Amsterdam - take one

Since I said I'd post this weekend (and certain friends reminded me this morning that I had yet to do so) I will try to write at least a little about the Amsterdam visit. Most importantly, Michelle is doing well - working hard, sharing Christ, and growing in faith. What she does still scares me - but God is using her.

First, Amsterdam is an incredible city consisting of graats (canals), straats (streets) and buildings...tall buildings, all connected to each other. There is very little open green space like we are used to here in the south. And the buildings are OLD and narrow and have steep, winding, skinny stairs ...and obviously - old buildings do not have elevators. Picture me carrying a large suitcase and carry-on bag up to the fourth floor on a staircase with steps so narrow I had to turn my foot sideways to fit on the step.

Second Amsterdam is a city of bikes. They are everywhere with their own lanes and traffic lights. Old bikes - think 1940's style. When a walker (usually a tourist) is in their way they ring little bells on the bike to tell you to get out of the way. Everyone bikes and/or walks in Amsterdam - and no one is fat. There are bikes parked (and chained) everywhere to everything. If my pictures turn out okay - and I finally took the film in today - I will have a photo of a 3 story parking garage - for bikes. It was amazing!

Amsterdam (and the other cities we visited) is a city of gothic churches. Wester Kerk (West Church) was right across the street from our hotel. The churches are old, massive stone, awe-inspiring - with stained glass and magnificent pipeorgans. Unfortunately - almost all of them are now museums rather than churches. In talking with Michelle, our host, and others - the city has a very strong religious history - but is largely apathetic toward religion.

We had the opportunity to worship with Zolder church (the congregation of believers that Michelle worships with). Zolder Church consists of about 150 (?) believers from all walks of life - who meet in 2 groups (Zolder A and B). The groups worship on alternating Sundays and the whole group meets together on 5th Sundays with small groups meeting mid-week. The worship was uplifting. At present the congregation is meeting in a backroom of a restuarant/club. Originally they met in an attic or Zolder (hence the name). Services are in English (with Dutch translations of the lessons provided). It was a very comfortable, welcoming group and I would love to meet with them again.

Another interesting visit we had (though not a normal tourist one) was our dinner and long talk with a friend of MIchelle's, Antony. Antony has a really interesting story - of how he lost his life and fortune - and how he came to find real life in Christ just when he was ready to end his life. Fascinating story - he has written an account of his experience and salvation. I am very interested in seeing what God has in store for this man. I have received an email copy of his story and hope to share it with many of you later. Hopefully, he will show up in the states in the next year and I'll get a chance to introduce him to you.

Of course, we also did the usual tourist stuff - boat tour of the canals, visit the museums - including the Van Gogh museum, toured a dutch east indies trading ship, and went to Delft to see how the Delft china is made. Two of the places really caused us to seriously reflect - the Anne Franke Haus and the Corrie Ten Boom house. Anne Frank's house was about 1 1/2 blocks from where we were staying. Corrie Ten Boom house was in Haarlem (a short distance outside of Amsterdam). I will write more about those places later.