Welcoming Wilderness Hike

We began this year's Discipleship Training School with a wilderness hike to, as staff, welcome and bond with the students. I'm so thankful we were blessed with nice weather or else I'm not sure I would've been able to share in this special event. We had two days of hiking in teams. These teams being filled with people representing over 9 different nations. These last two points of coarse means many interesting team-building games and unique fellowship. It is this bonding that provides an opening between the students and us staff to be able to help with the growth they have come here seeking, and I am so thankful for that. We are so excited to share in this unique fellowship for the next 9 months, teaching and serving each other. 'Tromping' came to mind as I descended the beautiful creation this last day.

Tromping

Tromping over, up, down, and over
Rolling boulders carpeted with bearberries
Rejoicing red blueberry bushes spark the earth, treating us with their fruits
Bumpy baby toads dance about
Together we tromp over, up, down, and over

Tromping over, up, down, and over
The river gently wrestles along
Moss stars illuminate her stones
Cleansing water freely taken inside us
Together we tromp over, up, down, and over

Tromping over, up, down, and over
Bumpy, baby toads dance about
We push on in fellowship
The River gently wrestles along
Together we tromp over, up, down, and over



Team-building games :O).

Back In Norway

We have been in Norway since the 5th of August. It started out busy with a YWAM Norway conference and staff training in another town. We attended and helped run the conference. We ran the cafe's and were in charge of running the sound at all the meetings and such. It was a lot of work, especially being jet lagged, but we got to attend most of the meetings too which were really, really good. The staff training was well, training :). We learned about things like time management, maximizing classroom learning, etc. This training made me think about aspects I hadn't thought about before, and had many good tips. It also helped me to see more of how much work this year will be with all that our job description entail, however I'm so excited for it!
After a week of all that we finally got to come home to Aalesund! We have a studio apartment which is the third level of the base, where all the DTS students live. It's been really good to set up home (including baby stuff :) ). We have had a few off days to settle in, and tomorrow we start working.

Home for July

We're home for July, happy seeing family and friends. We'll be seeing those people, and working on finding people who would like to join us in what we're doing by supporting us financially. That is, in case you haven't heard, because we return to Norway in August to work voluntarily as staff at the base we did our Discipleship Training School this last year. 

I've included a picture from one of the last ministry opportunities we had before coming home. As a base we put up an encouraging little show full of music, dance, art, and drama to take to some elderly homes in the area of our base in Norway. It was so special to see their faces light up with a smile, and tap their toes and hands to the music. Some who were too old (90's and over a 100 even) to really talk hummed and such to some of the hymes we sang. It was such a inspiring experience. In the picture I'm with a lady who was a midwife in the Congo for many years. That was neat meeting her, she's one I hope to go back to visit and talk to more when we're back in Aalesund.

Enjoy the sun and what fills you with joy!

Ethiopia Outreach

We're back from Ethiopia!
Here are a few pictures. If you would like to see more pictures or didn't get our email updates we sent while we were there and would like to read them, email me and let me know. Better yet, lets set up a date for this Summer and we can tell and show you in person!
Warning: I get supper excited in the video, prepare yourself. :)
If you want to see pictures from the other outreach teams you can on www.creativedts.no

Prophetic Project

The Dance Track leaders made a numbered list of all the students in the school. Us Dance Track students then chose a number. We weren't told the name of the person that number represented. We were given the assignment to pray and ask God for a prophetic word for that mystery person. The Video Track then filmed our dance for us. At the presentation of the video was the first time any of us found out who the video was for. Mine turned out to be for Gudrid who is on the Music Track, and afterward she told me that the video spoke to her about her music and the way she feels about it. This project was lots of fun. And it was so cool to make something in collaboration with my husband -nd God of course :)!

Dance:Mallorie Kirsch
Music:Mitchell Kirsch
Video: Xie Jia (Miuky)

Ethiopia or Bust!

We're off in 2 days! Ethiopia here we come! A team member will be keeping a blog during our trip: www.ethiopiaoutreachteam.blogspot.com, so you can check that out when you feel. Please keep us in your prayers. Here are some prayer suggestions: Unity, clear communication, safety, health...etc.! :). Here are the names of our teammates (from left to right, top to bottom): Alex (who's hugging, 'the Holy Ghost' :), from Ghana), Mitch, Arnbjørg (Norway), Mal, Alicia (Tennessee), Ingibjørg (Iceland), Anna (Minnesota), and Maria (Russia). We have a wonderful team! And thank you again for the prayers, they make such a difference, and it's simply so comforting to know people back home are praying for us.

God is a Generous God!

WOW! Mitch and I are in total amazement! As of February 19th we owed $6200 for our outreach to Ethiopia, plus $615 for immunizations, plus $115 for travel insurance. As of today our new total owed out of everything is $1,630! Last Wednesday we had an offering night here at the base that gave the opportunity to give to those lacking money for outreach. And since then anonymous people here at the base and in Norway have been giving to us. Almost everyday we find another envelope in our mailbox.
I think the greatest thing out of it all is the lesson that it's all out of our strength. Although we worked hard before we came and have been contacting people while we've been here, God has shown us that even if things don't work out completely by our own ways, they do by his. He knows what we need, when we need it, and he'll give it!
Thank you to those of you who have given financially and prayerfully! We still owe the $1630 but we're still going to Ethiopia, and we know it will come.