a quick dip in skåne.

Last Monday evening, we arrived into Oslo on a train. It was apparent to Koala and I that we have more luggage than ever. You would be surprised how much luggage you can actually carry if you put your mind, and biceps to the task. In our estimations, we are each carrying upwards of 55 kilos in personal belongings, camera gear, photo exhibition materials, and most of all, multiple copies of our color photography publication.

We were greeted by an acquaintance (who would that evening become more of a friend) who guided us back to an apartment he shared with a few others. It was quite a journey, but we made it in time for dinner, before we met with their Norwegian “Media Village,” – basically a group of Christians who are working in various areas of the media, who gather each week to discuss and consider how they can be bringing the mind of Christ to the media. It was a privilege to meet with such a group of people, who are being intentional to use their abilities and knowledge to speak the truth to their society.

As we shared our project, we in turn had a very in depth discussion on many different aspects of media, communication, photography and the like. As we were talking about our project, God brought me a bit of a revelation about the importance of an individual, something we’ve been talking a lot about in all the places we go. Just as we were traveling the world, in many developing nations, we saw that there was so much that could come of individual encounters. We would always be surprised to see the stories God brought us into contact with as we did our best to be sensitive to the individual people God brought us into contact with. Now, as we share about how we can be a part of bringing hope to the needs of the world, we are also being reminded to see the importance of individual people. I saw that maybe one individual would see our project, and be prompted to go give a cup of coffee to a homeless person on the street, while another could be prompted to go and work with abused women and children in the brothels of southeast Asia. Not that one of these is better, but we can never be entirely aware of the works God could be bringing about in the hearts of people as we do our best to communicate what we have seen of a needy humanity.

(oslo, with the media village)

The next morning, one of the friends we made in this group was kind enough to drive us (and all of our luggage) to the Oslo bus station, where we caught our bus to the south of Sweden, where we would eventually arrive in our next destination of Ängelholm. One of the friends we made during our time in Hawaii, Frida, was kind enough to host Koala and I at her family’s home. They gave us a location to settle that was warm in both temperature and friendship.

Thursday, we spent the day in Café Engel, which is a youth café run by one of the local churches. A lot of youth and young adults come to the café during the week, and are able to have a healthy place to spend their time, with very affordable brownies and coffee. We set up some of our photos, and had a small table for our books, and shared very briefly about our project. The afternoon provided us with some opportunities to connect with a few people on a more personal basis.

Friday night, Koala and I were able to share more in depth with the youth group at Frida’s church. It was a fairly normal evening, as we shared our project and stories like we normally do. It is always a good experience to share these types of things with the youth in the places we go, as it maybe can help them to see that they do have so many opportunities to be a part of ministering hope to the world. It was a nice evening, of sharing the general information about human trafficking, but also sharing on a more personal basis of what God has been teaching us as we’ve been moving around.

(helsingborg)

(lennart, a kind host to pancake night)

After the youth meeting on Friday night, we were introduced to something new: Pancake Church, or Pankaka Kirkjan as they call it in these parts. Our new friend, Lennart, along with others from the church, have begun to cook pancakes on the main street of Ängelholm, to give out to whoever may pass by on a Friday night. Going out to take part in pancake church, I did experience the cold soaking up from the ground, through my shoes, and into my feet, but even more so, I experienced a group of people who are effectively changing the atmosphere of a place that would normally be filled with emptiness, bits of chaos, or plain drunkenness on any other night. People understand cold, people understand love, and people understand pancakes.

(a man decided he would build some structures out of driftwood)

(i spy a koala bear)

Sunday morning, we shared briefly with the main service of Frida’s church. It was just a quick introduction to the issue, but I’m confident that it was effective for the audience. We stayed around for a nice time of coffee, cakes, and good conversation afterwards (this seems to be the norm in Scandinavian churches, a custom I very much enjoy.)

Yesterday evening, Koala and I arrived to our current location, Stockholm. We have spent much of today (Tuesday) with our school leader, Paul Childers, discussing the last couple months, and also discussing details for the months to come. In a city with which we are unfamiliar, it has been nice to be in touch with someone familiar. Today, we were able to get in touch with a local church her in downtown Stockholm, and they have allowed Koala and I to come share at their missions prayer meeting this Thursday afternoon. We are hoping that we will also be able to get in touch with a couple of the other churches in the area as well. I believe God will continue to open the doors in the places He wants us to be. If you think of it, pray that we will be sensitive to where He is leading us.