Day 5

Prayer:

Psalm 84:1-4

1   How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

2   My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3   Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

4   Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah

Devotion:

Psalm 84:10-12

10  For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.

11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.

12  O LORD of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Journal:

Yesterday was interesting to say the least. A few of us ventured off in the morning for our free time and did a little shopping in the flea market district. After we got a few gifts and goodies, we traveled on the metro to meet the rest of the team that was off in some part of the city. We then traveled together to a colorful part of town. We had lunch at a little pub and then walked to the Redlight District. Our intentions were to find the place of our next meeting but we had to wonder around a bit before discovering our destination. One thing is for sure; sex sells. Women in windows and adult shops make up the business district in this neighborhood. But, nonetheless, it is a neighborhood. People live here and raise their children here and the people have adapted to the “diversity” around them.

We met with Rosaliene Israel, pastor among the Oudezijds 100 community which is an intentional Christian community in the middle of the city. This former Jewish neighborhood was not very good since the 50’s since so many Jewish people were murdered in the Holocaust and houses were abandoned. Many children too were left without a two parent home and were often orphaned. As the Jewish community did what they could, the founders of the community that we were meeting with took it upon themselves to help in the efforts and build an intentional home for people seeking a community focused life. In total, the community has bought about 7 houses since the 50’s and built them to be a place where 70 people live and pray together in their daily walks. (More info on this community can be found here.) The main group of homes that have been connected together is literally right beside a sex theatre yet the community exists with raising children and living a rather orthodox lifestyle with house rules of respect and care for others. Rosaliene and her husband are a part of the inner-circle of 8 that has committed themselves to being the leaders of this community. Her grace, intellect and honesty goes to show that this community is a place for people to grow and prosper in their life together.

(This is a worship space for the intentional Christian community. It was once a sex shop and was eventually bought by the community and sanctified as a recognized worship space.)