Kristina
Wow... I can't believe it's almost December! Time is flying by...

A very common thing to hear around the community house is "Shelter life has it's own time zone", and it's true. Our days are so packed full of working in the hostels, small groups, MTP (ministry training program), Bible studies, church and community activities that the days seem eternal! But then our weeks seem to fly by... I've been here in Amsterdam for 4 months now - and it feels like it's been just 4 weeks. I have learned so much, met so many amazing people, heard incredible stories. It sound so glamorous and romantic when I can say: I live in Amsterdam, in a community house with missionaries from all over the world and work in a youth hostel sharing the love and message of Christ with backpackers... and some days it is. But it's not easy. It's exhausting physically, mentally and spiritually. I have been challenged in so many ways, but at the end of the day, God is good, He is the reason I am here - and I'm more in love with Him than ever!

I was so blessed 2 weeks ago to have my mother come for a visit. It was a very short trip (only 6 days) but it was an amazing time of catching up, showing her the work I am doing, and allowing her to be a part of the community for a few days.


We are now in a "low" season in the community, where we have a shortage of staff... This makes covering the shifts at the hostel difficult (meaning we all get multiple shifts a day), but low season also gives us an amazing time to grow closer as bothers & sisters.

Last week we hosted Thanksgiving for all of the staff, managers, and paid staff at the hostels... about 30 in total. It was incredible to see the community gather together to pull off such a huge feast! All day Thursday we cooked, decorated and had spontaneous dance-parties to Justin Bieber's Christmas album (I definitely wasn't the DJ for the day). After feasting we has a time of prayer and worship as a community, and then we all piled together in the living room to watch Miracle on 34th Street.
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favourite holidays - but this year was the best of them all.

The beautiful Farah

Liza

Cooking up a storm...

A work in progress...



I am so beyond blessed to be a part of this community and ministry.

Hopefully from this point on I will do better at updating you (no promises though!).
I hope you all have a blessed holiday season!
Xoxo
Stina

P.S. Here is a random (and blury), yet recent photo of me and my roommate Kirsten. :o)