internet on the bus

Beings as the bus on which I'm currently riding has free internet, I figured I should make use of the bandwidth to post a small video. This is my view as we move down the western edge of Sweden, to our temporarily-final destination of Angelholm.

hamar to oslo central

Sometimes, the good Lord gives you some time to think.

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.

all aboard!

here's a bit of a flavor taste of the future. I hope to begin posting more video footage, as a way to make you feel even more apart of the journey.

the Lord, He is a'movin'

Yesterday was our final day of teaching photography with the creative class here at Hedmarktoppen. It has been a stretch for us to learn how to communicate clearly about the multitude of technical aspects involved in photography, but it is a stretch the Lord was faithful to walk us through at every step.

Some of our time was spent teaching with words, and some of the time was spent helping the students with some hands on photography learning. We even got to do a bit of "light painting."

Last night we were given the opportunity to share in the corporate meeting, where all the schools come together to have a sort of mid-week church service (we taught in the creative school, but there is also a couple sports schools, a global missions school, and a performing arts school.) Like we normally do at events like this, Koala and I explained a bit about our trip, shared a bit of information about human trafficking, and went on to share some of our personal experiences from traveling around the world. At the end, we gave a challenge to the students, to consider the ways that they can be using their resources and talents and ultimately their lives to be seeking the Kingdom of God, rather than the Kingdom of themselves. As we ended with a bit of music and time for prayer, a few came forward to pray with us, some stayed where they were to pray with friends - all in all, it really became clear that God was speaking to people where they were at.

Talking with some of the students in our time here, it is evident that the Lord is moving forward in Norway, and in our world. A couple people have shared with us how it is so easy to build walls around ourselves, hiding our eyes from seeing the real neediness or our own hearts, and the neediness of the world outside of our own self-constructed walls. It's easy to not see our need for the Lord if we can temporarily cover such a need with an immediately tangible material. I am encouraged in challenged by the students here, in that they see these walls that have been built around them, and they want to find out what it is to experience the need of the world outside of their walls. They know that it may hurt, but they are also seeing that they will be seeking something that is real, that has a value beyond this life.

Tonight, Thursday, we have a photography exhibition at Cafe Uno, here in the town of Hamar. We are told many young people come to the cafe to hang out after school, where they can be around a positive community of people.

Tomorrow (Friday) morning, we have been given the opportunity to share in a public school in the area. We're told it is not easy to get the opportunity to share in the schools in this area, so it seems as though the Lord has put this opportunity before us, and we're trusting He'll give us the proper words to say. Please do pray for us in this though - ultimately, we know that nothing we say will have any value unless God is moving in the people we will be sharing with. It is a great opportunity to take this message outside of church walls, and we believe the Lord can accomplish something lasting in the hearts and minds of these young people.

Tomorrow evening, we will be sharing our project with a local youth group, Freik. We value your prayers for this as well.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of the places and people to which God continues to take us.

21:52 / welcome home, kind of

welcome to our cozy cabin in hedmarktoppen.

from Hedmarktoppen

I write to you from -14 Celsius. Certainly much colder than our previous destinations of Iceland and the Faroe Islands. It is good to be here, amongst the trees that are soft with frost.

Wednesday evening we arrived at the Stange train station (near Hamar), where we were greeted by softly falling snow, and eventually a kind man who we had arranged to pick us up, and drive us back to YWAM Grimmerud. The buildings at Grimmerud were once used as a boarding school, but they are now home to various YWAM ministries which we were soon introduced to.

Thursday morning we were able to share with some people in a prayer meeting. This was a cool time for us, as we were able to enter into prayer for issues relating to human trafficking with new people. The fresh words and inspiration they had in their prayers were encouragement to us as we continue to take this message with us to different locations.

Friday morning, we were given the opportunity to share with a class of international students studying the Principals of Children's and Youth Ministries (PCYM as they say in YWAM...everything seems to have an acronym.) I was excited to share our project with people who are preparing to invest in the lives of children and young people in practical ways.

Sunday night, we took a short journey to the north side of Hamar, to where we now reside, a school called Hedmarktoppen. In Norway, young people are given the option of attending schools where they have the option of taking courses, where they can invest in learning a variety interests. It is basically a year that encourages the students to develop more socially, before they continue on with university or other career options. This school here is Christian based, and they have a variety of different focus' for the students to chose from.

From Monday until Wednesday, Koala and I will be teaching photography to some of the students here. It is a very new experience for us, and we would certainly value your prayers as we step into this very new avenue. We know God has equipped us with something that we can in turn share with others, but we lack much experience in actually communicating our knowledge of photography to others. Please pray that the Lord will direct us in a way that is clear, creative, and effective.

Later this week, we have a few more events. I will do my utmost to keep you completely within the loop of the current events.