Stichting Oog voor Breda supports missionary, diaconal and pastoral work within Bible-believing congregations in Breda. In practice, this means supporting the Mattheüskerk in Breda Noord. Bible study is given to refugees from the AZC, online Bible study is given to asylum seekers and status holders, monthly Neighbourhood Church is organised for local residents, Bible study is held with residents of a nursing home in the neighbourhood and an Alpha course is organised.
These activities are carried out by neighbourhood pastor Corline Schouten, church worker Bas Keijzer, volunteer Kees Paans, together with volunteers from inside and outside Mattheüskerk.
Trading with Elon Musk
Church worker Bas Keijzer writes:
"A day in the shoes of ...? Imagine being able to trade a day with, say, Willem-Alexander, with the president of America, a top footballer, an evangelist, a teenager in a war zone, a refugee in the AZC." We put this question to our young people at catechism. And from that question, we told them that Jesus went through the mud of our earthly existence; that in doing so, He had our salvation in mind. To finally arrive at the question: What does Jesus' suffering and resurrection mean for you and me personally? An important question to prayerfully answer again and again, not only for young people, but also for older people. It is beautiful every catechism evening to see how all the different young people in our congregation ponder this and similar questions: young people growing up in our missionary congregation; young people who were refugees themselves and are now seeking a place in our society.
It makes small to see God Himself working in our congregation. Outwardly, this is visible in the growth with new members and regular visitors. We have now been allowed to work in this part of God's kingdom for almost six years, and so far we have also accompanied six confessional meetings. Despite the fact that every Monday evening it is exciting how things will go this evening, we are grateful to experience God's blessing on the catechism groups.
Oh yes, and there was one of the youngsters who would like to trade days with Elon Musk.
It is not about the number of
Missionary worker Corline Schouten writes:
"Yes one halal and then two vegetarian, one with dairy allergy who can't stand paprika either and then one vegan and oh yes, it's Lent of the Orthodox Christians so they eat only vegetable in the evening. So shall we ask two people to cook or can we do that in one dish?"
No, you are not reading into the local restaurant's app group, but it is about the Alpha group. We are very grateful to tell you that we started an Alpha course last February. Together with some other churches from Breda, in our building.
The first question often asked then is "were there many people?" The answer is not so easy. One time, there are 30 of us eating, but of those, 6 are children, who go home after the introduction. Another time, we eat with just over 15, of whom 10 are participants. It is, like most activities here, very opaque how many people will come. There are those who sign up and never come and there are those who are there all of a sudden. I also don't think "were there many" is the main question.
They are wonderful evenings with good conversations. But our biggest challenge remains entrusting ourselves completely, Alpha and all, to our heavenly Father. We trust that none of His words return empty!
No yes-but, but amen
Volunteer Kees Paans writes:
Most of my work among refugees consists of Bible studies. Sometimes with people who know nothing yet, other times with people who already have a lot of knowledge. You can learn from both.
I do Bible study with Nigerians. Among them is a low-literate sister. To involve her in the Bible reading anyway, we agreed that we would all read the Bible passages aloud in chorus. I can tell you that being together like that gives a dynamism (= power) to the Word!
I do Bible study with people from Sierra Leone. They have only just switched from Islam to Christianity. And very eager to learn. At the end, we conclude with prayer. These brothers and sister repeat out loud every line of prayer. Hearing the verbatim repetition of my words, after two lines I really prayed for them and from their point of view. I literally went ahead in prayer.
For example, I had Bible studies with a woman from Tunisia. She had been Muslim but had seen Jesus in a face and had / was immediately converted to Christianity. This believing woman knew nothing yet! But everything we read and discussed she soaked in like a sponge. Without any reservations, she accepted everything handed to her from the Bible. Genesis 1 and 2, 3, Isaiah 53 and Luke. What certainty this sister had in all her difficulties. Everything was for her! No "yes-but" but "amen".
I do Bible studies with Iranians and Afghans. These brothers and sisters have a habit of responding with "Amen!" after every Bible passage read. It will be true and sure/ I believe. An eye-opener to answer every Bible passage like that. Amen!
These messages are reproduced with permission from the spring newsletter of the Foundation Eye for Breda.
