to oslo and beyond

In 1994, skating for the United States of America, Dan Jansen won the first and only gold medal of his Olympic career, in the 1000 meter speed skating, setting a world record in the process, with a time of one minute, 12.43 seconds. All this transpired in the small Norwegian town of Hamar, in the stadium is known as Vikingskipet, meaning “viking ship.” The arena is constructed to look like an upside-down Viking ship. As I watched the 1994 winter Olympics, I was about seven years of age, and was under the impression that the Viking ship I saw on my TV screen was actually an ancient Viking artifact that had been turned into an Olympic venue. Little did I know I would one day visit the blessed site of this American speed-skating victory, and come to the realization that the stadium was simply a piece of creatively-designed modern architecture.

(friday morning at with the media class)

Speaking of architecture, the high school in which we shared this last Friday was a new school, and proved to be most efficient for setting up our presentation. Video connections, microphones, and even lighting were a breeze to operate. This left us much time to speak to the group of Media students who came to hear about the project.

It was such an amazing opportunity to speak to students who will most likely go into fields where they will be communicating issues and ideas to other people. In some ways, it was difficult to share, as we had to be careful not to make our presentation “too spiritual.” This opened my eyes to see just how much a part of our project God was, but it also opened my eyes to just how practical the heart of our God is for the world, as even without becoming “overly spiritual,” the fact that God has concern in His heart for the neediness and broken-ness of humanity is extremely relevant to humanity, whether we consider ourselves “spiritual” or not. So, whether or not these students profess to be followers of Jesus or not, I trust that the truth in Christ’s message of Mercy, and Justice, and Faith can begin to grow in hearts that are open to cultivation; this at least is a start.

(with the creative class at hedmarktoppen)

After finally feeling settled into a new place and group of people, it is never easy to leave. This was definitely the case with leaving the group of students and staff at Hedmarktoppen. It was only a week, but it was a week of seeing different aspects of Christ come to life in different individuals. Each place we go, we make friends, but leaving is always a challenge.

After leaving Hedmarktoppen Friday night, Koala and I shared our project with a youth group at the Free Church in Hamar. It was similar to a lot of times that we share, but it was also interesting as the standing youth pastor is planning to join the photogenX DTS this coming April.

For the last weekend, Koala and I returned to the YWAM base here in Grimerud, where we spent a couple days recuperating from the busy-ness of the week previous. I’ve even been able to find some room in my heart for the sport of nordic skiing. If one were only to watch, it wouldn’t seem to enticing of an activity. However, once the skis are on your feet, to glide across a smooth layer of snow is surprisingly exhilarating. I pray I am blessed with more opportunities to further enhance my nordic skiing capabilities.

(ywam grimerud)

This afternoon, along with our large family of luggage, Koala and I will head down to Oslo for the night. We have plans to meet with a group of Christians who are working in different areas of media in Oslo. It sounds like it will be a fun evening, as we share with them in their apartment about our publication and the Scandinavian tour. Tuesday morning, it looks as though we’ll be boarding either bus or train to head down to Angelholm, Sweden, for the next main stop of the tour.

from economic protests to small green islands

I am told via my elder sibling, who was informed via wikipedia, that Faroe Islands translates to "sheep" Islands. This is confirmed to me through our local contacts. Early this morning Koala and I will be leaving these Sheep-laden Islands, and should be into Grimmerud, Norway by sometime tonight, via Copenhagen and Oslo.

The last couple weeks have been pretty full, but I am thankful to say at least they have been full of goodness. The last week of Iceland involved a trip around the Island, to the towns of Egilstadir in the east, and Akureyri in the north. Each of these places taught us a lot about the value of meeting together with other believers, even when small in number. Sharing in the personal setting of homes warm with love was a privilege.

The last few days in Reykjavik also provided a few more opportunities to share our book and traveling-photo-exhibition, in a couple different cafes, and a couple different churches as well. I continue to be surprised how God has directed my words by the wisdom of his Spirit, rather than any "insight" of my own. I'm seeing that so much of what God needs us to be is simply available.

(cafe rot)

(islenska kristkirkjan)

You may have heard about civil unrest regarding the economic downfall of Iceland. We were able to see a small bit of what was happening. It was very eye-opening in regards to my understanding of world affairs, and human beings in general.

For the last week, we have been in the Faroe Islands. We have been blessed by the natural beauty, lack of commercialism, and small percentage of tourism in the area. These islands are definitely one of the most unique locations on which I have ever set my feet. Even more than this, we have been able to partner with the local YWAM team to share our project with the body of Christ here on the island. More and more we are blessed to see how his body transcends buildings and denominations. We have shared mostly in church buildings, but also in church meetings held in homes.

(koala and our faithful translator, eydstein, at the salvation army)

(faroe fish factory)

...one of the church meetings from a home also networked us into the opportunity for a tour of a local fish factory. If you ever get to take part in a house church, maybe you may also be blessed with a similar sort of field-trip.

So, once again, Koala and I have packed up, and are prepared to hit the sky. I am learning to specialize at slumber in upright positions. I look forward to writing from Grimmerud.

from nazareth with warm regards

This last week in class was very enjoyable. We had Ashley Smith come to us all the way from South Africa to speak to us about the prophets in the bible, and some of the history behind the city of Jerusalem. It was evident that he had a lot of wisdom to share on these topics. Also being in Jerusalem, it was an amazing place to be learning about such things.

A theme that stood out to me was how the Israelites were thinking that God was only concerned with the outward appearance of their sin, when in fact God was more concerned with the inward attitude of their hearts.

Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Amos 5:23-24

As the Israelites would often go astray, God sent many different prophets to show them that what He was seeking was their hearts. Even when the Israelites didn't listen, God used other nations ruling over the Israelites to make Israel into a nation that understood who their God was. From Ashley's teaching this week, I see that God is not a back-pocket God to be used when things go awry, but he is a God that we should involve in every part of our lives, internally and externally.

...

Over the next week, our school has divided into smaller groups of about five people, so that we can go out and tour the different locations where Jesus lived, walked and taught around the land of Israel.

I am on a team with Carmen (Georgia), Christina (Florida), Tara (Oregon), and Sung Ha (Korea). Yesterday we left Jerusalem in our rental car, planning to go up to Caesarea and Mount Carmel before settling in Nazareth for the next few days. Early in the afternoon we stopped for a quick stretch on the beach in Caesarea. As we returned to the car we found that our car had been broken into, and four of our bags had been stolen. Christina's Camera, Passport and credit-cards were stolen, along with one of Carmen's bags, Sung Ha's laptop, camera, and all of his pictures, and my bag containing my laptop and external hard-drives. We filed Police reports in the area, and are currently praying for something miraculous to happen.

Right now we could really use your prayers for the situation. We realize the odds of this situation are not very good for our things to be found, but we are also trusting in a God with whom there are no obstacles. Pray for our things to be found, but pray also that this can be an opportunity for whoever took these things to encounter the love and forgiveness that is found in Christ. Our Bibles and journals are in these bags, so who knows; maybe they will find the truth and love that is found in God's word.

We're told that sometimes the people just take the main valuables from the bags and then leave whatever else they don't need or want behind. Even this would be a blessing as there are a lot of other less valuable but very useful items in these bags, i.e. chargers, glasses, clothes, journals, bibles, etc

Carmen and Christina have gone back down to Jerusalem to get a new passport for Christina at the US Embassy. Tara, Sung Ha, and I will be staying here in Nazareth for the next couple days, and after that we may be moving on, possibly to Bethlehem.

It's a bit frustrating, but I'm believing God's purposes in this are far greater and run much deeper than anything I know. Your prayers in this situation would be so much appreciated, both for the recovery of the stolen goods, favor for Christina at the US Embassy in Jerusalem, and the direction God is leading our team for the rest of our time in Nazareth and wherever we may end up going later this week. Prayer can change the way things are.

Thanks for once again taking the time to read. Have a blessed week!