AMANDA THOMAS AMSTERDAM

AMANDA THOMAS AMSTERDAM

What comes to your mind when you hear the word missionary? Well, I remember missionaries visiting our church when I was growing up. It was my idea of a “free night” because I didn’t have to sit still and pay attention to a sermon. They always brought little wooden toys and trinkets hand crafted by the people groups they worked with. And of course, there was always a slide show with pictures of the dark skinned natives, wearing the missionaries’ long-sleeved, white shirts and dress trousers. I have to admit that when God called me into the mission field, this was my idea of what I was getting into. You can imagine my surprise when I discovered just what it was that God meant for me when He called me to be a missionary.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of going to the Amazon, or to some remote African village, sleeping on the ground and even the possibility of having to eat fried bugs. And I won’t be surprised when that day comes. Experiencing different cultures is very exciting to me and I believe that is part of what God has called me to.

So, why Amsterdam? There aren’t any jungles there, or indigenous people groups who don’t wear much and never eat with forks. No, but it is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. I am going to Amsterdam to join YOUTH WITH A MISSION (YWAM) as staff for two years. I am going to be part of a team that is pioneering a new movement called Nations to Nations. Nations to Nations is a mobilized group of people including musicians, worship leaders, teachers, pastors, tribe leaders, etc. who will be visiting different indigenous people groups throughout the nations. Our motive is to teach these people that God has given them a treasure in their culture and He longs to see them use it to bring Him glory. The Nations to Nations conferences will involve teaching and mentoring, concerts of prayer and worship, restoration and healing, always ending with a huge celebration of multi-cultural worship. Cultures will come together to celebrate one another and give each other the platform to worship God in their own cultural identity.

God longs to pour out His spirit upon all nations, and we believe that the key to seeing His glory fill the earth is to mirror what is going on in heaven. And if you read John’s description of heaven in Revelation 7, you’ll see that there were people of all tongues, tribes and nations worshipping at the feet of Jesus.

What part do I play in this? Well, God has given me a gift in music and I desire to give it back to him in worship. I will be helping to pioneer Nations to Nations, and I will also be helping with the teaching, mentoring and worship leading. I will also be involved in teaching and training within the YWAM schools and also the worship times that we have on the YWAM base.

Not only that, God is calling me to use the musical gifts he has given me in another way. I believe that music is a gift that was created by God and it is part of His kingdom. I am a singer and a song writer. My songs are simply my story. My story is a story of redemption, struggle, heartache, love, pursuit, rescue, romance, excitement, diversity and much more to come. God has told me that He wants me to tell my story. He is the biggest part of my story and all pages of that story lead to Him. My desire is not only to touch the hearts of Christians, but more importantly to touch the hearts of the lost souls who are searching for something more. As I tell my story through my music, people that hear it will come to learn about the God that I serve.

Since I joined YWAM almost two years ago, I’ve been able to record two songs that I’ve written. What a blessing this has been! I have worked with some of the most amazing musicians too! I look forward to doing that a lot more in the future. While in Amsterdam, as well as with Nations to Nations, I will have the opportunity to share my music with many people. Not only that, but YWAM has a record label in Amsterdam which promotes artists who are Christians and have the desire to share their music in the way I have just described to you. If it is in God’s timing, I hope to record a full CD of my music.

This is all very exciting to me, but God keeps reminding me that my greatest desire is to see the nations worship Him. I want to see God’s glory fill this earth and his people restored to a right relationship with him. This is the heart that God has given me.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Pray, pray, pray! I need to be covered in prayer because I am treading the enemy’s territory. My attitude is that of war, and I intend to push back the enemy and redeem the ground that he has stolen back to the Creator! The enemy is always looking for a way to ruin God’s plan, so pray that his efforts will be thwarted.

Please pray also for my finances. Not only do I need monthly support for living, but also, there will be a lot of travel going on within Nations to Nations. I think of God as the Great Money Mover. I don’t count on people for my finances, I count on God. I have no choice because GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL! And He owns everything! So, I’m not worried! He’s good at balancing check books, paying bills, and keeping records. He’s got all my tickets booked from here to eternity. He’s called me to this mission and He will not leave me stranded. He will make a way. And if God lays it on your heart to support me, that is awesome! I thank you for you obedience and pray that God only heaps more blessings on you for your faithfulness. I have listed my financial needs so that you will know how you can contribute if God so lays it on your heart. I just want to thank you in advance for partnering with me in this ministry. I really look forward to sending you updates of all the exciting things happening in the nations that you have a part in!

MY NEEDS

For those of you who plan on supporting me financially, here is a detailed list of my needs.

This is what I need to have before I go.

RELOCATION:

Visa……………………$700 USD

Bicycle………………....$200 USD

(Bikes are the main mode of transport)

Bedding, towels, etc…..$100 USD

TOTAL = $1,000 USD

AIRFARE……………$2,000 USD

GRAND TOTAL……..$3,000 USD

The following are the estimated monthly expenses for YWAM Amsterdam staff. My home church is providing nearly half of this monthly expense. PRAISE GOD! Thank you, Common Ground!

MONTHLY LIVING

Housing…………………….225

Utilities & Phone……………45

Food &

Household needs…………..150

Medical Costs………………90

Public transport……………45

Postage &

Newsletter………………….70

Clothing

& Personal…………………45

Vacations &

Conferences………………..68

Tithes &

Offerings…………………..74

ESTIMATED TOTAL = 812 Euros

(This is about $1,000 USD)

I will be in need of a few more monthly supporters to make up the difference. I will need to maintain monthly support for 2 years starting in August of this year. Please seek God about how you could be a part of this ministry. If God lays it on your heart to give in any way, please fill out the commitment card and mail it back in the envelope provided. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

BITTERSWEET GOODBYE

I can hardly contain my excitement about where God is taking me. I am so anxious to reach the unreached people of the nations and look them in the eyes and tell them about their Creator. I am longing to show them the treasures God has placed in each one of them. I am desperate to see their hearts and lives changed by the very presence of God. And I am waiting in great expectation to see God fill the earth with his glory. At the same time, I think about all that God is calling me to leave behind. It is my joy and honor to give my life in service to God but I know times will come that I find myself longing for home. It is especially hard for me to leave my family with all of the new babies, and the older ones growing up! I truly feel like I’m missing out. But I know that God is with me, and I can boast in my weaknesses. For when I am weak, He is strong. And I know that wherever I go, He will fulfill my every need. After all, don’t we all have a God-shaped hole in all of our hearts that only He can fill?

I am praying God’s blessing upon you all.

In Christ’s Love,

Mandy