Skip to content
Shiny new shoes

Shiny new shoes

Koos Stenger

“I don’t want those shoes!” I whined. “I want those!” I pointed to another pair, which to my inexperienced six-year-old mind seemed a lot better than the ones both the sa... »

The call

The call

Koos Stenger

“Charley! Where are you?” At first, we weren’t worried. Our black Labrador loved nothing better than to race through the forest alongside us on the dusty path, sniffing r... »

Let there be light

Let there be light

Koos Stenger

I heard a beautiful testimony recounted by Dutch evangelist Corrie ten Boom. She told about a visit to a prison situated somewhere in the African bush. The atmosphere was... »

The night he laughed

The night he laughed

Koos Stenger

I was awakened in the middle of the night by an unfamiliar sound. I looked around the room. My wife was still sound asleep, her steady breathing reassuring me that everyt... »

Why don’t you give something?

Why don’t you give something?

Koos Stenger

When I first saw him coming down the street I was tempted to look away. He was ugly, dirty, and clearly asking for money. Maybe if I would just look the other way, he wou... »

The recycling business

The recycling business

Koos Stenger

I was amazed when I saw the colorful, intricate constructions on a YouTube video. Tiny houses, barely bigger than a doghouse, with doors, round little windows, and slante... »

Earthly possessions

Earthly possessions

Koos Stenger

I have always been a dog person. I grew up with dogs, and even later in life when my wife and I served as missionaries, we felt a dog was a necessary addition to our hous... »

What really counts

What really counts

Koos Stenger

I dreamed that I was invited to a luxurious banquet. Everything around me shone with glory and splendor. Crystal goblets were filled with the best wines and all my favori... »

Nothing to fear

Nothing to fear

Koos Stenger

My worst fears came upon me the day I landed in the hospital. I dreaded entering the huge, ominous health factory, where impersonal doctors would study my symptoms with a... »

All will be well

All will be well

Koos Stenger

While surfing the internet, I stumbled upon a Positive Outlook test. I consider myself a fairly positive person, with some room for improvement, but I was curious to see... »

Father to the fatherless

Father to the fatherless

Koos Stenger

“God is your father,” the young man said. “He came down at Christmas in human form. Through Jesus, you can know what God is like.” He looked at me with hopeful eyes, but... »

Sanctuary

Sanctuary

Koos Stenger

“The conclusion”—the speaker said in a booming voice—“is simple. Thank God for the small things in life. Don't look for the millions, but be thankful for the cents.” Ever... »

The hiding place

The hiding place

Koos Stenger

When I was born, only a few years after WW2, Holland was still getting back on its feet, and the aftermath of the war and occupation was still visible. I grew up hearing... »