LYWB Goes Dutch
posted by Erin Davis on 06/20/11 | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Category: Faith; ; 15 comments
LYWB.com is more than a blog; it's an international community. In fact, several months ago I was contacted by a young woman named Nadine de Goede about how the book Lies Young Women Believe and this site have impacted her in the Netherlands. (Here's a quick geography lesson—the Netherlands is also known as Holland and is located in northwest Europe, about 3,600 miles from New York City.)I interviewed Nadine about the role of LYWB in her life and her ministry to young women half a world away. I hope her answers inspire and encourage you to know that there are young women everywhere choosing to grab hold of God's truth and that you will become as passionate as Nadine has about sharing that truth with others.
Erin: How did you first come in contact with the message of Lies Young Women Believe/Revive Our Hearts?
Nadine: I'm a huge fan of LYWB, and check this blog daily. Three years ago, during a Discipleship Training School, the mum of a friend of mine from the States got it on her heart to send me the book Lies Women Believe, and the Truth That Sets Them Free! I think until this day she has no idea what her obedience to God, by sending the book, has done! This book was and still is breaking news in my understanding of God's truth and the weird reality of the lies in this world we live in. It totally changed my mindset, my life.
Erin: What was your response?
Nadine: A few months later, God called me to come on a trip with Him to Africa. I thought God wanted to show me a ministry with street kids, but during this trip in Africa God gave me dreams, words, and scriptures instead. Most of them came during the night. I didn't see where these words were leading to in the first place. Sometimes this led me to frustration. But at the end of our three months journey, God opened my eyes and I saw a new project started for young women. He even gave me the name—True You project.
To make this and His dream come true, I had to decide to give up my job and give all my time in developing this project. Last year, I started the first try out in my hometown, which was an amazing success! I never expected it to have such an impact. Not much later I was invited to bring the project to another city in The Netherlands. And now me (and God) are starting the project in even two more cities.
It's not always been easy, but God has kept His promises all the time. He was the One in front of me, preparing the way, opening doors, giving strength, courage to go on, and faith to keep on believing His dream for the young women in The Netherlands!
Erin: What prompted you to start the True You Project?
Nadine: Because God's truth really worked in my life, I just couldn't keep it for myself. I see the need for truth in so many eyes I meet daily. Young women struggling through life, trying to be something they were not made for. Fighting to be strong and independent. Fitting the picture the world is painting them. And as they keep on trying, I know from my own experience they will keep on failing. Because in the world's eyes, it's never enough. The truth of God is sets them FREE! The truth is they are beautifully made, created to walk in God's plan, and that is to live with Him and JUST BE YOU!
Erin: What do you most want young women in the Netherlands to understand?
Nadine: The highest need in The Netherlands (and I think worldwide), especially with Christians, is their view of God. It all starts with God, Who is The Beginning and The End. This is True You's most important lesson during the project. True You teaches about the lies we believe about God and how this effects our whole life. Because if we REALLY know Who He is (almighty, strong, omnipotent, loving, caring, etc.), we may know who we are as children of Him. Princesses, beautiful daughters of the most powerful King of Kings!
I believe that as they know they are in the hands of God Almighty, beloved and cherished, they are not afraid to show the world Who God is and what God gave them. I wish all women who call themselves Christian wouldn't be scared to shine—to shine that beautiful and bright light into this world. My dream is for young women to stand up. Not to be afraid to be different. Not to be afraid to show the world what they are made of—heavenly love! That's what this world is desperately waiting for!
I am amazed already by all God has done for the women who attended True You. Every time God just blows my mind with all He wants to give. I see the hunger for God's truth during the project. I don't think they pay as much attention at school. They just need His truth to survive in this crazy world. So many have been set free, through accepting and understanding the truth of Who God is and who they are.
Erin: How can young women on our site encourage you?
Nadine: To know there are more of you living the truth of God in the States is really encouraging. I believe God is calling us to live life to the full. Worldwide! No matter where you are right now. God's truth is so needed in this lost world. So please, please live His dreams and make Him known. He is the only remedy for this sick world. Pray for The Netherlands, as we live in so much tolerance (sex, drugs, politics) there are no boundaries. And especially women are victims of these things. Losing their value, being projected as a lust-item, almost demanded to be strong and to run, run, run... to be good enough. Please pray, because I know He hears!
From the Netherlands I send you my regards. Please keep on living the life you were made to live. Never stop believing. Never stop loving Him. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
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HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.
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