Wow! I came back just a few days ago from an intense week in France. First I traveled to Lyon for PEFY (pentecostal european forum for youth) where we had some good conversations with youth leaders from all over Europe about the Jesus Revolution Groups project. It was great to meet other people that have a vision for youth!

After that I went down to Marseille for some cosy time with the family! It was the opportunity to see Esther, Reinald and new-born Joanna, and as a bonus Chris and Mum were there!

After my time in Marseille, I went back up to Lyon, where I was invited by Elam, a cross-church evangelistic group in Lyon to preach at their retreat week-end (photo above). Interestingly enough, the leaders of the group, the Pomier family, were part of the Ywam base that Mum and Dad were a part of 25 years ago! Philippe, the father, had some good anecdotes about Dad. He said that Dad was the first one to get him to preach (in a gipsy church in Troyes). He also said that he was impressed at how Dad never got angry (specially with a difficult girl that he personally would have “killed”).

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and felt like I received so much after I had given the little that I have. God is good! Here are some photos from the trip:

Joanna, my niece born a few weeks ago

Keziah, another of my nieces

Yet another beautiful niece!

Chris, my brother

We have just come back from Finland where we enjoyed being at Jonna and Andreas’ wedding. Here are some photos from their great day! (Click on the photos for bigger versions)

The church

the bride and her father

Standing and the altar

Being prayed for

First kiss as husband and wife

Coming out and very happy!

on the way out

Rice shower

Toast at the reception

Speech of the bridegroom

Speech of the bride

Maids of honor

Best men

The snow came just before Christmas, and so far about half a meter of snow has fallen…so we have been skiing, and enjoying the warmth of our homes…and celebrating a white Christmas!

At Guro's parents...

Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”
Harvey MacKay

Our year in pictures

Christmas and New Year are approaching again, and it feels like this year has almost passed by in a blink. So, what actually happened in our lives during 2009? Here is a little summary:

• Birthdays: Both Guro and I celebrated our 25th birthdays, while both Mum and Guro’s dad John have celebrated their 60th!
• Summer Team: We were in Italy again this year, we saw God do great things and I had the opportunity to make a video series.
• Work: Guro started working for TBBMI, our new Bible School, 50 students have joined, an amazing blessing for the first year of the school in Oslo. I have been working on our new “Jesus Revolution Groups” project which you can read about here.
• Holidays: We had a great time in Calais, France with the whole family.
• Studies: Guro has been studying Norwegian and History, while I have been learning the Norwegian language, with a final exam in January!
• Death: Guro’s grandfather passed away at the age of 93, 2 months ago.
• Travels: Some great times in Le Gault la Forêt teaching in a Ywam school, and in Croatia presenting our new project.

The first snow of the year is falling around me as I stand freezing in front of a pride of Norwegian culture, the National Theater. In front of me, despite the weather, 8 youth are dancing and singing. It’s a normal Friday evening, and many people are walking home to find the comfort of their homes. But as they hear the hip-hop beat, they stop, look on and smile, curious about what this is. Some move their heads to the beat, while others just stand, shaking the snow off their jackets.

But the real fun starts for me when the dance is over. Daniel, a young Norwegian takes the microphone and starts boldly proclaiming how Jesus came to die for us, and forgives us of our sins. If you were to do a study of human reactions, this would be a good place. A quite diverse variety of expressions appear on people’s faces. Some turn quizzical, and you can almost hear their thoughts: “Is this possible? Do they really believe in all of this?” Others put on a sardonic, mocking smile as if the words spoken will never have an entrance to their hearts. Several just seem thoughtful.

Attracting a crowd despite the weather

In the middle of the preaching I catch some Norwegian words exchanged behind me: “are they serious?” I turn round and start a conversation with a tall young man. The conversation lasts 10 minutes, and in the end I have answered some of his questions about free will, hell, God and Jesus. He asks if we will be there next Friday and leaves with a smile: “I like speaking about these things you see.”

Around me, the others from the group are sharing their hearts out and praying for people. A few minutes later I get the report. “There’s someone over there that just gave his life to Jesus!” After 3 street shows, it’s time to go home. Many have heard about Jesus, been prayed for and challenged to draw nearer to God. We leave, grateful that our Creator can use us in this way and our minds are filled with these thoughts: “this is what we’re meant for, this feels like being alive.”