Transitioning

Here’s what’s happening…I am trying to get the local free churches in Espoo to have a prayerwalk. My church Espoon Kotikirkko and another one are the only ones that I have really had any possible impact on. The other church is having a month of prayer and fasting through which we are hoping to launch a prayerwalking ministry in their church. I’m praying that someone gets a fire for it, and I can bow out of any leadership role apart from guidance. I’ve have a few emails with other pastors, but nothing has really come of it. Pray that God blesses this attempt, and, if it falls apart, that we (I) learn a great deal from it.

Along with this, I am hoping to get a street ministry going. We have an artistic couple in Espoon Kotikirkko, and I hoping that we can come up with creative ways to share the Gospel on the streets of Helsinki, or even here in Espoo. I have contacted the church plant of the church that I mentioned earlier about either joining or starting their own version of the ministry. I am trying to connect with the group’s leader…he’s a student and works part-time, so I’m not surprised at the delay. Pray that something comes of this, that some or one of the Finnish believers will be able to step out against the cultural predisposition of just keeping quiet and have an impact on the rest of the nation.

Spring is here, so that means people are outside. We gotta find ways to meet, develop relationships, and share with these people. At this point, it’s not completely dark until 11pm at night…and we still have another month before the summer solstice (juhannus)…in this part of the country, 1.5 hours of “night”. I arrived in country on juhannus…yeah, that was a jetlag comedy of errors (3:30am looks just like 7:30am).

New guy coming in October. I am trying to work on ways to introduce him into the language and culture. I have ideas for public transportation quizzes, ordering at restaurants assignments, buying berries and mushrooms from the street kiosks…et cetera…uzw…jne. (ja niin edelleen). Language will be the craziest part. Like 100 forms of every word…perusmuoto (basic form) is the key. I will kinda regret not getting to go to camp with him. Camps are awesome, small, compact, but in amazingly beautiful places. Kesäranta and Kuru, I’m looking at you.

I will be changing apartments and addresses throughout July and August. We are having to move out of this apartment, which is not a problem in mid-August when the Sivonens go stateside for half a year, but we have to be out before July. Fortunately, Jere received a hookup with an apartment in Helsinki through Heidi (props), and we will stay there until I can move into the Sivonens’ apartment. Jere will have to have room for his new roommate…i.e., his bride-to-be Elina. Onnittelut!

Ok, there’s a way over due update. Ole hyvä.

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