WonderFULL Norway, May 31, 2008

Fantastisk! Nydelig! WOW!

I'm using Norwegian words here --Fantastic! Beautiful! ...

because we've run out of English words to describe the awe and beauty of our experiences the past 4 days in the fjords of western Norway!   God truly created the most amazing scenery here! And people who live in the midst of it all are equally amazing!

Our dear friend Kjell Aanensen drove us 10 hours over the tops of the highest mountains (snow drifts are over 25 feet high!), over "hair pin" turns (same Norwegian words describe dozens of switch- back roads over the mountains), through tunnels in mountains and under fjords, and onto a handful of very modern ferry boats that connect otherwise isolated, beautiful villages and small farms.

We passed hundreds of little family cabins in the highest, snowiest points of the mountains that could only be accessed by skiing.  It's a highly treasured way to spend holidays!

These hardy, ingenious people have farmed every foot of even slightly flat land -- some at nearly 45 degree angles.  Some very remote areas have no road access; they tell us children were tethered to ropes to prevent them from falling off the mountains as they played!   

We passed miles and miles of pastured sheep (lambs are everywhere) and cows. . .roadsides are dotted with fruit tree farms covering miles and miles.  And the sturdy, strong traditional farm horse of a buff yellow color was a special treat to see here and there. 

The water in the fjords and lakes is very deep and calm -- mirroring snow capped mountains and several glaciers...doubling the awesome views.   This has been an unusually warm May, melting mountain top snow and creating tremendous cascading water falls everywhere!  We spent two nights in Fjaerland (a fjord town that had only been accessible by boat until a tunnel was cut through the mountains 25 years ago) with the awesome sound of a waterfall outside our back windows!  

That's just the scenery!  

Wait till I tell you about the people we met!

Thousand tak for alt, Kjell!

Pam & Dave

 

Norway Day, Change in the Wind -- May 26, 2008

Change.

Not my favorite thing. . .I tend to impose my sense of order in my life orbit and then protect it with routine and habit.  Comfort.

Now that we've spent a few days in Norway -- relishing the amazing scenery by the sea and lakes (the light here has a glow that is brighter--truly!)--and catching up with old Teleios friends (Kjersti and Kjell) and new ones (Martin & Irene, Mariann, Elsa Gretha & Finn) -- it's clear that EMI's (Teleios) ministry here, and throughout Scandinavia, is undergoing change.

I wonder what the Lord has in mind?

Well, it seems to some degree it may involve more intentional outreach to young people. . .the vibrant churches we've seen are filled with teens and twenty somethings. . .with some greying- haired maturity sprinkled throughout.

Perhaps because this is the age for finding life's purpose. . .signing up for a cause. . .seeking ways to make a difference in the world.  The age of not yet full with raising children and establishing a business or career.  

It feels like we're on the verge of a mighty push from the Spirit.

It will be tempting to grab the wheel and steer to places somewhat familiar and manageable.  But this feels like a time to wait. . .to listen. . .to see how the Lord will create new eagle wings for His church and for the part our ministry will play in it.

Well, now it's time to enjoy another kind of delight.  Sharing dinner and the joy of a house full of children and grandchildren in the back yard garden of Kjell and Magnhild!   

Life is good when God is in it, eh?

Ver se go,

Dave and Pam   

PING PHOTOS - Scandinavia Journey, May 2008

Traditional Danish Church from 1773. Teleios Denmark team in Aarhus.

Teleios Sweden friends. Danes on Dunes: Tørsten + Ruben

Heading to Norway, May 22, 2008

TASTE OF HEAVEN:  Beautiful relaxing days in Denmark!

All sun + sand + fresh air!   

Something about being surrounded  by sea totally invigorates the air!

Today is our final day on Laesø Island...many firsts!

Hearing a coo coo bird call -- eating licorice swirl ice cream (they also have hot pepper ice cream bars!) -- feasting on langostino (2 inch cousin to the lobster!) -- and Ruben's now famous bacon spaghetti sauce!

God blessed us with rich conversations (till 2 am), fellowship and prayer ministry for one another.  We all agree this is a taste of heaven!

We are rested and preparing to take the ferry to Randers, DK to meet with good Teleios (EMI) friend, Pastor Peder Poulsen.  We spend the evening with him and then fly out tomorrow afternoon to Stavanger, Norway where we will meet with Teleios leaders and then teach OUTFLOW on Saturday. Dave will preach on Sunday at InnerMission Church.  We also look forward to spending some days with our friend, Kjell Aanensen.

Please join us in praying yet again that the Lord accomplish His purposes through our conversations, teachings and meetings.    It is time for EMI to move into some new directions in Scandinavia, just as they are in USA. 

Tak for huggelig!  (Thanks for cozy fellowship!)

Pam and Dave 

Denmark - Part I GOD MOVING!

Such contrasts!

Do not give up!   Our final days in Sweden ended with the need to encourage perseverance...as the culture of the church here is struggling to be relevant and draw in people who seem uninterested in God.  What faithful, glowing servants we met!   Lord, bless them with the desires of their hearts -- a people who hunger and thirst for you! 

Spreading the fire!  This past weekend we met with friends we last saw 14 years ago...as Pastor Peder Poulsen was leading an unusual church...filled with 80 young people and young families.  Today that church has grown to two services with about 400 excited, vibrant young believers.  Many are students from the local university.  How they love to worship!

Dave's OUTFLOW teaching was considered to be so timely as they have tagged this year as the year to be more intentional in outreach, yet not knowing what to do.   Small group discussions were lively.  On young man said, "I never expected a teaching on evangelism to be so inspiring, so simple, and so funny!"

On Sunday Dave delivered two sermons on "Judas Nature,"  how we tend not to flow out God's love to others because our nature is to focus on "What's in it for me," which was Judases response to Mary's gesture of extravagant love and devotion to Jesus.   

In both services many responded to the invitation for personal prayer to ask God for more and more of Him so they will flow more and more into others.

I am struck, once again, by the realization that small beginnings are not to be a disappointment... this is how growth begins.   A bit fragile, and even hopeless looking.  But in God's time and with a bit of faithfulness from those servants who cannot yet see...He can make the impossible happen!

Lord, bring that hunger and thirst to us all!

Now we are resting a few days on a beautiful little island off the west coast of Denmark called Laesø. . .a refreshing time among good friends and new scenery!   One hundred fifty years ago they used to make roofs out of seaweed!  Imagine that!

Blessings to you from,

Pam & Dave

Spring in Sweden - May 14

Sunny!  Fragrant!  Blooming!

Sweden is vibrant!   Lilac bushes in every shade of purple line city and country streets!

What a treat for this lilac lover. . .my favorite purple blooms had already faded into brown when Dave and I left for the airport Sunday afternoon.  We're in an instant replay!

How rich is this time of reunion in Gothenburg!  

We relish catching up with friends we met at a Norwegian mountain retreat some 18 years ago...they have helped to lead more than 1,000 people in EMI training here for over 15 years.

Leif and Ingela, our hosts, happily catch us up on his plans to retire from the pastorate (one week to go!) and her great joy having all her grandchildren in town.  They faithfully serve in the Swedish parish. . .Leif bringing Freeing the Family teaching to new immigrant mothers in the city. . . a way for them to share common struggles and begin to grow a sense of caring and understanding in their new community and culture.   Ingela, who is an artist in the kitchen, works in the office of the Diocese overseeing Christian education.  Such passion they have for the Lord and His Church!  And this is multiplied 30 times in those me meet in the next two days!

OUTFLOW,  EMI ideas for evangelism, surprises 15 local pastors, deacons and leaders Tuesday afternoon.  Talking about the need for inflow -- being filled to overflowing in times with the Lord -- brings lively discussion.  In a society where many of the things we've known as evangelism are being met with scorn in Sweden (as in the USA),  they talk of new hope and freeing insight in these new ideas for sharing about the Lord they love.

Quick to Listen Leaders today hopefully encouraged and built up 18 church leaders seeking ways to draw more than the 2% who are currently attending church.  The perseverance of these men and women inspires me.   May the Lord bless the "miracle" vision they cast this morning of care, passion and, yes, even living well through conflict.   "Jesus was not nice." Dave said.  He was a model of love that is calm, firm and truthful, often into confrontation.   

Lord help us venture into those hard places true community must go!

Tomorrow, we spend a day farther north in Uddevella with Pastor Goran Starke, chair of Teleios (EMI) Sweden.  We are indulged in Swedish history, a tour of his home town and his hopes for Teleios. 

PRAY for us to share about EMI in a way that builds enthusiasm for the three courses he has required his staff to take.   Pray for these faithful servants to see more fruit for their labors and a fresh infilling of Him.  Pray for wisdom in how to bring ideas for reaching out with care in ways that draw people in Sweden to the God who loves them beyond understanding.

It's only 10 pm Swedish time. . .but we will be up and out by 2:30am Cincinnati time.

Good night!

Pam & Dave  

 

Getting Ready for Scandinavia - May 2008

Pam:   10:55am  Thursday, 5/8/08    Novice blogger!

Last day in the office before Sunday's departure. . .Dave and I are privileged to be invited to return to visit and minister with friends in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Amsterdam over 28 days!   We bring with us our new evangelism workshops:  Irresistible Evangelism and OUTFLOW. 

My first trip to Scandinavia was in 1990. . .I fell in love with the people and the sound of their languages. Familiar worship songs in new (to me) old languages somehow stir me more deeply.  These countries are dramatically beautiful. . . and have such a long deep history. 

 

Sometimes I grieve the isolation and youth of my country.  The US hasn't had opportunity to learn from the gift of many other nations for neighbors (how many languages can you speak?). . . we haven't suffered the same intensity of wars on our land nor grown the strength of character that results (as our soldiers have). . . our faith history is barely 600 years old (I stood in a church there that was thousands of years old!).     

I can understand a little why Americans are sometimes perceived as arrogant and naive.

  

Maybe that's why I'm asking God, "Why are you sending us?  What do we have to share that will make any difference for Your Kingdom?  They already have such strong faith there."     I've asked the same question before going to teach in Cuba, India and S. Korea.   God's answer is always the same.   I sense a Father's smile on a young child and His voice saying, "Just go with what I've given you.  I'll take care of the rest."

So if you're reading this and you are a prayer warrior, I invite you to pray for this journey.  We will pack our teaching tools and take our passion for the Lord and His people there, step in and see what happens.   Pray with us, please, that the Lord will accomplish His purposes, however great or small.   

I'll keep you posted on what happens!

His,  

Pam  

(and Dave -- who isn't much of a journaler, but just might get inspired to become one!)