Last Stop: Targu Mures

So.....we left off with me feeling awful, riding in a car on a winding Romanian road. Once we got to the YWAM base in the city of Targu Mures we were able to rest. We then went shopping for food and in the taxi on the way home as I was talking I suddenly realized that I was hearing somewhat of a normal voice coming from my throat. At the same time Camille turns to me and says "Hey Beth, how's your voice? You're sounding more normal." Praise God-it was finally taking a turn to the better! I had been humbled and had to trust God through some awful nights of pain and little sleep and I was so grateful to hear normal tones coming out. God always teaches me through any sickness I have. It never fails that I experience Him more and greater and that I have to depend on others to help me through-something I'm constantly learning to do better within this beautiful community we call "church." Being in Romania again was a blessing, and was difficult. So many people there have no dreams and lack of hope. Most of the students say they want to get out of Romania, go study in America or somewhere else. Economically Romania isn't doing well. Yet, there are shafts of light that spring into existence when God's people choose to love these beautiful Romanian people. Romania was still as beautiful as I remembered and it uplifted my spirits with flowers in the city. The weather was so nice and we were able to wear shorts!! My first time since coming to Norway in September. :o) Here are some highlights of our time in Targu Mures: 

~Teaching English Classes (1st Picture)--I got to lead some English Class for high schoolers! It was nice to be back in a classroom after volunteering for years in different schools. I enjoy teaching and it was nice to be able to do something that just comes naturally to me. The kids were pretty receptive. We had fun and it was quite funny to see their reaction to me being from California. Yep-CA is a glamour, beach, dream spot for them. I told them of CA's beauty and freedom, but I also told them that is wasn't all glitz and glamour. We encouraged them to dream and live with a purpose. We made some sweet friends and got a ton more friends on facebook! Ha. 

~JoEllen, Lief, and myself all went to a hospital with a special ward for tuberculosis patients. (2nd and last picture) We played cards with two teenage boys while Anna, a little girl, colored. It was fun to bring joy and some life into their lives. At the end we prayed for them all (we had a translator). We then sang "Amazing Grace" as we sang and prayed this song I reached out and stroked Anna's hair. I looked over at her and could see and feel her body become more peaceful and she sat and listened to us. It was a "God" moment. 

~Philharmonic Orchestra! (3rd and 4th picture) A little group of us attended the Philharmonic Orchestra right there in the city one of the nights. It was a huge blessing/refreshment for me, as listening to live music is one of my favorite things to do. It brings me closer to God as I appreciate His creativity and the gift of music he has given to us humans. I cried a little while listening and had an amazing time experiencing the music (with a special guest pianist!) with some of my dearest friends. 

~Helping the base out practically (6th picture) We did some work for the Targu Mures YWAM base, I was helping in the garden pulling weeds, the "boys" were making a roof out of scratch materials for the attic, and the fine artists were giving the place a little more appeal. :o) The fine artists ended up painting the world on the walls of the entry way, and also did some decorating of the entry wall mailboxes. It was nice to be able to bless peeps from our YWAM family and do some physical labor. 

There were many beautiful moments with the people of the Targu Mures base. They were greatly encouraged by our creativity. We got to lead worship for them and perform some of the pieces we had put together in Norway. I got to do my testimony dance outside for them and it went pretty well! (We were all relieved since we hadn't practiced much!) We prayed for some of the staff before we left and got to give them some words from the Lord. I ended up dancing for Camille, which was a blessing for me to use my dance the last day we were there. God is good all the time and this time on outreach was definitely filled with His goodness, grace, joy, peace, and love. Praise Him!! And thank you everyone for all your prayers! :o)

Romania! ~Gypsy Village~

       Romania! I've always thought Romania is one of the most beautiful countries I've every been too. Going there a second time proved that I still think that. :o) We left early in the morning from  Budapest to Romania, where our first destination was a gypsy village called Copsa Mara. My throat was starting to feel pretty awful and I wasn't sure if I had fully recovered from having a fever in Budapest. Still, I was rejoicing with the others that we had our own personal guide, Atty, with us to help us navigate the trains to Romania. Without Atty we would have been totally lost, as our trains got delayed and switched and communication was hard. The awesome thing to this is that Leif, a member of our team, had met Atty only two days before during street evangelism in the metro. Atty had a sad story of being left by his friends who were supposed to come and give him back money he lent them. He had been walking around one day and night without food when Leif met him. Atty's reply to all of this though was, "I don't need food when I have Jesus. He really is all I need. He will provide." Through Leif befriending Atty and inviting him to the YWAM cafe in Budapest the next night, our leaders decided to give Atty  money for a ticket home. Atty's home? Targu Mures-the very place we were staying in Romania after the gypsy village. So, we had Atty with us leading us like a good shepherd  (Leif ended up visiting Atty twice in Targu Mures and heard the story of Atty being an orphan, growing up with little confidence, and then finding confidence in Jesus. Atty is now going to school to become a psychiatrist to help people like him, orphans and lonely ones. Amen!)
        We arrived in Copsa Mara after a crazy traveling time that included driving in taxis that got a little more wild than was comfortable. We stayed with a family there where the Mama, Maria, and her two sons were living along with our contact person, Siril, from Norway, who is a missionary there.

This is a picture of Maria's home on the right with her outhouse on the left. It actually was a pretty nice outhouse complete with a colored toilet seat cover. They had a pretty nice house compared to some of the other homes in the village, and were also privileged to have an outhouse-most people just went outside. We stayed in this village for four days-eating great homemade Romanian meals, bucket showering, and saying "Buna" (Hello/Good/Greetings) to everyone we passed on the street. The Roma, or Gypsy people were welcoming and hospitable. There smiles, especially on the children brought encouragement as we brought music, art, games, comfort, and prayers to the families. We worked with the teens and the children doing different art workshops and playing games. We went house to house and encouraged people through listening to their stories, praying for them, and singing over them. At this point my throat was actually becoming much worse and it was painful to swallow and talk. Thankfully, I can play the guitar well enough to bring a melody out and during the house to house ministry I played while others sang. At one house I felt God wanted me to play a healing song for a woman who had just undergone some hard surgery. I had never played just a song for someone without singing for them before, so this was a special moment for me and I was blessed along with the woman who heard it. 

          

         One Sunday I had the privilege to preach in two churches. I talked about walking with Jesus and how we can't move ahead of Jesus and we can't stay behind, but he wants us to be in a relationship with him that is beside him. I shared some personally about how I had surrendered my life to Jesus when I was 14 and started really to walk beside Him. I included an illustration of this, one of my friends was "Jesus" and I was me, showing how communication doesn't work when you're behind or trying to be ahead of Jesus with your own strength. Everyone seemed to enjoy the message and illustration and I was encouraged by the positive response. I enjoying teaching and sharing the truth God has in His word. When I read Philippians 4:12&13 in the second church I got emotional-realizing just how much God had worked this verse in my life and I could say it as truth for myself. And when we returned to the base, what did our base leader read to us--Philippians 4:12&13. God is beautifully faithful, gracious and encouraging I must say. :o) 

          The children in the village were some of the cutest children I've ever encountered. They so longed for affection and attention and would grab your hand and laugh and smile with you as we walked along. The teens also really appreciated us. The girl in the middle picture above was a sweet  blessing to us. When we came into her home after awhile she got up and got her Bible and started to read it to us in Romanian. She was so eager and happy to have older girls there to listen to her and encourage her. Our time in the village was good, but I must say I was out of it mentally a lot of the time. I ended up going to the doctor in the next village because my throat was infected. (For those who want to know-I find this stuff interesting-there was a white substance stuck in the back of my throat. It looked like someone put poofy gum back there.) I also had a fever, so my nights were rather awful. This was the lowest point for me on outreach. Not being able to sleep at night because of the pain in my throat caused me some frustrated nights were I just sat up and prayed and expressed my frustration to God. I didn't like being at low capacity to minister, but it's in these places, for me often when I'm sick, that God ministers to my heart and reminds me that He loves me just as much when I'm lying sick in bed and when I'm preaching in a church. He continued to speak this truth in me when we left the gypsy village, me still being sick and exhausted...but that's in the next update-Targu Mures! 

 Playing games and loving children

Our team plus Siril, translators, and Maria's family eating a traditional Romania Meal-yum!

Outreach in Budapest!

     Oh my goodness, where to start? I obviously got behind in my blogging, caught up in life on outreach. All the outreach teams that left in March have come back and we are together again in Norway. It is good to be back and see the people who have become so dear to me all in one home. Outreach with just 8 people was also fabulous and filled with God's gracious presence. Each team shared today (One team was in New York, the other in Central Asia) and it was an encouragement to hear all that God did through willing people. There is so much I could write about, but I'll just give some highlights from outreach to ya'll and hopefully have good talks when I get back home! :o)

So, this first photo is me taking in Budapest. It was so cold that day-we had a hard time appreciating the city as we took a tour with our contact person-but we still saw it's beauty in the old buildings. The people of Budapest weren't as friendly as they had been in Prague, but we constantly had to remember these people had been under hard communism not that long ago and the effects still lingered. There was a general lack of hope and the "no talking" rule on the buses seemed to reflect the silent sadness people had there. The good part is though, God gives us His view of things and He sees Budapest as a place for His glory to dwell. He sees the beauty and life in people, and when we prayed and stepped out in faith-we did too. We did a lot of street evangelism in Budapest, where we created a "program" with drama, testimonies, telling the gospel, worship, prophetic singing over people and prophetic acting for people. This was some of my favorite ministry that we did. I loved seeing my friends and teammates step out in boldness and proclaim truth when they told a personal testimony or shared the gospel. Once we acted out the gospel as Semira told it-that was pretty neat. Simple and effective. Another time we choreographed a little drama piece showing some walking around in chaos and then Adaja and I came in as peaceful dancers, bringing calm. We also performed a mime about God redeeming the past that JoEllen and I had choreographed off of Jo's idea from part of her testimony.
               I realized after Budapest that I never actually gave an official testimony or gave the gospel. But the funny and wonderful thing is, I had chances to speak out wherever I was. I got to thrive in what was natural for me-facilitating a group of Jesus-lovers and leading them into what was next. I did speak out to the people in street evangelism when I felt like I should tie up loose ends, or the Holy Spirit was giving me something to speak. It just came. It was naturally me, moving and stepping up. It was awesome. I learned from this that though, as a Christian, I can do every kind of ministry, it is true God wants us to work in our strengths. I found so much joy in leading and helping others step out. I felt closer to God in my friendship with Him when I was in these roles of leadership and encouragement. One day in particular I was struck with such joy as I looked about the metro and saw my friends moving in their strengths. David was playing the guitar, Camille, Adaja and Lyndsay were drawing pictures inspired by God for people, JoEllen was playing the drums like a beast, and Leif and Semira were ready and willing to talk to whoever came up. I stood there so proud to be friends with these Jesus lovers. We worked as individuals loved by God, coming together under His banner of love to make a family that spread joy. Amen!
             Singing, dancing, acting! Our team was blessed to be able to use our creativity and the prophetic to bless people all along the way in Budapest. One time I danced in the metro to the song "Pure Bride" by Leeland. I was nervous beforehand, but I  knew God was going to bless people and I would let go and let God and just worship Him. Still, I'm human and I had some butterflies. I started dancing and immediately we had people's attention. I could feel the people gathering around me and could see them in blurs as I danced around-but my focus stayed on Jesus and the message I was there to bring. In a way then, I was thinking about the people, but my heart wasn't so concerned with how I looked to them, my heart was impacted by their spirits so in need of Jesus and this message of beauty in purity and hope. So-I twirled and swayed and jumped in that metro. At the end there were cheers and claps and one guy had tears in his eyes and came up and shook my hand. Man, God is good. I was told later by one of the leaders on our team, Leif, who is Norwegian that there was a Norwegian couple that he was talking to who were not Christian. They were listening an talking to him and then I started to dance. They were  totally drawn in by the dance and just stared "in awe." After it was done they told Leif how beautiful it was and how it touched them. The funny thing is, I remember smiling and waving goodbye to them, but I didn't know their hearts had been that impacted. God is good.
           God blessed me so much in Budapest by leading me to sing over people words inspired by His Spirit. Sometimes I sang with Leif from our group, and sometimes alone. JoEllen would play the drums and David played the guitar as accompaniment. It was awesome to be guided by the Holy Spirit and be a team, creating a beautiful song that spoke into someone's life. It was neat to see how people stopped and were eager to see and hear what was going on when we did this. There was one time I had sung over a couple people and there was a guy in the crowd who was so eager to be sung too, but I had missed seeing him. David leaned over to me and said, "Beth there's a guy who really wants you to sing over him, he thought you were going to and got really happy and then you started singing for someone else and he looked so disappointed " I wasn't about to let this opportunity pass by so the  next person I sang for was this gentlemen. He had this huge smile when I asked him his name and as I began singing. I was in awe as this man stood in the middle of a metro station, eyes glued to us, taking in every bit of this Jesus love song sung over him. Another time I experienced singing and dancing with a woman named Elizabeth who happened to be a prostitute. As I held her hand in my and the microphone in the other I looked into her eyes and saw the hunger she had. She gazed so intently into my eyes and never lost eye contact the whole time I sang. My heart was moved with compassion and I knew here was where she could see Jesus-in the eyes of someone just willing to hold and sing and look deeply into her.
            There are many more what I call, "Shabba" (a word that has come to mean "yeah, I'm with you-Amen-encouragement") moments in Budapest. It was my favorite place we ministered in. We saw a lot of fruit and I got to pray with a man to receive Jesus into his life! Another big ministry we did there was "sandwhich runs" where we handed out sandwiches to homeless people and just spent time listening and talking with them. I met so many beloved people, like John the blind homeless man who sang in the metro for money or Chandor who after we talked and prayed with him the next day saved all his begging money and went and bought a Bible. So many specifics-God is specific and He had specific encounters for all of us. My team worked beautiful together in Budapest and I known much of that is because of all the prayers we received. Shabba! We left Budapest happy and ready for Romania.... (and that adventure will be in the next post!)

Pictures: (click on pics to make larger)

.Terry, our friend from England, joined us one day on the banjo!

. Zoo trip with JoEllen and David (We saw baby goats and a baby elephant!)

. Coffee House started by YWAM Budapest where we invited people we met on the streets to come to, to encourage further friendship and speak into their lives. 

.We got to go to the famous Opera house in Budapest and actually see a Wagner Opera!

. Budapest is beautiful at night-great lighting

.Street evangelism in metro-notice JoEllen playing a bucket-she forgot the drum that day. At the end of the day the bucket had a hole in it. ;o)

Prague/Praha

       I am currently sitting in a YWAM apartment in Hungary, having just arrived here last night from Prague. I'm actually missing Prague a bit, which is unusual for me, I don't general miss places, especially ones I've only been in for two weeks. Prague was a beautiful city with friendly people and good public transportation. (And apparently Hungary has some of the best public transportation in the world, or something like that, and today that proved to be true in efficiency- didn't have to wait long for the bus or metro at all.) Prague reminded me of Romania, which isn't a surprise really-the more you travel in Europe, the more you see the similarities between the cities.
       My team and I were able to help for two days at Teen Challenge, an organization I've worked with in the states. My mime team actually performed a few times at Teen Challenge over the years and I really enjoy being with this organization I've respected for years. I have always admired Don Wilkerson, the founder of Teen Challenge, since I read his book "The Cross and the Switchblade," when I was about 15. So, it was neat for me to see this organization running well in another country and to be a part of it's ministry to teens coming from hard backgrounds. This teen challenge in particular serves many of the youth from the Roma, or Gypsy, community. These kids have experienced drugs, hard family life, abuse, and some crime-all this with being part of a community (Gypsy people) that is looked down upon and ignored by the culture in general.
      We played games with the teens, ate snacks, acted out the story of the Prodigal Son, sang worship songs, gave testimonies, and just hung out with them. One of my favorite times with the group was when I got to sing and do some dance movements, while another member of the team played guitar. Most of the teens did the dance moves with me and it was so enjoyable to worship God together with them. Later we did the same thing, but this time I taught them the signs to a song. They sang the song in Czech, we sang in English, and we all signed together in American Sign Language. Worshiping God in three different languages! I so enjoy leading worship and find that my joy in the Lord comes most often when I am worshiping through music, especially when I'm a part of leading others into worship and into God's presence. It is such a privilege to serve in this way. Here is a picture of one of the worship times we had with the youth there. The two girls in the picture were precious gems, who just stared into my eyes as I sang-it was intense and connected me to God's love for them in a new way. I hope they saw Jesus looking back at them.

       
        Another adventure with Jesus we went on in Prague was some street evangelism. This means we just went out on the streets at night, armed with coffee, origami hearts with a Bible verse on them, candy, and (for me at least) some tingling nerves. We went in two groups, and fortunately we went with people who are experienced in loving people on the streets and doing it with a right heart. Though I'm used to a bit different of an approach in telling people about Jesus on the streets-it was good to experience something different than was done well and I could depend on God more in my lack-of-knowledge of what was going on. Our group ended up just stopping and talking to a guy standing on the corner, who told us his name was Kenny. We were pretty sure he was a pimp, with his fancy gold studded shoes. Roger, a Jesus-lovin' father in our group looked at Kenny and said, "Kenny, Jesus loves you." Kenny nodded and said, "Yeah, yeah man, I know." :o)
       We ended up praying for Kenny then and there and he was so open to our words of love and the words from the Lord that we prayed. In the middle of us giving Kenny some coffee, his friend came up to us. I could tell he was totally searching for purpose and was hungry for what we had. (The Holy Spirit) I went up and introduced myself. His name was "John" and we ended up praying for him as well. In the middle of prayer I felt we should sing over John, and I told him I was reminded of a song I knew and I would like to sing it--he was pretty happy about this, and I sang, "Jesus, Jesus, risen and exalted one, Jesus! Your name is like honey on my lips, Your Spirit's like water to my soul, Your word is a lamp unto my feet. Jesus I love you, I love you." The others in the group joined in-and then Kenny did! He hummed along and laid hands on his friend! I could see John receiving the peace of God that passes all understanding right there on the street. We gave Kenny and John some flyers for an international church they could attend (both were from Nigeria). As we left Kenny said, "This is cool. I'm going to tell my friends about Jesus."

              So many more stories of God's grace and power, but I'll save those for when I get back. ;o) I'll leave this post with more pictures of our time in Prague.

Love in the Club

Title captures your attention eh'?
Yeah, did that on purpose.

Figured it was time for an update! :o)

Frozen Lake:
     My first time on a frozen lake! It was exciting to walk on it-and a bit scary. I went with some experienced frozen lake people and my buddy Lance, who also had never been on a F.L. before. It was amazing to see the different patterns of cracks underneath the ice and to slide around on this mass of cold water. We could hear a "boom" sound that came intermittently while on the lake. It sounded like deep drums in the distance, but then I was informed that it was the ICE. Okay...a little more frightened. But, the kids on bikes on the lake in the distance reassured me it was safe. At one point, Lance and Cristina called David and I over to observed this amazing pattern of cracked ice on the lake, as we did we heard the ice *crack*, and all of us jumped back--then we made a quick exit to the shore again. It was quite funny actually. We kept exploring up the river and I got to throw big ice chucks into the thin ice along the shore, where water was partially flowing. A family of ducks also joined our adventure-all in all it was a wonderful outing.

Dancin' in the club:
     We were invited by Kristine, a former student at the DTS last year, to go out to a Karaoke Bar where there was dancing. A good number of us decided to go. So, I waited until the second car came to get us at 12:30am to go to out dancing. First time I've ever done that! Our group brought a healthy party to the place and just had fun being with each other and dancing. I ended up singing a Karaoke "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Kristine (who has an amazing voice), which was fun, even though I was shaking a bit. (Always the nerves of singing in front of people...even if it's in a club/bar.) As the night went on, the others and I shot up prayers for the people who were there. We could all sense a feeling of emptiness in the place....lonely people.
     There were some "interesting" encounters, as you can imagine, with some not-so-sober people. But then there were some beautiful encounters, like my friend Miriam talking to an older guy at the bar (and no, we're not allowed to drink at DTS, so we had coke. ;o), Maja leaving a note with some encouraging words for a guy who semi-joined our group, and me talking about the DTS to a woman in the bathroom of all places, and then meeting her again on the dance floor. (Her drunk boyfriend was "singing" "Living on a Prayer" and she asked me what I thought....my answer: "Good song choice...it was fun.") ;o) After this experience I respect people who have the energy and love to go into clubs and do club ministry. People-Jesus is in the clubs/bars. Jesus went into tax collectors homes, talked with prostitutes and LOVED the people into freedom. There was real love in the club that night. Amen.

Dancin' Feet:

      It's been a busy month for me. In dance this week we've had a contemporary dance teacher from Switzerland  We learned how to put a choreography together and on Friday presented our 15 piece. (Which included dancing in dirt! That was enjoyable-I've always liked the way dirt feels on your feet.) All month I've been working on my "testimony" dance/mime--each of us dancers had to choreograph a dance that presented something in our life that was impactful. I decided to do my dance on what God has taught me about receiving His love from others. The idea behind my dance is that there was a heart expansion as I encountered and received God's love from each unique individual in my life. A scripture that I've seen become reality is Ephesians 4:14-16 

     "As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by the craftiness in deceitful scheming, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love." 

      You may recognize this theme from an earlier post titled "Joints" in which I talk about this verse. Yep, God continues to reveal more of His amazing love to me through people and shows me how I need their support, wisdom, and encouragement. In my dance, I actually have a prop heart that expands as I dance/mime and show vulnerability with my heart. The four other students who are on my outreach team are in my dance/mime, being the people I entrust my heart with, who give me back a fuller heart as I share with them. Even in the process of choreographing with them and having to be vulnerable in teaching and presenting this to them-I was practicing what the whole thing was about! Psalm 119:32 says, "I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart." As I obey with love my heart expands! 

     We got to perform the dance as guest performers at the Music Track's concert they did one Friday night. Our music track students performed their original songs for us and a fellow dancer also performed her testimony piece. It was a beautiful night of shared passion, heart lessons, talent, and glory given to God. 

      I got to teach two ladies the mime "Warrior is a Child" today--it took me back to my mime days and was a great pleasure. Then I went down into the studio with my roommate and gave her a singing lesson. (In as much as my limited knowledge can supply.) It is so good to thrive and give what the Lord has given to you. Share, be open, be vulnerable  be willing to not do things perfectly, be good in HIS goodness. Lean on God. His strength is so beautiful to lean into. 

:o)

     

Snow Days!

 My buddy Liam and I out for a snow day-where I pulled him in his sled around the neighborhood. :o)

(Click on image to make it larger)

Gremrue (Near Oslo)

 

      Having a fun night, in a tepee, in the kid's play area. Pretending to be stuck out in the wilderness. My instructions for our expressions in the photo: Reaction to being lost in a tepee in the wilderness for days.....
and there you have it.

love upon grace upon love

I haven't written an update in awhile!

    Here's some happenings that have been happening here in good ol' Norway:

:o) Exercise! A good amount of us have decided we need more exercise. So, one Sunday we gathered in the dinning room. Two of the boys joined us--they were brave, as we did some "girlie" aerobics exercises in the workout. (But we also did strength.) ;o) The time turned out to be none other than "your's truly" led. So, I ended up improvising and using what I know from jazz class yoga, Pilates, balance and beyond class,  Zumba classes, and whatever else I've learned along the way. It was so much fun, and so good to work out again! (We all felt a bit pathetic, starting to sweat at the very beginning of the workout.) I really enjoy leading exercise and got good feedback afterwards. Two days later some girls and I did another workout to a video I found online. All the girls commented, "We liked it better when you led it Beth." That put a smile on my face. :o) So, I am encouraged to get a bit more organized in my exercise routines and continue to liven' up life here in Alesund with some "gettin' in shape!"

:o) New Years! We had a special New Year's celebration at the base, involving anyone who was back from their home visits over Christmas. It included a Norwegian folk dance led by two Norwegian students and the Virginia Reel led by me-super fun. We played games, had a fancy dinner, and enjoyed being with each other. Alesund is the perfect place to have New Years. People set off beautiful fireworks that go off across the city. Since we're on a mountain, we got to look out over the city at all the sparkling fireworks going off and we hugged each other and blessed the New Year. It was lovely. Afterward we had a time of worship in music and prayer. What a blessing to welcome 2013 with fellow believers loving God.

:o) New Places! After New Year's we packed up and traveled to a city called Gremrue, near Oslo for YWAM's "workers gathering" for all the students and staff in YWAM Norway. It was a 7 hr car trip, so there was a lot of sleeping and snacking. It was neat to  be in a different location-but it was a colder location. I enjoy Alesund's weather, as it's by the sea and doesn't get as cold. In Gremrue I experienced a true white landscape, where even the sky seemed white and the air was crisp and frozen. It was beautiful, but hard to be outside. We stayed there a little over a week, after the conference having a teaching week on missions. It was encouraging to watch films of missionaries going to unreached people groups and really living and loving the people. There were tears in our eyes as we watched on film many people jumping for joy as whole villages came to know and receive God.

:o) My birthday! The most recent happening has been celebrating the day of my birth, Jan 17th. It's my first birthday away from home, and I turned 21, so it was pretty special. I got many hugs (!) and many sweet gifts. My parents sent me a package with some yummy American cookies and cream candy. My friends, poor mission students they may be, bought me goodies, including rootbear (it's known that's the only soda I drink-and it's only in one store here in Alesund.) I got some Dutch cookies, which are some of the best cookies I've ever eaten. Whew. I also received sweet cards of encouragement. And I got two songs written for me! I shall upload one of them, it's a comedic, fun song that represents more of that side of me. ;o) Here is the link to my friend's soundcloud with the song: (You can appreciate the cover art also.) Lot's of wonderful, blessed happenings here in Norway!

https://soundcloud.com/kusch-david/the-rebel-dont-mess-with-the