Shalom ................

Greetings from Major Rintje Taekema

- Victoria, Australia

Thank you for looking on our web site. May the Lord Guide and Bless you during this year 2010.

Just to tell you a little about myself, I was born during the second world war in Steenwijk the Netherlands. At the age of 16 years my family decided to immigrate to Australia, my Dad Gerlof and my mother Jeltje, plus us three boys (Myself) Rintje John and Gary, plus my four sisters Willy, Wietske Lonie and Froukje, all came to Australia.

In 1960 I met my wife to be, Pam Draper, we first met at the Salvation Army Millicent

My wife Pam and I have been married for over 46 years now, we were married in Broken Hill NSW. Pam and I have two sons Peter and John they both have been married for over 23 years to Wilmien and Femmy respectively, we have seven grandchildren. Kylie our eldest grand daughter was married March 2007.

Going back a little.
After the sad and sudden death of my mother in 1972 My family, returned to The Netherlands. My wife Pam and I were commissioned as Salvation Army officers in January 1970, and we served as officers at the following appointments, Golden Square, Scottsdale, Devonport, Huonville, Burnie, we also served in the Netherlands, at Sneek, Zutphen and Hotel Elim in the Wagen Straat The Hague.

Further in Australia we served at Thornbury, Mildura, Dandenong and Norwood, after retirement we also helped at The Tea Tree Gully Salvation Army Church Corps and while in WA for two years we helped at York in Western Australia. During 2007 we were privileged to serve at Shepparton for a short period of 6 weeks.
Scottsdale, Tasmania. Last year 2009 from the 1st March through to 1st June. Pam and I filled in as the Salvation Army Oficers in Beautiful Scottsdale Tasmania, we had earlier served there in 1971-2 and again in 1975.
This time we filled in for 3 months helping out.It was great to catch up with old friends and make new ones.We continue to pray for the folks at Scottsdale.
Interestingly that last year a group of four came with us to Israel from Scottsdale. They very much enjoyed and learned a great deal about the Land of the Bible.

What was most interesting, to meet so many people from the mainland who now call Tasmania home.
They come from all over Australia, and now enjoy living in BeautifulTassie.

It was my great joy to have visited Scottsdale again and take part in the opening of the New Salvation Army Shop there in King Street which is the main Street in Scottsdale.(This took place November 2009)
It was a great joy to visit Tasmania and catch up with our many friends there.

May we more then ever study His word, stay true to the Teachings of Holy Scripture. We are living in challenging days.
The Bible speaks a great deal about the last days.
Do not underestimate the importance of Doctrines,what we believe, Holiness unto the lord, commitment, and trusting wholly on His wonderful abounding Grace.

Jesus Christ is the Hope of the World. For God so loved the World that He gave us Jesus.

I am very grateful to our son Peter for setting up this new Web format.Well done Peter.

May the Lord Bless you.

Yours most sincerely

Rintje Taekema