I am a Dreamer

I am a dreamer. This dream I was waking up from has been so real.  It was, as it was about to enter into reality. Through the veil of my sleepy eyes I can see it leaving. The fog is disappearing. What a life-giving dream. And so I am trying to catch a hold of it from leaving.

It´s impossible to hold it back. Just like the sand, but not so heavy, it is sliding through my fingers. Like breath in a cold night. Can´t this warm and secure feeling come back and carry me away. As I am looking after it, it´s like a memory moment.
For a moment I remember all the details about it, all emotions connected as I am saying good-bye with a silent whisper. Silence.

My mind is wandering off, as the cold night is surrounding me, back to long ago in Bethlehem. I think about all three of them in the stable. I guess they had a different dream of how this birth should happen. Silence.

In my ears I hear worship. Yes, through my speakers, but also from deep within. As I am following it, I find the man to that voice. A man, in sackcloth and ashes stribbed from all his health, wealth and social acceptance. There is something special. I go past what my eyes can see and find a heart of worship. 
A golden heart healthy, wealthy and embraced. Every bit of me soon finds itself engaged in the singing of this man. Teach me Job. Abba, I belong to you.

And again, he meets me in my brokeness

and shows me the way I have lived.

Surpressed by fear I could hardly stand.

The heavyness of control can´t be hold.

Believing the lies that you´ve never told.

Free, you set me free

for you know the language to unlock my heart.

Trying to search and find,

the one that is always on you mind.

The lion and the grave set free what I couldn´t see.

I am worth it all. to be loved and to be free.

Come healing fire fall, burn up what´s rotten all,

to cleanse and purify my heart.

I will worship is my decision!

Thailand package

First update from our team in Thailand

March 25, 2012

A floating market in Ratchaburi, Thailand
photo courtesy of www.britannica.com

Our first week of outreach is coming to an end. It’s been a great week!

We have arrived our first ministry location, Ratchaburi, two hours west of Bangkok. We are staying at a YWAM office here. We have western toilets, showers, fans, and mattresses. So we are very blessed!

Yesterday we went to a Buddhist funeral. That was very interesting and different from what we are used to back in Norway. We got to sing two songs with a Christian message for the congregation.

While here, we’re doing a lot of kids ministry–and we’ve already begun! We’re a part of loving the kids, telling them stories from the Bible, and having fun with them. These kids are Burmese refugees and the poorest kids in this area.
Today we went for a 1 hour drive to the border of Burma, where visited a hilltribe – the Karen. We got to be a part of praying for a new church they want to build in the small village. The Karen tribe has been Christian before, but is getting more and more involved with buddism. They have already bought the land where they want to build the church, but they need $10,000 for the project. As of right now, there are no buddhist temples in this area, and to see a church rise up where the people can pray and worship Jesus would be amazing!

Until the church is built, they have house church. We prayed and worshiped together with the people in the village, and it was a powerful time. We could feel God’s excitement for this place. He has some big plans for his children here! Later during our stay here, we will go there and stay with them for 3 days.

Our team is doing great. We are all diving into the culture with positive attitudes. We have already tasted some nice Thai snack: Fried grasshoppers! Of course, we are sweating in 35 Celsius and it is very humid, but we’re getting more and more used to it.

This coming week we will do kids ministry in a Burmese refuge in our village. We are looking forward to get to know the kids more and invest in them.

Blessings from us in Thailand

Rice Seeds – Helping the little ones reach their potential.

April 10, 2012

Our last week here in Ratchaburi, Thailand was great. Four days of the week we got to spend with the Rice Seeds kids, the Burmese refugee kid here in the village, teaching them English. For each day we had different themes: animals, family and food. This was a great opportunity for the students on the team to try teaching, and it was  lot of fun! We also had songs, competitions, workshops, games as well as dances. Yes, we got to learn Thai dancing! We also taught the kids how to buy ice cream from the local store, focusing on the conversation with the shop owner. They really enjoyed it, and so did we. Ending each day with a prayer, we also showed them how to pray.

This week we had a lot of quality time together as a team and with our contacts. We went to bat cave, which is a place to see millions of bats coming out of their cave to get food during the night. I must say, it was a cool view. On Saturday we went to the beach, relaxing, tanning, and eating a lot of ice cream and fruits, and of course, go for a banana boat ride. I tell you, that was a crazy banana! On Sunday we were leading most of the service, sharing some (special, like they say here) songs, giving a sermon, a testimony and last, but not least, sharing The Gospel drama. Fun, fun, fun. We also led the Sunday school for the kids, sharing a Bible story, and having some games. During the service two came to the front and wanted to receive Christ!

We will send a new update from this week soon! We have been a part of great things here =)

Fruitful Prison Ministry in Thailand

April 12, 2012

Sawadii!

Our fourth week of outreach is passing by, and  the last two weeks have been great! We have now adjusted to the heat and are more familiar with our part of God’s work in Ratchaburi,Thailand. We gain more confidence every day as we are stepping into ministry and embracing the opportunities the Lord has stored for us.

Our relationships with each other become stronger as we grow together as a family. We have had quality time together visiting a floating market and celebrating Easter with Norwegian chocolate, German gummy bears (gummibären) and American Skittles. Still our very finest moments are the times we worship God and encounter Him together. On Easter day we went up to our rooftop before dawn to meet the Lord as the sunrise came up in the horizon, singing songs to His glory!

In recent weeks, we have been working with Burmese kids, “Rice Seeds”. We have mainly been teaching them English, but this week we wanted to do something for the whole Burmese village. We arranged water olympics for the children and prepared dinner for everyone in the village. We realized that “Food is a love language everyone understands!”  The smiles on their faces clearly indicated that this was a way they like to be blessed. We could see how much the local Burmese are trusting our contact person (Pi Noiy) and the ministry. It is very motivating for us knowing that our efforts are part of a long term mission.

From wet to sweat!

April 23, 2012

Wow! Time really flies when you are on outreach.  After three weeks of amazing ministry and so many good moments, our time in Ratchaburi is now at an end. After one night on a comfortable bus, we arrived in Thailand’s Northern metropolis: Chiang Mai. We knew that these days were the last days of Songkran, the Thai New Year’s celebration. Still, most of us were not prepared for what we would soon experience. Basically, the whole city was one big water fight that includes every person outdoors, willing or not. Armed with water guns we went out, but we soon found ourselves outmatched by pickups packed with Thais and filled buckets. So we were soaked, but we had such a great time!

Soon though, we were back in the warm reality of an average temperature of 37 Celsius. As I write this it is statistically the warmest day of the year, which is quite easy to notice. Luckily we are provided with one amazing invention: fans. We live in a building which is both a guesthouse for teams like us, and a café run by YWAM. Our ministry is a part of a bigger ministry called Lighthouse In Action, which focus on students, prostitutes, and villages in the surrounding area. We, however, are mainly focusing on the student ministry. Next to the café is an enormous university area with around 40,000 students (10 000 due to Thai vacation). On many days we go out there and meet the youth. Our goal is to get to know them as friends and hopefully, connect them to the café and YWAM. As we build relations with them we believe in a God who is mighty and loving, and who can meet these people through us. After all, He longs for them to meet Him, much more than we can ever do.

So God is good, fellowship is good, food is good, temperature is almost too good, and next week will also be good  (and hopefully contain some more pictures).

“Lighthouse in action” in Thailand

 April 27, 2012

Lighthouse in Action

The beginning of this HIS-Story began already last year, when YWAM Skien sent a team to Thailand. They worked with the project “Lighthouse in Action”, a ministry reaching out to prostitutes in the bars, showing them love and giving them an other opportunity to earn money. Arriving one year later at the same place, we get to know that one of the  girls we ministered to took the step to leave the bars and enter into a new season of her life.

The following story is another girl`s testimony that we have witnessed during our stay here. Some days ago a woman with three young boys (4,9 and 12 years old) came to the cafe we are staying at, asking for a job. She was left by a really abusive husband, and in Thai culture the grandparents would take care of the kids while she would work. In this case the grandparents couldn’t continue the care for the boys because they went through their own divorce, and their new partners wouldn’t accept the children. The “only” way to provide for her and the children was prostituting herself to quickly get a lot of money (around 200$ per night) and the ability to take care of them during the day.

When trying to find a job in the red-light district she came in contact with one of the full-time staff from Lighthouse. She was offered another option, with a paid job in the coffee shop we are currently working with. After some time she entered the cafe and got the job.  Suddenly, our team was asked to take care of these three boys, while the mum  worked from 9 to 9. After some days of watching them we find out that all three were verbally and physically abused by their grandfather. As the days passed, our contact tried to find a home for the boys, while their mum tried to established a home for them. Door after door closed, but then God showed another way.

Baan Khum Pai – Home of Refuge 

“Home of Refuge” is going to be established by Lighthouse in Action to be a half-way house for girls, women and children that just came out of the bars . Before this actual need appeared, they were already looking for a discipling possibility for the people that would leave the bars.  With this woman coming to WonGen Cafe, it became more urgent to find a place. Right now we are part of taking a step of faith in establishing that branch of Lighthouse.

Here is an overview of what’s needed:

- 1 500$ within 1,5 weeks to provide the deposit of a house, buy the house and furniture, pay school fees for the boys and their uniforms

- Staff to disciple and help out with the kids

Please join us in prayer, and if you feel called to give a donation, visit the following website: www.lighthouseinaction.org and follow the descriptions.

God is so faithful – The boys have a new home!

 May 7, 2012

God works! This week we have continued to give to,  and love the children at the home of refuge. The Lord has already provided a beautiful house, furniture, clothes, a God-fearing staff to work there, and a lot more than the 1500$ required! The greatest testimony however, are the things we have been able to see and be a part of as we help raising and taking care of these boys. We have witnessed the children come alive as they  start to trust and experience how it is to be safe in God’s perfect Love.  My (the oldest boy) expressed it well, when Fook (the newly arrived boy) was anxious to go to bed one night: “You don’t need to be afraid, God is here.”

We have been doing a lot of different things together. But I sincerely believe that the most transformational changes come from the connection we get by just being ourselves together with them. We gave them all the care and encouragement we managed, and they received every bit of it. Our experience is that when we start to share Jesus, things start to change. Change in their life,  as well in our lives. This is the beginning of something new in our lives!

Our everyday life is good as we enjoy Thailand. We have made some relationships with the locals in our surroundings. They have generous hearts, and we are included to share life together as we experience the heartbeats of Chiang Mai; movies, night markets, zoo, waterfalls, sports, cafés, Thai food and smoothies.
We are giving out 100% to live 100%. Sometimes it can be challenging, but life is never as good as when we can walk in our destiny, and do the tings we were created to do: Love God and love each other! We are soon approaching the end of our journey. And we recognize our desire to see our friends back home. Still we continue to go firm into our last week of ministry as we are familiar with our God who is providing us with passion, strength and love to seek him and pour out.

Birth of something significant

The beginning of this HIS-Story begins already last year when YWAM Skien sent a Team to Thailand to work with a project called "Lighthouse in Action" (a ministry that goes into the Bars and tries to reach out to prostitutes, showing them Love and another opportunity to earn money. Arriving just one year later at the same place we get to know that one of our girls we ministered to took the step to leave the Bar and enter into a new season of her life. The following story is another Girls testimony that we are witnessing this year during our stay here:

Some days ago a woman with 3 young boys (4,9 and 12 years) came to the cafe we are staying at asking for a job. She was left behind by a really abusive husband running of with another women. In thai context the grandparents would take care of the kids, while she would work. In this case: the grandparents couldn't continue the care for the boys cause they went through their own divorce and the new partners would't except the children. The "only" way to provide for her and the children - a way into the Bars prostituting herself to get quickly a lot of money (around 200$ per night) and be able to be a mum during the day. By her trying to find a job in the red-light district she came in contact with one of the full-time staff from Lighthouse. Offering her another (lower paid, but healthy) possibility by working in the Coffee-shop we are currently working with. After some time she enters the cafe and gets the job.

Our Team suddenly confronted to take care of this three boys, while the mum is working 9 to 9. After some days of watching them we find out, all three specially the smallest one were verbally and physically abused by their grandfather. While days are passing, our contact tries to find a home for the boys to help the mum establish a home before she can continue with caring for them. Door after Door closes and God shows another way...

Baan Khum Pai - Home of Refuge 

Home of Refuge is going to be a inter station for Girls, Women and Kids that just came out of the Bars established by Lighthouse in Action. Before this actual need appeared, they were already looking for a discipling possibility for the people that would leave the bar. So with this women coming to WonGen Cafe, it became more urgent to find a place. Right now we are part of taking a step of faith in establishing that branch of Lighthouse, before there was time to raise the needed founds.

Here is an overview of what's needed:

1 500$ within 1,5 weeks to 

-provide the deposit of a house

- buy the house and furniture

- pay school fee for the boys and their uniforms

Staff to disciple and help with the kids

Please join us in prayer, and if you feel called to give a donation, visit the following website: www.lighthouseinaction.org and follow the discriptions.  

Beauty amongst Ashes

Who would have thought that we find a group of prisoners calling out beauty in a place that is black as the night. Today coming into the prison - a men zone of drugdealers. Feelings of fear, shyness and respect are winding through my inner being. I feel like a deer and I wonder if my inner feelings are mirrowing to the outside. We are going through a normal routine of program, when suddenly heaven seems to open and a men choir of prisoners starts to sing. The disciplined voices mix together with simplicity. A bucket drum resounds under the pressure of toothbrushes. We are getting 2 Songs presented, that tempt me to jump out of my seat and dance crazy. Of course thats not appropriate in prison, nor for me in a men zone.


I am thrilled about the Beauty that suddenly shined least expected dark area. My amazement calls out tears, that are hard to hold back, when we hear all those songs are self written. I can see Beauty made out of Ashes. I am thinking, what would happen if the world gets the chance to see that. Is it just my heart, that has started to resound to the wind of simplicity and creativity. I would love to shout it out loud of what God does in the least expected. How we can see more of  him in our everyday windows, if we are willing to spent time looking at it.


Thank you God for blessing me today. Looking through a window that is dear to your heart. 
We are getting to know, that in June they start a DTS in that prison. I feel like falling out of my seat - a paradoxy that is hard to believe. I am amazed at our contacts:


Some facts: 50 prisoners, a need of 50 bibles and teachers & program are already set. 


My thoughts wander off... 50 people learning more about a personal relationship with God. 50 single lifes, that get the chance of hope. Chaging their course of life and not only their life but also people they are surrounded with.


God breaking through in peoples life, where its least expected. He is changing history again. He is faithful. He has done it in my own life...

Still on a journey

I am feeling alive again. I wish I would have written more the last weeks so you could get a better picture of my journey. Sometimes you should listen to a friends suggestion no matter how old, busy or wise he is.

The last days I have been traveling. I took time for me alone. A better way to say it time for my heart. It was screaming while I had a hard time listening. Finally when I heard it, but I thought the message sent from the last days was already old. Sometimes its good to have God as a translator when you thought you had figured it out and made a decision he still reminds you on the place you are standing when your thoughts have started traveling on their own.

Well, anyways I started my journey to spent some time in the presence of my Lord and savior. If you have come so far reading and you hear or feel an urge in your heart stop reading and spent time with him!

I had borrowed a book from a friend (Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers). It was a god given moment when I saw it in the shelf and as soon i read garden I knew I should read it even I already have four I started on and nit finished. ( a "sickness" I have developed lately that comes from not having time to listen of what to read- well sometimes at least)

I feel like sometimes its not easy to have intimacy. I think about my relationship to my heavenly daddy and to a couple that I am watching while I sit here. Its not that you had a fight going on, maybe like you have been living next to each other for days while you thought you had a dialog going on.

I have been spending time with HIM again. I realize it was short before drowning. I followed his advice to join a seminar "An Artist in Gods Kingdom". I thought he was crazy when I heard him saying that, just as he wouldn't know me and the language I am speaking. Well, I followed, grinning, what an adventure would he bring me on.

What did I learn on this 2-days journey. I guess i understood a little bit more about my heart. Like you start traveling and what you find behind a nice place is what you didn't know you had lost before starting traveling-an understanding of your own heart.

I feel I realize that my excitement for artists and my dreams are just an reflection of what I couldn't see for a long time. I am an artist! I color and change the pictures that I painted. I am trying to communicate with the colors I spent how we are made to experience our fathers love. It's an expression coming out of an overflow of him teaching me how to live.

One problem I feel we all share: We want to be understood and sometimes I wonder if this is where all our attention goes instead of starting to breath and be defined by our lover. Do you understand? ;-))

The wilderness

Lately the word "Wilderness" has been coming up over and over again. 
I am about to write a blogpost about wilderness and it all starts with me thinking i have figured it all out, when the search for a good picture is opening my own horizond for different forms of wilderness. Have i thought it´s the same thing? the same for everybody? Maybe the wilderness is individual. Fitting to our understanding, timing and seasons...

I am reading Habakkuk 3:17
"Even I face this circumstances of a wilderness,
I will rejoicce in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my saviour."


Wilderness, are this what we call as well the desert times, the dry seasons where we go through hardships? Yes, but i feel the wilderness has many different names. I guess the most known one is the period of God´s absence. Can he ever be absence?
I read this quote some days ago: Spiritual hunger intensifies with the absence of God. I can feel this hunger rising up inside of me...it feels so known.

The wilderness a place of pain, desperation, lonelyness, brokeness. It´s the same place i realize that i have been growing and prepared. It seems the wilderness is individualized. It has its own timing and price. When i look back, after being there it should be an oasis - my tears have been watering this place. 

"The wilderness is teaches 2 things: First, that God has lead you there and while you are there you figure out why he brought you there - to show you he is good in the end."

I feel like i have heared this before. It´s the valleys that he is teaching us. It`s prayer that leads us out of the wilderness. How many times have i experienced this process of being there in the desolate place, longing for a way out and realizing the one who brought me there is also taking my hand and leading me out. A long that way is laying mystery. Growth has been happening without seeing. Where i have been looking for an answer, i followed eyes filled of love leading me back onto the way of everlasting...