I'm sure to no one's surprise...I was terrible at updating while I was in Europe. But my team had an awesome time as we traveled and shared the gospel in the Netherlands! We spent 3 weeks in Amsterdam working with the local YWAM base and with long term ministries in the city. We evangelized, prayed for 100s of people, served at the homeless shelter, hung out with teens at the youth hostel, and prayed at The Tabernacle prayer house which is located in the heart of the red light district. Amsterdam is such a beautiful city and it's an odd parallel to the darkness that resides there. The red light district seems unimaginable. My heart broke over this area and for the men and women trapped in lies and lust and confusion. A love is being sought after than can only truly be fulfilled by Jesus. But no matter the darkness, the drugs, the sex, etc. God is still bigger and He loves Amsterdam! Just in the last week I found out that the government is in the process of making it illegal for tourists to buy marijuana! That's just the beginning of the fruit we are going to see from the seeds planted by the Jesus loving missionaries who are laying their lives down to see Jesus glorified in Amsterdam! One thing I loved about this city is how easy is was to talk to people. When we would evangelize I found it much easier to get into conversations with people who were interested in keeping the conversation going. Part of it may just be tolerance...but people are open! They are longing for Jesus and He is pursuing them! Keep praying for this wonderful city and the Christians who live there!
(Photos by Ryan Lister)
We then traveled north to a city called Groningen. I think I can say on behalf of my entire team this was by far one of our favorite outreach locations. We stayed at the Helperkerk (Helper Church) and were treated with such love and hospitality by our hosts that we felt most welcomed to their city. We partnered with the church and their leadership team to evangelize at the local university, spread the word about at their weekly meeting called The Community specifically designed for non-believers, hangout with and pray for their youth group, and encourage the believers to keep going! Our time here flew by and before we knew it we were off on another train to Berlin to join with Burn Berlin (Burn 24-7) and the Magnet family. It was the best way to end our outreach as we got to lift up Jesus for 24 hours straight over the city of Berlin. We were also able to encourage and pray for ministries there and then just rest in God's presence. I love Burn Berlin and I love the Magnet's!
That is obviously a really brief update for what God did over 2 months...and that was just my team! Our 4 teams went to all 8 Ivy Leagues, Washington D.C., and Europe. Overall our school saw salvations and healings, and was able to do a lot of practical service as well, helping long-term ministries and churches stay encouraged, and teaching local believers how to walk intimately with God.
I am excited to announce that I will be staffing this next years Fire & Fragrance! Our staff will is traveling to Kona, HI for 5 weeks to attend the Circuit Rider Seminar where we will worship Jesus and have awesome teaching and training before heading back to Pennsylvania to start out next school September 20! (If interested apply here: Harrisburg F&F DTS) I'm excited for this next year as a whole new crew of radical young people give 8 months of their lives to grow in intimacy with Jesus and spread the gospel to the Ivy Leagues and wherever else the Lord leads!
Please continue to pray for me as I continue on this journey! I also need to raise financial support for this next year, so if you would like to partner with me financially email me at JessicaRams@gmail.com! Thank you for your support this past year & I look forward to whatever God has in this next one!
