Levare is a student International Criminal Justice in Amsterdam. She shares about her experience with the Navigators Internationals.
What first drew you to Navigators Internationals? What were you hoping to find?
When I moved to Amsterdam last September, I was looking for a sense of community. Through some people I met, I heard about Navigators as a Christian group for students. I reached out via email and was warmly invited to a barbecue kicking off the academic year. At the time, I couldn’t quite articulate what I was looking for—probably just people, so I wouldn’t feel so alone in a new and somewhat intimidating city. I hoped to make friends, have meaningful conversations, and maybe find a group that could help me stay connected to God in this new season of life.
Can you share a specific moment or conversation within the Navigators that impacted your faith?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single moment, but one highlight for me was the Passover dinner we had during the Easter season. Sitting around the table, reading the story of the Exodus, and experiencing it through the eyes of Eline: who had lived in Israelwas deeply moving. The way each step of the meal connected with our Christian faith brought the story to life. It was a powerful reminder of how our faith is rooted in something both ancient and alive today.
How did being part of an international Christian community challenge or grow your faith?
What I love about this group is how diverse we are. We come from different countries, churches—and some don’t attend church at all. Reading Scripture and discussing it together has stretched me. It’s made me lay my understanding of God on the table and be open to new perspectives I hadn’t considered before. I know my faith would not have grown in the same way if I hadn’t found this community in this brand new city.
Were there any moments where cultural differences helped you see God in a new light?
Absolutely. When people from different backgrounds come together in mutual respect to talk about faith, you’re bound to learn something. One example is when Hans would lead using a Jesuit-style reflection. We listen to a passage and close our eyes, imagining ourselves in the scene: where we are, what we’re doing, and what Jesus is saying to us. The questions go deeper with each round, helping us really enter into the story. That practice changed how I relate to God, I now often see Him not as distant, but as someone I can step into the story with.
Where do you feel God is leading you next, and how has your time with Navigators Internationals prepared you for that?
That’s a hard question because I’m still figuring it out. What I do know is that the friendships and fellowship I’ve found here have shown me that God had a plan for me in Amsterdam—I wasn’t meant to be alone. That gives me confidence for the future. Wherever I go next, I trust that God will be there too, and that He’ll continue to provide people and community along the way. So I don’t fear being alone anymore
