Catching Up - July 11
(I discovered that I was missing several of Leanne's first e-mails back from Finland, some that were very moving and I really wanted to share. I got copies of them from our preacher, so now I'm doing some catch-up posts. Thanks, Mark! --ed.)
Hei (Finnish for hello!) to everyone at home. I hope you are all doing well. I apologize for not getting this flashnet out to you yesterday. I came in from studying and playing basketball with the teens around 11p.m. and wrote until 2 a.m. At that point I encountered some technical difficulties and didn't have the brain power to cope. I now am well rested and ready to tackle this again. Monday and Tuesday were quite full. I began my day Monday, like I do almost everyday now, walking to the center where I teach. On my way a friend, Elena, and her two children, Masha and Sasha, came to greet me. I was so happy and surprised to see them but, I must say their greeting was not an ordinary one. They must have had it all preplanned because as they began walking towards me down the hill they began forming a tight little circle that wrapped around me. I soon realized I was being hugged on all sides. Wow! Now, that's the way to start the day! I told them I liked being a Leanne sandwich wrapped up in the middle of some of my favorite people. Then, they squeezed me even tighter. People on the street looked at us as if we were crazy. (But, I did see a few people with smiles on their faces as they watched.) Perhaps they found us crazy yet entertaining.
I then set off for 'Kids Camp'. I was greeted there by one of our former students who had been in London since our arrival. His name is Juho, he is now sixteen years old and, my, oh my, he has such spirit. He always has. When he walked into the room I couldn't believe it. It has been two years since I last laid eyes on him and I have missed him every day since. I was so happy. He walked in with the biggest smile you can imagine. As I was going over to hug him, he walked over and hugged me so tight he picked me right up off the ground. Wow! The Lord really wanted to give me a good start to the day.
The children began arriving with smiles on their faces. They were eager to know what games we would play, what songs we would sing, what our story would be about etc. Class went great - the children are an absolute delight! They are getting more comfortable and are asking so many questions. They amaze me. One of the little boys 7 years old asked me "If the earth was born one day and had a beginning, then when did God begin? Another asked "How can you know that God always was?" I mean, these kids are thinking. They have always been talked to about God and yet they've never been taught to talk to God or get to know Him. The God they have been taught about is one full of rules, regulations and is always very distant. They are so curious and interested in this 'new' God and want to know more and I am eager to teach them.
After class, the day took a bit of a turn. Not a turn for the worse mind you, just a turn. Juho had decided to stay with me and the children at "Kids Camp". After all the children left and Roman, Juho and I finished clean up Juho wanted to know if I had some time to talk. We decided to go walking and as we did he began to say "I don't think you will be so happy to see me when you hear what it is I am going to say." He said, "I think I might make you sad in heart." So I told him to go ahead and share whatever it was he wanted to share. I wanted to listen. He began slowly and then finally got it all out. Bottom line, he no longer believes in Jesus nor in God. He asked me " Are you sad in heart?" I told him yes, but not with him really. I was just sad that he no longer knows the Lord. He then asked, "Do you want to argue with me or leave and go home now?" When he asked, I realized it wasn't really a question as to whether I wanted to or not it was more a question as to which one was I going to do. I told him I didn't want to do either, that I was enjoying our time together. He was completely shocked. He fully anticipated me to do one or the other. He said any time he talks to people they tend to argue and get angry with him. I told him I didn't have any anger in me and wanted to talk about things even more. So we did. You see, he may not believe in my Lord but, I do. So, I will rely fully upon Him to do the talking and the care taking of this precious boy.
Well, once again, I have rattled on and on. There is so much to share. I know if you were to be journaling your days with me they also, would be full of the Lord and His good works. Anyway, Tuesday came and we had our first cooking class. It was a great success. The ladies stayed for some several hours. We all chopped, diced, stirred, washed pans and ate together. During our taste testing - which everyone loved (we made an Italian style pasta - none of them had ever tasted anything like it) I asked if they would like to take turns sharing a favorite scripture of something that has been on their hearts lately. This week one of the ladies said she had been reading the story of Jesus calming the storm. It was significant in her life right now and she'd like us to share that together. We all got a Bible, some in Russian, some in Finnish and mine in English. We then read from Matthew, Mark and Luke and talked how the story related to our lives. Wow, what a powerful time together. They wanted to know if we could get together tomorrow? I said I already had a full day but, we now have decided we'll get together every Tuesday and Thursday until I leave for home. Then, I needed to get going and meet with the teens.
The teens. Oh, how I adore them. There were nine of us. We keep getting these 'strays' the Lord is sending. It is quite interesting to watch. We played basketball and then went to throw the javelin. That was interesting-I've never thrown a javelin in my life. The kids loved showing me how and then laughing when it went 2 inches! Then we walked back to the center and got into our Bible study. We went and sat on a big rock that we've pretty muched established as 'our spot'. I looked around me as I began studying and found myself simply dumb- founded. I was sitting with eight teens. Half of them don't know where they stand with the Lord. The other half simply don't believe in Him at all. They are Budhist, Moslem or Wicken (I'm still learning about that). Yet, they continue to come and are glad to be there. Wow! We had a great discussion. Two of the girls who are Vietnamese even spoke up and shared quite a bit. It really is amazing what doors the Lord has opened. I have done nothing on my own except walk through them.
I must close for now and begin my day. Today I teach 'Kids Camp' and then I have a Bible study with one of the Grandmothers. Then, believe it or not, I have been invited to go to an aerobics class. I'm going to go ahead and walk through that door too. No telling where it may lead. Please continue in your prayers for the work in Finland. This is such a humbling adventure and at times so intimidating. I absolutely have no strength or words on my own. I am solely depending upon Him. Whew, I do have Him. That is my only peace and hope! I love you all as my brothers and sisters and am glad to have you on this journey with me. I'll talk to you soon. His girl, lea
Hei (Finnish for hello!) to everyone at home. I hope you are all doing well. I apologize for not getting this flashnet out to you yesterday. I came in from studying and playing basketball with the teens around 11p.m. and wrote until 2 a.m. At that point I encountered some technical difficulties and didn't have the brain power to cope. I now am well rested and ready to tackle this again. Monday and Tuesday were quite full. I began my day Monday, like I do almost everyday now, walking to the center where I teach. On my way a friend, Elena, and her two children, Masha and Sasha, came to greet me. I was so happy and surprised to see them but, I must say their greeting was not an ordinary one. They must have had it all preplanned because as they began walking towards me down the hill they began forming a tight little circle that wrapped around me. I soon realized I was being hugged on all sides. Wow! Now, that's the way to start the day! I told them I liked being a Leanne sandwich wrapped up in the middle of some of my favorite people. Then, they squeezed me even tighter. People on the street looked at us as if we were crazy. (But, I did see a few people with smiles on their faces as they watched.) Perhaps they found us crazy yet entertaining.
I then set off for 'Kids Camp'. I was greeted there by one of our former students who had been in London since our arrival. His name is Juho, he is now sixteen years old and, my, oh my, he has such spirit. He always has. When he walked into the room I couldn't believe it. It has been two years since I last laid eyes on him and I have missed him every day since. I was so happy. He walked in with the biggest smile you can imagine. As I was going over to hug him, he walked over and hugged me so tight he picked me right up off the ground. Wow! The Lord really wanted to give me a good start to the day.
The children began arriving with smiles on their faces. They were eager to know what games we would play, what songs we would sing, what our story would be about etc. Class went great - the children are an absolute delight! They are getting more comfortable and are asking so many questions. They amaze me. One of the little boys 7 years old asked me "If the earth was born one day and had a beginning, then when did God begin? Another asked "How can you know that God always was?" I mean, these kids are thinking. They have always been talked to about God and yet they've never been taught to talk to God or get to know Him. The God they have been taught about is one full of rules, regulations and is always very distant. They are so curious and interested in this 'new' God and want to know more and I am eager to teach them.
After class, the day took a bit of a turn. Not a turn for the worse mind you, just a turn. Juho had decided to stay with me and the children at "Kids Camp". After all the children left and Roman, Juho and I finished clean up Juho wanted to know if I had some time to talk. We decided to go walking and as we did he began to say "I don't think you will be so happy to see me when you hear what it is I am going to say." He said, "I think I might make you sad in heart." So I told him to go ahead and share whatever it was he wanted to share. I wanted to listen. He began slowly and then finally got it all out. Bottom line, he no longer believes in Jesus nor in God. He asked me " Are you sad in heart?" I told him yes, but not with him really. I was just sad that he no longer knows the Lord. He then asked, "Do you want to argue with me or leave and go home now?" When he asked, I realized it wasn't really a question as to whether I wanted to or not it was more a question as to which one was I going to do. I told him I didn't want to do either, that I was enjoying our time together. He was completely shocked. He fully anticipated me to do one or the other. He said any time he talks to people they tend to argue and get angry with him. I told him I didn't have any anger in me and wanted to talk about things even more. So we did. You see, he may not believe in my Lord but, I do. So, I will rely fully upon Him to do the talking and the care taking of this precious boy.
Well, once again, I have rattled on and on. There is so much to share. I know if you were to be journaling your days with me they also, would be full of the Lord and His good works. Anyway, Tuesday came and we had our first cooking class. It was a great success. The ladies stayed for some several hours. We all chopped, diced, stirred, washed pans and ate together. During our taste testing - which everyone loved (we made an Italian style pasta - none of them had ever tasted anything like it) I asked if they would like to take turns sharing a favorite scripture of something that has been on their hearts lately. This week one of the ladies said she had been reading the story of Jesus calming the storm. It was significant in her life right now and she'd like us to share that together. We all got a Bible, some in Russian, some in Finnish and mine in English. We then read from Matthew, Mark and Luke and talked how the story related to our lives. Wow, what a powerful time together. They wanted to know if we could get together tomorrow? I said I already had a full day but, we now have decided we'll get together every Tuesday and Thursday until I leave for home. Then, I needed to get going and meet with the teens.
The teens. Oh, how I adore them. There were nine of us. We keep getting these 'strays' the Lord is sending. It is quite interesting to watch. We played basketball and then went to throw the javelin. That was interesting-I've never thrown a javelin in my life. The kids loved showing me how and then laughing when it went 2 inches! Then we walked back to the center and got into our Bible study. We went and sat on a big rock that we've pretty muched established as 'our spot'. I looked around me as I began studying and found myself simply dumb- founded. I was sitting with eight teens. Half of them don't know where they stand with the Lord. The other half simply don't believe in Him at all. They are Budhist, Moslem or Wicken (I'm still learning about that). Yet, they continue to come and are glad to be there. Wow! We had a great discussion. Two of the girls who are Vietnamese even spoke up and shared quite a bit. It really is amazing what doors the Lord has opened. I have done nothing on my own except walk through them.
I must close for now and begin my day. Today I teach 'Kids Camp' and then I have a Bible study with one of the Grandmothers. Then, believe it or not, I have been invited to go to an aerobics class. I'm going to go ahead and walk through that door too. No telling where it may lead. Please continue in your prayers for the work in Finland. This is such a humbling adventure and at times so intimidating. I absolutely have no strength or words on my own. I am solely depending upon Him. Whew, I do have Him. That is my only peace and hope! I love you all as my brothers and sisters and am glad to have you on this journey with me. I'll talk to you soon. His girl, lea
posted by Hisgirl at 7:43 PM
1 Comments:
I say briefly: Best! Useful information. Good job guys.
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