My alpha journey

HOW I EXPERIENCED THE ALPHA JOURNEY? : 

HOW I EXPERIENCED THE ALPHA JOURNEY? ACTUALLY, UNDESCRIBABLE I CAN TELL YOU IT`S ALL ABOUT EXPERIENCING LOVE AND IT IS LIFE CHANGING

WARNINGNo one ever warned me joining the Alpha course would be this life meaningful : 

WARNINGNo one ever warned me joining the Alpha course would be this life meaningful Not only to me, also to others surrounding me I experienced it myself I can’t control it, really not IT´S GOD WHO DOES IT!

MY JOURNEYPRIOR TO COMING TO THE ALPHA COURSE : 

MY JOURNEYPRIOR TO COMING TO THE ALPHA COURSE

Born as a happy and smiling child : 

Born as a happy and smiling child As we all do!!!

At a very young age things already went wrong Family and people were being mean to me.Not because they wanted to be mean, but because of their own brokenness and own pains. : 

At a very young age things already went wrong Family and people were being mean to me.Not because they wanted to be mean, but because of their own brokenness and own pains.

While growing up, I kept my pains for myself. These were my secrets, I even told liesto cover the inside painsI never wanted people to ever feel something I had to experience. : 

While growing up, I kept my pains for myself. These were my secrets, I even told liesto cover the inside painsI never wanted people to ever feel something I had to experience. And if someone had suffered, I really wanted them to feel understood or at least have them heard

I continued life with a smile on my face. : 

I continued life with a smile on my face. Bringing love and joy to my parents, brother and sister and dear ones

sharing love and joy with family and friends : 

sharing love and joy with family and friends

Sometimes in a group… : 

Sometimes in a group…

….other times just the 2, 3 or 4 of us : 

….other times just the 2, 3 or 4 of us

Although being happy with how life proceeded and the lovely people surrounding me : 

Although being happy with how life proceeded and the lovely people surrounding me Inside me there was that little girl, that kept feeling sad and kept being disappointed by my dearest ones. I just never understood why?

So I tried to do more: Reaching out my hand : 

So I tried to do more: Reaching out my hand to people and children affected by war around in the world

Sharing love, attention and joy with people very in need in Uganda : 

Sharing love, attention and joy with people very in need in Uganda

To have them heard and to enable them to share their inner pains with others. To empower themselves again…. : 

To have them heard and to enable them to share their inner pains with others. To empower themselves again…. …and to start trusting themselves and others again

…..to make them smile again : 

…..to make them smile again To dance together and….

To play and to have fun together…. : 

To play and to have fun together….

To eat, to drink… : 

To eat, to drink… … to talk and to have a laugh together

To share love, trust, peace… : 

To share love, trust, peace… …and to make the elders proud of their children and themselves

Meanwhile I remained struggling quietly with my own pains inside : 

Meanwhile I remained struggling quietly with my own pains inside

Slide 20: 

Over the years the pain was becoming heavier and heavier more and more. Time after time I got disappointed by people I really trusted. So I went to Colombia, to bring love and a peaceful future to children affected by the suffering of War.

I was actually too busy in finding a meaning to life outside meinstead of within meToo busy looking in the camera. Not even noticing the answerjust right behind me! : 

I was actually too busy in finding a meaning to life outside meinstead of within meToo busy looking in the camera. Not even noticing the answerjust right behind me!

Ok, He might have toughtLeila still does not get the hint. Maybe it was a little difficult to see. Let’s try again this time from the front : 

Ok, He might have toughtLeila still does not get the hint. Maybe it was a little difficult to see. Let’s try again this time from the front

Still, I was not touched…. : 

Still, I was not touched….

Slide 24: 

……I still did not get it;-) Believe it or not.. even sitting like this…

Back to NL something happened I really lost all meaning for lifeI could not carry the weight inside me I realised i can not do this by myself In my anger I thought: “Great all the helping But who is there for me? I can’t help myself anymore. And I don’t want to do this alone anymore.” Being exhausted, there was CrossroadsAt that time my only hope. : 

Back to NL something happened I really lost all meaning for lifeI could not carry the weight inside me I realised i can not do this by myself In my anger I thought: “Great all the helping But who is there for me? I can’t help myself anymore. And I don’t want to do this alone anymore.” Being exhausted, there was CrossroadsAt that time my only hope.

Even better there was the Alpha course.Even better better there was AnoukEven better better better there were all of you Only during this journey, I realised that God wants nothing more than His children to be happy and feel loved. And will do anything to achieve this. He loves me and will heal me. As He does to all His children. : 

Even better there was the Alpha course.Even better better there was AnoukEven better better better there were all of you Only during this journey, I realised that God wants nothing more than His children to be happy and feel loved. And will do anything to achieve this. He loves me and will heal me. As He does to all His children.

Slide 27: 

Alpha was finally giving me the answer I was longing for all my life. Realizing I don’t want to change myself. Not at all. But I did need to place my sins on the cross and open my heart 100% to him. My motivation for being who I am and doing what I do is 1000X stronger now: Because of His love for me, His love in me and His love for all His children.

DISCLAIMERThis is my personal experience.It’s different to everyoneI never knew why I had to have these bad experiences Where my life journey went and why?Only during after the Alpha weekend I realized only God has the answerHe owns the blueprint of the master plan He will guide me He will protect meOne thing is sure:HE WILL ALWAYS BRING ME HOME SAFE! : 

DISCLAIMERThis is my personal experience.It’s different to everyoneI never knew why I had to have these bad experiences Where my life journey went and why?Only during after the Alpha weekend I realized only God has the answerHe owns the blueprint of the master plan He will guide me He will protect meOne thing is sure:HE WILL ALWAYS BRING ME HOME SAFE!

Slide 29: 

THANK GOD FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND TRUST Cristiane, my everlasting vriendinnetje, thank you for journeying already 15 years with me Kathleen, loquita, gracias por estar alla en tiempos buenos y malos, te quiero mucho!! ANOUK, lieffie, my precious shining star. Thank you for making this happen with all your big heart. A big hug and a big kiss Arie, thank you for being the first man who ever prayed for me Joke, love, thank you for KICKING that door open BIG TIME with all your power during your prayer at the weekend. Rik, for giving me the literally feeling I belonged to this circle of people during the praying outside on Sunday

Slide 30: 

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND TRUST Linda, which means beauty in Spanish, thank you to be the first person to pray out loud with and being that excited about it, I felt like a little child when we laughed afterwards. You opened the eyes of my heart! Stephan, to be the first one to pray together in a Bar. You are such a caring person. Let feelings be your guidance. Emanuelle, guapita, thank you for reading Hebrews 10 aloud for me. Say say you believe it! And our mirror touch! Frans, for being there last Sunday, to talk and hug a little together. You are such a beautiful and pure little boy!

Slide 31: 

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND TRUST Selina, thank you for eating, praying and loving together. Look forward to implemented your idea Alice, thank you for sharing your struggles with me. Mooi kloppend hart dat je bent. Candes, thank you for your amazing prayers Marre & Emanuel I love you! Sure God finds a way for the two of you Johann, like an owl you always say wise things. Not many, but very touching. Thank you!

Slide 32: 

How the journey continues? God knows! THE END You are all such beautiful travellers Thank you for journeying with me I would love to give you the same rose I received i Colombia in front of the cross and I would love to continue travelling with all of you.