I have been  blessed way beyond anything I deserve. God has allowed me to travel and minister in over 50 nations and to meet some wonderful people along the way. But, of all the many fabulous experiences I have had, this annual trip to Amsterdam is right at the top of my list of the things I enjoy the most. I love this city and the friends I have made over the years. More than anything, though, I love seeing people light up as the profound nature and significance of God’s mission begins to sink in.

This same material is something I have taught many times in other places and circumstances, but there is just something very special that happens when I teach this to someone who is outside their normal environment and a bit out of their comfort zone. The discussions, the interaction and just hanging out together in the context of learning more about the people who make up God’s world is a powerfully enriching experience.

Kasteel de Haar

Today, we began to work our way through a brief history of missions from 1500 to the present. We will finish this up tomrorow. In the afternoon we took the train to Utrecht, rode a bus and walked to a beautiful castle called Kasteel de Haar. The castle is still open even though it is undergoing major renovation. Most of us seemed to be dragging a bit by the time we got back early this evening, but no one wants to miss a single moment of this shared experience. It’s been great to see new friendships blossom among the six churches represented in this little group.

I had fun last night talking to both services, and I loved the Travis Geary video introduction! He let me preview it ahead of time. Technology is amazing. Here I am in Amsterdam talking to all of you back home over my Blackberry.

Leiseplein

Behind the scenes: For those of you who know Amsterdam a bit, I had just taken the entire group to the Leidseplein where everyone was trying to decide who was going where to eat dinner. It was cold, windy and it is always very loud in the little square called Leidseplein rimmed with bars, restaurants, street performers and coffee shops. That was the precise moment the call came through from the sound board at church – ten minutes early. It was time to speak to the second service.

“Oh no!” I thought. “I have to find a quiet place so I can do this call.” Many in the group were still debating where to eat. I left Cheryl with my Mexican sidekick Ricardo, telling them to stay put until I could take care of the call. I moved as quickly as I could down a narrow pedestrian way looking for quiet shelter from wind and a place where I would be free to talk. After walking about half a block I spotted a little niche under a ledge surrounded by the omnipresent bicycles of Amsterdam. I snuggled against the wall under the ledge and waited patiently for my cue.

Suddenly, the door to the Cafe Latino across the street flew open as a man was propelled through it as though being shot out of a canon at the circus. A tall woman with long black hair and arms flying in large and powerful gestures was following this guy. She was screaming at him, pushing, shoving and ceremoniously spitting on him. “Good grief! What do I do now? Here I am trying to talk to the church and a fight breaks out right in front of me.”

Two or three other men had now appeared as backup to the woman. Everyone was screaming and shoving. Over the phone I could hear all of you in the second service sweetly singing praises to God. Adam was leading in prayer. I really wanted to stick around and see who won the fight, but I figured I had better get out of the way. I had to move my act about 100 meters further down the street. So, I am freezing and leaning on a trash receptacle and talking to you.

No, I don’t who won or what the fight was about. By the time I finished and walked back that way, everything had cleared out. Ironically, I found out later that shortly after that some from our group went in and had dinner in that same establishment, having no idea what had just happened. When I told them the story they said that might explain there was no one else in the place when they arrived. Oh, they said the food was very good.

After our study this morning, the group got back on schedule by going to the Rysksmuseum and still had time to do some shopping. This evening, I took about half of them to a wonderful concert at Het Concertgebouw where we heard The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. Patrice and Julia had to head home to Paris this afternoon, but they were so encouraged from having been here — encouraged by all of you who have kept in contact with them and pray for them regularly, encoureaged by seeing a couple of healthy churches here in Amsterdam, and encouraged by meeting some wonderful people from five churches represented by the member of this group of folks with me in Amsterdam.