Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Summer Update: Holland!

After our week of VBS, it was time to say goodbye to my family and friends. It was a bitter-sweet time. I was so excited to be married and going to live in a new and beautiful country with my husband and yet, I was sad to have to leave behind so many that I love dearly. It is good to know that you are in Gods will though, over wise it would be unbearable! So we packed our bags and headed for our new home....

We had a short one-day stay over in Ireland before heading off once again. This time we went to Holland for two weeks. David was playing with the worship team for the big Operation Mobilization conference. There were many new missionary families and individuals there getting training before heading off into their field of service for the next two years or so. It was a very exciting atmosphere. Holland was beautiful!

David and I were recruited as mock airport personal during a training day. 

There were so many different cultures represented. I was fascinated by it all!

I spent most of my days working in the "creche" (nursery). Most of the kids spoke two or three languages. I was completely impressed and felt a little bad that I have barely mastered one. It was good fun though, trying to communicate with each other! 

We were able to do a bit of exploring and found some friendly cows.

Everyone in Holland rides bikes it seems so we just had to find some ourselves and try to look as "native" as possible. Only problem was, our bikes were ancient and make squeaky sounds as we went along. Oh well, it was still fun.

We biked to this little town and rested near a lovely canal. The sun was shining and there was a group of old men near us chattering away in Dutch. Then the bells went off and started playing a hymn!...I was charmed and completely amazed by the beauty of God's diverse creation. Gorgeous! 

3 comments:

Rebecca said...

We were able to go visit Holland right before we got pregnany with Cara. It was such a beautiful place! It's just a whole different world over here, isn't it?

Karen said...

I said it when I was there, and I'll say it again...I love the picture of you two in your "airport security" uniforms! Fun posts Mel! Keep 'em coming! :)

Josiah and Abi Wissmann said...

Oh, Melanie!

This post is too fun! I'm of Dutch heritage, and my Grandpa could speak it!:) He even had a Dutch Bible he would read out of every day! So...to have your Holland post was fun! I'd love to see it all someday if God allowed. Thank you for the post!

Blessings,
Abi Wissmann