Jen te Velde
M.M - Tell me briefly about your background.
J.tV – I was born and brought up in Nepal by missionary parents. When I was about 10 we moved to Northern Ireland, were I did my secondary education. When I was 18 years old I did a gap year in Nepal, and then returned to study briefly in Scotland, Edinburgh. For university I studied Stage Management at a drama college in London and on graduating briefly worked in the theatre. For various reasons I decided to join the world of Christian charity work and have worked for Interserve, a mission organisation reaching into the Arab and Asian world arranging gap year placements for individuals and more recently have worked doing Admin/PA work for our local church, New Community Church, S.E London. I met my husband Riemer in 2006 and we have been happily married now for nearly 2 years.
M.M- Where did you meet Riemer?
J.tV – We met through a mutual Zimbabwean friend called Simon. Simon had grown up in Zimbabwe with Riemer and had his 30th birthday party, to which Riemer and I were both invited. Riems was living in Holland at the time and we decided we quite liked each other and to stay in touch
J.tV – I was born and brought up in Nepal by missionary parents. When I was about 10 we moved to Northern Ireland, were I did my secondary education. When I was 18 years old I did a gap year in Nepal, and then returned to study briefly in Scotland, Edinburgh. For university I studied Stage Management at a drama college in London and on graduating briefly worked in the theatre. For various reasons I decided to join the world of Christian charity work and have worked for Interserve, a mission organisation reaching into the Arab and Asian world arranging gap year placements for individuals and more recently have worked doing Admin/PA work for our local church, New Community Church, S.E London. I met my husband Riemer in 2006 and we have been happily married now for nearly 2 years.
M.M- Where did you meet Riemer?
J.tV – We met through a mutual Zimbabwean friend called Simon. Simon had grown up in Zimbabwe with Riemer and had his 30th birthday party, to which Riemer and I were both invited. Riems was living in Holland at the time and we decided we quite liked each other and to stay in touch
Jen at Isaiah Children's Home in Bulawayo
M.M –How would you describe Zimbabwe?
J.tV – Riems parents live in Zimbabwe and in 2008 we visited them here. I had longed to visit Zimbabwe for so long having heard so many wonderful things about it and when I finally got here if I am honest, I was a bit disappointed. With all the troubles that Zimbabwe has experienced over the years, it wasn’t the childhood paradise my Zimbabwean friends had spoken about. Nostalgia ran thick in the conversations we had with people living here, disappointment, lack of hope, I came away feeling rather disillusioned. Our visit this year however, has really encouraged me. I really see changes happening and I’ve really come to love Zimbabwe. It is beautiful, the people have experienced so many hardships, but are filled with a new hope and strength to carry on. Come and visit, I know you’ll love it too!
M.M – How best would you describe your African trip – Cape Town to London (Jen and Riemer are travelling by car from Cape Town to London over a period of 8 months, volunteering with various churches along the way) – so far?
J.tV – In three words - adventurous, encouraging and humbling. So far we’ve travelled through South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana and now Zimbabwe and we have been amazed at the variety of experiences we’ve had along the way. We’ve had a wheel spin off our car while we’ve been driving, and fall into the sea, numerous flat tyres and a blow out, and been stuck in the mud twice once in the dark and once with wild animals nearby making it dangerous to get out the car. We can testify that prayer really works!
We have been so encouraged by the stories we’ve heard about how God has intervened in various people’s lives, bringing hope where there was non, bringing love where there was non, bringing compassion where there was non. We have seen such material poverty, but seen God riches overcome all this. In Lesotho, which is one of the poorest nations of the world, I worked with a girl called Nwansaki from the local Newfrontiers church. She had lost both her parents and was now in charge of bringing up 4 or 5 younger siblings; feeding them, clothing them, paying school fees etc. Despite all this she found time to volunteer for the church 5 days a week visiting the sick in their homes in 3 different villages, praying for them, encouraging them and telling them the good news about Jesus. I was very humbled and challenged.
J.tV – Riems parents live in Zimbabwe and in 2008 we visited them here. I had longed to visit Zimbabwe for so long having heard so many wonderful things about it and when I finally got here if I am honest, I was a bit disappointed. With all the troubles that Zimbabwe has experienced over the years, it wasn’t the childhood paradise my Zimbabwean friends had spoken about. Nostalgia ran thick in the conversations we had with people living here, disappointment, lack of hope, I came away feeling rather disillusioned. Our visit this year however, has really encouraged me. I really see changes happening and I’ve really come to love Zimbabwe. It is beautiful, the people have experienced so many hardships, but are filled with a new hope and strength to carry on. Come and visit, I know you’ll love it too!
M.M – How best would you describe your African trip – Cape Town to London (Jen and Riemer are travelling by car from Cape Town to London over a period of 8 months, volunteering with various churches along the way) – so far?
J.tV – In three words - adventurous, encouraging and humbling. So far we’ve travelled through South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana and now Zimbabwe and we have been amazed at the variety of experiences we’ve had along the way. We’ve had a wheel spin off our car while we’ve been driving, and fall into the sea, numerous flat tyres and a blow out, and been stuck in the mud twice once in the dark and once with wild animals nearby making it dangerous to get out the car. We can testify that prayer really works!
We have been so encouraged by the stories we’ve heard about how God has intervened in various people’s lives, bringing hope where there was non, bringing love where there was non, bringing compassion where there was non. We have seen such material poverty, but seen God riches overcome all this. In Lesotho, which is one of the poorest nations of the world, I worked with a girl called Nwansaki from the local Newfrontiers church. She had lost both her parents and was now in charge of bringing up 4 or 5 younger siblings; feeding them, clothing them, paying school fees etc. Despite all this she found time to volunteer for the church 5 days a week visiting the sick in their homes in 3 different villages, praying for them, encouraging them and telling them the good news about Jesus. I was very humbled and challenged.
M.M – What is the weirdest food you’ve eaten?
J.tV – I must admit I’m not good with weird food, I tend to generally avoid it, possibly it was an insect that was inside a candy.
J.tV – I must admit I’m not good with weird food, I tend to generally avoid it, possibly it was an insect that was inside a candy.
M.M – Who has influenced you the most recently?
J.tV – I think quite possibly it was Nwansaki, the girl from Lesotho. She was materially in poverty, yet she gave God her whole heart, her compassion, her time, and God has made something beautiful out of it.
J.tV – I think quite possibly it was Nwansaki, the girl from Lesotho. She was materially in poverty, yet she gave God her whole heart, her compassion, her time, and God has made something beautiful out of it.
M.M- Amazing! What are you passionate about?
J.tV - The nations! I just love the variety of people we have in this world, the richness of cultures, and how God can break across all the barriers that this could present . I always get excited when we sing and read about how every tribe and every tongue will worship God.
J.tV - The nations! I just love the variety of people we have in this world, the richness of cultures, and how God can break across all the barriers that this could present . I always get excited when we sing and read about how every tribe and every tongue will worship God.
M.M: Thanks so much Jen. It’s been a joy being with you and spending time with you and Riemer. Happy adventures and be blessed as you travel through Africa!
By Molly Manhanga
