Number 16

October-November 2002

On September 1st, a total of seven new staff members started their time of service in the hostels. One of them, Andrew Bernhard from the USA, was off to a wonderful start. On his very first day in The Shelter Jordan, he assisted a guest in receiving Christ.

Andrew (23) attended the guest bible study after working his first shift. Quite a few guests took part in the discussion and one of them stood out to Andrew. Sitting across from him was a talkative Englishman. And while the study went on, Andrew started to pray in his heart that this man would be able to hear and understand the word of God. After the study was over, Andrew sat down with the guest to talk more about the person of Christ. During the group discussion the guest had said that he believed in Christ as a prophet, but he was very open to learn who Christ really is. " At a certain point he agreed with most things I told him about Christ and salvation," says Andrew. " He kept saying 'yes'. I wondered if he would be ready to accept Christ in his life. When I asked him, he also said yes to this invitation. We prayed together and he invited Christ into his life!"

A few days later the guest left the hostel but stayed in Amsterdam. Because Andrew believes that God did not only use him to lead the guest in receiving Christ but also wants him to disciple this new believer, he kept in contact with the man. Together they have joined an Alpha-course that is being offered by an English speaking church in town. These meetings provide wonderful opportunities to learn more about the Bible and life as a Christian.

Looking back at his first day in the ministry, Andrew is very much encouraged. " I knew that I was confident in sharing my faith with people, but I always found it difficult to ask someone if he wanted to receive Christ. That I was able to do this on my first day in the hostel is very humbling because I recognise that it is God working through me. It was also exiting. I couldn't stop telling people about what had happened: God works! God works in this man and also in me!" What a beautiful confidence this is to start your six months of service with.

A.A.

One characteristic of the youth hostel ministry is that you often have to say goodbye. Each month, an average of almost 2,500 travellers stays in the Shelter Jordan and Shelter City. Some stay for a few weeks but most of them are only there for a couple of days before they leave again. In many cases we do not know if and how our ministry has had any impact on the life of these travellers. Sometimes the Lord allows us to see the fruit of the work when we receive an e-mail from a traveller. The following passage is from such an e-mail letter. Former staff member Virmel Largo received it from guest from Texas.

" I made it back home on the 13th of August after quite an amazing trip. I have to tell you that the time I spent in Amsterdam at the hostel was an intense religious experience. You and the people I met at the hostel helped me in so many ways with my relationship with God. Someone of the staff gave me little green Bible in which he wrote the inscription " For when you are lost" . This Bible currently resides in my back pocket everyday. I spent many times by myself in churches across Italy and France with this Bible, praying and contemplating.

I left home in search of something in foreign lands. What it was I did not know, but I felt sure that by my return I would in some way be enlightened. I was, and this enlightenment came through Gods powerful appearance in my life each and everyday while travelling. Some people might say its cliché to say I found God and I found myself while travelling, but I assure you this is fact. Not since cancer had I been placed in a situation where I placed all my faith in the Lord to direct me, teach me, mold and bend me into the person I am to be. It was truly an awakening to see myself reading the Bible, spending time in churches and actually listening to His message.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for every conversation, every warm greeting and any prayers that have been offered. You and the group at the Shelter are an amazing group of people with the spirit of God in each and every one of you. I once mentioned in a letter to my mom, 'Amsterdam is a city unlike any other. I would go as far as saying it is a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. With it's legalised prostitution and its drugs pushed on the public, no wonder there are four beggars on every corner. However amidst all this moral chaos is the exceptionally loud voice of God. It's as if in a city of lost souls, God can be found waiting around every corner to offer His guidance.' May God bless your days, each and every one."

The best promotion we can get is by people who have worked in The Shelters. After serving in Amsterdam, our staff spreads out over the entire earth. We would like to use this international network to inform people world wide about the youth hostel ministry. Because of this we ask staff members to become ambassadors for The Shelter.

The role description of an ambassador includes the following:
- to contact Christian colleges, Bible schools, churches and youth organisations in the area where you live
- to present The Shelter YHM to at least two different groups or organisations, using the new Shelter video tape
- to be an active ambassador and contact person for at least one year

We provide the ambassadors with brochures, guidelines for doing presentations and the Shelter video tape. This new tape is called " Amsterdam a place to be" and is English spoken. It gives a good impression of both of the hostels and the evangelism that takes place.

- All the Shelter Newsletters since 1998
- A selection of the most relevant newsletter articles
- Some articles that other magazines wrote about us
- A photo gallery of The Shelter

More than 30,000 travellers are staying in our hostels each year. This means, for us, 30,000 opportunities to bring someone in contact with the gospel. To be able to use these witnessing opportunities we need more than 60 workers each year. Would you like to become a youth hostel missionary or do you know someone who would?

We are looking for Christians between 18 and 30 years of age, willing to commit for a period of 6 to12 months. During this time you will be part of our international staff team and you will be involved in both practical work and evangelism. The Youth Hostel Ministry provides unique opportunities to serve the Lord and to share the gospel in words and deeds. Go into the world, in a place where the world actually comes to you!