Jeg gå på Norsk kurs to ganger hver uke!

In the most common conversations I will have 'in Norwegian' I say this phrase. It's the only thing I can say quickly and convincingly to those native speakers who are ready with a laugh on thier lips and to say how cute I am...just like a 5 year old speaking Norwegian. ok-how would that make you feel? Does it make you feel cute or unintelligible? The latter. Yeah I want to be cute...but not about speaking and communicating or at least trying. If there are any Norwegians reading this, take a humble lesson now....NEVER laugh at a foreigner who tries to speak your language. The response should be that of encouragement and gentle instruction and understanding as much as you can. Dont be so surprised that we want to learn your language especially if we live here. But what you will get in return for laughing is pressing a foreigner out. Perhaps that is your goal...then you have a good plan. Think about it....I can speak for only myself, but I don't laugh at anyone speaking English as a second language. (I should have reason too since there have been many many more years of learning...but still I choose not to) Think about what atmosphere you create around you.

This is the view to the left of me when I sit in Norwegian class on Mondays and Thursdays. That is what the title of this blog is: 'I go to Norwegian course two times every week.' Slindile from South Africa sits next to me and then there is Piotr from Poland. He has a gap between his two front teeth. There are usually 8 Polish people who speak non stop Polish in class. And Piotr has an incredibly deep voice that in a hushed wisper becomes a tonal grumble that is sounded above all other noises. It is most distracting!
My teacher Aud Kristiansen is a funny lady...totally a Norwegian teacher to her core! She stands in class with her eyes closed and eye brows raised intensely sounding out all the vowels in the Norwegian alphabet. AAAAAA, EEEEEE, IIIIIII, OOOOO, UUUUU, ØØØØØ, YYYYY,ÆÆÆÆ, ÅÅÅÅÅÅ. She is a fearless leader amongst a group of matured foreign adults. Its hillarious when she comes in front of her desk and says 'Takk for i dag, du er so flink!' (Thanks for today, you are so clever)....and everyone was talking in their own mother tounge and really not listening. She's sort of clueless too...and that is cool to watch from the back row!
Norsk Kurs Kose Kveld! I helped plan an international party with Franziska (in the pink scarf) from Germany. We all brought food. I brought Puppy Chow....Europeans normally do not like peanut butter and chocolate together. Aud made a comment on how good it was. 'Lucky Dogs!' She is sitting in the blå bluse (blue blouse). Wiebke, from Germany, plays the violin and we got together a couple weeks ago just to play and then we decided to entertain the class with some tunes. It was okay. We did better in practice---I was surprised Wiebke did it...she would not have done it if I didn't press her!
I can try to introduce you around the table. This is only less than half of the class. We have 21!! From the left to right. Lucaz (Poland) Sigitas (Lithuania) Justinas (Lituania) me, Wiebke (Germany) Aud (Norway) Slindile (South Africa) outside of shot...Anna (Germany). Later I can post a group photo. We played some group games that were really fun! Fruit Basket Upset, Wompum, and Aud's favorite Musical Chairs (I won!! Helina was there to prove it!) I dont think there is a question that this is a special class. I wonder if Aud has had some classes like this one before. We always like to think we are the most special....so I will. Ha det bra!!

Rebuilding the Ancient Ruins

We were on the roof yesterday. We had 17 TONS of roof stones to carry and place upon the recently prepared surface. Two Lithuanians have been working for us the whole autumn. I dont know how to pronounce their names...but I have tried to make a significant connection with them. I mean, it makes a difference to love where you work as a foreigner. I hope I have been an encouragement. We pay them to work here.....which means they are earning at least 15 dollars an hour (because this is Norway) and we are a non-profit organization so this is sort of rediculous to pay them to come....but we need them. We are a bunch of unskilled children of God that more than not....get in the way of those who can work effectively. The two Lithuanians are in this photo: in the green and the one on the roof peak. At least we unskilled ones can move roof stones....so we did it. The day was beautiful and we were sweating and dancing upon that roof. The feet doing a graceful ballet upon the thin wood panels. It was estimated that we moved at least 2 tons of roof stones....each.

I think this shot is rad! The base leader Runar sweating like a jungle pig in that late November morning sun. The town of Skien in the back. The tops of all the city center. Birgi is in the bottom corner like a miniature helping Janne who just cut her wrist deeply...and went to the hospital moments later for stitches and officially our first construction injury. Praise God we have not fallen off the roof...or the scaffolding...or cut an arm off in the saw. We are protected!
sweet shadows upon the south wall of the Methodist Church next door
This roof will look really great when we finish it. I have learned so much about building and even Norwegian construction. The roof tiles...the sun windows...cutting fire wood......thousands of tons of wood for 90 winters!
Some of the carrying crew. Alice (Mrs. Base Leader) gives two fingered peace sign. Markus (Mr. DTS School Leader) throws a hand to say hi from the other side. Birgitte (Miss...soon Mrs. Department of Operations and Communications Leader) peeks over the peak. Werner (Mr....soon to be a married version of a Mr. City for Jesus Leader) is the beast of burden on his birthday...carrying two piles at a time of those rediculously heavy stones. another sweet shadow shot. Those strong light to dark contrasts are stunning...dont you think?

Its like that in the kingdom of heaven too. The difference between a person living in the light and living in the dark doesn't have to be so gray...it is often very dark and light....think of the change as soon as things from the past are brought into the light. Stunning!

On This Island

im all alone
on this island
im all alone
and Im sad
theres no one here
no one wants to be
so im all alone

the waves are coming
the water is rushing
im gonna drown
the waves are coming
coming
coming
im gonna drown

im all alone
on this island
im all alone
and im sad
theres no one here
no one wants to be
so im all alone

the sand is hot
the water is salt
and im tired in my mind
where can i go
who will come with
theres no one here but me
give me a boat God
give me a way out
im going to drown here

im all alone
on this island
im all alone
and im sad
theres no one here
no one wants to be
so im all alone

my body is hungry
my spirit is thirsty
i want to be filled
i gotta turn my eyes to you
i gotta face my heart to you
and be transformed
and be restored

the train station in a dream vision

I had a dream that was more like a vision.
It's pretty clear to me that God is using this vision to speak to me about my life.
It speaks to me about my purpose.
It speaks to my heart about its burden for Norway.
It speaks to you too.

This is a train station. A very special train station. It has trains going out all over the place. All the way around! There I am standing on the Platform. The station was so busy this day that I was helping all the people get on to thier trains at the right time. There was so much noise, and so much joy. Instruments, speakers, and luggage! Okay...goodbye! some trains depart. waving we are happy to see they all made it on.as the day wears on I realize that there are less and less trains available with space to let me join. All these people on thier special trains and places to go are so important. They wouldn't let me join too would they?

the last train departed.

i was not on it.

I am still standing here.
alone.
This is a worship train station. that's me standing there on the platform after everyone had somewhere else to go. No train for me. No where to go. No one to join. No one to join me!

why God? I am a worship leader here and I need to be with others. I guess you have already shown me that I must need others...so then where are they now??

How could you leave me here alone?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

ok...really I know you are here too...but what about worshipers?
The only ones who are here are the lady who works at the kiosk turning hotdogs and the one who drives the taxi car. What good are they to my worship team...and where is my train!!!


They are not worshipers--and not even thinking about trying to be! Thanks alot!
All the worshipers went somewhere else and left me here. I am here with a bunch of zeros!!

THEY ARE YOUR HEROS!

I was shocked at that one. Heros?? Yeah right. The lady at the kiosk can play the hotdogs not the piano. The taxi driver can put the pedal to the metal not the drum!

THESE ARE MY ZEROS TO HEROS!

I was angry for a long time.
Confused.
Frustrated.
and
Intrigued actually.

Couldn't you send some more back from the worship trains to help us start out? I mean there are so many trains and people. They can spare one or two musicians for me? You have to send me a crew! Was I the only one that has come to this station and been moved to compassion to stay here..instead of move out? How strange to stay when there is plenty of places to go and people to meet, faces to get famous, and pride to grow.

But if I should stay. then you must send worshipers...on trains or something, and musical instruments, and songs. These are tools of deliverance. But can I ask one thing?
Is there a train for us too?

After no response I figured it was too early to ask. How could I do this? These people don't even think they can worship you! They have never been invited to do it. No one invited them to dance. How can I train them?

BELIEVE IN THEM AS YOU BELIEVE IN MY LOVE FOR THEM

So this group of hanyack will be transformed when I believe in them?

LEAD THEM BEFORE MY THRONE AND I WILL DO THE REST

So, what about a train?

YOU WILL HAVE A CREW
YOU WILL HAVE TRACKS TO LAY
YOU WILL HAVE A PURPOSE
YOU WILL HAVE A DESTINATION
YOU WILL HAVE A TRAIN. I AM THE KEEPER OF ALL TRAINS.
NONE OF THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ME.

But those other trains are so fast and efficient. I do believe that they just rush by the slow, the weary, the broken, and the cripple who are walking along side the worship tracks. Perhaps this will take some time because of people we will pick up on the way. we will train them up.

TRAIN THEM UP
TRAIN THEM OUT

SCOTLAND!

Scotland Adventures in Prayer, Intercession, and Worship

Here are some new pictures! Enjoy thier randomness!

Rebooting the Base: Showers, Sawing, Painting

Heart thaw

I talked to a friend of mine who is traveling with the Reboot. We are together a lot and so you notice if something is different. I noticed and asked. She said her heart hurt like frozen hands before a blazing fire. Ouch. That feeling of the cold hands or cold feet before the flames is so painful. You have to slowly warm up your hands before it can handle the flames. The cold is so slow to melt off. At times I am frozen to the bones...do you know the feeling? Perhaps it is because I am in Norway...but I think also that it is because I dont always wear wool! ----'ull'----means wool in Norwegian. I have a friend whose last name is Ullenes. A 'nes' is a cape of land (like the cape of good hope)....put it all together-----Wool cape! It makes me laugh. Sounds like a warm blanket of mercy to me.

My heart is the same as those hands and feet frozen to the bones. The fire of God is coming close. And it hurts. Not a bad hurt, but a melting hurt. Since when is it painful to melt? When you have been frozen next to forever...then freedom hurts. Would you agree? It is because God has given me a heart of flesh not a heart of stone. Stones don't melt. (unless under intense volcanic pressure from within the core of the earth...happening daily)

Although it hurts to be near the flame..the burning heart of God. I desire to be there. I know I must. I cant have frozen hands and feet. Those are what God is using---I can't be stiff.

how ironic---freedom hurts.

also,
wet meat makes a mess and I do too.

The boat!

i often speak in parables. like Jesus.

there was a woman (because I am gender specific, this being about my life i can do that), who lived on an island. she was sure that she was supposed to be there, but there was some things about that island that were not true. this island was a place of the past for her, she had lived there for some time and she was growing out of it...and this place was haunting her of her past, her failures, and her lonliness.

there was another land far off in the distance over rough waters and cold depths. this land had not been in the picture before...it had been so foggy for years. often the woman just walked around the island, touching the cold water...shuttering with fright. 'I would never go on that water!' But as this other land becomes more visible as clouds and fog lifts she wants so badly to explore and go.

the water is cold
the water is dark
the water is deep
the water is long
the water is fear
the water is life

so she stands on that island with her back to the goal. there is a desire to go, but that would risk something. there would be a change. she would never go back to that island again. she would never be the same again. she questions, what would that island have that my life here doesn't have? people. love. truth. community. I wonder.

above the crashing waves she can hear a voice calling out. 'COME! NOW IS THE TIME! JOIN ME HERE!' it could be a warning, it could be an invitation, it could be a TRICK! Why could she be here all this time and be happy, growing, and living and now feel this deep longing for something else. There is a desire in her to discover the cold, deep, long, fears of life.

how will she cross this treacherous water?

she stands with her back to the water.

little does she know that the Lord has provided for her if she would turn towards the goal, set foot towards the danger, she would see with her earthly eyes the boat waiting on the shore. It is only when she turns to go that she will see it. the boat will make no sound to announce its providential arrival. the Lord is the keeper of all boats. He can give one when He wants to.

perhaps if she turns and sees then she will go in. then she sets sail across the wide wet spaces of extreme aliveness. but the storms arise and the temptation to go back stir inside of her as the warring waters stir on the outside. she never told anyone she was trying to cross the dangerous waters so it will look like she was just out for a boat ride. then....she didnt fail in the eyes of others. (there was no one on her island, but she understood condemnation, failure, and hypocracy) if she turns now...she saves her life, and she saves her face. people won't know she tried and she won't be ashamed later.

perhaps she goes through the storms and crashes.
perhaps she goes through the storms and drowns.
perhaps she goes through the storms and arrives.

her life will never be the same. and as she stands on that shore she notices a woman just like her on an island like the one she just left. wandering, lost, alone, scared, and ashamed.

she cries out to the woman there

'COME! NOW IS THE TIME! JOIN ME HERE!'