Imagine this (this is how one of our kids invites us on a daily basis into her imaginairy world, and now I'm trying the same with you), you are on your way to a friend. It's a 40 minute walk and although you don't really like walking in the winter, you know you have the get moving. You're almost turning 40 and you need to start excersising. So instead of the bike or the bus you decide to walk. You try to enjoy the walk despite the fact that it is cold and grey. It's not easy, but you manage to set your mind on other things but work and endless to-do lists. And then, all of a sudden the ground in front of you cracks. You freeze, with surprise in your eyes and shock. What is happening? And before you can really think clearly about what just happened the ground underneath you dissapears and after a long free fall you hit the ground. That was it. No more thoughts, no more walks, no more to-do lists. This - was - it. If such a particular situation would happen to me, ...
A few weeks ago I joined my friend to a closed asylum centre. We organised a bible study with everyone who would like to join. So, we usually prepare the room and then go out to invite people. The centre is often a reflection of what is happening in the world. Many Palestinians were in as were many people from different African countries. Where there is war, there is a refugee flow. Some of the familiar faces were ready to come. And then we met two new guys, from Palestine. They asked what we came to do, and I said: ‘we are going to read from the Injil, we will pray and we will sing together. We want to share with you about Isa, your prophet. You are very welcome to join!’ Against all odds one of these guys gets very enthusiastic and says: ‘yes, I will come. We all need to think for ourselves.’ He shared that he comes from an Islamic background and he is very much convinced that it is important to think for yourself. He is ready to hear about a different faith. He and his friend ca...