As a young boy, I also regularly went to an uncle of mine who was an elder in the Reformed Church. They still had an old-fashioned (staircase) organ that I liked to play on. The first song I could play was “On a hill far away, On That Old Rugged Cross,” a favourite song of my father.

I also enjoyed going to Sunday school. I remember the Bible stories often impressed me. Even when I was 13,14 years old, I was allowed to read the Bible stories to the Sunday School class children.

I once heard my mother say (I was already an adult by then), we always thought Thijs would become a pastor. So I must have felt the love of our Lord Jesus in my younger years. I believe — now more than ever before — that God has set me on a path since childhood to be a meaningful servant in His Kingdom, despite all the obstacles I have encountered in my life. It goes too far to elaborate on that now, but I know better than anyone how much effort it often takes not to give in to the worldly temptations. But I also know as I am empowered – especially as a sinner – that the Lord Jesus is near to me, always.

My relationship with Jesus is only getting stronger, every day. In 2010 I met my current “Dushi”. That was a direct reversal of my lifestyle. Reading from the Bible every day, going to church every Sunday. Bought me a keyboard on which I only play Gospels and especially “experiencing them”.

Accompany our church choir and congregation together with my wife, leading discipleship classes. That’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.