44.23 revisited

So, there needs to be at least 2 posts about 44.23, because it was such a transformational week in so many ways.  When Steve and Barb had to focus their energies on getting healthy again, wow, how our local partners just dove right in and carried the ball ~ read that they took over and did all the translation and filled in so many gaps that just needed to be filled.

Kids came and heard Bible stories.  They heard the truth.  They learned Bible verses.  They played with this amazing parachute, which the Grand Rapids team so generously left in Malmö for us to use in future kids’ activities!  And the kids gifted the tisdags träffers (the senior citizens that meet every week on a Tuesday afternoon) with songs and Bible stories.  And they even did their gymnastic (read that exercises) together.

This story tent is amazing!  a cozy contained space where kids could sit and have fun and hear the Word of God and be challenged to know the truth about Jesus.

 

These hearts....they will show up again in Advent here at Wesleykyrkan!

Kids activities supplies...because they need to know the truth ~

 

And we never get tired of stickers!

Now it was time to bring on the youth and young adults.  And a taco event!

Youth gathered mid-week for pizza and games.  And deep conversations about the challenges of being a Christian in an increasing secular world in Sweden.  After that round of fun and games, the team members got a well deserved day off ~ sabbath ~ to go out and explore our beautiful city of Malmö.

And the pizza of choice was....

 

When Friday arrived, it was time to pack up and move….load up the trucks and move to Beverly…Hills, that is…swimming pools, movie stars!  Okay, that’s just a joke, friends!  (from the old Beverly Hillbillies theme song).  Seriously,  it was time for the team to check out of the Havshotell in Limhamn and move into the more rustic setting out at EFS Höllviksstrand, a lovely setting for our young adults retreat.

EFS Höllviksstrand ~ a lovely place to retreat, laugh, cry, go deep, pray, play...

 

Head and shoulders, knees and cup ~

 

Tacos.  Young adults.  Playing games!  Pastor Ginny beat everyone at the head, shoulders, knees and cup game ~ but word on the street is that she even won at a women’s retreat against 200 other competitors!  We focused on one verse from Malachi 3:10:  "Trust me in this, says the Lord God, and see if I won’t open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing on you that you won’t ever have enough room for it."  We went deep on the theme of Trusting God for the blessing:  the blessing of _____________ (you fill in the blank)….a job, my studies, my relationship with a community, my relationship with a partner or waiting for that future partner.  We paired up 2 by 2 ~ Americans with Swedes and new Swedes.  We took time for fika (twice!) and lunch.  We walked together, played together, prayed together.  It was good, sooo good!

Some of the conversations that were going on around the room ~

Our last team debrief ~ around the room we went, sharing of the blessings we had experienced in so many ways throughout the week.

 

And then it was time to say good-bye.

Bridges have been built.  God showed up in so many ways in Malmö during 44.23

Till the next time….

Hej då team 1st Covenant Grand Rapids!

The blessing of God at the end of the day ~

And it's a wrap ~ 44.23 in the books!