5/26/11

Een moeilijke week

De laatste paar weken hebben jullie weinig van ons gehoord, deels komt dat doordat we een drukke en heftige tijd achter ons hebben liggen waar we graag wat over willen delen.
Zoals jullie misschien weten is het voor ons bijna onmogelijk om via de natuurlijke manier kinderen te krijgen. Maar ook al voordat we dat wisten, hadden we het er al over gehad dat we ook graag wilden adopteren. In 2006 kregen we op een bijzonder manier Efraim. We hebben zijn biologische moeder leren kennen en toen hij nog geen 3 dagen oud was mocht hij met ons mee naar huis en binnen 6 maanden was de hele adoptieprocedure rond. Binnenkort wordt hij alweer 5 jaar. Daarmee nam de afgelopen maanden ook onze wens toe voor een 2e kindje. De hoop op een zwangerschap hadden we nooit opgegeven, maar hoe langer dat duurde, hoe moelijker het soms ook is om daar nog in te blijven geloven en hoop voor te hebben. (Nu alweer 7 jaar!)Gelukkig zijn er verschillende voorbeelden uit de bijbel (bv Sara, Rachel, Rebekka en Elisabeth) die ook geen kinderen konden krijgen, en ook zij hadden vaak hun hoop en geloof daarin opgegeven, en desondanks kregen ze een heel bijzonder kind!
Begin dit jaar zijn we wat concreter gaan nadenken over een volgende adoptie, we wilden ons op de wachtlijst zetten, want de kans dat een volgend kindje net zoals Efraim bijna letterlijk uit de hemel in ons gezin zou komen vallen is natuurlijk klein. Maar een aantal weken geleden werden we door vrienden benaderd of we geen tweeling zouden willen adopteren, wow, daar moet je wel even over nadenken, uiteindelijk hebben we ja gezegd. Maar toen bleek dat er ook al een andere familie geinteresseerd was, dus dat ging aan ons voorbij. Wel kende de persoon een ander contactpersoon die weer iemand anders kende die zwanger was en een gezin zocht. Uiteindelijk bleek dat de zwangerschap nog maar in een vroeg stadium was, en dat het beter zou zijn om nog wat af te wachten. Dat was best wel moeilijk omdat je toch snel verwachtingen schept.
Toen werden we opeens afgelopen woensdag door deze contactpersoon gebeld. De dag ervoor was er een baby geboren en de moeder wilde het kindje afstaan omdat ze thuis door haar man mishandeld was. Gelijk hebben gebeden om Gods leiding, en dat Hij waar nodig deuren zou openen en sluiten. Toen hoorden we weer een paar dagen niks. Uiteindelijk hoorden we vrijdag dat de baby maandag uit het ziekenhuis ontslagen zou worden en dus bij ons zou kunnen komen. De contactpersoon had inmiddels de baby en moeder bezocht in het ziekenhuis en we kregen al een hele reeks foto’s! Zaterdagavond ontmoetten we de contactpersoon om meer info te krijgen over de moeder, de situatie e.d. Toen waren er wat dingen onduidelijk over de legitimatie van de moeder, maar ook over of het hele proces wel helemaal legaal verlopen was. Dat alles maakte dat we een soort van rollercoaster van gevoelens hadden, je wilt het zo graag, maar aan de andere kant twijfels en onrust, dat zowel bij mij als bij Jander en dat gaf dan ook best wel wat spanning tussen ons beiden. Uiteindelijk wisten we zondagavond pas laat na heel wat onderzoek helemaal zeker dat alles ok was en helemaal legaal. Wat waren we blij! De volgende dag zouden we alleen hoeven wachten op het telefoontje dat de baby uit het ziekenhuis ontslagen zou worden, zodat we het proces in konden gaan. Dat weekend waren we dan ook druk bezig met kleertjes, lakens en luiers wassen, het bedje schuren en lakken, de wandelwagen uit het stof halen, noem maar op, overal in huis kon je wel babyspullen vinden die we nog van Efraim hadden. Die dagen hebben we ook van al de emoties maar weinig geslapen, maar, zo hielden we ons voor, zo waren we alvast voorbereid op de gebroken nachten met een baby! Maandagmiddag ging uiteindelijk de telefoon van de contactpersoon, met helaas geen goed nieuws..... de moeder van de baby was samen met de baby en de vader uit het ziekenhuis vertrokken zonder een teken van leven achter te laten.
Wat een teleurstelling, we hadden ons er al helemaal op ingesteld, ons er praktisch en emotioneel op voorbereid en nu dit! Nog steeds begrijpen we het niet helemaal. Maar we willen erop vertouwen dat God het beste met ons voor heeft en dat Hij daarvoor de juiste tijd weet. Maar makkelijk is het niet, het voelt alsof we iemand verloren hebben (en dat hebben we ook). Elke keer weer was ik verbaasd dat het nog maar maandag was, want door alle dingen en emoties voelde het alsof we al een volle werkweek achter de rug hadden. We willen jullie vragen om hierin voor ons te bidden. We zijn erg blij en dankbaar met de vrienden die ons in de afgelopen dagen hebben bijgestaan, Mirjam die net dit weekend bij ons op bezoek was vanuit Natal (God’s perfecte timing!), Peter en Selma, Sandra en Sebastião, Dayanne&Fabiano, Josi &Keri. Het is goed om te merken dat we zowel de goede als moeilijke momenten met elkaar kunnen delen, om nog maar niet te spreken van al de mensen die deze dagen biddend achter ons hebben gestaan!

A dificult week

The last few weeks you have not heard a lot from us, in part because we had a busy and heavy few weeks and we’d like to share a little bit about that.
As you may know, for us it will be almost impossible to have children the natural way. But even before we knew about that we had talked about our wish to adopt one day. In 2006 we received Efraim in a very special way. We got to know the biological mom and before he was 3 days old he came home with us, and the whole adoption procedure was done within 6 months. He will be 5 years old soon! Because of that the last few months we were thinking more about a second child. Until than we never had given up the hope for a pregnancy, but the longer it took, the harder it is sometimes to keep believing and hoping. (It’s been over 7 years!). Luckily there are several examples in the bible (Sarah, Rachel, Rebekkah en Elisabeth) who also couldn’t get children, and they also had given up hope and did not always believe that they would, and inspite of that they had a very special child!
In the beginning of this year we started to think more concrete about a next adoption. We wanted to put our name on the national adoption list, because the chance that a baby would almost literally fall from heaven into our family -like Efraim did-is not that big. But a few weeks ago friends asked us if we would consider adopting twins, wow, we had to think about that a little, but in the end we said yes. But then we found out there was also already another family interested, so it didn’t happen for us. But this person knew somebody else that was pregnant and looking for an adoptive family. In the end we found out the pregnancy was only in an early stage and it would be better to wait a little. That was hard because it’s easy to create certain expectations.
Then suddenly last week on Wednesday we were called by this contact person that the day before a baby was born and the mother wanted to give it for adoption because she was maltreated by her husband. We prayed right away for God’s guidance, and that He would open and close doors where necessary. Than we didn’t hear anything. Finally Friday we found out the baby would be released from the hospital on Monday and that same day he could come to us. The contact person had visited the mom and baby in the hospital and we received many pictures! Saturday night we met with the contact person to get more info about the mother, the situation etc. A few things were not clear about the mother’s id, but also about whether the whole process was totally legal. This caused us to be in a rollercoaster of emotions, we wanted this so bad, but at the same time doubts and anxiety, both in me as in Jander and this even caused some tension between us at times. Finally Sunday night late after lots of investigation we knew for sure that the whole process was ok and legal. We were so happy! The next day we would only have to wait for a phone call that the baby was released from the hospital so we could start the process. The whole weekend we had been busy washing clothes, sheets, diapers, sanding and painting the crib, get the stroller out of the dust, you name it, there were baby things we still had from Efraim all over the house. These days we did not get much sleep because of all the emotions, but as we said, this way we were already be prepared for the broken nights with a newborn baby! Finally on Monday afternoon we received a phone call from our contact person, but unfortunately not with good news….. the mother had left the hospital with the baby and her husband and did not say anything to anyone.
We were so disappointed, we had been looking forward to this, had prepared ourselves practically and emotionally and now this happened! Still we have many questions. But we want to trust that God wants the best for us and He knows the right time. But it is not easy, it feels like we lost someone (and we did). Every time I felt shocked by the fact it was still only Monday, because through all things that happened and all the emotions it felt like we had already had worked a full busy week. We would like to ask you to pray for us. We are very happy and grateful for the friends that have been with us these last few days, especially Mirjam from Natal was spending the weekend here (God’s perfect timing) Peter en Selma, Sandra en Sebastião, Dayanne&Fabiano, Josi & Keri. It’s been comforting to find out we have friends to share the good and the hard times, also the many people that stood around us in prayer!

Semana dificil….

As ultimas semanas vocês ouviram pouco da gente, parcialmente porque passamos por um tempo cheio e conturbado e gostaríamos de compartilhar um pouco sobre isto.
Como vocês talvez saibam para nós está quase impossível de engravidar de maneira natural. Mas já antes que a gente descobriu falamos que a gente gostaria de adotar também. Em 2006 recebemos de maneira muito especial o Efraim. Passamos a conhecer a mãe biológica dele e quando ele tinha menos que 3 dias a gente pode levar ele para nossa casa e dentro de 6 meses todo o processo legal foi finalizado. Em breve ele já vai fazer 5 anos. Com isto o nosso desejo para um segundo filho aumentou nos últimos meses. Sempre tivemos ainda a esperança por uma gravidez, mas quanto mais tempo passa, mais difícil fica às vezes de continuar crer nisto. Felizmente tem vários exemplos na bíblia (p.e. Sara, Raquel, Rebeca e Elisabeth)  também não podiam mais ter filhos, elas  muitas vezes perderam a fé e sem esperanças  mas mesmo assim receberam um filho muito especial!
No inicio do ano começamos pensar mais concretamente sobre uma outra adoção, a gente queria colocar nosso nome no cadastro nacional. Porque a chance que uma outra criança ia cair quase literalmente do céu em nossa família, assim como Efraim, era muito remota. Mas algumas semanas atrás amigos perguntaram se a gente não queria considerar a possibilidade adotar gêmeos. Uau! Nós tivemos que pensar um pouco, mas finalmente decidimos dizer sim. Mas aí descobrimos que  outra família já estava conhecendo os pais biológicos dos gêmeos para adotar. Mas a pessoa conhecia outra pessoa que estava grávida e procuravam uma família. Depois um tempo falou que ainda era muito cedo e teríamos de esperar mais um pouco. Isto foi bastante difícil, porque criamos expectativas muito fáceis.
Mas esta pessoa de contato nós ligou semana passada na 4a feira, um dia antes um bebe nasceu e a mãe queria colocar a criança para adoção porque ela era maltratada pelo marido. Oramos logo para que Deus guiar-nos, e fechar e abrir portas onde necessário. Mas alguns dias ouvimos nada, finalmente na 6ª feira ouvimos que o bebe ia ter alta na 2ª feira e podia vir conosco. A pessoa de contato já tinha visitada a mãe e o bebe e recebemos várias fotos! Sábado à noite encontramos com a pessoa de contato para receber mais informações sobre a mãe e toda a situação. Algumas dúvidas surgiram sobre a carteira de identidade da mãe e também sobre a legalidade de todo o processo. Isto tudo fez nos sentir em uma montanha russa de emoções. Nós queríamos  tanto, mas ao mesmo tempo vieram dúvidas, inquietações, tanto em mim quanto em Jander e isto até causou tensão entre nós as vezes. Mas finalmente na tardezinha de domingo  depois de muita oração, investigação e ter  certeza que tudo estava  okay e legal. A gente ficou tão feliz! No próximo dia a nós só precisávamos esperar ó telefonema que iria dar  alta do hospital para que nós começar mos  o processo. O final de semana toda a nós estávamos ocupados lavando roupinhas, fraldas, lençóis, lixar e pintar o berço, tirar o carrinho da poeira, tudo isto, na casa toda tinha coisinhas de bebe espalhada que a gente ainda tinha do Efraim. Por causa de todas as emoções nós dormimos muito pouco, mas nós falávamos. Assim nós já estamos preparados para as noites mal dormidas com um recém-nascido! Segunda à tarde finalmente a pessoa de contato nos ligou, mas infelizmente não com boas noticias..... A mãe do bebe junto com bebe saiu com marido dela e não deixou nenhum sinal de vida. Que decepção, nós tínhamos tanta expectativa! Estávamos preparados na pratica e emocionalmente e agora isto!
Ainda não entendemos tudo. Mas queremos confiar que Deus tem o melhor para nós e que Ele sabe o melhor tempo. Mas não é fácil, sentimos como perdemos alguém (e perdemos mesmo). Cada vez ficava quase chocada em descobrir que só era segunda feira ainda, porque com tudo que passamos e todas as emoções sentia como já tinha passada uma semana inteira cheio de trabalho. Queremos pedir vocês para orem por nós. Somos felizes a gratos com os amigos que ajudaram muito nos últimos dias. Mirjam de Natal estava passando este final de semana aqui em casa (tempo perfeito escolhido por Deus!), também Peter e Selma, Sandra e Sebastião, Dayanne&Fabiano, Josi & Keri. Foi muito bom perceber que podemos compartilhar tanto os momentos bons como os momentos difíceis. Não se esquecendo de mencionar todas as pessoas que nós cercaram com oração este tempo! Se esquecemos de alguém nos desculpa nos !….

5/3/11

03-05-2003

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Today we’re celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary!!!

Hoje estamos celebrando 8 anos de casados!!!

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Actually this picture was on the second of march for the civil wedding

Na verdade esta foto foi dia 2 de maio, o casamento civil

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We got married in the middel of the mountains, just outside Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Eu entrei com meu pai, e Jander entrou com minha mãe, porque a mãe dela não veio.

Nós casamos no meio das montanhas, perto de Belo Horizonte. I walked in with my dad and Jander walked in with my dad, because his mom did not come.

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A menina que trouxe as alianças era uma meninas da casa de restauração para meninas, Jander trabalhou com ela durante a triagem e ela queria muito ser a dama de honra!

The girl who brings the rings was one of the girl of the girls restoration house, Jander worked with her when she was in her trial phase and wanted really badly to be our bridesmade!

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A santa Ceia foi trago por uma menina e menina de Casa Refúgio, casa abrigo de JOCUM para crianças com HIV onde nos conhecemos e trabalhamos, enquanto Jander cantava uma musica para mim! Infelizmente o Amilton faleceu ano passado, também meu imrão que estava no dia, não está mais aqui, lembranças boas com saudades….

The Comunion was brought by a boy and a girl from the Refuge House from YWAM, a home for children with HIV where we met and worked, while Jander sang a song for me! Unfortunately Amilton passed away last year, also my brother who was at our wedding is not here anymore,  good memories while missing them….

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Recebendo a benção

Receiving the blessing

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Depois tivemos um jantar preparado por amigos queridos, e um bolo delicioso que também ganhamos!

After we had a dinner prepared by dear friends, and a delicious cake that was a present as well!

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Lua de mel: alguns dias em Anchieta, Espirito Santo e 10 dias em Salvador, Bahia!!!

Honeymoon: a few days in Anchieta, Espirito Santo and 10 dias in Salvador, Bahia!!!

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Você acha que acabou? Não casei de novo!!!! No mesmo ano com mesmo homem, 3 meses depois, só que agora o casamento foi no meu país, na Holanda depois de ter passado 2 anos no Brasil!

Do you think that was it? No, I got married again!!!! The same year, with the same guy, 3 months later, only this time the wedding was in my country, in Holland, after having spent 2 whole years in Brazil!

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Você pode ver a diferença? Desta vez a gente já estava mais relaxada, e realmente curtindo o momento! Usei o mesmo vestido, mas acessorios, buquet, cabelo e maquiagem diferente, no outro dia tive que mandar de volta o vestido em uma caixa de correio para brasil porque era alugada!

Can you see the deiference? This time we were more relaxed, and really enjoying the moment! I used the same dress, but diferent acessories, another bouquet, diferent hair and makeup. The next day I had to send the dress back to Brazil because it was a rental!

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Tiramos as fotos em Elburg, minha cidade, que é uma cidade histórica

We took the pictures in my city, Elburg, a historical city

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Adoro estas fotos, tentando fazer Jander comer o ‘haring’’ tradicional peixe salgado (cru) de Holanda, come assim mesmo, segurando no rabinho! Ele não gostou…

I love these pictures, trying to make Jander eat the traditional ‘haring’ a salted (raw) fish, that you eat like that, holding it’s tail! He didn’t like it so much…

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A noite tivemos um culto de ação e graça onde louvamos Deus por o que Ele tem feito em nossas vidas e fomos unidos pelo pastor. Depois festajamos com amigos e família, a maioria ainda nem conhecia Jander!

At night we had a thanksgiving service at church where we praised God for what He has done in our lives and we were anointed by the pastor. Than we celebrated with friends and family, most of which did not even know Jander yet!

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Estamos muito gratos com o que Deus tem feito em nossas vidas depois de nosso casamento!

We are very grateful with what God has done in our lives after we got married!

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5/2/11

regenboog - rainbow– arco-iris

Hoe mooi is het om met dit wakker te worden:

How beautiful it is to wake up with this:

Como é lindo acordar  com isto:

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Genesis 9:16

“Als ik de boog in de wolken zie verschijnen, zal ik denken aan het eeuwigdurende verbond tussen God en al wat op aarde leeft.”

"When the rainbow is in the clouds I shall see it and call to mind the everlasting Covenant between God and every living creature of every kind that is found on the earth."

“Toda vez que o arco-íris estiver nas nuvens, olharei para ele e me lembrarei da aliança eterna entre Deus e todos os seres vivos de todas as espécies que vivem na terra.”

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5/1/11

Pasen–Easter–Pascoa

Mat. 28:6

Hij is hier niet; want Hij is opgestaan

He is not here; he has risen

Ele não está aqui, porque ressuscitou

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We begonnen paasochtend met een heerlijk uitgebreid ontbijt en natuurlijk mogen échte paaseitjes niet ontbreken!

We started Easter morning with a delicious big breakfast and of course real Easter eggs made part of it!

Começamos a manhã com um grande e delicioso café de manhã e claro que verdadeiros ovos de páscoa não podiam faltar!

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Natuurlijk wil mama ook wel een eitje schilderen!

Ofcourse mom also wants to paint an egg!

Claro que mamãe também quer pintar um ovo!

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‘s Middags gingen we naar de boerderij toe waar we met z’n allen een heerlijke maaltijd voorbereidden!

In the afternoon we went to the farm where we prepared a delicious meal together!

A tarde fomos para o sitio onde preparamos um almoço delicioso juntos!

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Voordat we gingen eten hadden we eerst een tijd van aanbidding en gebed

Before started eating we had a time of worship and prayer

Antes de comer tivemos um tempo de adoração e oração

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En samen deelden we het avondmaal

And together we shared Communion

E juntos celebramos a santa ceia

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En om de middag af te sluiten weer samen zingen en bidden en God’s woord delen

And to end the afternoon more singing and praying and sharing God’s word

E para fechar a tarde mais um tempo de cantar e orar juntos e compartilhar a palavra de Deus

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We hopen dat jullie net zo’n gezegend paasfeest hebben gehad als wij!

We hope you had an Easter just as blessed as we had!

Esperamos que vocês tiveram uma Páscoa tão abençoada quanto a gente!

Video

Video about our family and ministry….

 
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