Project support for Israel

Many people ask how they can support Israel in its battle against Hamas.

Obviously prayer is a very important point. Prayer for a quick end to this terrible situation. Furthermore, it is very important that as Christians we do not get our information from secular news sources, but from reliable sources.

We recommend viewing and reading news and background information via, for example:

• Israel Today
• AllIsrael.com
• Trinity Broadcasting News You can also download the app, TBN has several interesting programs about Israel.

And there are many more news sources that bring the news from a Biblical perspective.

We are in contact with our friend Brian Slater in Israel. He continues his work in the food bank in Netanya through his organization Abundant Bread of Salvation. He could use extra help, because a lot of food parcels are being distributed.

We are also in contact with friends who are distributing food parcels to civilians in bomb shelters in the south, including many Ukrainians who fled the war in their own country a year ago. They do what they can and they too can surely use prayer and financial help.

You can give in several ways. Please direct your gift to:

• St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U, and don't forget to mention ISRAEL.
• 💳 Give by card

Project Teen Challenge Groups studies for the Netherlands

As most of you know by now, a large part of the projects we support have to do with the faith-based recovery programs of Teen Challenge.

The various rehabilitation centers that we visit throughout Europe are home to men and women who have indicated that they want to turn their backs on their life-threatening problems.

Of course, you cannot force anyone to become a Christian, but over time most come to see that the world has no lasting solution and that Jesus Christ does indeed offer the hope and new life they so long for.

Through personal and group studies the students in the programs learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. The studies have been translated into several languages, now also in Dutch.

We have said so many times: "Everyone should follow these studies, they are so practical!" The lessons are really interesting, not just for ex-addicts, but also for new believers, church groups, or groups in prisons.

The Group Studies for New Life parts 1 to 7 have now been printed and are currently being used in two churches in Zaandam and Heerhugowaard. As Traveling Light, we would also like to offer the group studies this coming winter, especially to those who have taken the Alpha course.

👉However, lessons 8 to 14 have yet to be printed. We would like to help Teen Challenge Netherlands with this by making a donation for (part of) the costs. Will you help?

You can give in several ways. Please direct your gift to:

• St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U, and don't forget to mention: TC NETHERLANDS
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉When in the USA it is also possible to make a tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC NETHERLANDS GROUPS STUDIES

Project and activity news

On Saturday, September 9th we had another baptism party! What a beautiful day to baptize six people in the river. There was great joy and awe and that can be seen in this beautiful photo from joylephotography.nl

Whether people participated in the Alpha course, are family members or friends... everyone testified about what God had done in their lives for them to take this step. We are very grateful for that.

Together with a large group of family and friends we celebrated their steps in faith. Be sure to watch the video impression that Pieter Meijers made for us. You really get an idea of the special atmosphere.

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Last May we wrote about the follow-up project of Christian Evangelical Community Issacar in Rivoli, Italy. At the beginning of September, we received the message that the roof of the future multifunctional center collapsed during the pouring of the concrete.

It is a miracle of God that no one was seriously injured. Even the newspaper said that it was clearly a miracle and that the workers were protected by the hand of God.

No one knows yet how this could have happened. The building is being built with the latest anti-seismic technology and has an iron beam every 30 cm, making it practically impossible to collapse, but it did. Inspections are currently taking place. The good news is that almost all of the iron used in the construction can be reused and the concrete can be used in the parking lot paving.

Would you please pray that the permit will be released quickly to clear the area and continue construction? And also that money will flow from the community to cover all unexpected expenses, such as a lawyer and an inspection engineer.

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This month, the proceeds from our secondhand shops Twinkeltje and De Schor will go to the work of Radko & Nevin Kratsov in Bulgaria. In collaboration with Youth with a Mission (YWAM Sliven), they are active on many fronts within the Roma community, which extends throughout southeastern Europe.

Radko provides education and leadership training in Bulgaria and surrounding countries and helps Roma people develop a Biblical vision in every area of life: relationships, work, health, finances, etc.

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

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

Visit to TC Winiarczykowka, Poland

Last month we visited Teen Challenge Winiarczykowka in Poland. Janusz and Bogusia Gornicki run a home for the elderly, for broken people, and for those who cannot take care of themselves. The location is a former border patrol post.

Janusz came into Teen Challenge as an addict many years ago and went through the recovery program in Lekini. We were there in July of this year! He met his wife Bogusia and together with their two sons (Simeon and Jacob) they moved south. Little Jacob was just one week (!) old when they started this adventure.

An average of about twenty men live in Winiarczykowka. Some have a history of addiction, others have psychological problems and still others are at a loss.

It is moving to see how Janusz and Bogusia extend love to people who came to them completely devastated, lost, and often lonely. That is following in Jesus' footsteps!

It was great fun to be there again. We were received enthusiastically and spent the first hours catching up on everything. Fortunately, we had excellent help from our interpreter again: Monika Skowron.

We received an extensive tour in and around the center. The vegetable garden has grown enormously in recent years. A beautiful chicken coop has been built, a goat farm, beehives, and much more. Everything was made possible thanks to donations from friends and organizations such as Traveling Light. How wonderful is that?!

Maintaining the buildings and working on the land and with the animals is therapeutic for the men and a big part of their daytime activities.

On Sunday morning there was a church service where we could share an encouraging message from God's Word. Many men were prayed for, we all had a wonderful time!

The days flew by and we really enjoyed the conversations, praying together, hiking, and eating delicious food. Our visit was very encouraging for the men, the staff, Monika, and for ourselves!

The men had prepared a huge BBQ in honor of our visit. They couldn't wait to light the fire on Saturday 😁. We enjoyed their good care and felt truly appreciated.

This is exactly the kind of 'small-scale' (we think it is huge!) work with great social, emotional, and spiritual impact that Traveling Light is happy to support.

It is direct and loving assistance to hopeless, helpless, and lonely people. 👉We have great admiration for this program.

This beautiful work is largely made possible by donations. We have been supporting them regularly (also through the monthly projects in Twinkeltje) since 2014.

This kind of support goes way beyond just sending a one-time donation for a good cause. Friendships develop and we try to maintain those friendships as best as possible by keeping in regular contact and visiting them if possible.

We want to make them happy again with a donation for their daily needs, will you help us?

You can give in several ways. Please direct your gift to:

• St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U, and don't forget to mention: TC POLAND WINIARCZYKOWKA
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉When in the USA it is also possible to make a tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC POLAND WINIARCZYKOWKA.

PS: Click on the photos to enlarge!

Project updates and activity news

It's time again for an update on projects and activities. We will write a separate post about our trip to Winiarczykowka, Poland, soon.

In May, we reported on Issacar's follow-up project in Rivoli, Italy. The Christian Evangelical Community is building a multi-functional facility where weekly services, food distribution, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, and other activities will all take place.

We sent them a donation (4,000 euro) to stimulate the progress of the construction. We received some photos showing that a lot of building materials have been purchased again. The walls and roof are almost done.

Thank you very much on behalf of pastor Filippo Felice and the congregation for the encouragement. We hope to visit again later this year!

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We were also able to give a donation (1,500 euro) for the Vacation Bible School activities in our town.

In August they celebrated their 45th anniversary in a playground in Papendrecht. What a party that was. Many children (and their parents) came to see it. We enjoyed coffee and talked to a number of people from the organizing committee.

They were very happy with all the support they received from churches, organizations, businesses, and volunteers. They are now looking forward to the activities that will take place during the autumn holidays.

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On Thursday, September 7, we will partake in the 'Lukassen & Boer sponsor run' again (as we do each year) with an enthusiastic group of hikers and runners. This event will bring in cash for Traveling Light.

During the event you run a maximum of two (if you are younger than 15 years old) or a maximum of four (if you are 15 years old or older) rounds through sports park Oostpolder. |One round is about 2.5 kilometers long. You can run or walk. Each round you run is good for 2 euro.

The youth will start at 6:30 PM and the adults at 7:30 PM. Start at AV Passaat's athletics track, Andoornlaan 38. Hopefully, we'll see you there. We have entrance cards!

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Saturday September 9th, we will organize another baptism party at river the Lek. This time we have six people (including those from the Alpha course) who want to be baptized.

Yes, obeying the command to go out into the world, share the gospel AND baptize people! We all enjoy doing it.

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

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

Follow-up project Teen Challenge Lebanon

Garo Margossian has been involved in drug and alcohol addiction prevention and education for many years. He is the founder of the organization No For Drugs (NFD), a non profit dedicated to bringing attention to the drug problem in Lebanon.

NFD is affiliated with Teen Challenge and we have known Garo for years from the Teen Challenge conferences. Awareness campaigns are being organized, prisons are visited and legal assistance is provided. Together with his wife Gabriela and daughter Adelina Grace, they live in Beirut.

Garo has a vision for a men's and women's center where people with addiction problems can stay for a longer period of time. The construction of the men's center is complete. Yes!

At the moment, staff training is in process and hopefully, the center can be opened soon.

A generator system has now been installed and the house is fully equipped, even with a small clinic for medical treatments and detox.

Garo hopes to start the construction of the women's center when funds come in. The artist's impression shows how it should all turn out in the end. There is still a lot of work to be done and we are grateful that Garo has been able to hold on to his dream over the years.

We are grateful for people who will not let themselves be stopped, who have a heart for their country, and who are committed to carrying out the work that God has prepared. We, therefore, want to encourage him again with a gift so that he can order building materials again.

If you want to help, sow a seed into the work of Teen Challenge in Lebanon. You can give in several ways. Please direct your gift at:

• St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U, and don't forget to mention: TC LEBANON
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉When in the USA it is also possible to make a tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC LEBANON.

Check out the video below to get an idea of what it all looks like. We pray that many in Lebanon will find their way to Jesus and true freedom!

Follow-up project Mission Return, Belarus

Back in May, at the Europe Teen Challenge conference in Rimini, Italy, we met with our friends from Belarus. It was quite some time ago that we were able to talk face-to-face, so it was truly a joyful time!

In this picture, you see team members from several rehab centers as well as the general director of all TC work in Belarus, Michail & Rufina Balakirev. Such an honor to meet with them all again in person (it surely beats Zoom meetings).

Sergey & Kristina Tsupa are our English-speaking contacts as far as the work of Mission Return (Teen Challenge) in Belarus is concerned. They took care of the translation for all Russian-speaking guests at the conference in Italy. He is also the one who translated Marja's book 'In My Name' into Russian!

Sergey is the director of the 'Overnight Home' in Baranovichi which we visited back in 2015. Over the years we have helped them on several occasions by raising funds for the work among the homeless, the addicted, and women in crisis situations.

The women's shelter is full, the men's shelter for 75%, as well as people in rehabilitation. Sergey said: "We rejoice, when we see changes in people's lives. Pray for those, who are struggling and hope that God's victory would happen in many more lives!"

Last year they started to renew the facade of the second building. They were able to plaster about half of the building. All the work was done voluntarily by brothers from their church.

There is still some more work to do on the outside wall (they are actually thinking of giving the outside a nice color as well). They also want to fix up the big hall in the middle of the building. It will be used for the common meetings.

They are even contemplating opening up a secondhand store, that would be awesome. Sergey wrote: "We praise God for you and want to thank you one more time for your participation in this project. It is easier to serve when there are people assisting you. May God bless you and continue to multiply your ministry!"

If you have a heart for the broken and hurting people and a heart for the nations of Europe, sow a seed into the work of Teen Challenge in Belarus. You can give in several ways. Please direct your gift at:

• St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: TC BELARUS
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉When in the USA it is also possible to make a tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC BELARUS.

Travel updates and lots of thanksgiving

In June and July, we were not only able to send in donations to various projects, but we also traveled quite a lot.

Visiting, showing your face, listening, praying with people, speaking words of encouragement and prophecy, teaching... you name it. It's all part of the traveling work we do on behalf of our non-profit Traveling Light (hence the name!).

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At the beginning of June, we were guests at the 25th anniversary of the Teen Challenge men's center in Sluknov, Czech Republic. Very nice to be there and even nicer that we were approached by several men from the program about the Bible study sessions we gave there in January. One man came running to tell us that his shattered wrist (which he had been unable to use for years) had been healed after we prayed for it. Praise the Lord!

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When we returned home, Jan got on his motorbike and drove to Teen Challenge Slovenija. The next day they went from there with 2 vans and 12 men from the rehab program to the 'My Brother's Keeper' conference in Montenegro.

Hundreds of men from all the Balkan countries gathered there. Those of you who have ever joined Jan for such a conference know that these are very blessed gatherings with lots of prayer, music, liberation, and healing. This time again dozens of men gave their lives to Jesus. Also a number of men from the TC program in Slovenija. Praise the Lord!

After the conference, Jan stayed an extra day in the TC center in Slovenija to teach the Bible a, pray with the men, and speak into their lives. This picture (click on it to enlarge) says more than a thousand words, right?! 💓

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On the way back home, Jan visited Dirk & Meike Hellmann, they have been directors of the Teen Challenge rehab center Gutes Land in Germany for many years. We have visited them regularly over the years.

Dirk has been struggling with cancer for a long time, he also had a bone marrow transplant and was not doing well. Jan was able to encourage them both, prayed with Dirk, and even went swimming with him (which he really wanted). He visibly improved. Praise the Lord!

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At the beginning of July, we were among the guests of honor at the celebration of 35 years of Teen Challenge in Poland. What a party it was! The celebration took place on the grounds of the men's rehab center in Lekinia, which we have visited several times in the past. There were many visitors, including officials from the city and many former students.

TC Poland has several rehab houses for men and women, a network of 50(!) coffee houses, church plants, and much more. On behalf of Traveling Light we accepted a beautiful glass plaque as an appreciation for the many years of help and support.

Again, it was so encouraging that people came to us who recognized us from previous visits, who remembered what we taught about years ago, or who just wanted to tell us that prayers had been answered. Here too, a lot of gratitude for the work of Traveling Light. Praise the Lord!

On Sunday, 14 men and women were baptized in a nearby lake. What testimonials we have heard!

Only God can restore broken lives, reunite families, save marriages, heal disease, and break addictions.

Among the international guests in Poland were also Stephan & Marianne Barendse from Teen Challenge Netherlands. Good to spend some time together again.

Actually, we visited them in Heerhugowaard at the beginning of June. TC Netherlands is once again going through a difficult time. The Cyan thrift store has closed (they had to leave due to zoning plans in the municipality) and the care department of Life House has also closed (because that was largely paid for by the proceeds of the store).

Prayer is needed on how to proceed.

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Meanwhile, our dear friends, volunteers, and loyal donors Piet & Anneke Stehouwer were vacationing in Croatia and they decided to visit the new Teen Challenge coffee house in Solin, for which we recently collected funds (read here).

They had a blessed meeting with TC director Ico Matulic and the man who runs the coffee house. These kinds of visits and meetings are so important and valuable, believe it or not.

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Both the financial support and the personal visits are the heart of our work. None of this would be possible without your help.

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

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

Project coffee house Belgrade Teen Challenge Serbia

It is just wonderful to see how coffee houses are springing up in the Balkans. It is still (or again) a great way to reach people who are in need of help and a touch from the Lord.

It is easy for people to come in for a cup of coffee and tell their stories, ask questions about the possibility to enter a rehab program, or to hear more about God. Recently, we were able to help Teen Challenge Croatia with a gift for their coffee house ministry and we also want to send support for the newly opened Teen Challenge Coffee House in Belgrade, Serbia.

Belgrade is the Capitol of the Republic of Serbia. It has approximately 2.5 million inhabitants. There are about 80,000 hard drug addicts officially registered in Serbia. It should be added to all that that 500,000 people in Serbia, which has a population of 7 million, are addicted to alcohol. These are official statistics, the actual figures are much higher.

The team members at Teen Challenge Serbia know from personal experience that a way out of addiction is possible. Actually, the only real way to get out of addiction is to accept Jesus Christ by faith and start a new life as His disciples.

All of the team members belong to Lifegate Belgrade church led by Djordje and Dragana Todorović - Gvozdenović, they were among the first students to graduate from the Teen Challenge Serbia program at the time, many years ago. 

In a coffee house setting, addicts will be able to hear the Gospel in an informal atmosphere, be motivated to go to the Teen Challenge residential programs, or accept a Living Free program in the Coffee House.

Although the church provides the space for the coffee house meetings, they still need some finances for furniture, refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits) study materials, etc.

If you have a heart for the broken and hurting people and a heart for the nations of Europe, sow a seed into the work of Teen Challenge in Serbia. You can give in several ways. Please direct your gift at:

• St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: TC SERBIA
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉When in the USA it is also possible to make a tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC SERBIA.

Project 2nd coffee house Teen Challenge Croatia

Back in 2021 Teen Challenge Croatia opened their first Coffee House in Split.

Split is the second largest city in Croatia with a large number of young people who have addiction problems and other life-controlling problems. We were able to help them get started by sending finances.

All over Europe (and the world) Coffee House ministry is still a great way to reach people who are in need of help and a touch from the Lord. It is easy for people to come in for a cup of coffee and tell their stories, ask questions about the possibility to enter a rehab program, or to hear more about God.

For some time the team in Split has seen the need to open a second Coffee House, in the city of Solin. Solin is a town with 30,000 inhabitants near Split. Solin is inhabited mostly by young people and many of them are drug addicts.

A large number of military veterans live in the city as well, some of whom have become alcoholics. The social image of the city is quite bad; there are a lot of poor and homeless people and there is also a lot of domestic violence and other types of crime.

Anyway, they found a suitable space in the city center, close to all city services. The owner agreed to charge Teen Challenge only half of the usual rent (250 Euro per month) which was really an answer to prayers.

The space was empty and in need of renovation, electrical, plumbing, and other works. It needed painting, cleaning, a kitchen, equipment, furnishing etc. etc. All this was done by volunteers and made possible because of donations.

As soon as it looked presentable, they opened the doors and people started coming! The concept is simple: during their outreach activities in the streets, they invite people to the Coffee House.

We would like to support Ico Matulic (director TC Croatia) and his team in their efforts to reach people for Jesus! If you have a heart for the broken and hurting people and a heart for the nations of Europe, sow a seed into the work of Teen Challenge in Croatia. You can give in several ways. Please direct your gift at:

• St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht, IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention: TC CROATIA
• 💳 Give by card
• 👉When in the USA it is also possible to make a tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC CROATIA