While preparing for this weekend’s silent retreat in Hungary, I came across this piece of art with the title: Choosing peace. It is not only the harmonious art that I love, it is also the…
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How a beggar became a pastors wife
How a beggar became a pastor’s wife It was Summer 2013, and our family visited the little church in Darda for the first time. We met the Nicolić family: Đeno, Biljana, and their four children.…
The religious map of Croatia
In the heart of the square of Osijek is an angular bronze statue. A big, heavy man points to the ground while he gazes with a stern look to the horizon. This country, this land,…
Welcome to the plains of Hungary!
Silence in Hungary: 26–29 April 2019 Stay with Me A quiet time between Easter and Pentecost. You are warmly invited for a weekend women’s retreat where silence, chapel moments, local food, and fellowship are all…
Silence on a Sea That Once Was
It went like this: A friend asked on Facebook, “Hey, who will watch my animals while I am on a journey?” I knew that she lives on a beautiful farm in the Netherlands, so I…
Still Life
This month, I am hosting different days of silence in the Netherlands. I feel very honoured to be able to host a day in which I combine silence and writing. When I sent out the…
What to do when you face loneliness?
It is Christmas break. The snow is slowly falling down, and I should be happy. I see people on the street visiting their loved ones. People visiting others. They all seem to belong somewhere. My…
Wedding
The wedding of Sasha and Ellie. What a party! What preparations! What a feast! What excitement! Every detail was in place. Sasha is the son of our friends Biljana and Đeno Nikolić. They played a…
Heights (and depths) of 2018
19-12-2018 19-12 1999: first kiss;-) 19-12 2000:engaged 19-6 2001:married Highligth of this day;-) At the end of this year, I gladly share some heights and depths of 2018.(2016 , 2017) Visits from and to friends…
The agony -and beauty- of language learning
Ajmo lepotica (Serbian) Ajmo ljepotica (Croatian) Let’s go, beautiful (English) I bought my vegetables at the market, and the woman greeted me friendly with: Ajmo ljepotice, vidimo se! Language learning is a real challenge, not…
The Arrival of Winter and the Shaping of Community
Today a guest post by our co-worker Helen. She gives an impression of our work in the village. I gladly share: Winter arrived quite suddenly here in Croatia, with an immediate drop in temperatures…
Pepper seeds in the pocket of a refugee
“Hey!” I exclaimed when I saw peppers in full bloom in the garden in the middle of Germany in the summer. “Usually, you see peppers more to the south than here.” “That’s right,” answered the…