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
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