"He gives and takes away..."

This the the absolutely true story of a boy named Richard:


Richard is a young, single, good-looking, snazzy-dressing Dutchie (I am not trying to auction him off to anyone, but I think it is worth drumming up his attributes!). He is also incredibly enthusiastic for Jesus.

His story begins on a fine Netherland day (which means that the sun was probably partly shining and the rain had either just stopped or had not yet begun. hee-hee).
Richard is very fond of boats and used to work building yachts (you know those big, gorgeous, ridiculously expensive ones? yup, he worked on those).

He also owned his own snazzy little speedster as well as a very old praam (I don't know the English word for this boat but it is all wood and flat and slowish). Yes, indeed, life was quite comfortable and seemingly perfect...until God called him to YWAM.
dun-dun-DUN!

Oh, the delimma! What to do? What to do!

It did not take long for him to understand that working for YWAM was exactly where he needed to be and quitting his job (he had just found out the company wanted to hire him on a long-term basis--he was set!) and selling his speed boat (aka. his baby) was going to be necessary to do that.

One day he went to show his boat to a prospective buyer. He decided to bring along his newsletter informing friends/family of his decision to join YWAM.
The buyer asked Richard why he wanted to sell his boat, and as Richard told him of his desire to serve God through working with DTS schools it touched something inside the man. Richard gave the man his newsletter which explained the purpose of a DTS (to create a safe environment for young people from around the world to come and meet God on a deep, intimate level).

The man had truely been touched. He contacted Richard again to let him know that not only would he buy the boat, but Richard could use it whenever his family was did not want it! AND-he would also like to support Richard on a regular basis during his time in YWAM! whoa!

The story does not end there:

Two weeks ago, a lady on our base was asked to look into a boat that a homeless man was interested in buying. She took a boat expert with her (Richard of course) to see if the boat was in good condition. It was. When the homeless man did not show further interest, Richard made a bid for half the asking price.
The seller called Richard to say he was moving to Spain and the man who originally was going to buy the boat had a fight with his wife and was no longer going to buy, so he would gladly sell it to Richard.

So this is the story of how Richard now has three boats (if you include that he can still use his old beauty...and the family is on holiday right now so he actually has access to it for 2 weeks. I got the privilege of riding around the canals in it one evening).

The boat will be used for having fun as well as riding around the canals to worship and pray over the city.

Be encouraged that when you know you should do something and it is difficult for you to do, God WILL meet you there and exceed what you could ever imagine possible...even when it comes to the more "dainty" things in life. God is a good Father and an excellent Provider.

I love you all.
Send me some info on your life...