Strong and rich relationships matter to us at Crossroads. We are eager to equip couples with the tools they need to keep their relationships thriving in the long-term. This fall we will be hosting the course again!

The Marriage Course is a series of eight sessions designed to help married couples strengthen their relationships to last a lifetime. It's a great opportunity to spend time together as a couple looking at the important aspects of your marriage. It doesn't matter if you've been married for less than two months or more than thirty years. If you have a strong marriage, this course will help you make it even better. And if you have some issues in your relationship, this course will provide you with some very practical tools to help deal with your circumstances. Each week you will enjoy a special dessert together and listen to a talk, followed by plenty of time to discuss the topic as a couple.

The dates will be: Sep 26; Oct 3, 10, 24 and 31; Nov 7, 21 and 28. For more information please contact Willem and Sonja van Dam at willemvandam@yahoo.com or sonjavandam@gmail.com or stop by the INFO table this Sunday.
 

We have all read or seen the news about Pakistan. News resources say that more than 1500 people are dead and at least 700.000 homes are damaged or destroyed. More than 3.5 million are at very high risk of water borne diseases and in excess of 6 million people are dependent on food aid. More than 20 million people have been affected by the floods, which is more than the combined total of the 2004 Tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

The Elder board, Staff members and Mission Committee feel we need to respond to this crisis. Please pray for the survivors and those delivering emergency aid. We would also like to support the people in need in a practical way. This coming Sunday a collection will be organized to support the emergency relief in Pakistan.

As a mission committee we have chosen to support the Dutch Christian relief organisation Woord&Daad (www.woordendaad.nl) and Open Doors (www.opendoors.nl). Woord&Daad (W&D) is the same organisation that helped us respond to the Haiti earthquake. For the Pakistan Flood relief efforts W&D is partnering with various other Dutch Christian NGOs, such as Red een Kind, Tear, ZOA Vluchtelingenzorg and Dorcas.

In Pakistan W&D is responding to the floods through the local organization Interfaith League Against Poverty (ILAP). I-LAP is a non-governmental organization in Pakistan which aims to empower the poor in neglected squatter areas and rural underdeveloped areas. I-LAP has extensive experience with capacity building, education, water & sanitation and disaster response.

Open Doors in Pakistan will focus on Christians who are usually sidelined in those communities and now even more during the relief efforts. Open Doors current estimate suggests at least 1500 Christian families are in immediate need for help. It expects that the number of Christians in need will reach 10.000. It works through local churches to provide people with practical things like food, clothes and medical items.

A collection will be organized this Sunday and dedicated for this purpose. You can also give towards this purpose by making a bank transfer directly to Crossroads (ABN-AMRO: 52.97.95.329). When doing so, please indicate that it is designated for “Pakistan”. Donations will be accepted through the end of September.

Prayer Items:

The local organisations ask us to pray for the following:
- A quick response of the government and the international community to tackle the current critical situation.
- Proficient care for the injured people.
- The people of Pakistan who lost their houses their income and their loved ones.
- For a swift end to the disaster and that relief would be delivered quickly to those in need.
- For protection for Christians at this tense time.
-For opportunities for Christians to demonstrate the love of God even in these extreme circumstances.

The American Protestant Church of The Hague will be holding a 7 week Bible Study course on Wednesdays (2 sessions) from September 1 through October 13. The Books and study material are free (although a €30 donation would be appreciated if possible – but is not mandatory).

To register please send an e-mail to ProdigalGod@apch.nl.
Session 1: Children & Parents , 17:00-19:00 (light supper included), Session 2: Adults, 19:30-21:30.