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Our choice for homeschooling means that the responsibility for the curriculum lies with us as parents. This raises important questions relating to the overall issue of what to equip the children with towards adulthood. We have studied many possibilities.

We think it is important that the children become familiarized with the Dutch language. That’s why we won’t just offer them Dutch as part of their program, but Math, Handwriting and History will also be offered in the Dutch language.

We are glad to have found a good homeschooling curriculum on the internet. We hope to buy materials from Sonlight, a homeschooling company with an international focus. Since 1990 Sonlight has been offering homeschool programs and they have won many awards.

We feel confident that we can make homeschooling a succes through the use of both the Dutch materials and the international curriculum.

We are very glad to let everyone know that Jurgen has been admitted to the bible college. He applied to a place the Trinity School of Theology in november 2010. On March 29th we were informed he can commence his studies in september 2011.

Finally the baby has arrived! We had to wait a long time, but on Monday the 21st of February Dani was born in hospital. His weight was 3430 grams and his length 49 cm. Both Dani and Katja are doing fine. Sofar Dani is a happy baby who hardly cries.

The older children are very happy with their new brother. They think it is a pity that Dani sleeps a lot since they love to have him on their lap. Dani gets lots of kisses and hugs from his sisters and brother.

After the leave there lies 1 month of work ahead, until the end of July 2011. In August we hope to make the last preparations for our move to England, planned in September.

Since half May 2010 our Dutch Homefrontcommittee is complete. We are glad to have found 7 people to support us and form a team with us in de period of study ahead and after.

In July we have met with the Committee for the first time. We have had a very good time with them, their spouses and children.

The coming period we would like to invest in making a team with our Homefrontcommittee. Would you please pray for unity and a good and fertile cooperation?

Over the last years we have studied many many mission organisations in many many ways, amongst which:

–  looking up information on the internet;
– watching video presentations;
– participating in a mission weekend;
– conversations with (former) missionaries;
– visits to a mission exhibition;
– interviews with mission organisations and
– reading books.

You can imagine that we have received much information and that we need time to contemplate what to do. However, there is one organisation that has drawn our special attention. That organisation is the African Inland Mission (AIM). AIM workers serve amongst foremost tribal African peoples. We are in contact with AIM to receive more information hoping to find out wether cooperation is possible.

For now the contacts will be via email since the nearest office to us is in England.

During our trip to England in May 2010 we have purchased a method for teaching English during the Reception Year. Vanya is now taught English by Katja so she will not be too much behind when she starts school in England.

Vanya enjoys her lessons very much. She often asks when she will be having another lesson. Sofar she easily picks up the English language. She can read quite some words and even sentences. Learning and teaching English is fun!

In the beginning of May we have spent two weeks in England to prepare ourselves further. We have had a wonderful time.

We had hoped to view some rental houses, but now our house has not definitively been sold we decided against that. We did see a letting agent to inform about our possibilities as foreigners. We were told that we can rent a house, but that we will have to pay the rent 6 months up front. Also, the rental period will initially be 6 months. Apart from this the usual terms apply.

Another important event was our visit to the River School, the school we hope to send our children. First we visited the school for an interview with the Director and a tour. The next day Vanya had a taster day in Reception class, whilst Issa spent the morning in Nursery. We are convinced the River School is a good choice for our children. We will be informed about the admission, sofar we expect no difficulties will arise.

Of course our trip was also a chance to relax and we did. On the farm where we stayed a calf had been born that we could see within 15 minutes after birth. The children enjoyed the farm animals, but were also a bit afraid at times. Feeding the pig was very adventurous! For some photos of our stay in England you can take a look on the ‘About us’ page under ‘family photos’.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Dutch.