Thursday, September 24, 2009

Meetings

I've had some great meetings over the last couple of weeks! I was first in Fond du Lac, WI before heading to the Northwoods of Minnesota for a week of meetings in various towns - truly Scandinavian country!
All of the services went really well - and I was able to make some new friends along the way :)

I praise the Lord for all He's done!

Friday, September 4, 2009

I'm back in the States

Just wanted to let you all know that I made it home from Sweden safely!

I had a wonderful trip - the Lord really blessed!
Thanks for your prayers!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

video

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in Swedish

The End of My Trip
























































It's hard to believe that my trip to Sweden has about come to a close. It will be hard to go home - I love this country and I love these people!
I had such a wonderful visit in Jönköping! I was able to learn so much - and I had such a great time getting to know the folks there!

On Friday, I was able to meet my friend Jennifer in the city of Borås, Sweden - about an hour from Jönköping. My friend Lotta drove me to see her - it was great to be able to meet and visit with her :) We had a great time!

On Saturday we visited Jönköping's weekly outdoor market - lots of people were out! Typically, the Neelys and other church folk stand outside the church (which is downtown - a few blocks from the market) and hand out tracts/visit with the people who pass by. They have several people who regularly stop to talk - it is a great outreach opportunity!

Several young people from the church (my age group) got together at Lotta's place on Saturday night - we had a great time hanging out :) We were talking some about the spiritual condition of Sweden and the desperate need for the Gospel. It was so encouraging to hear the thoughts and burdens of these individuals! There is really a great deal of ministry potential in this city!

Sunday was church - and fika (probably the most important thing to Swedes! basically, it is a coffee break/fellowship time!) The service was great and very encouraging as I listened to the testimonies and the heart of the people here (through some translation).

Later on Sunday afternoon, Lotta, her boys, and I drove up to the adorable town of Gränna and took a ferry across Lake Vättern to visit Visingsö (large Island in the lake). It was a beautiful day to be out on the water - and a nice day for walking around the Island! We had fun!

I spent Monday wandering around Jönköping - watching people, listening to people talk, trying to learn my way around, etc. After a long time of that, I caught a bus (no, I didn't get lost!) to the centrum where Lotta works. I had fika there before meeting up with Lotta at 5pm (it was a good chance to get some notes written up, get some work done, etc).

Yesterday, I took the train back to Stockholm. It was hard to say goodbye to Jönköping! I already miss my friends there!

I am currently staying with friends here in Stockholm - tomorrow morning I'll be flying back to Chicago, Lord willing.

This trip has certainly re-energized me - I can't wait until the day I can be back in Sweden to stay! Please pray that the Lord would provide for me to get to Sweden soon - that the support would come in quickly!

Thanks again for your prayers!
“To be a missionary you don't have to cross the sea, you just have to see the cross."

When the Rains Descend

When the Rains Descend
Go ahead and grab your umbrella, because in life, there will be times when you journey through the storms. You see, in this world in which we live, the rains will fall. That is a guarantee. Trials will come - and they are going to come to everyone. Just because you are a Christian, don't think for a moment that life is going to be easy. There will still be pain, sorrow, and heartache. The good news, however, is that, as a Christian, you do not have to weather these storms alone. You have a solid foundation in Christ.

When the Rains Descend is a collection of poems written to be an encouragement to you as you face the downpours of life. May you rest in the Lord and grow closer to Him day by day.

*For information concerning purchasing a copy of When the Rains Descend, please contact Melissa Carlson through her website at www.sweden4christ.com or order one today from amazon.com.