HELLANDS IN HOLLAND
Helping Stop Human Trafficking
Since 2017 we have been working together with Scarlet Cord (www.scarletcord.work) helping people get out of prostitution. Even though prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, there has been a major increase of illegal prostitution, much of which is run by criminal organizations who are trafficking women from Latin America to Europe. Law enforcement officials have now asked Scarlet Cord to accompany them in finding these men and women. Femke frequently goes with the police to help the people they may find. The following is a description of a recent evening Femke experienced.
Two young, 20-year-old, Latin-American girls were lured into coming to Europe in search of a better future. They had no idea they would be trapped in a dangerous prostitution ring that moves girls throughout the country to work in illegal brothels. With a team of law enforcement and social workers, we scheduled a ‘sex date’ and made it into the house they stayed at. After telling me the story of how they were trafficked to the Netherlands, we offered to take them to safety right that moment. They decided to trust us and came with us. We took them to a safe house, and I visited them a few days later. They were eager to go back to Latin America and be with their families. We helped them book a flight and I stayed in touch with them until they were safely back in their country. The girls are doing well and have decided to go back to school.
The Lord keeps opening doors to minister hope and love to the men and women who work in prostitution. We have visited the ladies in Amsterdam’s Red Light District since 2017 and we see new people with a background in prostitution come to our church regularly. But, we also see open doors to visit sex clubs, strip clubs, brothels, and women who work in homes and hotels in several Dutch cities. Thank you for your continued prayers for this ministry! They are so important!
Femke ministering at a conference in Australia.
Family Ministry Around the World
In the last few months, we have been able to minister in places as diverse as Israel, Australia, France, Spain, and, of course, the Netherlands. Hannah, our daughter, is currently doing a Discipleship Training School (YWAM) in Spain and will be going to Paraguay as well. She as well as two of her brothers are now speaking fluently in Spanish. One of the unexpected blessings of pastoring a Spanish-speaking church in the Netherlands was that our children would also get to learn Spanish. It is so cool to see that our ministry is truly a family ministry where our kids also enjoy going to church and serving the Lord.
Family with leaders in Barcelona, Spain.
Hearing and Seeing God's Voice: The Power of Prophecy
We are proud to announce that Matthew’s latest book, Hearing and Seeing God’s Voice, is now available in English on Amazon. This book was first published in Dutch and is now available in English. It will also be coming out in Spanish and Portuguese. This book is an update on previous books he has written on prophecy, filled with new testimonies, insights, and exercises to grow in knowing God and in prophecy. We are so thankful to God and to all the people like yourselves who make our ministry in the Netherlands, and the world, possible through your prayers and financial support. Thank you!
Sincerely, Matthew & Femke Helland
Please send your contributions directly to:
World Missions Ministries PO Box 270420 Oklahoma City, OK 73137
Matthew Helland Support Account #35021S or Ministry Account #35021M
OR give online right now by visiting: give.iphc.org/HELLAND-MATTHEW
