Funds!

The week came and went there was no update, but the money is coming in slowly. We haven't seen the big money come in yet, but we are praying and believe it will come.

Within the IPHC these last 10 days, 11 000 Australian dollars has come in. Yuppie. That is so amazing. We are still in need of 30 000, so it's an exciting time we're in. We as a class have prayer together for finances every day, and the following day telling about the what we have received. It's so awesome. God doesn't fail.

Another fantastic thing, is that I got another nephew Haakon. He was born on the 18th of February, and it was quite dramatic. My sister in law is still on antibiotic because of the infection she got, but is recovering. Glory to God.

As a base we've done some evangelism in an area called Cottesloe, and this last Thursday we had open air. Many people came and wanted to know what we were doing there, and a person gave his life to Jesus.

On the 28th of March we're going to Mexico City. Not quite sure which are we're going to be in, or what specifically what we're going to do. But there is still plenty of time to know that =)

2.5 million Australian dollars

Oh yeah. Within the next 7 days the YWAM Perth base needs 2.5 million dollars (13.750.000 Nok) to come through to do a down payment on their first purchased property...... We have been doing pledges, some people has fasted and a lot of prayer. It's exciting, and it will be awesome to tell you all how thing have gone and how God has provided this. (Faith!!)

As a school IPHC we need about 41.000 dollars to go to Mexico City and this has to be payed by the 10 of March. We are rejoicing everytime someone gets money. Sometimes this comes in by donations. William who is from Vanuatu, received 35oo (19250 Nok) dollars the other week toward his school fees. He was in awe and couldn't believe it, walking around with a big smile on his face. Who wouldn't =)

We are all waiting for a miracle to happen concerning our finances, knowing that God is faithful.... it's always a bit intense while waiting.

The flame goes forward!

That was the slogan for the 50th YWAM celebration that we had here in Perth last week. It wasn't only a 50th celebration, but YWAM Perth had it's own 25th celebration. Lots of people from the area around came, teams that are located in other countries came to be a part of this celebration. Lauren and Darlene Cunningham, whom are the founders of YWAM were also in our midst. All in all there were about 700+ people during that week.

Lauren took us through some of the YWAM history that has been significant during these last 50 years. One of the biggest ones, is of course God's FAITHFULLNESS. My attitude toward this whole celebration wasn't the best, because I haven't been part of this base at all. And the second day while sitting in the auditorium, the Lord said: "You are like the young Israelites in the desert. They had not been part of the stories like the separation of the sea, and the other stuff and had an attitude. Yet it's part of their history, and they needed to know it - so that they could tell their descendants about it." I repented of my attitude, and then all of a sudden the celebrations were so much more pleasant =). Realizing yet again that attitude so often change our view on what is reality.

After the 50th celebration, we had YWAM Perth 25th celebration. Things were more relaxed, and we had a lot of fun. Went to Queens Park, where we had a bbq, went to the Oval to play some footie.... We also had some time in the auditorium, where there was reflection on God's faithfulness with YWAM Perth. Shirley Brownhill, which is the base director, had an awesome teaching alongside with the regional leader Steve Ahern. Go + Do+ Obey was their exhortation to us. That we do have the power of God in us, believe that you have it within you.... Very encouraging teachings.

And this week life is back to normal. It's good to be back in the classroom again with my fellow students. This week we have had Dr Sunnetha with us. He and his wife work in India with Hiv/Aids. They used to work with people with Leprosy, but then God called them to start a clinic for Hiv/Aids. The first thing he told us was: "It is a privilege to work with the sick" this shows his and his wife’s heart. It has been all about that this week, his humbleness and love for these people that has this disease. He gives them hope.

We have HOPE and LOVE to bring people of the world!

Perth, Western Australia

My flight here went well, I had a layover in Singapore where they happened to have a beautiful orchid flower garden. It was absolutely amazing. Everything was a bit shorter, so when I was using the free internet I had to bend my knees, it looked pretty funny.

Came to Perth at night and it was actually a bit windy and cold. I thought to myself this is strange, but had to rethink that thought when I got out of bed the next morning. Nice and hot outside, I think that we on average these last 2 weeks have had about 30 Celsius. Not bad at all. =)

The area we live in is actually the red light district, but we don't see so much to it. We walk two by two, and at nights we have guys walk us home - which is quite normal i YWAM anyways.

This road is right out side my house, and is fairly busy. We are 11 girls living in the house. 4 to a room with 2 bunk beds in each room. Then we have a small kitchen, bathroom and the toilet is actually outside - but it's closed in.

We are 10 students where 3 of them are boys. There are people from Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, USA, Vanuatu, Switzerland, Faro Islands and Norway. There is lots to read and we are quite busy during the week. But on the weekends we don't have much. Although last weekend we had to wash cars as a fundraising for students whom are coming to do a primary health school in India then coming to Perth to be trained further.

Then the following week, there will be a celebration of YWAM 50 years at the base, and 25 years celebration for YWAM Perth. Exciting.

Introduction to Primary Health Care

People have asked me what kind of school IPHC is, well here is a tidbit on what we are going to learn:

God's heart for the Poor; the way that Jesus healed.

We will be introduced to the essential health care needs of the poor and needy. There are water, sanitation, communicable diseases, waterborne diseases, how to present a health teaching, nutrition issues, the essential drugs needed, maternal health, children's health, hands on practical advice related to eyes, ears, nose and throat and wound care, skin problems, how to diagnose and treat.

How to minister to malnourished children; women and children's health; setting up a health clinic; how to teach and train in needy communities with simple health care messages;
God's character of compassion;
helping those with nutritional deficiencies; water - a vital source for health; curing those with worms; diarrhea; Preventing major diseases in the world today such as HIV/AIDS; Tuberculosis; learning to DO health care and more importantly teach others.

Generally the health care needs of the poor and needy relate to those illnesses that could easily have been prevented

Downunder

It has been a long time since I've updated this blog. New start, new beginnings.

I've been in Norway since October 2008. My heart has been wanting to be out in Missions, yet I've seen that Norway also is a mission field.

My time here has been awesome, and God has done major things in my life. Have meet some new amazing people, and new friendships are made.

This spring I attended a LTS, Leadership Training Seminar - that was a very grand time. Learned a lot, and saw God's hand in that time and how He directed me in doing the seminar.

And now I'm going out again. It's been a long wait, but the Lord told me earlier this year that I was to stay in Norway until the end of the year. This is indeed true, I'll be leaving for Australia on the 31.12.09.

First time I'm traveling this far east, and it's going to be awesome. I'll be attending a YWAM school called Introduction to Health and Primary Care. The outreach is planned for Mexico City.

I've heard from friends in Australia that Perth, which is south west, is the part that is most like Africa. What a sense of humor God has that sends me to a part of the world I've never been to, and it's like the continent I like to be in :-) Eastern part of Australia has huge difference, as you can see from these photos.


This is just a quick update on what is next, and I promise that I'll keep you updated on a more frequent basis.

Family holidays!

To continue to tell you about our family holidays.. The boat trip was awesome, we did see crocodiles huge ones – the biggest was 4.5 meters. Not sure how many inches that is, but it’s big. We also saw white monkeys by the river side. At night we slept in tents on the riverbank, which was great. The first place we stayed at, they had killed a crocodile that day – and had the tail right there so we could see it, and some crock meat hanging in the sun to dry. Thought it was a prank, but it was fresh…

The river was so low, that sometimes the guys that worked on the boat had to jump into the river – where the crocodiles were – to push us of the banks that were visible. The water was knee deep, so they would have been able to see them if they would come. At one of the places we stopped it was so hot that the workers went for a bath, on the shallow part of the river – just in case the crocks would come. My brother-in-law and his oldest son went and joined them, when they saw that there was no danger.

From the boat trip we went onto the mainland again, where we saw some baobab trees, the ones that look like they have been pulled up and put back down, up side down. Just like the one you can see on the photo. We drove to meet up with the rest of the family in Morondava, where we stayed the rest of our time in Madagascar. Morondava is by the ocean where we used to go on holidays when we lived there. We played in the sand, built castles with the kids… and enjoyed being together.

It is quite amazing to me that we all could be there at the same time, 17 of us with all the children included. And we had a great time, no disputes or anything. Good to be with the family and hanging out together. I’m so blessed to have such a loving family.

Something that became even more real for me in Madagascar, is that it’s not the places but people and relationships that is the meaning of life. Having friends, relationships is what makes life valuable and worth living. People will come and go, but friends/relationships will make an impact on your life for ever!

Then we flew back to the capital and the family took off. I stayed a couple of days longer, and hung out with some new friends before going back to Uganda.