In my last newsletter, I was about to run the Rotterdam Marathon, not knowing what would happen.
The Marathon
On April 14, 2024, I stood at the start of the Rotterdam Marathon. This event was also a fundraiser for my trip to Brazil with Goteams. Unfortunately, things went differently than expected: I broke my shinbone just 200 meters before the finish. It was incredibly painful, but I was determined to finish, and I did. The result of the fracture was eight weeks of recovery in a cast. Being forced to sit still, to be cared for, was harder than I thought...
During this time, I had a lot of time to reflect on my place at Heidebeek. I found myself asking whether I should stay with Youth with a Mission or if it was time to focus on something else. I couldn’t come to a conclusion, and this question was temporarily put on hold as I got involved with Opwekking.
Opwekking and The Vine
The largest Christian event in the Netherlands, Opwekking, took place again. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fulfill my planned role. I was supposed to help on the youth area at DE KEET, where I would announce speakers and artists on stage. In the end, I managed to be there for two days despite my broken leg and helped out at the coffee bar. It was also a time for connecting with new guys, where I had the opportunity to pray for several young people and provide a listening ear.
“The Vine,” the youth group I started last year, continued as well. It’s amazing to see how these young people inspire each other to come. We now have a group of 25 guests who meet twice a month to receive input and grow in faith. We even received a request from a church to allow their youth to join our group. We would certainly like that, but new leaders will be needed. This is one of our prayer points. Will you pray with us?
Outreaches
After fully recovering, I was thankfully able to go on outreach again. Five of us from Heidebeek drove to Switzerland and Liechtenstein for an outreach to evangelize on the streets and encourage the base of Youth with a Mission there. It was a wonderfully encouraging trip for the people there, and we had a great time as a team.
A few weeks later, on July 26, Go Fest began—a three-day festival leading up to our trip to Brazil. The focus was on meeting the team, receiving input, team-building activities, and sharing the travel plan. After three days, it was time to go. Together with 11 young people, we spent three weeks in Brazil working with the homeless, drug addicts, youth, children, and the elderly.
One aspect of our ministry was praying for people on the streets. Prior to that, we performed a drama or dance. There was a lot of openness, and several people accepted Jesus as their Lord. This trip made a significant impact on the young people; some want to go back, while others witnessed healing and have begun to believe that God wants to use them. During this trip, we also had the privilege of baptizing two of the youth
I will not soon forget this outreach!
Sitting still leads to movement
At the beginning of this newsletter, I shared the question I was grappling with. After the trip to Brazil, I noticed that the question returned. A new season with Youth with a Mission was about to start, and I felt I needed more clarity about what was to come. What role would I take in this, or was it time to go a different way? I talked to God about it, but it was challenging as my own feelings got in the way. I also asked people around me to pray for an answer: “What should I do in the coming time?”
It was through a sermon that I realized my desire to work again in the secular world had grown. To spread His light there. This was further confirmed when someone said, “I believe you will be at Heidebeek for a long time; it’s such a good place for you.” When I heard this, I immediately recognised it as reverse confirmation… Heidebeek is no longer the place for me.
The remarkable thing is that it all started with sitting still, something I struggle with. Yet, sitting still led to movement.
What does this mean? What will I do now?
The time to go has come. Yes, I will be leaving Heidebeek. This is a place where I have grown in faith, made an impact, and learned so much. Over the years, friendships from the past have faded, and I have given up various things I thought were important. Heidebeek has become my work and my home, where my colleagues and friends are. Leaving is therefore very difficult, but I know this is a good step to take.
I will finish 2024 at Heidebeek and will still be involved in various activities during this time. I hope to have my own place and job in Epe or Heerde by January 2025. My role will change from full-time staff to volunteer at Heidebeek, as I will continue with the youth group “The Vine” and remain involved with Twentyfour. My vision remains the same: “to create a place where young people can encounter God and, through that, learn who they are.”
At this moment, I am still figuring out what kind of work I want to do. I am considering further studies. I trust that God will guide me and provide for me. It’s a new adventure that is starting, and I am curious about what the future will bring.
Supporters, practical information
First of all, I want to thank everyone for the past years of support—financially and in prayer. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. Thank you, loyal readers, for following my work and taking the time for it. Thank you, EGHW, for your support and blessing as a church in backing my place with Youth with a Mission.
Now, a practical note mainly for financial supporters. It is often challenging for those coming out of missions work to be financially stable right away. It is advised by the church and YWAM Heidebeek to ask financial supporters to continue giving for three months, so the missionary can build a buffer at the beginning of their working life.
Since I will be stopping in January 2025, I would like to ask if you would consider sponsoring me until the end of March. Whether you decide to continue or not, please let me know. Do you have any ideas for a place to stay? Feel free to message me!
Thank you for reading my newsletter. Unlike before, I close this letter with mixed feelings, not knowing what the coming time will look like. Exciting, but the time to go has come.
Once again, thank you - Jelmer van de Geer
P.S. There will be one more newsletter following this.