Flew in to Oslo, Norway for Norea Media Missions (Trans World Radio, TWR) 50th anniversary. Sister Inger was already at the room we’ll share this weekend, when I got here around 3pm. She made it home safely the other day, after three months in Northern Israel as a peace worker. Great to have her back safe and be together for a few days. Had a short dinner with lots of laughs with her and rested for 20 minutes before singing and leading worship at the 7pm opening service.
There are many international leaders here. Tore Askildsen, Norea’s national leader is making me feel very welcome. It is great seeing Astrid Frøysnes again, director of information, and Enkelejda Kumaraku, Albanian Director of Project Hannah, with whom I recently was with in Tirana, Albania. Along with twins artists Garness our time even included a memorable private meeting with Albania’s Prime minister Sali Bareshi.

I am a bit tired after the long flight from Colorado Springs, but so glad to be here. Feels like “being at the right place at the right time”- kind of a trip already. An alarming phone call from mom, our neighbor girl Eirin, 15 is in a coma after a terrible car accident. My dear childhood girlfriend Berit`s daughter Maria is treated for shock. She miraculously survived the accident with only a concussion.

After a simple lunch with Inger, we spent the afternoon visiting with international leaders, hearing fascinating first hand reports from Asia and the Middle East. Around 5.30 pm Asbjørn Kvalbein, drove Inger and I downtown to meet some special friends; Anne Christiansen, and Carole Inman. This provided a fabulous chance to continue our conversations from Just Give Me Jesus, Toronto, Canada in late September, and enjoy a meal at Frognersæter, with Oslo’s premier view of the city lights. American Carole, director of ministry for Anne Graham Lotz, braved the rømmegraut, this fabulous but very rich, traditional porridge that was featured on the menu. Our topic of conversation was on preparing for “Just Give Me Jesus” in Oslo Spektrum May 12th where I have been appointed the worship leader. Fernando Ortega has emailed some recommendations of how he does the worship leading for these events. I am thrilled to be a part, and am enjoying the process of preparations. I could not have better people to work with.

Esther Lohne with Jesus Women has helped locate some newer Norwegian hymnals for me before I fly back to the USA, to help me expand my repertoire. What a treasure chest these song books are… I feel like I am on a hunt for precious gold and jewels. I am again pondering how great it was seeing Carole here in Oslo. To think how perfectly our calendars fit- to be here at just the same time, without even having planned it this way…
I am in awe of You, God. How I love to serve You.