Celebrating 40 years

On 1 March 2016, Sister Dorien Peet is celebrating 40 years as a Deaconess. What a wonderful ministry! Before that, she was years working as a nurse in different hospitals. 

She says: "During training in Rotterdam a colleague pushed an evangelistic leaflet under my door every month, but I immediately threw in the trash. This person was a deaconess. She asked me to come to an Advent Conference in Amerongen. I was very impressed with the atmosphere and the way the sisters spoke of God, from a personal relationship. In January 1971 a word from Matthew 17 really appealed to me: "And Jesus came to them and touched them." It was at that time it happened to me. That become the big turnaround. Yet it still took five years before I entered the diaconate. When I had finally taken the decision, I felt a tremendous peace. " 

From the time in Wanningstraat in Amsterdam, she has fond memories: "We had an elderly guest who did much with child evangelism and I was in the district nursing. You came across the most interesting people. I remember an 84-year-old woman who wanted me to stay with her as she sat in the bath. We talked about everything, even about faith. Eventually she made a choice for God." 

Sr. Dorien worked six years at the deaconesses community in Rwanda. She has continued involvement with the sisters, include working with an orphans' village "My desire was to go to the mission field, and it became a reality. It was nice to be able to provide basic and concrete help". 

In 2001 she was asked to take on tasks related to crisis management in the Netherlands. She describes this time as a "radical but also beautiful period where God's mercy was visible". 

Looking back, she says: "I have had a very varied and interesting life with highs and lows, in which God's faithfulness remains the common thread." 

68-year-old Sr. Dorien is President of Abaja ba Kristo, a foundation that supports projects in Rwanda, and the Social Safety Net in Amerongen. She also accompanies people during Refresh weekends, for people who want to catch your breath. On April 26, 2014 the program received a medal. 

The always humble Sr. Dorien says: "I did what I had to do, but it is God who deserves the credit for it."

Read her whole story on http://www.zdh.nl

Oasis Day in the Netherlands

Today, June 4th, the deaconesses at Zendings-Diaconessenhuis Bethanië (the Netherlands) will be holding a day of quiet reflection, which they call ‘Oasis Day’. It is a special day to be quiet and look for what God has to say. There are some group times, alternated with time to be alone. It is open to anyone who wants to enjoy the silence and tranquillity. 
Leading deaconess Sr. Greet Verhoeven says, "Quiet Days constitute a break in the busy everyday life. People can focus on God and their own self. This is often a healing and soothing time. We hope that people go away after an Oasis Day really different than when they came. "
Oasis Day began as an initiative in 2015, adapted from the deaconess community in Switzerland. Each Oasis Day has a biblical theme. Some thoughts are shared, after which participants can retreat into a private space. In the afternoon there is an opportunity to respond creatively, through painting, writing, walking or otherwise.
Participants can link to a spiritual guide, and also enjoy one or more quiet days in the guesthouse. Oasis Days begin at 9:30 and end at 5pm, and cost € 40, all inclusive. Email for more information.

Celebrating 60 years of diaconal ministry - Sr Irene Brunsveld

Sister Irene Brunsveld

On April 30th, 2015, Sister Irene Brunsveld celebrated 60 years as a deaconess. She was born in Bocholt, Germany. When she was 15, she heard a sermon about God prompting Abram to leave his home and move to a new country. That appealed to her enormously. From that moment on, she wanted to put her life at the service of God. Being only 15, her parents thought she was too young for such a drastic choice. But a long conversation one evening made them realize how serious young Irene was about what she felt God was calling her to do. She was only 16 when she completed a diaconal year in a supportive environment, and had the opportunity to learn to speak the Dutch language. In her ministry, she was available for young and old, healthy and sick, rich and poor. She was a kindergarten teacher, youth worker, and worked in several centres for the elderly, and nursing home aged care. She was able to open up faith conversations about with people, including terminally ill patients.
Sister Irene has always related her ministry to a watering can: Just as a watering can keeps plants alive, so she wants to water those experiencing difficult times with her love, kindness and compassion - where there is need, to be present with hands and heart. 'This is only possible if we receive and remain connected to the source of living water'.
Now 76, Sister Irene is far from silent, or 'retiring'. She does a lot of pastoral care. She makes visits to people in Amerongen. She has an extensive network of acquaintances, and visits the retired sisters who live in Elim. As she looks back on her years of diaconal service, she reflects: 'It's been worth it. I've had a rich life, and enjoy every day of God's faithfulness and good care'.

Sister Irene is part of the DWF member association, Zendings-Diaconessenhuis Bethanie


We celebrate Sister Irene's life, her witness and service, and her courage to respond to and pursue God's call on her life. We give thanks for her ministry, and her example of practical care and compassion - 'a watering can' for all those who thirst in life. And in celebrating Sister Irene's life, we are reminded of the iconic figure of Abram who left his country and kin in response to God's call on his life, and we recognize again the faithful of every generation and expand our awareness of a great company of witnesses above and around us like a cloud (Hebrews 12:1). Such awareness lifts us out of a preoccupation with our own immediate situation and the discouragements of the present. In the knowledge that others have persevered, we are encouraged to endure against all odds (Hebrews 12:1-2). And we are reminded that God has been with the faithful of the past, and so we are reassured that God is with us today. Thanks be to God!