The Church in Aruba
Aruba is a beautiful island in the Carribean. The church in Aruba is very small and consists of only 24 people.
The beginning of the church in Aruba starts in 1993 with a family by the name of Thiel. This family had prayed for a long time for help to better understand God's word and receive more light. It is those who believe in God's commandments and promises and long to serve Him that receive help. God sent help in the form of Hanneke and Alfonso Boekhoudt-Koetse. This couple moved from the Netherlands to Aruba in 1994 and told the Thiel family about the church and about how to live an overcoming life in Christ.
Others also heard this message and a number of people became interested. But after awhile the interest wore off. After some years went by, several left and went their own way, but the church has continued to grow slowly but surely into a little fellowship.
Today the church in Aruba consists of 23 people. Although it is not always easy to be such a small church, the friends in Aruba have zealous and burning hearts for God and as a result, God will care for them. As the friends in Aruba say themselves, "When we let the light shine and do God's will every day by taking up our cross (saying no to the lusts and desire that go against God's will), God will take care of our church—and Lord willing, more people will find the church and discover this way of life."
The church in Aruba is a young active church who is thankful to be a part of the work God is doing world-wide. The youth group is not so big—only six young people—but there is still youth group and Activity Club for the children. Trips are also planned for the entire church. Aruba has sunshine all year round so it is a given that there are many excursions to the beach where the friends have barbeques and swim in the sea all day long, or spend time together in the shade of nearby trees.
January, 2008