Content
- We are a movement - more than organisation
- Movement in politics?
- Moving towards others
- Movement on the Hoeve
- Eventful period
- much mental struggle
- Vacancy in the spotlight
- Agenda info evenings
We are a movement, more than an organisation
With this statement, Gerard van der Schee opened a team meeting this spring. With it, he indicated that the strength of our work lies in people who have moved for survivors: intercessors, practitioners, network friends, givers.
That's why we are so happy to have each and every one of you reading this newsletter!
And we are regularly surprised by running into people who have themselves been determined at s.r.m for a while and (want to) do something.
Above all, we know we are moved by God, and we want God's Spirit and Word to infuse our thinking and help us persevere to bring light to the bizarrely dark world of survivors.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal, slaughter and be lost; I have come that they may have life and have abundance.
Meanwhile, organisational aspects are growing along with it: this summer, for example, there will be talks with people who want to form an Advisory Board for the Friends of Esthers Foundation board.
Movement in politics?
On 4 February 2025, a Friends of Esthers delegation presented a petition to a number of MPs in The Hague. This was accompanied by an appeal for compassion for s.r.m. survivors and a request for an independent second opinion survey in the Netherlands. In support of this, the MPs received the book Ik ben Wie? with drawings made by a survivor of s.r.m. in the context of trauma treatment. The motion for a second opinion enquiry has since been announced; a vote on it is yet to follow.
If you would like to order the book, please here.
Moving towards others
A major need for survivors is the lack of a large enough network, which, like a new family, helps them where needed on the road to recovery.
Therefore, we ask you, the reader, to get moving and tell 2 other people that you have been touched by the work of Friends of Esthers and would like to take them to an information evening sometime. And if you manage to get 5 people together we will get moving ourselves and do an information evening at your place (near you)!
We think a bottom-up movement works more powerfully than sending letters to churches (even though we do that too). Will you please participate? As a core team, we are also joining this action ''I'm going for two'' ourselves.
Movement around finance
To get more people to financially support Friends of Esthers, we have developed an informative giving card. With it, we ask for help for the core of our work: conversations with survivors. The card features two responses from survivors about what such a conversation means to them:
They are lead and lead-heavy, but without treatment I will never be able to become free!
My therapist takes the time for me, listens to me and helps me process, but is also there for me when I'm not doing well and the cult has got hold of me. She is there for me then, even sometimes on her day off!
You can request giving cards to hand out yourself, via the contact form On the site.
Movement on the Hoeve
What a special place the Hoeve is to live and work! Ten months after the Hoeve was inaugurated, by now the residents have become quite familiar with what is involved in maintaining the yard. Grass mowing, forest mowing, clearing the pond of reeds, pruning trees, picking cherries and apples and so much more. After the biggest renovations, this is now a big priority and slowly everything is coming into place.
Throughout the grounds, we are surprised by beautiful flowers and plants, carefully planted by the previous residents. The chickens have grown up and lay eggs daily. It is very cosy to have them around.
In terms of security, much has already been done, such as an entrance gate and a fence around the site. In this, some work still needs to be done. This is scheduled for the next few months, in addition to maintenance on the exterior work of the Hoeve.
We regularly ask our volunteers to help out on our Saturday job days. If you would like to get moving for Friends of Esthers at this point, and are not yet a volunteer within our work, please sign up. We will then be happy to engage with you and any partner you may have
Eventful period - many spiritual struggles
Over the past few months, and especially during the Easter period, both we and also our aid recipients have experienced many struggles in multiple areas. This takes a lot - spiritually, emotionally and therefore also physically. We are then extra grateful for the prayer movement that carries us and our work and where we can make our needs known.
Vacancy in the spotlight
Vacancy 2 resident couples
Are you the couple who can help 1 of our survivors take big steps towards freedom?
One of our brave survivors, has made great strides in her process of becoming cult free over the past 2 years. As a result, cult frequently harasses her around her home in many ways. This often makes her home feel like a prison to her. She is therefore very keen to move and live close to the Hoeve, so that she can also get more support from the Hoeve.
To give her a safe place, we are looking for two couples without children or with (almost) adult children who are willing to live with this survivor as 'residents', with both the survivor and both couples each having their own living unit.
What is required of you?
- Taking turns being available to our survivor when she needs closeness or practical help.
- Being a welcoming home for her, e.g. by eating together - if appropriate - or otherwise spending time together.
- Joining the network of friends around this survivor
- Working with this survivor's handlers where necessary
- Willingness to relocate to North Gelderland.
- What do you get in return!
- The joy of being able to be a family, in imitation of Jesus, for someone who is suffering greatly, and in this way to contribute greatly to her freedom and recovery
- Collaboration with a group of passionate people around this survivor.
- Financial compensation
Want to know more?
Mail us via the contact form of www.lichtoplevens.nl
Agenda
Info evenings:
13 July 19:30h Amsterdam
2 September 19:30h Amsterdam
7 October 19:30h Amsterdam
4 November 19:30h Friesland
Minicourse:
The mini-course is intended for those who have already attended an info evening and consists of two evenings that cannot be attended separately.
9 September and 14 October mini course Rijssen
Other dates:
30 September Elburg region - special for churches in that area
Warm regards and thanks for your interest in Friends of Esthers!
The core team
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