says she was initially most excited for the opportunity this trip offered Martijn, as they grew closer they both knew it was something they could do together, with Fleur’s background in organisational management with a focus on global social issues also adding to what the couple could offer. But then COVID-19 spread to the Netherlands, confining the couple to their homes just as it did to people in countries all over the world. During that time Martijn was able to continue working as an optometrist while Fleur started and finished a Master of Communication degree, but any plans for travel had to be put firmly on hold. All the while though, their relationship grew, along with their longing to go to PNG. Last year, on May 11,
Martijn and Fleur were married in a small town in the Netherlands, a beautiful day overflowing with love from family and friends. Then just a week later they flew out for their honeymoon in Thailand and the Philippines, then straight on to PNG together. “I had a long-held dream of using my skills in a place where they were most needed,” Martijn says. “PNG presented the perfect opportunity to fulfill this dream, especially with the support of organisations like YWAM.” Although the couple was initially supposed to work on the MV YWAM Liberty ship, the plan changed because of ship repairs in dry dock so they were instead directed to a land-based mission in Madang. Nestled along PNG’s northeastern coast, Martijn and Fleur found the province beckoned
Martijn and Fleur on their May 2023 wedding day in the Netherlands, just a week before they left for their PNG missionary adventure
challenges of ministry. We never did learn to love the rooster though!” ended up in PNG on a trip of a lifetime starts in the Netherlands in 2020. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, optometrist (eye doctor) Martijn had contacted YWAM to ask about volunteering The story of how Martijn and Fleur on its medical ship with other doctors, dentists and medical professionals from around the world. It was around this time that he also met his future wife Fleur, and she recalls that he showed up on their third date with an information kit that YWAM had sent him. “He had the dream to make a valuable
difference to people in third world countries with his profession as an optometrist,” she said. “I knew right away that I wanted to join!” Although Fleur
Fleur helps Martijn at a busy day at the eye clinic in Mirap, where a long queue of people were waiting to be seen. The young girl doing a reading test on a Bible was later fitted for glasses that will help her in school
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