the land of million channels

The land of million channels, flowers and joyfull, tall people - that' s how I would describe The Netherlands. Welcomed by Dutch team we arrived there in Thursday' s late afternoon. As the new day started we were introduced not only to initiatives our host team were involved into, but got also a perspective on a history of land and nation. If God created land, than Dutch created Holland - they are used to laugh!


Weekend was a real treat - we had a two days spiritual camp in Schoorl - in conference campus just a few kilometres from the sea. One could definately feel connected to the nature there! But not only beautiful surrondings we experienced there. Action For Europe group were joined by people from Dutch team and also by Bhavesh Patel (UK) and John Freebury (Canada, Moldova). Bhav runned a Open Space Tecnology learning workshop, giving us an insight how to find solutions in complex situations, based on idea that the right idea at the right moment amongst the right people will arrise.
The toppic of this workshop was on Inspiration and even if the main idea was to have an insight on how the Open Space technonogy really works, all of us seemed to be very inspired by the process, by each other, by nature ...inspiration was welcomed and it came!

On Sunday evening we finally met Marielle' s family in their home - friendly chatting and enjoying meal (Marielle' sfather prepared unbelievably delicious soup for us) and company of each other, singing and laughing, sharing and discussing Open Space experience and many, many other issues.

Most of us are not used to do this anymore. Guess what?!?! After good weekend Monday morning we went to university. Dr. Wim Blauw in Erasmus University Rotterdam shared his life experience being a sociologist and professor to many foreign students as well as different kinds of a leadership. But Monday evening we had a possibility to meet up IofC Netherlands friends ans members in a Open house meeting in Amaliastraat office. Amazing to see people we have met before in Caux and other places and to see them in their own country, among their mates and also family members! We were sharing our vision, challenges and wishes. And hopes as well!

Another insipring event was meeting silverschmith Jan Nouhuys and his family in Netherlands silvertown Schoonven - he shared with us his life story and story of his life's passion - making beauty out of silver.