"From a biblical perspective, fundraising is not a response to an emergency or crisis. It is first and foremost a ministry. It is a way of making our vision known and inviting others to share in our mission."

This quote from Henri Nouwen captures very nicely what fundraising is all about. In conversation with our workers, home front teams and stakeholders, I often share this quote and find that this activity comes into a whole new perspective!

Every two years International Teams missionaries from across Europe gather at a Christian conference centre in Germany. It is a time for being renewed in spirit through worship, prayer and spiritual input, renewed in body and mind through workshops and rest, plus times of connecting with one another in fellowship.

In 2023 I was in Tijuana Mexico for discipleship training. After the 3-month teaching period, I experienced that God wanted me to stay in Tijuana longer to work in Zona Norte... That's how I ended up at iTeamsNL. With and in them I found a warm team that thought along with me, guided and trained me and also offered remote support and wanted to think along with me.

In November I (John) had the opportunity to visit long-term workers, Andreas and Ligia and their three children, in Săcălaz, Romania. It was good to be with them, to listen to them and to be able to encourage them. I saw some of the village where they live, visited the nearest town, and had the opportunity to visit their church community on Sunday. 

We are currently in process with seven people to join iTeams Netherlands – two couples (with families) and three individuals. This is the most that we have received in one year and is incredibly encouraging. It has certainly stretched our office team but in a very positive and productive way.

We are Hilbert and Evelien de Vries and together with our children Sarah, Emma and Deborah, we live in beautiful Ede. Evelien grew up in Scherpenzeel and worked as a candidate civil-law notary in Barneveld until a month ago. Hilbert grew up in Veenendaal and worked as a surgeon in the hospital in Harderwijk until a month ago. On January 6, 2024, we hope to leave for Peru to work at the Diospi Suyana hospital. We would like to share something about what brought us from Ede to Peru.  

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