Amsterdam
October 2004

Amsterdam is the constitutional capital and largest city of the Netherlands, is located in the western part of the country. It's also on of the most cosmopolitan and cultural cities in the world. The city has an important stock exchange and is a major center of the diamond-cutting industry. Dozens of museums, historical sites, monuments and landmarks make of Amsterdam one of the most interesting cities in Europe. The city is also known worldwide because of it's liberality and by making drug use and prostitution legal. Many tourists flock the streets of Amsterdam looking for instant gratification or just amusement.

YWAM Amsterdam is making a difference by being a gateway for other kind of people  those who bring light and salt and keep the doors of hope alive in this centuries-old city.

Armando Benner, director of YWAM Amsterdam is currently leading together with Edwin Fillies, director of YWAM Miuzenberg, South Africa, the Leadership Training School with over 25 people from 15 different nations. I was invited to do a couple of live  paintings. I also had the opportunity to share about the roll of the arts in missions and the spiritual nature of the arts with the school. One of the highlights was a conversation I had with one of the guest that evening, a young Canadian specialist on book restoration. I had the opportunity to pour a few more drops of light into her soul.

I also had the privilege to encourage several talented people at the base, sharing about my own struggle with creativity, discipline and the demands associated with our calling. I challenge them to form a creative fellowship. A place where fresh new expression will come forth as a result of intimacy with Him who is the source of all creativity.

In the midst of all that goes on in the lives of  thousands of people, right in the red-light district, a light of hope is shining bright! YWAM Amsterdam has an awesome work among those in need. Recently, right next to an existing YWAM ministry, an old building from the 17th century was acquired. It will house "The Tabernacle of the Nations". Work has already started to clean the building and strip down old walls.

I have been honored with an invitation to return in February 2005 to paint murals on the inside walls. The vision for this building is primarily to have an ongoing space for prayer and worship. A place where people can come to have an encounter with the source of truth, the author of life and the giver of hope.

Amsterdam YWAM building	Mauricio painting at the beginning of the GOTN	Mauricio painting at the GOTN conference	Mauricio sharing at the conference
Amsterdam LTS class	Celebration at the Amsterdam YWAM base	Working at the Amsterdam YWAM base	Armando, the Amsterdam base leader

Mauricio in Amsterdam	Amsterdam canal	Amsterdam bridge