“‘GOD KNOWS WE NEED NICE WEATHER,’ SAID MRS. HYINK” – Wednesday July 19, 2017

RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONTINENTAL LEADER

By Sir Leen LaRiviere, The Continental Singers, Europe

SPLENDID WEATHER                                           

Ria and Sir Leen la Riviere

Driebergen, Holland, 1970-1990

Since 1970 The Continentals have been to the village Driebergen in Holland.  An ongoing invitation from the female Pastress Hyink, pastor of the local Pentecostal church.  They could not do a concert, but The Continental Singers could perform in the Sunday morning service.  She would often invite, and care for, English speakers, celebrities like Brother Andrew, Corrie ten Boom, etc.

After the church service, The Continental Singers were not allowed to leave unless they “had tea” at Mrs. Hyink’s house.  Of course, the house was too small, so chairs had to be put in the garden.  But, that is very risky business in the rapid changing weather of Holland.  The chance is 80% that it will start raining. There are even voices who say that the moment Dutch people go enjoy nice weather and sit in the garden, it starts raining as a revenge of the weather-gods, because the Dutch reclaimed so much land from lakes and sea.  So, that first time in 1970, the neighbors of Mrs. Hyink saw the bus and the 40 Conti’s appear at 13.00 hrs. When they saw all those kids in the yard, they were eager to offer shelter, just when it would start to rain (quite normal expectations when you live in Holland).  Mrs. (Rev) Hyink smiled and said, “Thanks, but God knows we need nice weather.  He will help.”  So, what happened that afternoon?  Splendid weather!

Next year, 1971, same procedure.  And surprise!  Nice Weather! The third year, according to the mathematic laws of chance, it had to rain now, but again, great weather.  The fourth year, the neighbors gave up.  They prepared that day their yard for their own family barbeque as well, and yes, great weather.  (In some parts of Holland a barbeque can only last one hour or so because the weather changes.)

In the next years it became the sign for the whole neighborhood, that the day The Continental Singers would come to town, it would be nice weather.  People would start calling Mrs. Hyink to find out the date of their visit.  First, she thought that they wanted to come to church.  Later on, she found out, that almost the whole village would plan all sorts of outdoor activities, because The Continental Singers had arrived, and that meant nice weather. 

There have been a few occasions that it did rain during the morning service (panic in town), but the moment they stepped out of the bus into the yard, the rain stopped! This incredible smile of God happened in an annual sequence from 1970 to 1990, when Mrs. Hyink became too old to care for The Continental Singers after church.  The village could not count anymore on this beautiful divine intervention.

(This is a true “Continental Tale” as he calls it, by Sir Leen LaRiviere who was knighted by the Queen for his contribution to the arts in his country of Holland.  Leen, along with his wife Ria, has been European Director of The Continental Singers ministry since 1969, now in his 49^th year!)