Wedding bells

Jonathan and Janita

April 20th this year, our son, Jonathan and Janita Lord will be getting married in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jonathan and Janita are both 23 years old and they have known each other since preschool. They have not been dating since then :) but connected again after some years. Janita worked as an au pair in Denmark and spent the first Christmas with us in Sweden 2009. Later during 2010 she moved to Gothenburg (Göteborg) where she has been with the same family looking after a sweet little 3-year-old boy called Frederik.
Jonathan works as a personal assistant to some handicapped young men, and also to an older gentleman. They plan to live in his apartment in Uddevalla, work part-time and study some. It will be good to have them close by and to see them more often.


Of course, as a family we plan to be at the wedding and to visit with friends and family from end March to 23rd April. As always, it is a faith challenge, but God has been so incredibly faithful so far. Meditating on how God sees weddings and marriage really boosted our faith, as that is the way that He wants to celebrate at the end of time with us, not wanting anyone to be excluded at all. For this reason we believe He will provide all we need as well as Sarah receiving favour to get time off her studies. Pray with us towards this end. We will share some of the testimonies next time round :)

Family holiday car

While we are in SA we need to borrow/hire a car that can seat 4-5 people - if anyone has a "spare" and is willing to loan us this for 3 weeks we would appreciate it greatly. Email us if this is a possibility. We will be visiting Johannesburg/Pretoria, Rayton, Piet Retief and want to spend a few days in Durban doing touristy things so Caleb and Joshua can renew their roots and understanding of SA culture. It is 11 years since we left and they have only been back once during that time. They are now 16 and 14 years and will see SA with more "adult" eyes :) If you wish to see us during this time, please drop us a line so that we can plan a time. Make sure you include email or contact numbers. We sooo look forward to meeting as many of our friends as possible.

Some of the DTS students

This past week we were teaching and debriefing the 4 returned DTS outreach teams. They have spent 10 weeks in Mozambique and 3 Asian countries. Always exciting to see how they have grown through the challenges and are excited about the future that God has for them and seeing where they can make a difference back home. Soon after we return from SA the teaching rounds start again for the spring and we will both be travelling to Finland to teach at various times. The Bible-school students that we have been involved with in Uddevalla will graduate at the end of May. Irrespective of age, we are ALWAYS blessed to see a-ha moments in their lives and when God reveals some truth from His word.

We have had a very mild winter up until last week, but even then temps have only gone as low as -14, but with the wind chill-factor, it feels more like -19. The snow came very late this year and not much of it, but we are thankful for that too. Makes for easier travel and access. We are, however, really looking forward to the warmth and sunshine in South Africa, and it will be even better with braaivleis*, rugby, friends and a Chevrolet. (Old advert from way-back-when!) (*BBQ)

Kerstin teaching during the debrief.

Our picnic with the children whose father had a heart 
transplant recently. He is doing well and the change in his 
physical condition is so very different. God is good and faithful. 
Continue to pray for the two sons who have the same 
inherited problem. There is no filter on this photo - 
it really was cold outside - it was only -5 :)

The pavements are really slippery when the snow melts and then refreezes.
Even more so when snow falls on-top of the ice.

Today is a sunny winter's day and the temperature is nearly 3 plus degrees.
Spring is coming! :)

Things you can pray with us about:

• Praise item - since starting the newsletter Sarah now has permission to attend. Yay!!!
• Finances for air tickets (at a good price :)
• A vehicle to borrow or finances to hire.
• For good family celebrations - Kerstin's brother from Australia will probably attend so that we as siblings can all be together again for the first time since 2007!

We appreciate your friendship and support as always.

Fresh winds and new seasons...

View from our room at the camp

It's been a while but now hopefully we're back "online" and got the electronic bugs and roaches sorted out.
We have settled into our new home in Uddevalla and are thoroughly enjoying living in the city. The boys have just recently started school and both of them are attending school within 5 minutes walking distance. We have a 7 minute walk into town (and maybe 12 minutes home :) as we have an uphill to get fit in.

James made his début European teaching event in Rovaneimi, Finland, where Santa Clause lives :) in May. It is on the 66 deg. north latitude line which is the Polar Circle. He taught the book of  Hebrews on the YWAM 3-month Bible school.While there, one of the students from Ghana got news that his sister had passed away. James ended up conducting a memorial service for her.

Boat buoys to stop the sheep from jumping over the walls

In June, I (Kerstin) taught in the Faeroe Islands for 2 weeks on a DTS. I enjoyed eating whale meat stew, but declined the whale meat and blubber meal :) (See photo below.) The views are magnificent and the sheep "all over the place". Love going there and enjoy the people who are sooo open and friendly. I had to smile - the flight from Gothenburg to Copenhagen was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Once the flight for Tórshavn was boarding, the party was on! I battled to hear the flight attendant speaking to me from the aisle. It seemed as if everyone knew everyone... but that was not the case! Non Faeroese were easily spotted :). I spoke at a Women Aglow meeting and many traditional desserts were served - really a sweet meeting :)

Fun activities at the youth camp

 July and August the boys attended youth camps. At the one youth camp James and I did the cooking and praying - which go very well together. About 80 youth (leaders and participants) attended, and it was great to hear the testimonies of those who met with God.

During July too, I worked as a (summer) relief staff doing night shift as a personal assistant to a person who needs attention at night. So warm sunny days were sort off slept away, but a welcome wad in the purse.

August sees a whole new round of activity and this means time and energy to give out. For this reason we have taken time off from Restenäs to strengthen ministry here in Uddevalla and not to be split in too many directions. As the old saying goes, "Less is more".

Our church is going through some renovations. The original building was built in 1860, and the façade may not be changed as it is a protected historical building. So the current facility is being renovated and then the rest of the "new" church will be added behind it. James together with some (many) more men in the church are working some evenings to get this done. So a lot of physical work for him :)

A fun moment.

This past Saturday the churches in town together with the Uddevalla municipality sponsored a "Family Day". Families and others were welcome to come spend time together playing, riding ponies, face painting, enjoying hot dogs and drinks all while listening to music and hearing that God wants to be our Father. It was so encouraging to see people from all walks of life attending. There is certainly pressure on core families and what it means, and almost a disdain for being a "mom, dad and kids" scenario. Not least is the beauty of seeing the churches unite to minister to the people of Uddevalla.

Tuesday evening we start an evening Bible school which will run until the end of May (school year end) with the desired goal of making people self-feeders and strong Christians. I will kick off teaching for a few weeks on our Identity in Christ. We would value your prayers for the students attending that they will have a revelation of Gods love and forgiveness and the joy that we give Him by being His children. We will keep updating you on this school.

September to December is our busiest teaching season and we would value your prayers for us during this time. For good preparation time, safe travels and not least all the students we will be meeting and ministering to. If you are interested in praying specifically, we can forward a list of the events for you if you get back to us.

We look forward to hearing from you all! Enjoy some more photos below.

View from my room at 01:15 in the Faeroes.

Little church in the south island where we had classes.

Students praying and worshipping.

Whale meat and blubber meal, which I declined :)

A beautiful old barn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praying Monk cliff in Faeroe Islands. (The outcrop on the right)

Family Day in Uddevalla - 10/09/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throwing candy!

Balloon sculptures for all the kids.

 

Fun activities

Joshua grilling hot-dogs.

Sumo wrestling.

Joshua's friend and some of his siblings. The bigger one here and his older brother (not on picture), who is the same age as Joshua, both have an inherited heart disease. The father is currently on a heart transplant waiting list, and weakening fast. The oldest brother's heart is struggling to pump enough blood to his body and so he often faints. This family have seen many healing miracles in their lives and are trusting for more. Our prayers are for new hearts - in which ever way God sees fit to provide. Please stand with us in faith for this family. More details if you wish - contact us.

We're moving!

The top right apartment is our.

The house is beginning to echo as we walk around! The boxes are adding up and things are finding various piles to join. Happy to go through our belongings and sort out what we don't need. Everyone should do this from time to time - it brings healing to the soul and a possibility to bless others, or just to have the pleasure to throw things away.
Having been on a waiting list for over a year, when we finally got a phone call about an apartment it was such a "God-thing" . We wanted something close to the centre of town but not right in it - so our apartment is 7 minutes walk from the centre, situated in a very quiet part of town. It is also close to Caleb's school (for the next school year starting in August) and close to the bus and train station for Joshua to continue at his school in Ljungskile.
The apartment is a double storey of 112 m2, 5 rooms and a kitchen (Swedish specs.) two bathrooms and a parking area. Communal laundry and our own storage space.

We are excited that finally we can become more involved with the ministries in Uddevalla. It has been inspiring and challenging to identify the areas of ministry both for ourselves and for future involvement of teams. At this point the churches in Uddevalla are continuing to grow in unity - and it is a testimony to what is possible when Jesus is proclaimed as Lord in ecumenical relationships. This unity is not only among the leadership, but is starting to filter down to members. Our part in this will be through various projects to reach the youth of the city as well as being involved in one of the Bible/discipleship schools. We remain with YWAM, but can be considered as "field workers" in Sweden. Teaching is still our priority and we teach wherever we are invited :)

Moving the last week of February - will let you know how things go and post some photos when we're in :)

On top of the world

On top of the world

I arrived in Rovaniemi, Finland last week on Monday morning. Taught in the afternoon and then every morning until 13:15 on how God has designed us to accomplish the destiny He has for us. How exciting it is when you see the "aha" moments in peoples eyes and how God reveals to them their uniqueness. When we choose to value the gifts He has laid down in us to accomplish the task He created us for, we begin to appreciate "how fearfully and wonderfully" we are made!

One afternoon we visited the Arctic circle (Latitude 66° 34’ N) only to discover that this is where Santa lives :). Many Christmas & souvenir shops and even a post office with Santa's helpers working to send and receive letters to/from Santa.

Arrived home on Saturday afternoon, tired, happy, fulfilled and glad to see the family again. Only two days later, and Jonathan left for a one-month visit to South Africa. The airport sees us quite often :)
This week both James and I are busy preparing teaching again. Next week we both teach at Restenäs - James teaches the book of Acts on the SBS for the week, and I will be teaching on the DTS about Identity in Christ. We also have the DTS students from the Dalarna base joining us - a nice full classroom :).


Your continued prayers for the students and us would be appreciated.

Look forward to hearing from you.

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Beautiful Autumn

We have been quite busy this weekend with teaching prep. James is preparing to teach the book of Acts to the School of Biblical Studies here at Restenäs.I will be teaching on the wonderful way God has designed us to fulfil His purposes in our lives in Rovaniemi, Finland, north of the polar circle.

Caleb came back from his school trip to Poland where he visited Auschwitz and Berlin in Germany. Tired but happy and many photos and stories later.

Travelling into town yesterday and seeing the sunshine and the beautiful trees changing colour - just so spectacular and awestruck by the beauty that God created for us to enjoy! Here in Sweden the seasons are very distinct and each has it's own beauty. Not sure though that I am ready for the coming winter with it's long dark periods, little sunshine and slushy/icy roads. But, inside it's warm and with enough to do and the lights on - maybe we won't notice the dark outside.

Kerstin leaves by plane early tomorrow morning to go to Finland. Prayers will be appreciated. Pray that the students will have breakthroughs in their thinking and that strongholds will be broken down.

Welcome to our blogg

We have decided that we will try blogging to keep our friends and loved ones informed about what we are doing. Writing a newsletter every 3 months or so makes it either too long to read or many details get left out for the sake of time and space. This is an attempt to shorten the time it takes to read and still getting the news out there. We hope you enjoy it and can play a bigger part in our lives :)
We appreciate your friendship, prayers, emails and phone calls, skype's and sms's. Become a follower and get updated as the blogg is updated.

We look forward to hearing from you.