march 2010
from the
volume 31, issue 1
This month we introduce you to the Lighthouse.
In October 2009, after a summer of reflection
and prayer, we commemorated the Cleft’s
rich heritage as a starting point for the future
(see the website for more details). After thirty
years of fruitful ministry, it was clear God was
directing us into a new beginning. He is already
shaping a unique identity and purpose for our
community of YWAMers living and working
in the Red Light District. We believe the
Lighthouse will be a symbol of hope to many
who feel trapped by or unsure how to fight
against systems of injustice.
A couple of years ago, our women’s team had
an eye opening experience with a prostitute
we had befriended. A Hungarian woman, who
spoke little English, scrawled SOS on a piece
of paper and handed it to one of our outreach
workers. This cry for help came alongside
many other signs that she had been trafficked.
This woman’s voice is just one of 27 million
individuals globally who are the victims of
modern day slavery. They are encountering a
physical, psychological and often spiritual
nations
to the
nations
THE LIGHTHOUSE
shedding
light on
injustice:
Our vision is to
expose sexual
injustice while
empowering
both victims and
our community
to fight for change.
prison. After that particular incident, we
began to see a trend of girls from vulnerable
Eastern European countries who were
clearly trapped in sex work. It was a wake up
call for us which lead to desperate prayers
asking God for a practical response to daily
and obvious injustice. We realize that providing
services to individuals after they have
experienced such trauma isn’t enough;
in order to see change we must address
the root issues in our culture and society
which allow for systems of injustice to continue.
That means all of us taking responsibility
to be active members in a community which
places God-centered value on our neighbors;
instilling dignity, destiny, and hope. We are
also challenged to pray with compassion for
the perpetrators of injustice: for the pimp,
the client, the gawking tourist, the trafficker,
the lover boy, the owners of brothels and
influential leaders who remain silent because
of corruption or fear. We know each victim
and perpetrator was created by God and it is
our goal to share the freedom and wholeness
Jesus offers with them! cont’d on page 3 ....

letter
from
armando
online missions
www.ustream.tv/channel/dance-against-injustice-1
The future of online missionary work is a deep
ocean we are excited to dive into. We have
seen exponential technological growth since
the birth of the internet over thirty years ago.
We have watched the statistics climb as both
young and old of this generation have not only
embraced it, but demand it. Millions are using
the internet to not only access the world, but
the very city in which they live.
Dance Against Injustice is a project of the
Ethnos ministry and is a live stream webcast
which is similar to a radio broadcast. A radio
broadcast is regional and can only be heard
in local areas where as a webcast has video
and can be “tuned” into from anywhere in the
world with the potential to reach millions. The
show aims to spread awareness of local and
international injustice issues in a chat box
forum. By getting the word out people can
activate and begin or join initiatives changing
their communities for the better.
Moses Gomez
dear friends,
The whole chapter of Isaiah 42 is a challenging
one. The Lord starts by declaring how his soul
rejoices in the Messiah, His chosen one, and
why He has put His spirit on Him. The Messiah
will not cry or lift up his voice or make it heard in
the streets. The Godhead is planing something
very quietly in the first verses of this chapter.
Something that is not making a lot of noise. It
reminds us of any war strategy, like when the
Allies invaded Normandy. They planned the
invasion in secret for month. The Nazis were
not expecting them to enter into France in
such a way. God was planing something utterly
amazing and the mission is given in the first
verse: “He will bring forth justice to the nations.”
Justice, often personified by a blindfolded
woman holding a scale and a sword, can not
be just blind. It is more than the administration
of law and authority. It is a genuine concern
for fairness, peace, righteousness and respect
for people and human dignity, regardless of
gender, color, age, nationality, education,
status and religious background. Justice and
righteousness in many languages are translat-
ed as the same word. In the Hebrew language,
it is translated as Tzdaka. For instance, the
name Melchizedek, the King of Salem who was
honoured by Abraham, comes from the
composition of two words Melech (king) Tazaka
(righteousness). Therefore, one could say he
was the “King of Justice”. That is the order of
Jesus’ priesthood: justice! The same word is
used when you give with generosity towards a
good cause, and most importantly, the core of
its meaning is in relationships.
Relationships are what God governs the most.
The fruit of the Spirit which are love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, and self-control. have always
had everything to do with relationships; to
the restoration of justice. That is the Spirit of
God. That is in the Messiah. We have joined
the same mission and according to Isaiah 42,
the earth must be filled with 2 things.
1 New songs or houses of worship and
prayer in all the nations, cities and the
spheres of society.
2 24/7 acts of justice in all the nations,
cities and spheres of society.
God wants to see His justice here on earth.
To see right relationships with Himself and
with one another being restored where greed
and carnal pleasure have over taken. To see
human trafficking, sex trafficking and war
children stop He is so committed to see this
happen that a strategy which started so quiet,
so inconspicuous, starts growing like a lion
roar, like a Brave Heart warrior shouts, like
a woman who is in labor, so the whole earth
will know God has an opinion when it comes
to issues of justice, and it is His opinion which
must be heard and done.
Therefore I rejoice in our hosting the Academy
of Justice here in Amsterdam, and in the
partnership between the Tabernacle of the
Nations and the Lighthouse. Yes, we want to
see people coming to Jesus, but yes, we want
to see nations being deeply transformed in
its foundations so the driven force won’t be
profit, selfishness, but love and justice. Three
things He the Lord demands from each us, to
act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before
the Lord.
Shalom,
Armando Benner
(Base Director, YWAM A’dam)
 THE LIGHTHOUSE
continued:
Starting in April 2010 we will formally open our
doors embracing our new name and identity.
Our goal is to become a regional centre
for training in Europe to unite YWAMers,
believers and the greater community to
respond. One project will be our resource centre
hosting a library of materials on various
subjects of sexual injustice. We will continue
our services & outreach to women, yet wish
to develop more spiritual, educational and
economic opportunities for those whose desire
is to stop sex work and for those trapped in
cycles of addiction. Please keep us in your
prayers. If you would like to find out what role
you can play, contact us! lighthouse@jmeo.nl
Melissa Gomez
(Leader of the Lighthouse Ministry, YWAM A’dam)
Desi & Lisa Freyling
Shayla & Nykoli
Nationality: Canadian
Staff since: 01/2009
Ministry: Kompassion / LTC
Lighthouse
Why did your family
join YWAM Amsterdam?
To see God use us in the lives of others who
are being affected by gender issues.
Can you share something
about your ministries?
With ‘Kompassion’, our focus is on sharing
testimonies and teaching in the community
on God’s perspective on homosexuality.
As well, we mentor those struggling with
same-sex attraction. We are working with
a team to start the Living Waters program
(for sexually and relationally broken) in
Director: Melissa, Moses & Pascal Gomez
full time
part time
Annemieke Roering Sean & Tania Filidis
Amsterdam. With the ‘Living Tree Centre’
(LTC), we mentor YWAM staff towards greater
wholeness. Desi is also the building manager
of the ‘Lighthouse’ where we live. Living in
the Red Light District is a ministry in and of
itself. The sex industry is not something that
promotes families, but the Lord has allowed
us to live here as a God-fearing family moving
in the opposite spirit, affecting the spiritual
atmosphere just by serving and worshiping
the Lord Jesus through our daily activities.
How do you personally deal
with the injustice issues you
face in this city every day?
We live in a neighborhood full of injustice.
Yes, our hearts break from the destruction
the sex industry causes, but we are not
overcome with devastation. Instead, we see
how God is moving, knowing our seen and
unseen actions and heart-attitudes are
changing the atmosphere, welcoming God’s
glory to reign here. As we walk past the
windows (where the ladies work as prostitutes)
or the sex shops, we walk with the authority,
love and grace of the Holy Spirit. We are
not amazed by the sin, but instead, by God’s
unending love and mercy as He shines His light
Assistant Director: Edna Vallenilla
Evelien Hammersma Mike & Johanna Duran
Building Managers:
Moises, Maria Teresa & Rivka Chacon Desi & Lisa Freyling
in the
spotlight
even brighter in the dark places. We walk with
hearts that say: “God’s love is greater than
any counterfeit of the enemy. Every one of
these precious ones is on a journey and God is
at work in the hearts of His lost children.”
What is the vision God has
given you for Amsterdam?
Our desire is to facilitate the healing of sexual
brokenness for those affected by gender
issues and other sexual issues. Sexual
brokenness is often at the core of our inability
to connect deeply with the Father. When we
allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us about our
sexual brokenness, we receive His healing
and freedom. Our vision is to facilitate this
restoration in people’s hearts.
Parting thoughts ...
God is into the business of bringing us back
to Himself, close to His heart, freeing us from
the chains of the past. As a family, it’s our
desire to partner with Christ and follow His
lead in restoring people to Himself.
Website: www.thefreylings.com
Email address: desiandlisa@hotmail.com
UPCOMING SCHOOL Discipleship Training Schools
The DTS is an intensive discipleship course focused
on missions which encourages young adults to grow in
prayer points
their relationship with God. This course is for those who
want their lives to count for eternity. It’s about learning
the ways of God, hearing His voice and allowing Him to
transform your life. Thank God for the Lighthouse! Pray for the blessing of the Lord to be upon
the staff as they work to establish this ministry in the Red Light District.
July DTS (Korean / English) Pray for the perpetrators of injustice: for the pimp, the client, the gawking
July 11 - December 10, 2010 tourist, the trafficker, the lover boy, the owners of brothels and influential
leaders -- that they will be able to find their freedom and wholeness in Jesus.
September DTS (Dutch / English)
September 26, 2010 - February 25, 2011

January DTS (Dutch / English)

Thank God for the Dance Against Injustice project from the Ethnos ministry!
Pray for continual insight for this team into the endless opportunities of
January 9 - June 10, 2011
the digital and online world. Pray for the DJs as they share their music
across the globe through this forum and for the people who engage in
the chat box to discuss and challenge each other to take action against injustice.
TESOL (Teaching English to
Speakers of Other Languages)
March 17 - April 30, 2010
Thank God for the Freyling family: Desi, Lisa, Shalya & Nykoli! Pray for them
and their heart to see God use them in the lives of others who are being
affected by gender issues. Pray for the impact they’re making by living as a
Christ-centred family in the middle of the Red Light District. Pray also for the
English as a Foreign Language ministries they’re part of with YWAM A’dam (Kompassion, LTC & the Lighthouse).
May 3 - June 11, 2010

Intercessory Missionary Internship

July 4 - September 18, 2010

For more information on any of the above schools

or for a registration form, please contact us at the
address below or e-mail: reg@jmeo.nl

8
MISSION BUILDERS NEEDED
We have a lot of maintenance work to be done
and are extending the call for brick layers,
electricians, painters & generally handy Christmas caroling in the Red Light District
people to come to Amsterdam for up to 3
months and serve the base. Room & board is
provided. Contact us at: applications@jmeo.nl

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