Dear friends and mission-partners,

Let's get right to the point: we have moved to another residence in Tasiilaq and we have started to realize the expansion of the missionhouse.

Let me start with news about the expansion. We finally got the permits this week to start building the extension. This means practically that we are focusing on the expansion of the children's room starting in November. The foundation should be ready by then.

What is needed and what do we already have?

Finance
We now have about 60,000 Euros available and could use another 20,000 for the first part of the extension. That first part is about the children's room and a storage room. The second part we don't want to build until next year, which is about the meeting room, which we will almost double, so that the land is used to the maximum. For support you can use the following account.

Workers
We are in contact with a few people who already want to come. But we would like to welcome more carpenters here. It would also be good if an electrician can come.

Lodging
We have also found a place we can use for the volunteers. This house has a living room and 2 bedrooms. We will take care of the accommodation costs.
If all this appeals to you in some way, please let us know. We would love to hear from you.

Our Focus
Sometimes it's good to get our focus refreshed and straight again. Why do we do this? It's very simple. We do this because we need extra space to facilitate the Gospel. While the Gospel is free, its facilitation is not. It requires sacrifices from many people. And when there is such heart behind the work, the grace of God cannot help but be with us. He builds His church and also leads us in the practical matters of it. The sacrifice Jesus made for us is so out of all proportion, and it is His love that compels us to tell people of the Gospel. That is also why we were also greatly encouraged, that someone wanted to buy us a house in Tasiilaq, when we had to move out of our rented house.

That house is a good stopover, where some things need to be repaired and the kitchen replaced. At the time of writing this has already been ordered in Denmark and will arrive by ship in September. We are planning to build a shed there as well, as there is a little lack of space. Of course, we can use good help with that as well.

The planning for the construction of a completely new house is still in the works at the moment. In September we will also start the services again and we trust in God that we will continue to bear fruit.

Will you pray with us that this village will come to know the power and love of God?
Warm greetings!
Peter and Thinka

Dear friends and mission partners,

At the moment we are in Europe for 1 month allready and have had several meetings in Germany and in Switzerland. In the north of Germany we were invited to speak. From there we could even see the coast of Denmark. We speak the language, but had never seen the country of Denmark.

During the service, there high up in the north, the Holy Spirit was powerfully poured out on the group of people, and in the evening we rejoiced. As we rejoiced, the news came that I knew had to come one day... As of August 15, we have to leave the rental house we have lived in since 2015. And so with that we come to the end of a special season.

Dear friends and missionpartners,

Jesus promised us that if we would abide in Him, we would bear lasting fruit. And even though this was recently brought to our attention, it is sometimes difficult for us to be here.

The culture is not ours, the language is a barrier and there are hardly any development opportunities for our children. We live in a village of 2000 people, which is known as “the village where children disappear”. That's a documentary you can find, in Danish. And this area is known for (relatively) the highest suicide rate in the world (Youtube).

A few months ago, our son's best friend was removed from home, along with the other children, because of his home situation. But before that, he stayed with us every week, had his clothes in our son's closet, borrowed an unlimited amount of socks and was part of our family. This was how it went for years. Sometimes our children asked whether or not he was a brother. But from one day to the next he disappeared to another village on another island and we lost him. That's what childcare had decided.

Provisions
Nature is rugged, which means we are more cut off from the outside world in the autumn season, when the snow starts to fall. The last ship to supply our village will arrive in November. We were recently able to buy a good third freezer of 300 liters through donations, which we completely filled with whale meat for our four sled dogs and with salmon that we caught for ourselves and others.

Live more effectively
We are still very happy with our car, which had to be repaired with another second-hand engine. During storms we can now get the boat on land and put it back in the water if possible. But this season is now over. Thanks to the car, our lives are a lot more effective. We no longer have to spend half a morning picking up a package at the post office or hanging up invitations for the soup kitchen in the village. We can bring friends home or pick up our own kids. This saves a lot of time and gives us more options.

This also gives us more time to do other things. As previously written, we now have four sled dogs. There is very little to do here, so we just have to participate in what is possible. We have to accept the costs of food and buying a sled and equipment for the dogs. It is healthy to be outside and be able to relax mentally.

Now that the sailing season is closing, there seem to be more seats occupied in the church. The building is starting to fill up again. Unfortunately, we were unable to expand this year because we could not muster the energy and cooperating parties did not respond. It is a desire for next year.

God's Spirit moves...
In all this, God's Spirit moves the hearts of people. Hopefully we can baptize 4-5 people soon. We have also started two home groups, which are slowly starting up. New people come in almost every week and become convinced to commit their lives to Christ. We see how God suddenly transforms people. But the persecution that follows is not small.
Sometimes there is great strife in families. Why? Because the changed lives gnaws at the conscience of the other family members, who still live in darkness. Being scolded, rejected and misunderstood sometimes means that some people give up and stop coming. Discipleship is also a difficult topic... it feels like sometimes we take three steps forward and two steps back.

We could use outside help, for example for our website, which is now almost 10 years old. Otherwise the costs would be around 700 Euro if we had it done. Is there anyone who can help us and possibly keep track of it (or teach me)? It would also be helpful for Katharina if someone could think along with her about practical implementation of children's ministry.
Prayer is always helpful, especially since we are looking for a somewhat larger home here in Tasiilaq.

Zoom meeting
We would like to tell many more stories, but it is too much for an update. That is why we want to organize a Zoom meeting soon to catch up.

Tuesday, November 14, 7:00 PM Dutch time is the date on which we will hold this meeting. Please let us know if you want to join so we can send you a link. Hope to see you soon!

Kind regards,
Peter and Thinka

Dear friends and Mission Partners,

Our stay in Europe
During our leave in Europe we had about 11 meetings with different groups in different countries. During these meetings, we shared several testimonies. We have often added that these testimonies may not be common, but are told for the glory of God.
Confronting deliverances that God has done. But also healings that are "unacceptable" to the rational mindset. But God is Spirit and He is now doing His work through His Church.

Dear friends and mission-partners,

We've been off the radar for a long time, but we have a lot of good news because of that. With this short update we want to give you an insight into what we have been through in recent months.

We see that the ministry has expanded since we started using the “House of Peace”. People are growing in following Jesus and that is not without a struggle. We grow in relationship with each other and are more closely involved with problems that people are entangled in. But at the same time we also see that God allows us to grow through setbacks and pain. We learn to embrace every situation, ups and downs, because we realize more and more deeply: we cannot be disadvantaged!

The summer period
This summer, unlike in previous years, we did not have a so-called 'summer break'. We continued with the weekly Bible school, on Thursdays. It was amazing how well attended the evenings usually were. Almost every time there was someone new. And the power of God was mightily seen every time through healings and deliverances.

We also were able to baptize 4 people in the river. As we did, we also saw how God's Spirit immediately opened the ear of a baptized person when she came out of the water. The hearing was only 70% and now she could hear completely with it. God is confirming His Word beautifully.

Whenever it was possible, we went out by boat. This way we could catch fish and spend some time in nature and with each other. The construction and furnishing of Joël's new room has also taken us a bit more than we expected – but we are very happy with the result.

In the course of the summer we were also able to further furnish the mission house. There are now tables and kitchen utensils etc. present, which opens up new possibilities. And finally, the entrance is finished. Our carpenter friend couldn't come to help, so we had to let a local company do the work.

The Power of God
I think that we almost always see a new person in the meetings every week because God's power continues to manifest among us. Once there was a woman who had been unable to walk normally for years. She walked very slowly and in great pain behind a walker, until the Lord took away the inability  all at once. Over the next few days, her strength grew and she even ran to her daughter's house. Her daughter then also came to faith in Jesus. Our faith should not rest on human wisdom or fine words, but on the power of God working in our midst. It is a pleasure to be part of and I hope it strengthens you in your trust in God. But even with such a great miracle, she was told by several:”ah, what they believe there is not real… “ to which she replied: "this -that I can walk again- is otherwise very real to me."

New initiatives
In September we started again with weekly Sunday services and now that the house has been furnished we could also start a number of new activities: a youth Bible evening, a soup kitchen financed from a monthly second-hand sale and evening meetings (coffee and cake) to promote relationships. It took a little longer for me, Thinka, to start with the girls-meetings again. But I got a “yes” again and a vision for it.
Soon we want to start with “life groups” and we are working on a preparation process for the “installing” of two deacons.

Can you include us in your prayer, so that Gods Word will be preached and people will be saved?
 
Warm regards!
Peter and Thinka

"Does Corona affect the building project?" This is the most common question we get. A quick answer is this: strangely, not really. Because we are currently on schedule and even plan to start construction earlier.

“On schedule” practically means that we have ordered the material for the foundation and the house! Great news of course! On April 1st, we placed the order with the expectation that the money for its transport will arrive on time. This completes the first phase. We are very grateful for that! Production has started and the architect in Denmark is doing his utmost to get everything on time to the first ship to Tasiilaq. This will arrive in early June.

The second phase has started!
This means that we are looking for volunteers and financial support.
• before June 8th, the remaining money for the transport must be received (10,000 Euro)
• The money for electricity and plumbing must be received by the beginning of July (55,000 Euro). This work has to be done by the locals, because specific knowledge is needed (legislation, environmental requirements, etc.). This also includes wages.
• a buffer is very desirable before the 1st of July, for unforeseen costs (15,000 Euro).

Are you building with us?
Anyone who wants to help is welcome. We are well aware that corona does play a role in this, because maybe there are not flights. But we just go on with this adventure. All national flights will fly again in early May, because Greenland is corona-free.

People are needed from mid-June to early September. Our preference is the month of July. It takes 1.000 hours to build this building. A befriended Greenlandic carpenter comes to help us for 5 weeks, so we need 5 more people to build the house in 1 month. Are you participating? www.missionhouse-eastgreenland.com

We are happy to answer your questions and think along with you about accommodation, travel and, for example, insurance. You can reply to this email if you want.

Warm greetings!
Peter and Thinka

In 2015 we started missionary work in Greenland. In the beginning there were about 4 people structurally comming to the Sunday services. In the meantime, that number has grown to around 20 people per Sunday. The place we rent for these services is still the same, but that will soon change. The building will receive a new owner in April and its purpose will change. That means that we will no longer be able to rent it for Sunday services and need a different location soon.

Good news!
We have always been on the look out for a good alternative. Fortunately we found one. The municipality of Tasiilaq has offered us a nice location to build an own facility. On July the 15th we hope to start building a new missionhouse. Together with many supporters 110,000 Euro has been saved. We are very happy about that! But that is only half of what is needed to realize the entire missionhouse. Before the end of March we still need 50,000 Euro. With that we can purchase the foundation and building materials for the house and transport everything by ship from Denmark to Tasiilaq. The rest, 70,000 Euro, is needed by the end of May for plumbing and electricity work. There are pending applications from various funds that could provide for a part.

Do you want to consider contributing financially? We are looking for 100 people who, before the end of March, want to invest 500 Euro into the construction of the missionhouse. Thinka and I will be the first ones to put in 500 Euro each. Together we can achieve the goal! You can transfer money via this link or make a transfer to the account number mentioned at the end of this e-mail, subject “Project 486”.

How wonderful it would be if we had a permanent place, from where the Kingdom of God can spread over Tasiilaq and the surrounding villages. We can already see it: a spacious building for the Bible school, Sunday services, deliverance- and healing services, and more! We long for more people to come to know Jesus so that their lives will be changed. Like for example the one of a mother, who shared that she experiences Gods peace so much that she is not screaming anymore at home. Wonderful for her husband, who also came to faith, and her children. We are so grateful to God for doing such things. The facility that we plan to build is necessary so that this work does not have to stop, but that it can grow even more.

Practical help?
In the period between the 15th of July and the 15th of September we need people who want to help with the construction of the house. Are you interested? We look forward to receive an email from you.

A warm greeting,
Peter and Thinka

How can we describe a move of God's Spirit in an update?

Our great desire is that a church comes into being, in which unity and the grace of God rule. The wonderful thing about this work is that we cannot do it ourselves. But the promise we trust in is that we will bear fruit when we stay in Him. And we also want you to enjoy that fruit. Slowly, step by step, we see how God's Spirit touches people.

Last month three people were baptized! Three people who realized what Jesus had done for them and who wanted to leave their old life behind. With the Bibleschool we started to look into the stories about the birth of the church in the book of Acts. It is impressive to see how decisively Christians acted in their faith. With persecution, miracles and unity, they lived a new life in Christ.

One of the first stories we listened to, was about the outpouring of God’s Spirit. During the worship and the prayer that followed, several people were deeply filled with God's Spirit and peace. The pain in the neck, knee and back also went away with different people.

The next story was the one of the lame beggar, who was healed by Peter and John in the name of Jesus. The question was raised if Peter and John prayed for healing. Whoever knows the story knows that they did not. They simply spoke with authority under God's guidance and the lame man was healed. That was a wonderful revelation for us. A week later someone enthusiastically shared that she had folled this example with her son, who had a fever. The fever disappeared like snow in the sun! Praise God!

Through these stories there is a growing awareness among us that God desires to have a church that is decisive in love. A group of people who helps one another in their needs. A group who has left behind their old way of living and looks after eachother. That also means that that we address the elephant in the room and resolve old conflicts so real unity can come.

How will God's Spirit continue to challenge us in this?

To our great joy we heard that something beautiful was happening among some Greenlanders, in which we played no role whatsoever. One of the persons who had been baptized had participated in a course in which quitting alcohol had also been a topic. She mentioned that she did know someone with practical experience. After a phonecall, people were taken to Linda, who has been following Jesus for a few years and whose former life with alcohol has stopped. The group of people listened to her story and the question was raised: “how did you get rid of the alcohol?” The answer was heart-warming: “It wasn't myself, that was Jesus!” And she could testify about her new life in Christ and how He has changed the life of her husband and her so tremendously.

Do we see here how local Christians are standing up and starting to reach their own people ...?

A completely different subject is the mission house that we want to build in July 2020. We already have a lot of money available for that, which has been collected in the last years. We still need 100,000 Euros to be able to make the vision of a mission house reality. Could you pray for open doors and Gods supply? Check for more information on www.missionhouse-eastgreenland.com.

Thank you for participating in the work of God here in Eastgreenland. Some have just joined this work and others have been participating for years. In both cases, you share in the fruit of this work and we hope that we are able to let you also share in the joy that is rising here!

Connected in Christ,
Peter and Thinka

In the past month there has been national attention for Tasiilaq. Statistics of abuse and the great lack of help have reached the ears of politics. When you consider that every third child, since 1995, has suffered sexual abuse, it is really dramatic.

Politicians are helpless. “Once a month a psychologist flies over to Tasiilaq.” But that's like trying to extinguish a blazing forest fire with a water gun. The cause of every fifth person who dies is suicide. In the Netherlands that is one in a thousand.

But we have the message in our heart that offers a solution! The gospel brings hope and life. God is not slow and is not absent. His presence and wisdom heal when people seek Him. At the beginning of May we held the annual course "Pain of the heart". For this, a pastor from the west coast flies over to us to teach and counsel for a week. His ministry is based entirely on gifts. 14 people (8 new participants) have faced their pain - sometimes for the first time. I am thinking of one woman in particular, who before the course did not understand why they are so angry and tired of each other at home. She wanted someone to come and pray away the spirit that must be causing these problems. Now she has discovered that these feelings are related to the many abuses she has suffered. Traumas have been touched by God and people have forgiven the perpetrators. It was special and intensive again and there is still a long way to go - with God's help!

Unfortunately, the costs for the course are not yet covered. Would you like to help us with this?

Our furlough in Europe

We are already preparing for the trip to the Netherlands and Germany. We eat as much fish as possible or give it away, so that at least 1 freezer will be empty... We look forward to meeting you and to be able to share many more details that are not suitable to tell via the digital way.

In the Netherlands we have a mission evening in the Pentecostal church "Morgenstond" on Saturday July 6, starting at 7:30 PM. Address is César Franckrode 58 in Zoetermeer.

We would also be happy to visit you and your house-group. If you are interested, feel free to mail.

Storytelling

Since we started to change the Bible school, because we wanted more interaction, we see that God is doing something new. When we talked about the story of the Tower of Babel for example, it became clear that people are again going their own way. And then suddenly the promise comes to Abram! Something big is coming. It is exciting to see how God gradually reveals Himself and His plan. You would think that people already know everything. But nothing is less true. The stories are fresh and new and bring about change in people (and us).

Warm greetings from Greenland and see you soon!

Peter and Katharina