STORIES FROM
EUROPE

A little more than 15 years ago, Kseniya and Christiaan Kooiman, young and fresh out of Bible school, arrived in Schwerin, Germany. Like for most students and recent graduates, searching for a budget–friendly flat presented a challenge. 

“Everyone told us not to live in the Plattenbau flats. There was crime and no other Christians. But we thought, ‘If no one else wants to live there, then that’s the place for us,’” Kseniya said.

From the start, the Kooimans were intentional in getting to know their neighbours. They began by having parties and events, especially for kids, outside and in the streets. But eventually, they, along with their teammates and neighbours, realised that they needed a building to serve the neighbourhood better and in more ways.

“So we bought a building. But it was very broken, and even needed a new roof. The renovations took three years,” Kseniya said. “But we saw this as a symbol for the people around us. They may be broken, but God sees the potential.”

And the Patchwork Center was born. Fast forward some years later, and the community center is now established. The Kooimans are able to pass on the torch of their work. It is now being run by two new Christian workers, two new local believers and one person from the Ukrainian church that meets in the building. 

For the last few years, as they realised that their time in Schwerin was coming to a close, Kseniya and Christiaan have spent much time in preparing the new leadership team, making sure that the transition goes smoothly. And now that the transition phase is coming to an end, they are beginning to focus more on their new neighbourhood.

Nearly a year ago, the family moved to a new city in Eastern Germany. Again, they went to God with open hands, letting Him lead them to where He wanted them to be. Again, the Kooimans have settled in a place people warn about, but they are not without hope.

“We did not want to move here, to Hagenow, but it stayed in our thoughts,” Kseniya said. “But one day we came for a walk, and we saw all of the people on the streets. We knew this was the next place for us.”

Unlike their start in Schwerin, they moved to this town knowing no one. Leaving a community where they were known and trusted and arriving in another place as strangers has proved challenging, to say the least.

But they are looking forward to what God has planned for this very compact neighbourhood. 

“We have gotten to know a girl from a very troubled family. Everything seems to be going wrong for her. But our love and compassion for her keeps growing,” Kseniya said. “We know that if this one girl comes to faith and we see change in her life, then it is enough.”

They are still getting to know the culture, or rather, cultures–the ethnic dynamics here are different from their previous community. They are learning about the needs and hurts, as well as the hopes and desires of the people. They are asking God, “How do we bring all of these many nationalities together? What might a church look like in this place?”

Christiaan and Kseniya are praying for a team to join them. With their experience, knowledge and wisdom gained from their time in Schwerin, they are hoping to find new workers to disciple and teach in this kind of pioneering ministry. 

Let us pray with them, that the Lord will bring new workers and other believers to this neighbourhood. Let us also pray for the Kooiman family, that they be encouraged, strengthened and begin to see what a church might look like among their neighbours.