Dearest friends,

“Yes Johanneke, it is very nice and elaborate, it is being given by the local authorities, and as much as 70 women come every week!” Is what one of the pregnant ladies from our village told me about the pregnancy course.

“Oh, nice…right?” I said, while I started to realize that, actually, it meant that my work – giving the pregnancy courses in the village, had become unnecessary. On the bright side it was wonderful that the course was finally being given by the local authorities, and in such a good way. But on the other hand, it was kind of sad for me… wasn’t it?

Not so sad

It felt crazy to admit, but I wasn’t so sad about it at all, and maybe I even felt a little relieved! All of those years I have enjoyed working and being involved in one way or another with health care. The care for pregnant women and new born babies had always fascinated me, and will always have a special place in my heart. I hope to be able to focus on this subject more in the future. But the truth is, these last months, well, since I travelled to Greece with Jonathan last year, when we worked together making short films about the refugee situation there (Invisible Heroes), I have discovered a growing passion in telling stories. I loved working alongside Jonathan like that, we make a good team. I also noticed that it seems like I am entering a new fase in my life… our girls aren’t thaaaat dependent on me anymore, which leaves more room for my own growth and development. After so many years of giving of myself, now the time has come to learn new things and to explore a new passion. I am pretty excited about it! These last 2 months I have also been able to work alongside Remco, a friend and volunteer from Holland that came to bless our base making promotional videos and such. It was fun and insightful to be able to work together, to look over his shoulder and get inspired to learn more!

Below you can see a few of the videos we worked on together.

What is the capital of Brazil?

Brasilia! And that is where Jonathan just spent a week teaching in the ‘Audio-Visual School’ of their YWAM base. It was an incredible week where Jonathan was able to teach the students on the making of short documentaries focused on missions. It was really gratifying to see that the students were so enthusiastic about missions and communications!

Jonathan is no longer the manager of the communication team at our base in Piratininga. He has been assigned some new tasks in the international committee of the College of Communications of the ‘University of the Nations’. One of his jobs is to be involved, to encourage and advise other communications schools in Brazil and South America. In August he will be traveling to Curitiba, in the South of Brazil and to Costa Rica in September to attend an international conference of the ‘University of the Nations’. All this, next to his other usual work in the field of visual communications he does. And now that I, Johanneke, am officially a member of the communications office at the Base, Jonathan and I have some nice projects coming up in which we will be working together, can’t wait!

A hole in my heart

Since quite some time now I have been struggling with a few important questions. Is God really good? Why is there so much suffering in the world? Why am I so privileged while others are already born in a hell? So unfair! This, alongside the feelings of frustration and the powerlessness to really make a difference. I am not strong or selfless enough to change the world. Does it really matter? Do I matter at all? In theory I know the answer to these questions, and deep down inside as well… nevertheless, they don’t always take away the choking feeling of hopelessness or the bitter taste of anger. Sometimes I don’t even know how to start praying for so much injustice in the world. Would you please pray for a renewal of hope in my heart, and in the hearts of so many others that need it much more that I do? Iara, our oldest daughter, in her prayers, she always begs that God would let at least half of the world know peace and the other half not be poor anymore… Will you pray with us?

Our girls

Our girls are doing quite well. They are enjoying life at home and at the base. They are social beings and love having lots of people around them. School is the only thing that our oldest two are struggling with… Especially Iara is still finding it hard to adapt, she misses her teachers, friends and the freedom she had both in England and in Holland. Would you like to pray for our girls? And also for us as parents when we ask ourselves if Piratininga is the best place for our girls to do school longterm? And what that means for our future and our carrier in missions…

You are awesome 😉

Well yes, it has been 3 months already since we have been back from our furlough in Holland. We often think back on our time with many of you and are thankful for your friendship, love and support. We wish you Gods blessings in all that you do, and hope that you enjoy your summer!

Lots of love and blessings,

Jonathan and Johanneke.

We believe in the power of prayer, and have some prayer points in case you want to take some time, by yourself or with family or a small group to support us in prayer. Prayers are always welcome!

• Thank God for the new pregnancy course that is being given in the village. Pray that it may continue to grow and be a blessing to many women.
• Thank God for the new passion that Johanneke is discovering and pray that she may grow in it.
• Thank God for Jonathan’s new tasks with the ‘University of the Nations’ and pray that he will be a source of inspiration and blessing voor many around him.
• Pray for Johanneke and the struggles she has on the inside. That she may trust Gods goodness.
• Pray with us against the injustice in the world. You could even take some time to let God speak to your heart about a subject that needs prayer right now.
• Pray for our girls. Pray that they will find their place at school and that they will be able to see the positive things of their school here in Piratininga.
• Pray for us as parents, that we will have wisdom in deciding about the education of our daughters.