on the street
Newsletter
Impression of an evening on the street – Red Light District
It is around 8:45 p.m. when we are just starting our lap of the neighborhood. We have only just set out when we see her again: A young Eastern European girl we had already noticed that afternoon, behind another window. We had introduced ourselves once, but a real conversation had never come about. Until now. She opens her door and we strike up a conversation. A stream of tourists passes by behind us, but she sighs, They’re all just viewers…. I don’t earn anything from it.
When we ask if she is making ends meet financially, her look immediately changes. The stress is palpable. She explains that she worries about whether she can pay the rent on her apartment (€3,000 a month). Every month is a struggle. She works double shifts to keep her head above water, but that also means extra costs for the window (€200 extra per night). And, of course, the IRS knocks on the door.
What remains is a dead tired girl. Stressed, depressed, sleeping badly, having lots of nightmares. We keep an eye on her – and know that she is no exception. Later that evening, to our horror, we see again behind a window a young woman who had once bid us fond farewell. She had then quit her job in prostitution. Embarrassed, she opens her door. She explains that she could not find work in her home country and now has no money to make ends meet. Nothing was prepared, as so often happens. She fortunately has no children and hopes to visit our office soon. Then we’ll see what we can do for her.
We heard from the other team that a woman wants to make an appointment with us. She has returned from her home country and now wants to set up something here in Holland, but needs help with that. A little later we walk past her window. She is talking to a customer but still calls out, “ ‘ll call you later!”
In between, we also see a young woman with whom we have established a special contact over the past few weeks. She is just starting out and is from Eastern Europe. A while ago we gave her a Bible in her own language. She reads in it faithfully and is tremendously hungry for the gospel. She once said, “I love God, but I think He is angry with me because of my work.” She never dreamed of this life, but got into it because of her circumstances. That night we got to pray for her, and God gave a clear word full of hope. We trust that He will lead her to a new life and a real future.
At the end of the evening, the streets get busier. We try to help two more young girls – probably under the influence of alcohol and drugs. They are confused, don’t remember what they took or where to go. And this is just one night. One look at the reality behind the glass. Behind every window is a story. And behind every story a human being. Keep praying. Stay involved. Keep seeing.
Greetings Frits Rouvoet
Day Out of Town – Pamper Day
Last week we traded our office in Amsterdam for a day in the countryside in the middle of the Netherlands, surrounded by meadows, peace and space. In this rural setting we could really take our time together with some of our precious women. Time for rest. For encounters. For attention. What a beautiful day! Outside in the sun we started with coffee and sweets. Overlooking lots of
greenery! Later, we went into depth inside – using matryoshka dolls we talked about what you show on the outside and what lives on the inside. About daring to open yourself up. About being honest about what is difficult. About God’s forgiveness – which makes room for restoration. And about the gold that God has put in each of us and that gives hope.
*One of the creations of the women as a reminder of what we discussed together.
It was a day full of companionship, connection and vulnerable beauty. There is so much strength in every woman – and so much value to be revealed. We are grateful that we were able to experience this together.
Mud, sweat and… mission!
Four men have decided to immerse themselves in mud during the Mud Race in Biddinghuizen on Sept. 27, 2025! But they are not doing this just for kicks – they are getting sponsored for the important work of Bright Fame, that works to help women who want to get out of prostitution. For us, the Mud Masters is symbolic of the struggle these women face every day. Where we go through
the mud for one day, they often have to fight for years to get out of their situation. That’s why we would like to get involved for them. Would you like to sponsor us? Or also participate with your own team? Every contribution – big or small – helps. The sponsorship money goes entirely to Bright Fame and their work in the Red Light District. Thank you very much in advance for your support! Click on the link to sponsor us.
