Pasen Week

We were thrilled to have family visiting the week before Easter. My brother Jeff, his wife Mary and their daughter Mandy were here for a week that flew by way to fast! They provided special music for Palm Sunday and played a big part in our first Good Friday Service. We planned a contemplative, quiet worship experience focusing on the last words of Jesus on the cross. By candle light, we served communion, sang together, extinguished a candle after we spent some time considering the last 7 words of Jesus, and ended our time in darkness and silence as Jeff sang the beautiful words of "Jesus Paid It All." There were 35 of us in our "upper room" apartment for that meaningful time of worship. We have posted some pictures of our time together. Below are a few thoughts from Jeff about their experience with our wonderful little group of Jesus followers.

Jeff wrote...
You asked for some thoughts and reflections on our experience for your blog. As we think back on our time there, we are impressed by the sense of community and welcome that we received from all the wonderful people of De Poort. I don't know that I've ever felt so warmly received from a group of folk I did not know. The earnestness with which they are seeking the Lord and the honesty in the sharing of their struggles is moving - this truly is bearing one another's burdens. Both Mary and I were delighted to offer some slight musical support for the services but the magnitude of the response was so embarrassingly beyond what our easy efforts merited; we were deeply humbled. It's so clear that you are having an impact and though the language and culture barriers are present, God is using you to encourage and strengthen this church body. And it was a great reminder to us how much greater is what we share with believers around the world than what separates us.
We were really blessed to be a part of your work, even for the short time we were there. Thank you so much for that opportunity!