Issue 2, July 1st, 1999

Dear Friends,

In this issue of our newsletter we would like to give you an impression of Easter in The Shelter. You can also read about the renovation of the Eben Haezer. We also have breaking news: the names of the hostels will change! The Eben Haëzer will be named The Shelter-Jordan and The Shelter will be called The Shelter-City. We hope you enjoy this issue of WWW.hostels! And don't forget to return the reply form!

Despite the fact that most of the tourists in The Shelter were just looking for a fun weekend away, we wanted to share something of the Easter message with everyone who stayed in the hostel. With this goal in mind, we hung five large picture frames in the lower hallway. The brightly coloured frames were artistically created by Sonja Seitz, one of our staff. In each frame was a collage based on the lyrics of a Christian song. The song texts told in a very touching way of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These very contemporary expressions of the Easter message were meant to help the hostel guests pause for a moment and reflect upon Good Friday and Easter.

Perhaps one guest passing the frames had never heard about the crucifixion death of Jesus or understood why it happened and, in taking time to read, was touched by the words from "Strange Way." In the eyes of the world it was indeed strange that the Son of God had to die on a cross. What was He trying to do? What was the purpose? Martyn Joseph considers this question in his song:

For others walking the hallway the purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross is well known, they have heard the story time and time again. Even to these who know it well, sometimes it can be so difficult to really let Christ’s death reach deeply and penetrate the heart. We, even as Christians, can find it so difficult to comprehend the pain, the love, and the wonder of Good Friday.

It is so important to remember that the crucifixion on Golgotha and the resurrection on the third day are not only events from two millennia ago. Easter is a reality, even here and now. Even today, life wins over death and light is stronger than darkness. In a world full of war and misery this hope, the hope that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ, is something we cannot do without. There may be times in your own life when pain and sorrow can gain the upper hand, times when it feels like a shadow has fallen over your heart. The weight of this shadow can feel like a heavy stone... a stone that has been rolled over the entrance of your heart. The final victory in Easter is that the stone has been rolled away. Do you have a stone over your heart

that Christ can remove?

The fact that Jesus has indeed rolled the stone away and is alive was proved again this Easter Sunday evening. During the afternoon we, as Shelter staff, presented a program with a variety of music and drama. After the program was finished we had the opportunity to serve over 80 guests a free meal. The snackbar was so full that there were even people eating their macaroni out in the garden! After the end of the meal, one of our volunteers had a long talk with a Dutch guest. This boy had already stayed many times in The Shelter and in the Eben Haëzer and always showed great interest in the gospel. Today he was touched by this particular presentation of the gospel. He decided to take the step to choose for life with Christ. This was a wonderful closing to this Easter Sunday. For this boy, a well known song text by M.J. Stephens became reality:

Auke Algera

(Songs #2 & #3 by Rich Mullins)

As you know the staff and volunteers in the Youth Hostel Ministry come from all over the world. We are very grateful for all these people.

We would like to present to you the current staff and management.

Angela Weiland (USA), Mirek Plchot (CZE), Mari Lintunen (FIN), Grace Son (KOR), Jim Gieser (USA), Angela Maxwell (USA), Benjamin Wolfe (USA), Francisca van der Meer (NL), Paul van der Geest (NL), Amy Jacobsen (USA), Jaap Maljaars (NL), Alanna Foster (NL),Nenad Tongez (SER), Gysie van der Niet (RSA) ,Bogdan Pandrea (ROM), Elina Brilman (NL).

And the management: Jacob Kops, Marijke Tulp, Rosemary Barrett, Winette Hubregse, Tineke Alderding

Sara Johnson (USA), Jens Staudle (GER), Clare Cantwell (IRL), Sarina Haas (NL), Laura Craig (CAN), Karin Samuelsson (SWE), Trudy Huttinga (NL), Martin Muller (SWI), Jonnie Shumate (USA), Karin Verboon (NL), Ralph Wilms (NL), Mareike Bode (GER), Alexsis Chapin (USA), Mimi Kao (USA), Matt Crum (USA), John Traylor (USA), Vanessa Grant (USA)., Stefan Nobauer (A)

And the management: Pieter Visser, Gijs van Deuren, Hennie Tijsseling, Johanna van Stapele, Auke Algera, and new:Jaap Oudman.

Please, remember the hostels in your prayers. To give you some idea's:

In the Eben Haëzer this year already seven persons accepted Christ as their saviour. Praise God, but please, also pray for their spiritual growth. You can also pray for the contacts and Bible studies with the guests and the cleaners in both hostels.

In The Shelter we had great series of staff trainings this spring. For both hostels we would like to continue to improve this and to develop a one year training program.

A lot of changes are taking place in the managing of the hostels. The ass't managers get more specific tasks and many structures and procedures will be improved. To make this happen we need extra ass't

managers. We are gratefull for Mark Vermeulen, starting this month in the Eben Haëzer. The Shelter is still looking for a extra person.

Please also pray for new staff for the coming season. Especially technical (building) insight is very welcome.

A lot of things have changed in the Eben Haezer. Two years ago we renovated the snackbar and this year we renovated the bathrooms. We installed a new heating system, to make sure all guests can enjoy a warm shower. The metal sinks with only cold water have been changed for nice wash tables with cold and warm water. On the groundfloor we created a small office behind the reception. Next to the kitchen we made a extra room, with a dishwasher. An other important change is that we have built a wall in the F dorm. As a result we have three dormitories on both floors with 14 to 20 beds. The whole hostel now has 104 beds (it used to be114 beds). Much of this was necessary because of new rules by the government.

The renovation took four weeks. During this time the hostel was closed. We had our re-opening on March 30. Now we are ready for the new millennium. Please, pray with us that our loving God will send people to this lovely place. Pray that guests will experience that this is a place where they can find a goal for their lives and peace in there hearts. It is exciting when people come for a bed and they find a new way of life. This year already a group of four men made a decision to follow Christ and many others have heard the gospel. That is what makes this ministry so special. Thanks for being involved with this Christian work.

Jacob Kops

24th July: Faith Wen & Nathaniel Walter, in Bethesda, Maryland, USA

31st August: Tyleen Magee & Auke Algera, in Amsterdam

1st October: Dorothea Buhlmaier & Mirek Plchot, in Nagold, Germany

After the summer you might be shocked if you were to call the Eben Haëzer. Instead of the ‘Christian Youth Hostel Eben Haëzer, how can I help you?’ you will hear ‘Hi, this is Shelter-Jordan, ....’. What !? A new name. Yes, indeed.

Both names of the hostels are going to change. The reason for this is that we thought that the name Eben Haëzer is not a very attractive name to the tourists. First of all, it caused many pronounciation problems world wide. Besides this, in Holland the name is mostly used for old peoples’ homes. Furthermore, for outsiders the name Eben Haëzer did not reflect clearly what we want to be for the guests (like the word Shelter does).

Allthough it was hard to find a new name, we have decided to use the name The Shelter for both hostels and to add something to these names to make them different from each other. The Shelter is going to be called The Shelter-City and the Eben Haëzer’s new name is The Shelter-Jordan. Both hostels are going to use the central logo of Christian Youth Hostels, The Shelter. This logo will reflect the joint ministry we have in Amsterdam.

The official change of names will take place after the summer season.

This is all part of a marketing program for the hostels. Former Eben Haëzer ass't manager Bart Steenbergen is in charge of this.

Contact for the newsletter is Auke Algera at The Shelter,

Barndesteeg 21,

1012 BV Amsterdam,

the Netherlands.

E-mail: shelter@globalxs.nl