fun... too much to mention.

We might sometimes forget, but Ukraine is still a country at war. Besides that they are in a severe economic crisis and for many people this midweek will be the only chance for some kind of a vacation.

The camp will be held from July 4-8 and it costs about 20 euro per person to participate. Financial difficulties will stop people from signing up, but for 20 euro you will make it possible for one person to go to this summer camp in Berdychiv. That's awesome, isn't it?

So, if you have it on your heart to help, please send 20 euro (or a multiplication thereof) to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U stating Summer camp UKRAINE.

As far as we are concerned: shared joy is double joy :)

Project Coffeehouse Teen Challenge, Albania

the Hysenaj family

It is a huge encouragement for us each time we meet people who take the call of God's heart seriously by letting their light shine in their street, city, region or country.

Orges & Blerina Hysenaj are such people. They live with their two children in Tirana, Albania. Some time ago they took the initiative to start a Teen Challenge coffeehouse in Tirana. A meeting place of hope and friendship.

Orges (or Gesi as his friends and family like to call him) has a heart for people with addiction and other life threatening issues and he can see how the problems are piling up in his country.

He found a small building where he started a coffeehouse and he now meets with several guests every week for talks and Bible study!

It may sound simple ... start a coffeehouse. But there is much to consider: first of all prayer for wisdom and protection. Furthermore of course financial resources to pay the rent, buy furnishings and materials. We would love to help him be with that!

Albania is a country with a turbulent history: oppression, poverty, communism, atheism, unemployment etc. The country is struggling to break free from all these things. It's awesome to see what happens when people discover that surely there is a God who wants to give them a hopeful future, a God who loves them.

Darkness must give way to joy, just look at those smiling faces!

Do you want to help to reach people in Albania with the good news for a hopeful future? You can do so by making a donation which will help Orges and his team of volunteers to expand their work in the coffeehouse. 

Please make your gift payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: ALBANIA.

Inside Comunita Brezzano, Italy

At work in the kitchen

We are currently raising money for project roof repair Casa Nuova, one of the houses within the Christian residential therapeutic community Comunita Brezzano in Tuscany, Italy.

The community consists of three houses where people with psychological or other life controlling problems are offered a safe place to rest, to come to know God and get a renewed perspective on life.

Casa Nuova

We wholeheartedly support this work because we have personally seen how lives can be transformed in this environment. Yes, such a residential community is a small scale initiative, there are usually only three or four people in therapy, but we believe that every human life counts and is worth the time and effort in order to be restored.

It is this kind of initiatives that we want to support, because they often receive little or no government funding and yet produce beautiful and positive results.

Quite often, people stay in the community for months at the time. Spending time outside, enjoying nature, working in the open air and taking time to talk and pray will bring balance in the lives of the guests.

Bible study

August 22-29, 2016 we want to go back to Comunita Brezzano for another work week and help to chop wood for the winter and do other chores. If you want to come along and help us (or know someone who would want to), send an email to janandmarja@gmail.com. Don't wait too long, because space is limited! Cost: max. 250 euro + travel.

So far, we have received more than 2,500 euro for project repair Casa Nuova and donations are still welcome! Make your gift payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: BREZZANO.

Below is a video of the Passover celebration in Comunita Brezzano, two years ago.

Greetings from Winiarczykowka, Poland

Staff and  residents at Winiarczykowka

One of the nicest things about our small scale projects is perhaps the feedback we are getting. We often receive pictures, emails, Facebook messages and newsletters containing friendly greetings and words of gratitude. It's so good to see that donations are spent well!

Do you remember project renovation rooms Winiarczykowka, Poland? In memory of our American friend Rick Biddle (who passed away in October 2015 at the blessed age of 88) family and friends of Rick donated more than $ 500 for the benefit of Traveling Light.

New furniture arrived!

We were able to double that gift and transferred 1,000 euro for the renovation of bedrooms in the Teen Challenge crisis and rehabilitation home that Janusz & Bogusia Górnicki are running. A very special house, because they offer a warm and safe place to the elderly who have no place to go.

They had some new beds, wardrobes and bedside tables made (visit their website!) by a local carpenter, who has also employed one of the younger men who went through the rehabilitation program.

And look what a beautiful plaques (click on the photos to enlarge) they have made in memory of Rick, who had a warm heart for he work of Teen Challenge. This is also a very nice idea in case you want to make a special donation as a church, school, business or family. They will make such a cool plaque just for you!

Memory and thank you plaques

Janusz & Bogusia Gornicki always have a long list of projects in and around the house (such as expansion vegetable garden, building a shed, shelves and industrial refrigerator in the storage space, wheelchair bus, setting up a charity shop etc. etc.). These projects can only be implemented when donations come in, because they receive no government funding.

As far as we are concerned, money donated to Traveling Light will reach its destination and will be used for the selected project!

General and specified gifts are always welcome at St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U. We will do our best to ensure reliable feedback!

Project roof repair Casa Nuova, Italy

Casa Nuova

Several months ago we received a request for financial support from Maria Meier. She is in charge of the daily happenings at Comunita Brezzano, a Christian residential therapeutic community in Tuscany, Italy.

The community consists of three houses and Maria offers people with psychological or other life controlling problems a safe place where they can rest, to come to know God and get a renewed perspective on life.

We have visited the community on several occasions and twice we organized a work week in which we came with a group of strong men to cut wood for the winter. We would like to organize such a week again in August.

Meeting up with Maria last December

The houses are beautiful, classic Tuscan farmhouses, but they also require a lot of maintenance. One of the houses, Casa Nuova, suffers from a leaking roof. It is necessary to replace a portion of the roof.

Comunita Brezzano is a non-profit organization that exists largely thanks to donations. There is also income from the sale of jam, olives and fruit and they receive some compensation from the government for taking in guests.

The upper layer of the roof needs to be replaced

We love the work Maria Meier and her team are doing in Tuscany. They takes care of the needs of other people and invite those who are weary and burdened to seek peace with Jesus.

Living and working in the countryside is a welcome and healthy break from the hectic life in a city many people are used to. Maria receives people from Germany, Israel, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.

If you have a heart for this kind of work, please make your gift payable to: St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: BREZZANO.

Report Weissensee 2016 for Kazakhstan

"Well done skaters!"  Thanksgiving from Kazakhstan

We can look back on a very successful Weissensee event. Despite the moderate temperatures (which made the ice really soft) and lots of water on the natural ice (which made the cracks invisible), our skaters have performed very well during the Alternative Elfsteden race in Austria.

Krijn Donk finished the 200 km in a spectacular time of 7:43 hours. Henk Swijnenburg made excellent time as well, 9:33 hours. Unfortunately, they were not able to set new personal records.

Henk Vlot arrived at the finish line after a grueling 10:57 hours. For him it was a new personal record, because last time he had to quit the race after 140 km.

Henk S., Krijn and Henk V. on the Weissensee

With their athletic activities these men brought in 4,500 euro. All proceeds will benefit the renovation and installation of a kitchen in the Teen Challenge juvenile home in Kazakhstan.

Of course they were thrilled in Almaty with the outcome of this fundraiser and on their behalf we want to say thank you to the skaters, supporters and members of our local press for their efforts. Great to see how many enthusiastic and heart-warming responses came in.

We (Jan and Marja) hope to schedule a visit to Kazakhstan soon. It is still pretty much winter over there, a good time for them to make plans for the upcoming renovations!

Happy faces thanks to your efforts and donations

We have mentioned it before on this blog: the giving of a donation is not the end of a project, it is the beginning of a new or the continuation of an existing relationship.

Further news:

• The amount for project teacher Teen Challenge in Slovakia came in. Thank you very much.
• Our 2015 year report will be posted on our website soon.
• The next project on this blog: Project Repairs Casa Nuova, Italy