A Christmas Reflection

Kara's house at Christmas time, originally uploaded by cutjas.

Hello,

It has been a busy couple of weeks for myself. I traveled to Budapest and spent time with my good friend Viktor and his family. I was back in The Hague for about 36 hours and then flew to Minneapolis, where I am now for Christmas.

There were many highlights in the last couple of weeks. Visiting my Viktor in Budapest was really special. I love seeing where people are from and meeting their family, also, Budapest is a beautiful city. We had a great time together and I really enjoyed his family. The highlight of the trip was going to a hot springs bath with his mother and godfather. It was a complete surprise to me. This was just what the doctor ordered for helping me to relax.

When I was back in The Hague, it was a real whirlwind. I was in the office all day, answering emails, and making sure all the last minute details were being covered for our Christmas Gala, which went fantastic. After racing through the day, I spent a nice evening at the Perriman’s house with our theological discussion group. We had dinner, had a good discussion about the “real” meaning of Christmas and then, after everyone had gone, Andrew, Belinda, and their son Samuel all sat around and had a nice chat to end the hectic day.

I arrived in Minneapolis just in time for a huge blizzard and tempratuer as low as -22 f (-30 c). I loved it, I know its sick, but I love winter and this is one of the reasons I wanted to come home for Christmas. The first few days home were crazy, running around trying to see all my friends who were heading out before the holiday. I had a great time, but got very little sleep. All in all my time home has been very good, I am feeling the support of all my family and friends in what I am doing in The Hague, and also being able to enjoy our lovely weather as well. I spent part of Monday running around taking pictures of our beautiful snow covered city, it was a lot of fun.

Now we are on the cusp of Christmas day and my mind is filled with thoughts of the last year and all that it has entailed. This time of year makes me look back both at my faith and at the calendar year. I look back to a year ago and wasn’t even sure if I wanted to move to Holland, and now I am pretty sure I would like to stay in Europe for a more full time position.

A year ago I was stressed out about relying on other people generosity to support myself, but now I see how God truly uses the whole body to accomplish his work in this world. I have been able to see how my friends who are working so hard in their jobs are able to partake in a ministry 4,000 miles away, blessing people they will probably never meet. It has been a hard and challenging year, but also one of the most rewarding to date.

I look ahead with excitement and anticipation as to what is in store for me next. I am constantly being challenged in my faith in God and my understanding of how God works in our world. I love being home, seeing family and friends, but also I can’t wait to get back to Holland to keep working. It has been a long time since I had this kind of motivation in my life, I can see that this is where God wants me to be.

I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me, supported me with money or encouragement or gifts. As I look back the most humbling part of this last year is seeing so many people believe in what God is doing through me. I am still amazed by how people have helped to bring me to this point. I pray for you all and will forever be in your debts. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t wish everyone who has helped out could see what God is doing through their gifts and prayers. Know that all your help is making a difference half way around the world.

Grace and Peace to you all in this Holiday Season,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Jason Cutshall

Seeing my purpose

B&W Street puddle, originally uploaded by cutjas.

Hey,

It has been another full week in The Hague. I went to a Delirious concert, enjoyed Sinterklaas, attempted to do some Christmas shopping, and was able to call home and hear how everyone is doing. Despite having a busy week, I was still able to play in my second SEV Football game, and scored my second goal in as many appearances. Needless to say I am having a lot of fun!!

I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks; I will be traveling a lot. First, this Sunday I am headed to Budapest, Hungary to see my friend Viktor. I will be there for 3 days, relaxing and spending time with a good friend. After that I am in The Hague for one day and then fly to Minnesota to spend Christmas with my family. It will be a crazy couple of weeks, but I am looking forward to seeing friends and family that I haven’t seen in a couple months. I can’t wait to take my sister’s dog Dakota to the dog park, go and get some good buffalo wings from Maxwell’s with a couple buddies, and have a good ole Swedish Christmas Dinner (no pressure mom).

In the middle of the week I went to see Delirious play here in The Hague. I haven’t seen Delirious in concert in a couple years and I had forgot, how much I like their shows. This sadly is their last tour, because they are breaking up and heading in new directions. The concert was entertaining and fun. There were some very moving parts when they spoke about their travels to Africa, India, and South East Asia. Hearing about how their “eye’s were opened” to some of the atrocities that are going on in our world and how they did/are responding to these as best they can. I was struck by their wisdom and intension to really think about how they can help people in these parts of the world.

The most powerful part was in the afternoon, during the Q & A time that Delirious had before the concert. For the most part this Q & A was quite boring, but one of the last questions asked to Martin Smith, The lead singer, was, “how do you lead worship, despite being tired and not wanting to do it.” Marting responded with a great answer, he said, “This is what I was put on this earth to do, how can I not do it?” Martin didn’t leave it at this, he qualified his answer with examples of how there are many time where he didn’t want to do a concert or something happened in life that would have taken his attention from leading. For me it was this simple answer of this is what I was put here to do.

I found this a powerful example, Martin knows what he is here to do and can cling to that. It is a powerful thing to know what you are put on earth to do. Whether you were put here to be in a band to make music, do accounting for an organization or a business, or run a food shelf. If you know what your role in life is, what your gifts are that you bring to this world. That is a powerful thing and it can help you to see through hard and difficult times. I remember a quote from Michael Jordan (MJ), he said, “One of my most peaceful time is when I am on the basketball court.” MJ gave many reasons for this, one of which is that this is what he was here to do. Compete, despite the fact that most people would crumble under the pressure of having to perform at the level he did, MJ thrived under the fact that this is what he was put here to do.

For me, it has been a journey to figure out what I am here to do…well more of struggle. I have know for a while what I am here to do, but didn’t want to acknowledge that. The last couple of months have been great, in the fact that I am doing what I am here to do. This doesn’t mean that I don’t have any questions, never waver, or am not freaked out about the future. What is does mean is that on those days I don’t want to get out of bed or feel as though I am accomplishing nothing. I can remember regardless of all that, all the externals, I was put here to do this and what else can I do other than what I am here to do? As I look ahead to what I am going to do next, I have found comfort that no matter where I end up I know what I am to do, lead.

I have been making friends here from all around the world, it has been a blast to one night hang out with a family from the Island of Curacao, then next talking with a couple from the Philippines, and finish it off with a call from my friend Rasmus in Stockholm. I have been learning a lot about different cultures and customs. One I learned was that in Curacao they have a dish called “cheese balls.” I was excited, because they were somewhat similar to “cheese curds,” but made with shredded cheese instead of a solid piece. I ate about 20 of these…yeah it was awesome!!

Thanks for all you encouragement and prayers,
Jason

Prayer requests:
Health – I am finally getting over being sick. I am a little worried that all the travel will take its toll on me, but pray I will be wise and get enough rest to sustain my health.
Sweden – I am having very good discussions with Kevin Johnson about next steps in life. The conversations have taken a turn into some deep areas of life. Pray that God will lead us in these areas to tackle some hard issues regarding my life and where its going.
Christmas Gala – Our Christmas Gala is coming together in a very smooth way. We have had a great response from people and all the details seem to be falling into place. Pray that it is a great party!!
Leading – I am in leadership in several areas now. Pray that God will protect me from any attacks and from myself. Pray that I will use wisdom and discernment in my life and leading. I am loving all that is happening right now and want to cover my bases when it comes to spiritual things.
Home – I am very excited to go home and see family, pray that it will be a good time with family and friends. A peaceful and encouraging time.

Illumination (a two month reflection and other stuff)

Illumination, originally uploaded by cutjas.

Hello everybody,

Well, as I have learned many, many times before that if you don’t slow yourself down nature has a way of doing it for you. This past week was relatively quiet, not because there wasn’t going on or because it didn’t have a lot to do, but because I was sick. I caught a little flu bug last Wednesday and have been fighting it ever since. I am sure you will all be glad to know that it did not stop me from have a good ole American Thanksgiving dinner.

Even though on Thursday I was in bed all day long, I mustered up the energy up and headed over to Kevin and Kathy Johnson’s for a big Thanksgiving feast. We had ten people, two dogs, and one well-prepared turkey. It was a blast of a day, where we played games, ate food and enjoyed some good company. We also had folks from all over the U.S., Minnesota, of course, Texas, and Georgia. It was fun to sit around and talk about the different traditions each of our families had.

Having this holiday also forced me to brush up on the history of Thanksgiving. It seemed that every non-American I met asked me what is Thanksgiving. It was refreshing to remind myself of where this all started and why we continue this day of thanks.

Also, last week I said, “good-bye” to my new friends Barry and Allie. They are a couple from the US, who I met at Crossroads and realized that Barry is from Minnesota (Plymouth) and was friends with one of my friends (Jason Smith, Brian Post). We hit it off right when we met and even though it was only a month that we knew each other I appreciated their friendship and the good times we had together.

It’s that time again, winter, cold, and sickness. I have been sick for about a week, I now have my energy back, but am still feeling flu-ish. It is always challenging for me to be sick, I hate not being able to think clearly and get my tasks done. Also, I never feel as though I am fully awake, which is equally frustrating. I spent most of the weekend in bed and read a little, but most of the time was sleeping. I wish I had a big spiritual reflection from this time, but I don’t and I don’t’ really want to make one up. I was sick, it sucked and I don’t like it, but I know that the rest has done me well and is serving as a warning to not over extend myself, as is my custom.

I have also passed the two-month mark and reflecting on my time here I am very pleased. It is hard to believe it has already been two months. My time here as been full, at first full of newness, then full of getting settled in my new position and making myself useful, now full of working toward my goals for my time here. I have not settled into cruise control, but life has become normal. I love biking everywhere and the friends I have here a growing very dear to me. Even though there is more change on the horizon, I am settled here for now and am happy to be where I am.

The work I am doing is going well and I am excited to see it continue into the New Year. I get to, my job is to, meet new people, plan parties, connect people together, start small groups and study…I love this! My role here really fits me well, it is challenging and rewarding, which usually goes together…but no always. I am very blessed to be working with a great staff of people, who are also becoming good friends and to be developing good relationships here in the community, from my small group to my Dutch football team, I have felt welcomed as a friend.

From the beginning I have challenged myself to bring what I have to serve this community and it is humbling to see how people have received who I am and to see how God has used me in people lives. I know that in the near future there will be new challenges and hardships, but I welcome them, for that is where the real growth comes. I can safely say that at the two-month mark I am doing well, enjoying my time here and look forward to the rest of my time in Den Haag.

Thank you all, Happy Sinter Klaas!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Jason Cutshall

Prayer Requests:
-Finances: I am close to having all my money for this trip to be completed and to give me a bit left over to stay on my feet when I return home in May, but I still need around $5,000.00 more dollars to be totally covered; between now and May.

-Perriman’s: As some of you know my current host family is in the process of moving back to London. This is a big transition for them, and myself, so pray for Andrew and Belinda as they transition back to London and enter new jobs and a new church home.

-Small Group: I, along with Christiaan and Eva D. have started a small group here in The Hague, we had our second meeting this past Monday and it went very well. Our group is very open and we get along quite well. Pray that we will be challenged in new areas and that we would be focused on what God wants this group to be.

-Me: I am still a little sick and need my energy back. Also, details of life, I will be traveling a lot in December and it will be a busy month for me, I need good time management and rest. The future, what to do next, I know this will become clearer as I go on, but I need wisdom and discernment. Also, I am moving to the burbs of Den Haag that will be a transition for myself, because it is on the other side of the city.