Name: Laura Jansen
Nationality: Dutch/British
Favourite Animal: Meerkat

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I started coming to Redeemer with my brother when I was sixteen. Six years down the line, and we’re still here and I am now part of the Youth Leadership Team (a great team, you should definitely join us). I enjoy listening to different types of rock music, but I also like to bounce around between genres. I like to spend my free time cooking/baking, learning French and watching Formula 1. I’d say that about sums me up 🙂

2. What’s your favourite part about living in the Hague area?

I actually live in Delft which, in my opinion, is the best place to live. But the great food scene in The Hague and the fact that you can find an Albert Heijn on almost every street corner makes it a good solid second.

3. What have you learned about God and who He is in this season?

 At the moment, I’m learning about getting the mind to learn more about God’s character in order for my heart to be able to love Him better. This being followed by the call to get into the Bible and study it more.

This all came to me a few weeks ago when I “randomly” picked up a book that I hadn’t touched since last summer, and my roommate “randomly” handed me another book and asked me to read it. And of course the church had just decided to do a series this year on being rooted in the Word. I love those God-timing moments.

4. Can you share a little about God answering prayer or breaking through in a situation?

Since I graduated in June 2020, God has been doing some very cool stuff in my life. After finishing my bachelor’s degree in Political Science, I had planned to take a gap year and do an internship and then start my master’s the following September. I got the internship – mainly thanks to the translation and youth work I had been doing for the church – which turned out to be an answer to prayer in so many ways.

Doing the internship meant I had to postpone my master’s and take a second gap year which I then decided to fill up with a job. Out of all the jobs/internships I applied for, the ones I thought I had a good shot at all turned me down. But the one job which I didn’t think I was qualified enough for, but really wanted, God decided to let me have it.

5. What are you thankful for?

For a God who messes up my plans in the most beautiful way.

And for Indian food.