Ferociously Kind

I've been thinking about kindness a lot lately...

Especially in ministry.

When I tell people about what I do in Amsterdam--evangelizing to men and women working in the Red Light District--people's eyes often widen with interest and a type of awe. I can tell they're probably picturing my team and I kicking down brothel doorways releasing the captive into physical and spiritual freedom.

But I can tell you now, that is far from what it looks like.

All it is, really, is worship, prayer and walking through the tourist-drenched streets and alleys offering the women and men humble cups of warmth and conversation.

Do some workers accept prayer? Yes!
Do some decide to leave the work and seek restoration? Yes!
Do some decide to commit their lives to Jesus? Yes!!

But what does it look like on the day-to-day?

It looks like a ferocious, Jesus-type of kindness.

It looks like kicking down the walls of spiritual strongholds in the district through praying at The Tabernacle--YWAM Amsterdam's House of Prayer. 

It looks like glorifying Jesus' Name through cooperate worship with our international congregation of staff and students. 

It looks like going from window to window several times a week, asking the women and men to pull back their scarlet curtain so we can tell them about the Scarlet that forever tore the curtain. 

It looks like perseverance despite discouragement. 
It looks like rejoicing when Holy Spirit acts miraculously. 
It looks like bowing on humble knee in the early hours submitting to Holy Spirit for guidance. 

It looks simple. 

Sometimes it even seems insufficient, especially when you see that despite years of Saints praying and caring in this city there's still women hiding hearts and exposing flesh behind distorted glass. 

However, last week I was told that success in the Kingdom doesn't look like numbers or results--its looks like obedience and love; it looks like kindness.

And that is what makes ministry powerful...

Kindness.

It isn't flashy, but it is SO important. 

For God draws us all in with His loving kindness (Jer. 31:3). 
Because Love is kind (1 Cor. 13:4), and God is Love (1 John 4:8). 

Therefore, God is Kind.
He is oh, so ferociously Kind.

And for that very reason, I also want to be ferociously kind. 

Because I want to be like Jesus. 

Jesus, Your incredible kindness inspires me to love simply and powerfully through kind words and actions. 
Thank you for loving me--and all of humanity--so ferociously. 

I want to love more like You. 

Love, 
Hanna 


I wrote this post in my journal while praying over the district the other day. I was praying for a woman who recently chose to leave the windows and fly home (praise Jesus), but my heart was breaking for the workers who are still trapped in desperation and confusion. 
Please continue to pray for my team and I as we go into the district several times a week sharing the love of Jesus with the men and women there. 

Also, the pictures are simple city captures from my new room in YWAM's downtown building, Samaritan's Inn. I'm so happy to be living where I feel called--the heart of the city.