This last week was full of great moments and we would like to share a few with you.
First, a little background. Our main activities have been to encourage the churches and Christians locally here. What this means practically is everyone has had the chance to preach a message, all the students got to do this twice. Fast forward to the prison meeting where Thomas got to preach his 2nd sermon...and preach he did. That day we saw God move and 5 men made decisions for Jesus.
Next sermon was given by Hanne at a youth meeting in a University. This night Hanne preached about it all being about God instead of being focussed on ourselves. She had an alter call, about 15 students came up for prayer, some crying as they were touched by God.
We ended our time well in Bandung and have safely arrived in our next destination: An orphanage in Bali, where we will live and work for the remaining of our outreach.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Life in Indonesia
Indonesia is a hot country filled with people. The people here are quite friendly, although as you go down the street people often have no expression until you smile, then you get a huge smile in return. Of course, there are many differences in this country from the States and Norway. First, it is Muslum nation so you hear the call to prayer four times a day. Second, they are the opposite of direct when it comes to communication. In fact, we have to ask 2-3 times if something is okay (like are these shorts to short?) before you will get an honest answer. Most of the food is fried (Fried chicken is a favorite, yes KFC is quite popular here). And of course, you have rice with every meal.
Here there is "religious freedom" in the sense that there are Buddhist temple, Hindu temples and Christian churches as well as many Mosques. Yet it is difficult to have a church building because you need to get the signatures/permission of the people in the neighborhood you want the church, but they are primarily Muslim, so often you won't get it. As a team, if we want to sing songs about Jesus we are asked to close the windows and doors as not to upset the neighbors. We have had a lot of opportunities to encourage local Christians here and in a country such as this it is encouragement is very needed.
Please pray for us as a team (Stefan, Hanne, Ingrid, Thomas, Asbjørn and Jae). We are a very good team but we have had some struggles. Your prayers are very appreciated.
Below are pictures of the city - mass traffic, motorbikes are the quickest way to travel even for a family, city life and the team.
Here there is "religious freedom" in the sense that there are Buddhist temple, Hindu temples and Christian churches as well as many Mosques. Yet it is difficult to have a church building because you need to get the signatures/permission of the people in the neighborhood you want the church, but they are primarily Muslim, so often you won't get it. As a team, if we want to sing songs about Jesus we are asked to close the windows and doors as not to upset the neighbors. We have had a lot of opportunities to encourage local Christians here and in a country such as this it is encouragement is very needed.
Please pray for us as a team (Stefan, Hanne, Ingrid, Thomas, Asbjørn and Jae). We are a very good team but we have had some struggles. Your prayers are very appreciated.
Below are pictures of the city - mass traffic, motorbikes are the quickest way to travel even for a family, city life and the team.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Latvia Outreach part 2
Latvia, the continuation...
Day 4: All of us went out into the community to deliver food bags to those in need (we got lists of needy people from Social Service Office from the city). We got to bless, encourage, pray for those we met. It was really great and humbling to bless people in this way
Day 5: We broke into groups, some continued to hand out bags of food, some did a local children's program, some went to a local prison, some helped with give away clothing. I helped with the clothing.
Clothing giveaway. We used a local community center and had all the clothes donated from Denmark, Sweden and Norway set up on different tables. There were home items, clothes (for all sizes babies, kids, women and men), bedding, personal items. We let 30-40 people in at a time for 15-20 minutes they could take all they needed and could carry out. It was exhausting and crazy. We ran out of bedding the fastest, people mostly wanting blankets (wool) and comforters and pillows.
Day 6: Clothing giveaway. God broke my heart for the needy. We had so many clothes we were trying to hand it out to people to take. I came across one man who looked dirty and disheveled. He was picking through the kids section and I tried to encourage him in English to take as much as he wanted. When I talked to him he got a scared look in his face and backed up and walked away. I was surprised, but I also knew he didn't have much more time and was eager to see him get as much as he could. I walked to where he was and tried to hand him a few things showing him it was okay to take, he did take an item or two. After he left, I cried and prayed. What could have happened that left a man skittish and afraid? It was a reminder of the woundedness of the world and it broke my heart.
Day 7: Celebration party. On days 5 & 6 in the evenings we had a church service events. Kings Kids performed skits and dances, a local pastor spoke one night, the next night Tjebbo, the outreach organizer, spoke. Many people who had been given food or met along the way had come to know God in a personal way. In fact, our translator from Day 4 had accepted Jesus into her heart (she was from the city, a translator through Social Services). We invited all to celebrate what God had done throughout the week. God did so much.
Below is a local news report on the outreach (I am in the video briefly). It is in Latvian, but if you watch it all you will get a good picture of what we gave away. Hope you enjoy.
Thanks for all who prayed for our trip. It was amazing! I also want to invite you to come next year, it is a great outreach to be part of - think about it.
Day 4: All of us went out into the community to deliver food bags to those in need (we got lists of needy people from Social Service Office from the city). We got to bless, encourage, pray for those we met. It was really great and humbling to bless people in this way
Day 5: We broke into groups, some continued to hand out bags of food, some did a local children's program, some went to a local prison, some helped with give away clothing. I helped with the clothing.
Clothing giveaway. We used a local community center and had all the clothes donated from Denmark, Sweden and Norway set up on different tables. There were home items, clothes (for all sizes babies, kids, women and men), bedding, personal items. We let 30-40 people in at a time for 15-20 minutes they could take all they needed and could carry out. It was exhausting and crazy. We ran out of bedding the fastest, people mostly wanting blankets (wool) and comforters and pillows.
Day 6: Clothing giveaway. God broke my heart for the needy. We had so many clothes we were trying to hand it out to people to take. I came across one man who looked dirty and disheveled. He was picking through the kids section and I tried to encourage him in English to take as much as he wanted. When I talked to him he got a scared look in his face and backed up and walked away. I was surprised, but I also knew he didn't have much more time and was eager to see him get as much as he could. I walked to where he was and tried to hand him a few things showing him it was okay to take, he did take an item or two. After he left, I cried and prayed. What could have happened that left a man skittish and afraid? It was a reminder of the woundedness of the world and it broke my heart.
Day 7: Celebration party. On days 5 & 6 in the evenings we had a church service events. Kings Kids performed skits and dances, a local pastor spoke one night, the next night Tjebbo, the outreach organizer, spoke. Many people who had been given food or met along the way had come to know God in a personal way. In fact, our translator from Day 4 had accepted Jesus into her heart (she was from the city, a translator through Social Services). We invited all to celebrate what God had done throughout the week. God did so much.
Below is a local news report on the outreach (I am in the video briefly). It is in Latvian, but if you watch it all you will get a good picture of what we gave away. Hope you enjoy.
Thanks for all who prayed for our trip. It was amazing! I also want to invite you to come next year, it is a great outreach to be part of - think about it.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Latvia outreach part 1
We, the DTS, are here in Latvia, working alongside a ministry from Sweden. They come every year to a different city in Latvia to bless the people and tell them of God's love.
Day 1: we got here a day early so we helped unload two semi trailers of donated food an clothing from Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. 5 hours of very hard labor (the sore muscles to come).
Day 2: All 340 of the volunteers join together to get an overview of the program and bond together to become a team. Yes, 340 people can work together in unity, an amazing feat.
Day 3: we unload food and clothing and organize it so we can give it away the next days - it's called "sweat day". Below is a picture of the food bags. We made 1400 of these to hand out.
We are here 7 days, the rest is to be continued...
Day 1: we got here a day early so we helped unload two semi trailers of donated food an clothing from Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. 5 hours of very hard labor (the sore muscles to come).
Day 2: All 340 of the volunteers join together to get an overview of the program and bond together to become a team. Yes, 340 people can work together in unity, an amazing feat.
Day 3: we unload food and clothing and organize it so we can give it away the next days - it's called "sweat day". Below is a picture of the food bags. We made 1400 of these to hand out.
We are here 7 days, the rest is to be continued...
Friday, February 17, 2012
A week in Skjærgårdsheimen
A week by the sea. I had some time off of in my very busy schedule and wanted to get away. Britt, a friend of mine, suggested I stay at Skjærgårdsheimen, the YWAM base in south Norway near Kristiansand. The idea was brilliant - a gift from God. (Thank you Britt for the excellent suggestion.)
It all began Monday - a three hour train ride south. I sat by a man with whom I talked with the whole trip there, he initiated most of the conversation. I wasn't feeling so great, but didn't want to appear rude, so I continued to converse and besides it was nice to chat. But about 10 minutes before our arrival to our destination, the "not so feeling well" feeling increased and to my dismay - I threw up! Yes, on the train in one of those little bags, so embarrassing. For the next day or so, my stomach would react every time I ate, bad and unwelcome stomach bug.
So here I am a little ill, trying to rest and relax. I've discovered that I have a challenging time relaxing, I always think I"m being irresponsible if I do non productive things like read, watch movies, sleep in, etc.... It's sad, so my goal this week was to learn how to rest - truly rest. I think I did okay. I've prayed a lot this trip about if I was being irresponsible or not. It's been a battle to relax. Why are we so silly?
I've been counting blessings while here, like: I had a stomach bug, but I wasn't "down and out". The base here is beautiful and full of blessings: The view, the showers (very powerful and private), napkins (all I want and need), personal bathroom, there are no schools running here and it is very quiet, Nutella not just on the weekends, and can I mention once again - the view! (it truly is beautiful here). In fact, here are some pictures that I took. Some I edited, but most I did not.
I head back tomorrow, a 7 hour train ride, I purposely kept a book for this day. I am grateful for my time here and what I've learned about resting, about me. I pray that the next time I get a break I will find it easier to rest.
It all began Monday - a three hour train ride south. I sat by a man with whom I talked with the whole trip there, he initiated most of the conversation. I wasn't feeling so great, but didn't want to appear rude, so I continued to converse and besides it was nice to chat. But about 10 minutes before our arrival to our destination, the "not so feeling well" feeling increased and to my dismay - I threw up! Yes, on the train in one of those little bags, so embarrassing. For the next day or so, my stomach would react every time I ate, bad and unwelcome stomach bug.
So here I am a little ill, trying to rest and relax. I've discovered that I have a challenging time relaxing, I always think I"m being irresponsible if I do non productive things like read, watch movies, sleep in, etc.... It's sad, so my goal this week was to learn how to rest - truly rest. I think I did okay. I've prayed a lot this trip about if I was being irresponsible or not. It's been a battle to relax. Why are we so silly?
I've been counting blessings while here, like: I had a stomach bug, but I wasn't "down and out". The base here is beautiful and full of blessings: The view, the showers (very powerful and private), napkins (all I want and need), personal bathroom, there are no schools running here and it is very quiet, Nutella not just on the weekends, and can I mention once again - the view! (it truly is beautiful here). In fact, here are some pictures that I took. Some I edited, but most I did not.
I head back tomorrow, a 7 hour train ride, I purposely kept a book for this day. I am grateful for my time here and what I've learned about resting, about me. I pray that the next time I get a break I will find it easier to rest.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Goodbye again
Yesterday, I found out a friend from Denver died of cancer - it hurts. At firs,t I was just stunned thinking it was surreal, a dream, but reality is we suffered a loss. I think I realize how far away I am from my closest friends in a time like this. It's true I want to mourn, cry alongside of them. I worked with Cary for nearly 8 years and although I wasn't in his closest circle, I knew him, appreciated him and valued him. He was a man with a beautiful heart. Today is just a day of tears. I'm not sad he's with Jesus, I'd be more jealous if I thought about it. I'm sad that I'm not with friends who are hurting and I'm sad I have to say goodbye to one more quality person in my life. Saying goodbye just isn't fun. I'll be grateful when goodbyes cease and I get to say hello to all who got to heaven before me. Until then...hugs are nice.
PRAHA!
Prague...is the most beautiful city I've ever been to. I was blessed to be able to go there with 5 others on a short 2 week outreach. We got to work alongside teen challenge as they encourage and develop gypsy kids at an after school program. We got to teach English, this was an adventure for us all, as well as go to a couple different English clubs to encourage the teens with testimonies, games and conversations. There was also time for prayer & evangelism in the city center and worship with local IHOP team. It was a busy time, but so blessed.
My favorite memory: My team, how we bonded together even though we hadn't really had time to do that prior to our leaving. It was such a blessing to go with people you realized were quality, something discovered during our two weeks there.
My favorite ministry time: Prayer walks. Saturating the city with prayer, many times it felt very significant. When I got home I was speaking to a student named Emily who had been in Prague a couple months earlier. She said Prague was like a bridge from Western Europe to Eastern Europe. It is as if this is the place where the two meet. The city also seemed very empty of hope and joy - in need of prayer and a touch from God. Even though I can't tell you what happened when we prayed, it made a difference, I believe that. I believe when you talk to God about the people he loves and ask him to move in their lives it is significant.
There are many great people and organizations in Prague wanting to make a difference and love on the unloved - be the hands and feet of God. Please pray for them and the city they are in. Thanks.
My favorite memory: My team, how we bonded together even though we hadn't really had time to do that prior to our leaving. It was such a blessing to go with people you realized were quality, something discovered during our two weeks there.
My favorite ministry time: Prayer walks. Saturating the city with prayer, many times it felt very significant. When I got home I was speaking to a student named Emily who had been in Prague a couple months earlier. She said Prague was like a bridge from Western Europe to Eastern Europe. It is as if this is the place where the two meet. The city also seemed very empty of hope and joy - in need of prayer and a touch from God. Even though I can't tell you what happened when we prayed, it made a difference, I believe that. I believe when you talk to God about the people he loves and ask him to move in their lives it is significant.
There are many great people and organizations in Prague wanting to make a difference and love on the unloved - be the hands and feet of God. Please pray for them and the city they are in. Thanks.
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