A few weeks in Sverige

Sverige. It has been nearly a month and a half since i have been over here and it seems to have occurred in the blink of an eye. I have had the opportunities to do some really great things since being over here; from planning and executing two weeks of training for our Adventure Team training (Julia - Canada, Amy and Catie - USA, Katha and Rebecca - Germany, Yael - Israel). In the last week we have had the opportunity to facilitate 5 different groups through Holsby; ranging from day/evening groups to a few overnight Confirmation groups. The time that we have had in the ropes course and in doing activities/initiatives with the groups has proven to go as smooth as we had anticipated, being greenhorns and all. There is still learning that will occur (typically accompanied by mistakes) and over the next few weeks i am sure the opportunity to hone in on this camp skill-set will spring forth into growth and adequacy. So i am excited to see whatever is going to be coming our way. Needless to say, planning for these groups and facilitating them can take a large amount of time and energy. I put in two consecutive days of 15+ hours which i am hoping will not set forth to pattern but will be alleviated through the growing competency of the staff and interns of the Adventure Program. This coming week we have our longest group camp to date which will be 5 days. There is still a bit of planning to do in preparation for their arrival and would love to have your prayers specifically for that over the next three days (they arrive Wed. evening).
As you may have seen on my facebook photo album, i had the opportunity to go out on a sea kayak trip on the eastern coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea for three days. It was a fantastic time to be able to set out with the Discovery Program students and with Joel for the trip. It came at a point where rest was a necessity after 2 weeks of planning for the coming season(s) and 2 weeks for training the interns. The geography of where we were was just north of Oskarshamn, roughly 100 km east of Holsbybrunn. We had a half day of training the day prior to going on the trip where we practiced rescues if someone were to have tipped over in their kayak (everyone had the chance to be rescued and to rescue). This day was at a large lake near the school on a day that was in the low 60's for temperature while the lake remained 20 or more degree colder; i'll just say that when i went under water, pin-and-needles were over my whole body. Once on the kayak trip in the sea we were met with immaculate weather of sunshine and 70 degree temps. The trip turned out to be a wonderful/restful/re-energizing one. I had the chance to get to know the ten Discovery students more as we were on the water for three days paddling around hundreds of islands as well as camping two nights on a few of them. It is hard to describe the beauty of the area, so i won't try too hard to do so. It turned out to be one of those trips where the only regret was that we did not have more time to spend together and explore the islands and the sea.
A week has passed since i went on the kayak trip and some of the planning and execution of facilitation has occurred as well as having the opportunity to go to Goteborg with my friend Andreas who i went to Multnomah with and grew up in Goteborg. It is a beautiful city in which i anticipate going back and visiting a few more times while i am in Sweden. We went to a soccer match while there which was a ton of fun.. had the chance to meet a few of his friends there which too was fantastic.. and had the opportunity to have a quick hangout time/ tour of the city. It was a short trip, only two days, but was great to have the chance to have another change of surroundings and have a tangible social connection.
I have started my outreach to the surrounding area here in Småland which is playing soccer for a local team. I have had the chance to train with them and had the opportunity to play for them for the first time today. We are: Skede IF. A Swedish League 6 team, so technically i am playing pro ball over here... I started today as Sweeper in defense and feel i have much to learn in the theory/principles of soccer and will undoubtedly pick them up more as the games come; which will go through September, so i am hoping that it will be a great ministry outreach while i am here. Skede IF is known as an international team in the local area; we are comprised of members from the US, Canada, England, Morocco, Thailand, Iraq, Bosnia, and Sweden. It will truly be a great opportunity for ministry and sharing the Lord as well as a time of challenge/growth both personally and skill wise.
well, i should be getting ready for bed. I do hope that all is well on in your life.

with love,
josh

It Commences

Things are going well over here. We are starting our intern training tomorrow (Monday the 6th) and will be involved in that for the coming two weeks and have our first group around two weeks from now. It seems as though the coming weeks will become a whirlwind of activity in preparation for the ministry at hand. I am excited for this time as i know (or expect) it to be a valuable time in getting to know the six (female) interns that we have for the next two months as well as what my role There have been a few faithful who have departed from Holsby over the last few weeks. In all of their cases, it was literally just time to move on to another ministry or pursue schooling or return to paying work. A few of them had been here at Holsby for 3+ years and then there were two interns who's job was up because of the end of the term. So no bad blood had been brooding, it just so happened to be a mass-exodus around the same time. So in that, there are now needs for long-term staff to fill their spots. One of them was the principal of the school, another directed the sports ministry (with wife and kids), another was assistant head-chef, and then two sports interns. Their loss is felt amongst most of the staff. I had only a small window of opportunity to get to know a few of them, and absolutely loved the time that i was able to spend with them.
But, after two weeks of their departure and with the students gone on their Spring Break, the students are back. It is great to have them around for multiple reasons. First, with their presence, it means that Patrick and i don't have to eat reheated leftovers for our dinners anymore, nor do we have a set breakfast menu consisting of cereal or granola. Second, we had the chance to play soccer yesterday with them, and it was great. The day was incredibly warm, probably around the mid-60's and sunny with the slightest of breezes, just wonderful. Thirdly, The students bring a variety to this community that is energizing, spontaneous, and fun. We had a hang out time last night in The Bik, and from that time i was able to meet a few more students that i hadn't had the opportunity to yet, as well as having a really good conversation with one of the students for over an hour getting to hear and respond to what is going on in his life currently.
Now for an update on my health... I am feeling better. Patrick has assumed most of my sickness and is currently fighting through what i went through last week, so that's a bummer.
I would continue, but it is lunch time, and it just so happens that i am hungry. Please continue to keep me updated on your lives as i will continue to with mine.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Joshua Clouser