Church Halloween

Today I had a clown show at some kind of halloween gathering at a church in Larvik. They didn't try to scare the children in any way, but had drama, preaching and singing that lifted up Jesus. The woman who preached told the story of Zacchaeus. It was a very good, warm atmosphere there - so it was easy to enjoy my job.

Please give us Jesus

Today I did a job for a state church in Oslo. They had sent out invitations to many people in the neighbourhood. They started the evening with food, then there were different activities for the children, like the balloon workshop I had for about 30 children. Afterwards there were a short gathering in the church room with some prayer and preaching. The preaching consisted of me telling the story when Zacchaeus met Jesus (Luke 19:1-10), illustrating with balloons while preaching. So naturally I had to make a balloon Jesus, which I gave to a kid when I had finished telling the story. Afterwards two small girls begged me to give them Jesus... A balloon Jesus that is... They were like: "We want Jesus, please give us Jesus". This was after I had finished and I was just about to clean up. And if you give something extra to one kid... But they were begging so sincerely, that they ended up receiving Jesus... The balloon Jesus that is.

What I really liked about this event was that I was given the opportunity to share about Jesus with people that doesn't go to church on a regular basis.

Normal Work Day?

Today I planned to have a normal work day, as there is no point for me to have the resting day on Sundays... Who have the time to rest on Sundays anyway? It didn't end up quite that way after all, since Malene was visiting Oslo. I don't see her so often, since she live in Larvik (two hour train trip away), so I took the time to meet her. Then we also had time to talk some about the job I will do in her church 31. October. They are having some kind of gathering that is meant to be an alternative to the halloween gatherings.

Picture: I just showed Malene how to make a balloon ape.

Winter Clowning

Today I did a three hour balloon twisting job for a kindergarden in Sarpsborg. Standard job??? Well, it was outdoors. I wore some extra clothes, but had sandals on my feet... for my nice yellow socks to show. This was the coldest day this far this year. Officially it's still autumn, but this really was a winter day. It came down some of this mix between rain and snow from heaven. Nice.

Thanks be to Jesus who made the three hours pass really fast. At a certain period in the middle of the day, I suddenly felt warm and did for quite long. I don't know if it was some temperature change or what... Thanks to Jesus anyway. But I won't work outside anymore before the spring.

Unpacking

Today I needed most of the day just packing out stuff and preparing the evenings job. As this job was in a church and I was allowed to share about Jesus, I used much of the preparation time just being with Him, so that I would have something to give the children. What are balloons in itself anyway?

I also had a long Skype talk with Donny. He was interested in hearing how our Finnish friends are doing. He also shared more about "Generation Fire", which will be launched in 14 days.

Goodbye Gifts

Today I left Finland. I have now been away from Norway for 15 days. I have not received ONE SINGLE job request concerning these days. Consider the fact that I worked almost every single day in the period before I left Norway and that I'm working almost every day in the next days, starting with a birthday party this evening. Also consider that I planned and booked my plane tickets good time in advance, not knowing how these days would be jobwise. Coincidence??? I just say: So amazing to travel with Jesus.

This morning before I went for the bus, Antti gave me a Finnish CD I really like. Yesterday Hanna gave me goodbye gifts. You guys really love me!!! Never forget: The greatest gift you can give is your amazing friendship.

Hannas Kindergarden

Today I visited Hanna in the kindergarden where she is currently working. I came late, so many of the children had left, but it was nice to meet some of them. One girl even made a drawing for me. It showed me sitting at the table, eating, just like I was doing right then.

In the evening I was in a meeting in Metro Church. I felt kind of sad that I'm leaving Finland tomorrow, but I know that Jesus has good plans for me in Norway too. I was also really encouraged by praising Jesus and listening to people share stuff in the Metro Church.

Picture 1: Drawing of me eating.
Picture 2: They had a big poster at the wall in the kindergarden. In the center Jesus was holding some children in the hands. Most Jesus pictures I don't like, but I like this one. Some things on the poster was drawn by Hanna, others by some of the kids. Jesus was drawn by Hanna.

Tommis Cottage

This morning me and Antti went to Tommis cottage. We had some great time together. Tommi also shared his testimony. He started to follow Jesus about a year ago, which means that last time I was in Kuopio, he didn't yet know Jesus. And now he is sharing passionately about his faith.

New World

Today Antti and me had a slow morning. I used a few hours on updating the contact list on my Nokia e61, adding pictures from my laptop.

In the evening we went to Metro Church, where Jaakoo told us some interesting stuff about dynamic discipleship.

Afterwards I hung out with Elisa. We ate together, and she gave me licorise tea to go with the food. It had an interesting taste. Afterwards we ran to reach the shop before it closed, to buy licorise ice cream. It was fun running to reach something without really being in a hurry or stressed.

In the late evening Antti, Elisa and me watched a movie named "New World". I would best describe it as slow and romantic. It has some really good allegories to it. I won't spoil the fun and tell you. You better see for yourself.

Picture: Jaakko

Relaxing Day

This was a relaxing day. Hanna, Antti and me were just hanging out together.

Picture: Hanna with a princess crown.

Kinder Eggs

Today me and Antti woke up late. We had some terrible problems with the toilet. What goes down in one place might come up in another... I'll say no more. Antti went to Metro Church for some inspiring preaching in the afternoon. In the meantime I discovered new aspects of the child inside me. Having just found Kinder Eggs sold for half the price - I bought and assembled 24 of them. I told Antti I was staying behind to spend time with Jesus. You figure it out...

In the evening I went to a meeting in Metro Church. I joined in on praising Jesus and used the preaching time on updating my blog. Antti offered himself to interpretate, but I have to please my millions of readers so...

The meeting started at 6 pm and lasted to 10:50 pm. Lots and lots of that time we worshipped Jesus... In Finnish, in English, in tongues. Whatever language works just fine. I have to say I felt really good afterwards.

Outokumpu

Today me and Antti went to Outokumpu, where we visited Eeva. She is currently staying a few days with her parents there. It was nice to get to meet them and her sister.

We went to pray by an old mine in Outokumpu. On the way there we passed Sirvo, which is the dance school Hanna attended some time ago. It was during the time she studied there she got saved, so it was cool to see it. We walked up lots of stairs to come to the mine. We stopped outside, where we could see most of the surrounding area. It was no others around, so we prayed pretty loud and passionately for the area. In the evening we went back to Kuopio and visited Hanna.

Picture 1: Eeva and her sister Elina. The picture was taken close to the house of their parents.
Picture2: Antti on the prayer place, by the closed down mine.

Hanna's Apartment

Today I visited Hanna. Her apartment was like a shrine for Jesus. His presence is so strong there, that I felt like falling down on my knees the moment I came in. All over she have decorated in a way that illustrates something about Jesus. Well... I won't share any pictures from her apartment, so you just gotta go there and see for yourself...

She shared a meal called 'kalakukko' with me. This meal is special for Kuopio. I tried to guess what was inside and went for chicken, but it was some sort of fish and some other stuff. It was.... Survivable.... Not too bad. I ate a decent portion, so I guess there is hope for me still. Maybe I even learn to like 'mämmi' some day.

We had 'Hermanni' for dessert, also called 'friendship cake'. This cake takes ten days to make. Every day you are supposed to stir and put something in it. I would like to see the recipy... Not too make it... Just because I'm curious. The friendship cake was very good, well worth the ten days for those who are pasient enough to go for the best.

Kuopio

Today I took the train from Tampere to Kuopio. Antti met me on the train station and we went straight to the Metro Church in Kuopio, where Antti and Hanna attends. I joined in on the worship. Although it was mostly in Finnish, I could still connect with the anointing in the meeting and be one in praise with the others.

Tampere

Yesterday morning I went by train to Tampere to meet with Niina. We talked and prayed and had an encouraging time together.

Going to Finland

Today I went by plain to Helsinki. My friends Simo and Markus picked me up at the airport. Then we went to pick up Eeva and Maarit, and I even got a chance to meet Maarits sister and mom. Then we went to boys' place in Riihimäki, where I met Mikko and Antti. Afterwards I also met Jussi. We all went on a walk in the forest in the dark evening and found a great place to pray.

Just before bedtime I also got to meet Pauli and Linnea. It was great to meet so many of my friends. Some of them were quite tired after their trip to Israel, but they still had energy for some good talks and prayer.

Picture: Mikko, Antti, Markus, Jussi, Eevas hair

They Said YES

I just came back from the party, celebrating the marriage of Frank and Andrea. It was a lot of fun and even a bit touchy sometimes. Yea, they both said YES and now their lives have changed forever.

I had a lot of fun playing with three children at the party. I didn't bring any balloons on this trip, as my wrists felt like they really needed a break. It was so nice to play games and have fun in the good old way with no balloons.

Picture 1: Frank and Andrea outside right after the wedding ceremony.
Picture 2: We had lots of fun playing.

Currently in Germany

Now I am currently updating my blog through my new mobil phone Nokia e61, which have a built in web-browser. I am now in Hemsbach close to Frankfurt, where my friends Frank and Andrea will soon marry... The wedding starts in a few hours. It's cool trying to speak German. I just hung out at a petrol station a couple of hours and tried to speak German with people there. This will be a great day!

Since last time I blogged? I have had a couple of busy weeks. To busy to write about, so it is good that I can have some resting time here in Germany.