Back from Kenya!

Two days ago I emptied out my backpack and attempted to snuggle under the familiar blanket covers on my own bed. Disillusionment from jet lag and pondering thoughts were successful in keeping the shutters of my eyelids open. A morning college class and other responsibilities waiting for me in several hours didn't carry enough motivation for me to sleep. I had so much to process. I still do. A hop, skip and a jump to Africa and back can't just be followed by a cup of tea. It takes time for gazing, enjoying, and analyzing the depths of its experience, like the measures of studying a beautiful painting.

My initial few days spent in Nairobi were honestly somewhat blank and disoriented. I was still getting my bearings for the purpose of me joining this team (Disciples of Worship from Norway). I was gradually recovering from jet lag, exhausted after two days of non-stop traveling. Nevertheless, I jumped right in. We visited an orphanage, squeezed adorable babies & toddlers with love, and ministered with a worship team from a church in Nairobi. Beyond my somewhat blurred perspective quickly to be remedied by sleep and rest, I was already in love with this place.

Soon it was time to venture on a bumpy, 6 hour road trip to visit the Maasai tribe in Maasai Mara. Before heading to facilitate our worship conference at Mizpah Prayer Center in Nakuru, we were highly encouraged by our Kenyan friends to share life with the Maasai and view God's creation through the classic safari experience. Something which continues to sit in my bucket list is to live with an unreached people group for a period of time. I came very close to checking this one off... too close, actually. 

As we entered into Maasai territory, yellow trees glistening of gold from the sunlight welcomed us. The road's bumps intensified as we scanned the landscape for any wild animals in sight. We began to notice herds of goats roaming the fields, often crossing the streets with their young shepherds keeping them together. It didn't take much for the Maasai children to flash their bright smiles, waving toward us cheerfully. 

As we continued, clean laundry drying on rocks caught our attention, followed by stares behind the rocks from women dressed in vibrant colors. Men with their weapons and colorful "cloaks of honor" roamed the land, carrying such dignity in their presence. We passed by several villages consisting of humble, cement homes built with tin roofs, as well as local shops and schools.

We finally arrived at our camp destination, warmly welcomed by members of the Maasai tribe. As we spent the next two days safari gazing, I'll easily admit that my favorite part was spending time with the Maasai people. We were privileged to spend time in their village, learning about their culture and history. As we received an honorable tribal dance by the Maasai men, giggles and hugs from the kids, and warm smiles from the women, my heart soared. God's imprint of love was all over these people. The characteristics of His dignity and glory glowed on the faces of these beautiful people. His presence was invading this place. They just didn't know it yet. 

Before our team left the village, we asked if we could teach our new friends a song. As I pulled out my guitar and handed out some shakers, we began to sing "Mighty to Save", explaining the Gospel message to them. That God loved the world so much that He sent His son Jesus to die for their sins, and then rose again so that we might be seated with Him in the heavenly realms as God's sons and daughters!

Heaven invaded this village as we sang, placing words of truth on the lips of the Maasai people. As we continued repeating the words of this simple song, the atmosphere shifted. New songs began to flow within our hearts as we prophetically claimed the land, the people, the animals, everything for His glory. Our Maasai friends might not have recognized the knowledge of the Holy Spirit at that moment.

 But they felt Him. We all did. It was glorious!

As we reached to our final goodbyes with our Maasai friends the following morning, I secretly did not want to leave. If I had the choice to remain there for the rest of our two-week visit to Africa, I would have! But little did I know this would only be the start to discovering the spiritual wealth of Kenya. And as we drove back onto the bumpy, dusty road exiting the Maasai land, my heart was about to explode and spill over with more oceans of His love than I could ever have imagined. 

** Rebecca Burger** Go to http://beethesongbird.blogspot.no/ for more of Becca's blogs

Bergen!

Bergen – what an amazing city! We arrived here just in time to enjoy the celebration of May 17. As we stayed at Ester’s house with her incredible parents we got the family feeling which is typical for Norway, a nice breakfast in the morning followed by the parade downtown, and then eating rømmegrøt (a kind of porridge – yum yum!) in the afternoon. That evening, on their actual national day, we spent some time just worshipping and coming before God’s face and honoring Him, as well as interceding for Bergen and Norway. We ended the night downtown watching great fireworks. Such a fun experience for us non-Norwegians!

We had the privilege of leading worship at Ester’s church Kristkirken on their Sunday service. 

On Monday we attended and lead worship for a service at Norkirken, which is Mary’s home church and a great supporter of D.O.W. It was a good time of connecting with Pastor Svein Høysæter again, and together with Norkirken and their sister church we enjoyed good fellowship with barbeque and soccer afterwards. I (Joy) love how they value family a lot, how the different generations come together as one unit. I believe seeing this really pleases God’s heart!

During our time in the Bergen area were very blessed with sunny weather, as we experienced what is recorded as the hottest day ever in May so far! We actually went swimming in the sea one evening! After traveling a whole lot, we loved staying at a cabin in Kvamskogen, an hour outside of Bergen, up in the mountains. While there we had some days of debrief from the tour, reflecting on it and learning from better and worse situations, as well as just reminding ourselves and each other about what God has done during these months. Sometimes as we constantly move forward in life it’s hard to see, but as we stop for a moment and look at what God has done, gratitude fills our hearts. The result of that is that there is a genuine response of praise to Him. Bill Johnson once said “Show them God and they will worship!”, and as we first see Him and His works, we can’t help but bring to Him the worship that He is so worthy of!

A well needed time of rest, and special time of connecting with the different home churches of the team that we thank God for!

Baptist District Conference

May 9-12

We were asked to lead worship for the Baptist District Conference this weekend, and after a long drive from the north we came to beautiful Rivermont (retreat center), where we were going to stay. We led worship the first night, as well as having a concert for the kids afterwards. It was a very good night with so much freedom, and we didn't want to stop worshipping! So special. Sound of Worship, our great friends from Kasfjord were playing as well, and we were so proud of them!

It was amazing to see such a group of worshippers, both mulitcultural and multigenerational, standing together in unity, worshipping Him. That unity is so important, such a key for His kingdom to come!

The next two days, we lead worship at the prayer meeting in the morning, we had worship workshop and dance workshop at daytime and led worship in the evening. After that, we had another concert, and our dancers and musicians performed what they had practiced. They did such a good job, and we were so proud of them!

We got to connect with many kids, and personally, I (Ester) want to encourage Jesus Revolution. They are such a great dance and drama team, and I am looking forward to see what they will do in the future. You guys are changing people's lives, and greater things is yet to come! Keep up the good work! ;-) 

We had a great time connecting with the people at the camp, and they challenges us a lot in their freedom in worship! We were so blessed to be with them, and we hope to come back soon! 

Lofoten

What a week we've experienced in Leknes, Lofoten!

We came back to partner again with Klippen Menighet. We Also partnered with TX Vikings (http://www.txvikings.com//) who were invited by the same church. TX Vikings is a ministry where they travel around Scandinavia and Europe. They visit and speak at shools, in order to prevent drugs, alcohol and violence. They  do events where they present Jesus and the gospel in a very creative way as they do stunts that include fire and breaking of rocks etc... So we had the privilege of ministering with them, praying for people as around 35 people wanted to receive Christ in their hearts after the show. Out of those people many were youth, and the church is eager to welcome those and help them go further and disciple them.

We enjoyed to continue to work with the youth worship team that was founded back in November when we were here visiting. 3 of these joined us on the missions trip to Germany & Czech Republic and it was great to see the change in them, how they had grown from their experiences with God and from ministering to people. Also, musically they have grown a lot! Two of the youth who gave their lives to the Lord the other night have already joined the worship team so that's very exciting!

Something we recognized in Klippen Menighet was the love they show each other. Just like last time we were here  we were welcomed into their church family right away! The church is built on prayer and it's been very inspiring to see their hungry hearts and join hearts with them in their prayer meeting as well as in an evening of worship together and social time of connecting with new people. Matthew 6:33 says "seek first God's kingdom and righteousness and everything else will be given to you" and this beautiful congregation has really come to a place of valuing God's presence more than anything on the earth. I (Amelia Joy) was challenged by this, and by the picture one man had from God: The train is coming soon, and it's not waiting for us. The meaning of it is that Jesus is coming soon and on that day, will we as His bride be ready for His return? Will we be able to say, on that day, that we know Him? These are questions that I have been pondering, to make sure that I have my priorities right... Do I value what I do for Him and being a good servant, more than what I do with Him and first and foremost being His child, letting Him love on me?

It is very clear that this beautiful group of Islands, Lofoten, has a special place in God's heart. The nature is incredible (for instance the most beautiful beach in Norway is in Lofoten) so God wanted to show off when He created it :)

Vadsø

We spent 1 week up North in Vadsø, helping out with Filedefia Church and Pastor Max! We had a movie night, prayer night, worship seminar, worship evangelism, dance workshop and a concert. The week went extremely amazing! We made so many deep connectinons it was extrodianry. The concert, went amazing a full house full of energy. Also, the dance workshop was huge with freedom and helping break free into expression and not be held by a shy spirit.

Another great aspect for us in Vadsø was connecting with the Russ students fixing to graduate. We went into the school and played a few songs and then got invited to play at a Russ bonfire on the beach, where made great connections and got to speak love and life over many kids and pray for them.

Overall, Vadsø was great in encouraging and uplifting the church and reaching out and going out to the people who won't come to the church. Really being the hands and feet of Christ loving all of His children wherever they are at! Vadsø = Amazing!

Here are a few more pictures from this week:.

-written by Dillon Rogers

Karasjok

 April 16-April 23

We spent one week in Karasjok, a small town in the very north of Norway with a lot of sami people, and we got to partner with the state church at this place. The first day, we had a youth concert with some of the youth there. many of them got touched, and we also got to connect with many of them. The next day, we got to hang out some more with these people. We got some very good conversations, and we also found out that few played, but many of them wanted to play an instrument. So the next day (Monday), we met these five people to teach them piano, guitar and singing. We had a good time and got once again some good conversations. We invited them back next day and they brought some friends, so now we were eight people, and enough people to make up a full band! So we challenged them to continue practicing together, and we are looking forward to meet them again and have some follow up in the fall! 

Us and the amazing Karasjok band- You rock!

We had a great time here in Karasjok, and we were so blessed by this church! God is so good!

-Written by Ester Frantzen

Tromsø Worship School

On Friday and Saturday of last week we were in Norkirken, Tromsø and had a worship school. I was very excited for this, as it has been spoken over the city that it will be a city of worship. We came together - with people from no less than 7 different churches(!!!) - and worshipped together, and then we talked about how we as worship leaders in an effective way can engage hearts in worship. 

On Saturday we went into more practical themes, with Aslak teaching on how we can best create a flowing worship set through our choice of transitioning between songs. Then we jumped on our instruments and practiced.We ended the Saturday with a worship concert where people who hadn't attended the worship school came as well!

Throughout the weekend there was time for us to share hearts with, and encourage one another, as well as learning from the different experience of worship that we have, coming from different backgrounds. It was great to see the hunger that those amazing worship leaders have... And believe me, they are amazing people! They truly are lights in the city of Tromsø, and to see their passion for our King Jesus was very inspiring to me!

So we thank God for a great weekend where worshippers of the north have been encoraged and equipped. Seval people testified that this weekend was exactly what they needed... Come on God! We ask Him to continue to bless the worship leaders and intercessors of Tromsø, and for strength snd joy in their ministry to the Lord and the people! 

- Joy