Jesus To Europe

Photos: Jonna and Andreas Wedding

Paul — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:48:21 +0000

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 10 most significant events for Europe in the last decade (2000-2009)

Paul — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:38:55 +0000

2 Apr. 2005

Pope John Paul II dies. Pope Benedict XVI is elected Pope

1 Sep. 2004

The Beslan massacre. Chechen militants took more than 1,100 people (including 777 children) hostage. Russian security forces eventually stormed in. At least 334 hostages were killed, including 186 children.

From 5 Oct. 2000

The color revolutions and new countries. Peaceful revolutions lead to the overthrow of leaders in Yougoslavia, Georgia and Ukraine. Yougoslavia becomes Serbia and Montenegro. Kosovo separates itself from Serbia.

1 May 2004

10 new members are accepted into the European Union in 2004. Leads to treaty of Lisbon in 2007.

11 Mar. 2004

191 people are killed in the Madrid Train Bombings.

July 7, 2005

Suicide Bombers attack London’s public transit system, killing 56 people.

1 Jan. 2002

The Euro replaces the currencies of 12 of the EU’s 15 members.

June 2009

The outbreak of the H1N1 influenza strain, commonly referred to as “swine flu”, is deemed a global pandemic, becoming the first condition since the Hong Kong flu of 1967–1968 to receive this designation.

From 2001

Wars in Irak and Afghanistan. In 2001, the US and British armies launch their attack on Afghanistan in reply to September 11th attacks. In 2003, following a report on WMD in Irak, the US begin the invasion with the UK, Denmark, Spain and Poland.

From end of 2007

The recession: Years of risky loans in the US and Europe lead to a massive loss of jobs, bankruptcies and a redefinition of world economies.

11 Sep. 2001

Attack on the twin towers. This event marked the coming of terrorism on the world arena, as people all over watched in horror the 2 planes crashing on the towers. This attack also lay the foundation for the wars in Afghanistan and Irak.

Photo of the Week: Snoverflow

Paul — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:02:05 +0000

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...

Merry Christmas and a little gift for 2009!

Paul — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:54:28 +0000

Merry Christmas from us (a little bit beforehand so that you can enjoy this during the holidays)! We hope that you are enjoying the season, and managing to relax! Here is a little gift from us, some of the best Christmas CDs that we have found on spotify! Be blessed!

Spotify CDs

And for those of you that don’t know spotify is, it is a free program that allows you to play millions of songs on your computer (completely legally). Check it out on spotify.com.

So…what happened in 2009

Paul — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:36:08 +0000

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.

Photo album: Christmas before Christmas

Paul — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:50:53 +0000

Photos of the week: Trip to Croatia

Paul — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:08:37 +0000

I have just come back from 3 great days in Croatia where we were presenting the Jesus Revolution Groups project. The response has been overwhelming, and it feels like we are walking in prepared deeds! Here are some photos:

With my friend Florian

All the missionaries - representing thousands of people saved!

The hotel where we were staying

Jesus Revolution – feels like being alive…

Paul — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:04 +0000

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.”

Photo of the week: First snow of winter 2009

Paul — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:24 +0000

The first snow of the year has been falling…Cosy to be inside when it’s so cold outside! The winter is going to be long and cold!

Guro reading inside our appartment

Photo of the week: An all time favorite

Paul — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:04:52 +0000

Funny how you can be attached to a photo, not for it’s photographic value, but for the feelings connected to it. This is one of the only photos I have of me and Dad at home now since he passed away. I’ve always been attached to it…so just wanted to share it with you!

On the boat on the way to england