Wow...

It has been like forever since i last blogged. the reosons are numerous but i will save you the long list. One thing definately stands-God has been faithful through it all.

Attended a knitting course that was very amusing. I last knitted when i was about 10/11yrs in primary school, I remember my attempts at making a scarf that i didnot finish anyways. however was glad for another opportunity to revive my skills and maybe desire to knit, but realised that i had since forgotten. it was good to try. am not yet decided on weather i want to try making something but i think it is a good pass time and who knows...

have had lots of travelling, infact the last weekends have all been away. glad for the break from routine which i realise is one of the things that doesnot work for me. it felt like a breath of fresh

air...

On the 12th i travelled to Oslo to meet some of my friends, the original plan was attend awedding of a friend, it was later postponed but i nevertheless went so that i could still meet with her. Spending time with her made me think about community values that are steadily losing root in the culture am currently in and also in the world at large. She was so welcoming and lo0king out for me, spent time talking and laughing-catching up. It was also good to meet some of my friends that i had met at Hald. Also a friend from campus (MUK)-was very present. was glad for their hospitality and efforts to make my stay worthwile.

The truth is that we need people in our lives to share with, not because we are getting something from them but because we are willing to sacrifice and serve them. Looking at Phillipians 2, am thinking how many times have i put peoples needs before mine in a society that teaches me to 'cover my own back', everyone wants to get something and do something that satisfys them but not the other. eventually we leave unfullfilled lives amidst our search for 'freedom and independence'-the truth is, just like fish need water we need one another in every aspect. and i guess that is why God created us and expects us to relate with one another and not act like robbots(as someone puts it).

While in Oslo i attended Marits Cafe. it is an effort to reach out to drug addicts and prostitutes. the beautiful ladies besides brave the nights trying to reach out to these groups. it is not easy and it takes lots of sacrifice and grace from the Almighty. the girls are usually not trusting and hate it when people insist on reaching out to them and hence usually raise their defence walls....One of the ladies lived on the streets herself, it was good to listen to her story and get reminded of Gods heart for all people. instead of judging them and walking far away from them, we should prayerful consider how we can be involved in showing Gods love. Maybe not only such groups but lots of people out there crying out for someone to love them honestly. Look a little longer around and you will discover lots of people need that...slow down a little.

Have decided to get involved with KIA as a means of maximising my time. With the end of my norsk classes, i have more time on my hands and thought i should use it for good. KIA is a place that offers a warm welcome to refugees in cold norway (both, weather and heart) atleast most people find it. After doing my research in a refugee camp in Western Uganda, i got a glimpse on how life is hard to be a refugee. it made me think and appreciate my being in my country, however we know no one wants to be chased from their homes because of war(especially) to live at the mercy of food handouts. It is even worse with the separation/loss of family in the course of the war. I pray that my time there will be meaningful both in my life and their life-may i learn the lessons God has prepared for me.

This weekend(21st), I was in Stavanger for NKSS Stuff and Volunteers meeting, it was good to be part of the sessions- made me think about what we should expend our energies on...Apart from the above lessons learnt and appreciated, life has been lots of lessons and critical thinking. the question still stands...what really matters in life? ( your answers are highly appreciated via comments).

It was also refreshing to meet the other students on the FOKUS program. good time to catch up; share good times and challenging ones, also encourage one another to keep the good fight amidst it all.

check out height differences, indeed we are gifted differently...

Blessings.

Chao for now.

He knows my name.

If you are in my field of work you get used to being asked ''what exactly do you do?''. the truth is with discipleship it is hard to measure ones impact as this takes a long time depending on people. Sometimes God allows you to share in the fruit of time spent with someone and other times never, yet it does not mean your labour was in vain. it only means that you planted the seed and some one will water it. My job description for the past year has been hard to describe for people accustomed to hearing titles and tasks. Bet many of you are still wondering the same: i am dealing with people, hoping that by sharing my life with them i will be impacted for good and they too shall grow. so am very intentional at spending time with the students. sometimes its more exciting than other times...but Gods grace is sufficient and He is faithful that when it is stretching He never leaves me nor forsakes me. and that is a truth about ministry, not always exciting but worth it- lots of sacrifice and fear for going against the trend of your peers and society by not joining the corporate world...and so eventually disappointing many in the process who want to plan your life for you and who sicerely have your best interests at heart.
this past week has been lots of questions about life and Gods answers for some so still waiting for more answers.

Løndag 1st Nov
After the late night, it was difficult to wake up early, however tried my best coz i had to clean the house and also complete some work. Me and Landi needed to work on a presentation of Uganda and FOCUS. this took longer than we had anticipated yet i needed to do shopping with someone as we had invited people over for an evening. so ended up doing some bits and waited to continue the next day. one of my beliefs is that to know people i need to spend time with them so i use opportunities availed to me.

søndag 2nd Nov
Wow...its sunday. hmm after having a late night an early morning was difficult. my alarm kept reminding that it was time to arise but i ignored and switched it off. was later prompted to check the sermon for the day to decide whether i wanted to go on not( may the Lord forgive me) and alas the topic was 'excuses'. i jumped out of my bed and worked towards heading church. Many times we have excuses for not responding to Gods voice or instructions which are for our own good anyway. i learnt that God has a reoson for everything and should stop giving excuses for my failures but seek His grace to accomplish what he requires of me.
Couldnot make it to the international church later but hope to attend and check out the childrens church. after working on the project we headed to my house to prepare for the evening where we had invited several people.
I must say it was worth it. Got to meet some people i had not had the chance to interact with in the big meeting setting. it was also lots of laughing which made it quite a relaxed evening. i hope that my meetings with people will not end in them selves but will have an impact in one way or another.


who is winning?

the bean game just amuses me, i love watching people play it while i listen to the bargaining technics.

my favorite ligretto, just as long as i don't play it after a hectic day...it needs lots of energy.

relaxed enjoying the evening.

Am very thankful to God for my hse mates that have been quite kind and patient with me. greatfull that i can host people with their blessing. i enjoy living with them (ie Linda and Renate).

Tirsdag 4th Nov
Another day is received with so much ethusiasm. grateful that God has given me another opportunity to live my life and how i pray that it would be for his glory. its like i stumble and fall more than i plan to, but have been encouraged by the fact that its not how many tines i fall but God who raises me. Ofcourse the Obama issue is lingering in the air, since am not voting i can only wait for the results and hear what has finally come out of the many weeks of anticipation for many people. someone commented that we should all vote since the US politics and decisions affect the entire world...especially those from Iraq, Afagnistan, korea and the like. Have not followed the elections closely which explains my lack of ethisiansim, can only say let the best win-no hard feelings.
The movie based on the gospel of matthew was great remainder of Jesus' life. I enjoyed watching and reflecting on some of the texts that i had since forgotten. Jesus still expects us to share our lives with those around us. the command He gave long ago and promises still stand today...Go out and make disciples of all men...may i remember this daily and go out to share my saviour with those that have not met him yet. How i pray that we will have the same burden He had for souls.

Onsdag 5th Nov
Final lap at the norskkurs. Glad to stop attending but sad to miss some of the classmates that i had started to bond with. Trust hot climate souls to make one feel welcome and do all they can to help you adjust in your setting.

Part of my norsk class, enjoy some and others never ever liked any of the teachers so were always complaining which would get to me.

It was also cell day. Cell is quite beautiful but sometimes feel like it is so superficial that we gloss over issues and dodge the real ones. have been struggling with this and i hope that we can be more real as a small group and not continue as though we are in a large group meeting. My point here is that God has created us to relate with one another and pray for one another, so it is important that we look out for one another as we are the body of Christ and not be like strangers.

Torsdag 6th Nov
Headed to Volda for Lagets mission. was not looking forward to trip as we would travel for 9hrs on the bus. grateful for the various stops on ferries that made it more bearable. was thankful on rival to be received warmly and that kept us a wake amidst our tiredness. we attended the meeting and later made a presentation.






attempting to make a presentation the night of arrival. thankful we pulled it off somehow...

catching up after the meeting. these were some of the students present.

had to take a bus to town and the only one which would allow us catch the flight was 2hours before. the best thing to do was take a nap as a way of killing the time. my teammate capture the moment.

Yelloooooo...

Am like so in need of sunshine and as such i remember all the days that i thought it was too hot. however i refuse to be depressed and maximise every moment, maybe add several layers of clothes just so that i survive...apart from my new yearning for sunshine, am getting along better and thankful to God for that coz the darkness is not fun at all.

søndag 26th okt
love attending service in the morning even with the trouble of staying a wake after a hectic sato...international church was good. am actualling praying that i can join Sunday school since we use English. thats indeed my next venture...otherwise enjoyed a movie and dinner with John at my place which ended the week on a good note. Looking forward to the next days for what the Lord has in store.

mandag 27th okt
Ooh how i don't look forward to mondays, they just dont bless me...otherwise attended my class and headed to Berg to do my evening duties, love helping to fix the place whenever i can. ofcourse depending on the kind of help needed coz am definately not talented in many areas. so usualy i stand around and cheer those working...hmmm. the day ended without much warning.

tirsdag 28th okt
late mornings are my idea for a good morning. school was quick and there after headed to Joyces house for dinner. Met Joyce at the language school am attending and have since connected with her, she comes from Rwanda but she spent lots of years in Uganda. have enjoyed spending time with her and ofcouse the dinners make life more exciting...yah you guessed right- i love them.

tørsdag 30th okt
another early morning. rushed to school and forced my eyes to open and my brain to be set on action mode. after the much rushing, was disappointed\or rather happy to find the students out
waiting for the teacher. on many occasions the teachers prefer ''the african time'' pricinple and i have no problem with that, however on this particular day the the guy didnot show up and didnot give a reoson-the director himself was perplexed but not me who was glad. took off to the next destination which was Joyce's house- task was: do hair, make samosa and ugandan food namely posho, cassava, beans + pork. it was really good to spend time chatting and consuming several foods...arrived home about 11pm too tired to think but run to bed- good day.


the long anticipated ugandan dinner(absence of matooke) finally arrived. it was much needed and justice was shown by those present

Landi at it making samosas that were enjoyed later...

this is what u go through with your hair in absence of all those saloon women that are usually not friendly, at that point you prefer them to a mateurs...

surprisingly the final product was the real thing, hmm indeed miracles do happen...

fredag 31st okt

hurrahh...its friday!!! yah as i mentioned earlier i love this day. it brings such a relaxed feeling for me. classes were a bit dull but think am better than when i first began. these days i actually pick somethings when people speak and also am equipped with some words to help sometimes. Am supposed to be thinking about atopic for my paper but my head is disappointing me (so this is a prayer request) as time is running out.

Fellowship is another good time. this friday had opinion meeting so members were expected to share their ideas on how to make this time profitable and impact the community around them.

i usually enjoy staying back and catching up, well i ended up arriving home at 2am all bse of talking. am not complaining coz after all its Friday...