Church Youth Group

A few weeks ago, Heidebeek hosted a youth group from a local church for a “survival” weekend preparing them for a missions trip they will be taking next summer. They slept in makeshift tents in the woods behind our house and were given all kinds of challenges, such as hanging from trees with ropes, eating around a campfire and getting pulled out of bed in the middle of the night to go on a hike through the forest.

Saturday morning, it was time for an “international” breakfast. They were sent out in groups of five to various houses here at Heidebeek for an African, Danish, Indonesian or American breakfast, the last one served up by none other than yours truly. This was intended to help them get a “taste” of missions.

Together with our (grand-)parents*

Furlough in Arizona

As many of you may know, since we got to see you while we were there, we were on furlough in Arizona in July. We enjoyed getting to see many of you even though we would have loved to have spent more time with most.

One of the main reasons for going in July was because my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in a big way. They decided to do this on Sunday morning in church with their entire church family, and it was a great way to do it, in my opinion. We would like to thank all of you again who had a part in making the celebration service(s) so special, both by your hard work before and during, but also by your presence there. Even though it was my parents anniversary, it meant a lot to us as well.

“Reverend Rodney”

Of course, any report about our furlough would be incomplete without mentioning the fact that on the last Sunday there (July 31st) I got ordained as a minister with the Pentecostal Church of God (PCOG). This was a very special service and it was even more so because I got to celebrate it together with our River of Life church family. Also, thanks to everyone who helped out with the celebration meal afterwards. A special shout out to Sean McDonald who took the wonderful photos and to Lynn and Ken Greenwall who opened up their home for the celebration meal afterwards.

Reverends Rodney and Tony Blevins*

Ordination Service*

New Staff

New Staff

In September, five new staff started working here at Heidebeek. Jolanda and her co-workers from the Personnel Department and the Staff Care and Development ministry organized a two-day staff orientation seminar. This intensive seminar is required for all new staff and helps get them acquainted with Heidebeek, living in community, the staff handbook, mentorship and living by faith, among other things.

Leading worship during the staff days

A “spirited” life

In September, Heidebeek also kicked off a the new season with their yearly staff days. The theme was “Living a Spirited (Spirit-filled) live”. We were challenged by several different teachings on the different aspects of living a Spirit-filled life. The time was very intense (or at least that’s how I, Rodney, experience it) but good.

Takin’ it to the streets

Wednesday afternoon, during the Staff Days, all Heidebeek staff took the afternoon to go out into the surrounding cities and villages to evangelize. We and our kids joined a team together with two other families and went into the local village to see if we could get into contact with people on the street. We didn’t see anyone come to Christ, but we had some good conversations. Most importantly, though, we have introduced our kids to evangelism and that they also play an important role in telling other people the Good News that Jesus loves them.

Out on the street with our kids, showing people God’s love

YWAM’s International Communication Network

On November 11th, I, Rodney will fly out to Colorado Springs, Colorado for a visit to YWAM’s International Communication Network. These are my colleagues who are helping to serve YWAM’s communication needs globally. Among the many excellent ways in which they do this, they started and help oversee the regional communication team initiative, of which EuroCom is a part, they publish the GO Manual which is YWAM’s big book of all the locations and schools worldwide, and they help maintain ywam.org.

Currently, one of the things they are doing is running the School for Mission Communication (SMC). This school, on top of the many other excellent communication schools YWAM has to offer, focuses specifically on training communication staff who will go back to their bases, nations and regions to work there. They have invited me to join them, to network with the students (maybe do some recruiting for YWAM Europe), sit in on classes, hang out with the ICN staff, etc. I have made several friends in the ICN over the last few years, but this is my first time visiting their offices, so I am excited about that.

As an added blessing, since I will be there for Thanksgiving day, my parents will be coming up to be with me and we will celebrate that together.

* photos taken by Sean McDonald