Karen’s Story“Ever since I met you guys, my life has changed so much. Six months ago, I was full of doubt and did not know what I believed about God or if I would ever go to a church again. Now I find myself talking to God all day long and thoroughly enjoy being inspired every week when we get together.”
Karen had grown up going to church, but around seven years ago quit. She stopped going because the view she received of God was not one of love. Her upbringing was very legalistic and she felt looked down upon if she did not believe like everyone else around her. People who did not belong to there group or were from different religions were seen as enemies, particularly Muslims. Karen was very confused about God, the church, and her own self-worth. Disappointed, she stopped going to church full of doubt and insecurity not wanting to have anything to do with the kind of religious and unloving God presented to her.
Karen first came in contact with a member of our church at an Iftar meal, a dinner during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, hosted by Muslims. That lady told her openly and excitingly about her church (New Life West). She was surprised to find Christians who did not fear Muslims, but who shared with them and called them their friends. Still it took her six months to actually visit our church for the first time. Since then, God has been doing a radical change in her view of herself, of the church and of God. She has experienced Christ’s unconditional love and grace in her life which motivates her to not fear or doubt about God, but grow in an intimate and personal relationship with him.
Baby Dedications
Another milestone for our church this year was of dedicating our son Levi along with two other babies. That day was a celebration of not only their lives, but also a celebration of our church. On that day, the large school room we use for monthly celebrations was filled with family members, friends, and neighbors who came to witness this memorable day. One person commented, “I have been praying for years for a church in our community in which I would feel comfortable bringing my neighbors and friends who don’t know Christ yet. Now that prayer is being answered.”
A Great ‘Problem’
This last year, we had a problem in that our house was too full with people coming to our church on Sunday. However, we decided that instead of renting a building every Sunday for a service, we would take our one church and multiply it into three. This multiplication has been great and brought us into contact with new people in a very personal setting, a home. Perhaps what makes this most special is to see the people who are a part of our church. We love to sit in a home full of individuals like Karen, who have come to know Christ in the last six month to two years through our church. These people are individuals whom we have poured our lives into and now are overjoyed to hear them express their love for Christ. They are in one sense our spiritual children and we believe that their faith in Christ will cause more people to come to know Christ’s and his unconditional love.
We want to thank you for being a part of our ministry and lives here in Amsterdam. It is your generous support and prayers which keep us here sharing God’s unconditional love to the people around us. Thank you very much and God bless.
Matthew, Femke, Judah, Hannah, and Levi Helland
Karen had grown up going to church, but around seven years ago quit. She stopped going because the view she received of God was not one of love. Her upbringing was very legalistic and she felt looked down upon if she did not believe like everyone else around her. People who did not belong to there group or were from different religions were seen as enemies, particularly Muslims. Karen was very confused about God, the church, and her own self-worth. Disappointed, she stopped going to church full of doubt and insecurity not wanting to have anything to do with the kind of religious and unloving God presented to her.
Karen first came in contact with a member of our church at an Iftar meal, a dinner during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, hosted by Muslims. That lady told her openly and excitingly about her church (New Life West). She was surprised to find Christians who did not fear Muslims, but who shared with them and called them their friends. Still it took her six months to actually visit our church for the first time. Since then, God has been doing a radical change in her view of herself, of the church and of God. She has experienced Christ’s unconditional love and grace in her life which motivates her to not fear or doubt about God, but grow in an intimate and personal relationship with him.
Baby Dedications
Another milestone for our church this year was of dedicating our son Levi along with two other babies. That day was a celebration of not only their lives, but also a celebration of our church. On that day, the large school room we use for monthly celebrations was filled with family members, friends, and neighbors who came to witness this memorable day. One person commented, “I have been praying for years for a church in our community in which I would feel comfortable bringing my neighbors and friends who don’t know Christ yet. Now that prayer is being answered.”
A Great ‘Problem’
This last year, we had a problem in that our house was too full with people coming to our church on Sunday. However, we decided that instead of renting a building every Sunday for a service, we would take our one church and multiply it into three. This multiplication has been great and brought us into contact with new people in a very personal setting, a home. Perhaps what makes this most special is to see the people who are a part of our church. We love to sit in a home full of individuals like Karen, who have come to know Christ in the last six month to two years through our church. These people are individuals whom we have poured our lives into and now are overjoyed to hear them express their love for Christ. They are in one sense our spiritual children and we believe that their faith in Christ will cause more people to come to know Christ’s and his unconditional love.
We want to thank you for being a part of our ministry and lives here in Amsterdam. It is your generous support and prayers which keep us here sharing God’s unconditional love to the people around us. Thank you very much and God bless.
Matthew, Femke, Judah, Hannah, and Levi Helland
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