Flying Kiwi

Cambodia

2010-03-17T04:39:00.008+01:00

Veronica looking scared for the camera....she was actually very relaxed.Typical crazy Phnom Penh traffic....it is more about going with the streams of traffic...I like it actually!Toul Sleng Genocide Museum....Once it was a high school but during the Khmer Rouge Regime at this one location alone, at least 10000 people were imprisoned, tortured and then taken out to a killing field to be murdered...Only 7 people survived.

These photos were taken when they arrived to the prison. It is not easy to look into the eyes of these people who likely knew their fate.

Thailand Retreat

2010-03-17T04:00:00.006+01:00

Last week I was in Thailand for 7 days helping to run a retreat for the a team sent out long-term from Restenäs to Northern India, and a couple sent out to Cambodia. It was a hard life...not. We all had a great time getting to know each other and hanging out together. And even though as part of the retreat staff, the one-on-one talks we had with each person was a good time.
The place we stayed in is specifically a place for missionaries to Asia to come and relax at, and I was very impressed with the whole place.

It was relaxing, and fun to have this week. My highlights were the times we rented mopeds...I love them!!
Here are some photos

In a cave....after a long walk up and up and up many many steps...totally soaking wet after that!

In the cave

In the boat ride to the beach where we walked to the cave

A typical Buddhist temple

MOPEDS!!!

Fishing Boats

Off we go!

Thai Boats

Sunrise...

Lots of these cows around

The girl night in Hua Hin, about an hour from where we stayed

Taxi Truck

The pool where we stayed

The Juniper Tree Retreat centre

Our Beach

Christmas 2009!

2009-12-31T18:50:00.009+01:00

Seasons greetings from Sweden!

I hope that Christmas is finding you well whether it is summer or winter outside,
or if you are at home or somewhere else out in the world.
“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” Well the dreams are true as even now snow is coming down, and sideways, even up at times! My skinny Christmas tree is leaning to one side again and I am listening to my favorite Christmas carol “Carol of the Bells” Yip...its Christmas!

Which also means it is nearly the end of 2009 and a new decade is upon us. Its the time of the year where we look back over the year that was...and look forward to the one ahead.

The last six months for me has been busy and quite intense and I am now enjoying the Christmas break! Here’s what has been happening the last months...

In July I agreed to be a part of the leadership team here on the YWAM base in Restenäs, Sweden (a 3 year commitment). On our team we are 9 people and basically we are meet twice a week discussing all the details that come with over-sighting 80 people in various ministries.
There are many things to decide, talk about and work on. I can see that I have strength in looking at issues from many angles..but my greatest strength is to see things put into action. I have even recognized my ‘action’ action: slapping my knee and saying “OK!”...means lets go and do it!!! I’m weird, I know!

From August onwards I worked on preparing to run the 2nd School of Communication Foundations (SCF) here in Sweden. August and September were crazy months where I just had too many things on my plate at once. As well as prepping for my school I working on school staff training for all the schools running in the fall (3 others), the leadership team, and teaching prep for my school and Kiev (see right).

One of the biggest things I have learnt this fall is that I like to give 100% to the things I do and have quality results. I get very frustrated when I feel like I am doing nothing well because there is too many diverse things flighting for my attention.....lets hope I have learnt my lesson for the new year!!

Celebrating my 35th birthday in Kiev, Ukraine

In September myself and about 20 others from Restenäs went to a YWAM conference in Kiev. It was fun to go into the center of the city to have dessert together on my birthday.
We were staying in “soviet-style” dorms - and yes, well, it is good to be able to fully appreciate hot showers and non-lumpy mattresses when you get home!

SCF 2009

The 2009 School of Communication Foundations has come and gone, and once again I am in awe of God and His love for us. It was a challenging school in many ways and as always I feel like I have learnt and grown just as much as the students. We had six students who were very diverse in personalities and cultures and we made a unique class. They were from Ethiopia, Norway, USA, Germany and South Korea, and my three staff were from Korea, Norway and Latvia. There was a really great line up of teachers and each week was inspiring and challenging. We all grew in skills and knowing our identity in God.
One teacher was Patrick Dodson (www.patrickdodson.net) and he taught on Identity and Calling. It was a timely teaching for me as this year has a season of questioning what I want to do in life and wondering if I really make a difference in missions. I am still in the process of re-examining all the questions and no big life changes are coming up (ie I will continue working with YWAM here in Sweden)...but I am reminded about how God wants to work WITH us in living life. Not that He will dictate to us every detail, or stay distant and impersonal. But rather God wants us to talk to Him about the things we love to do and what we see around us. Then we can use our brains, talents and relationships to actively live out Biblical principles in the societies we live in. What an adventure!!!!
So I look around me and see communities of people who do not know God at all; I see people here in Restenäs who I can serve, encourage and learn from; I see new opportunities coming where I can use my talents in teaching; I see countries with so many unmet basic needs; and I see a new year where I can keep working it all out.
What do you see when you see yourself and those around you?
Restenäs Student Transformations...

Eeva (Finland), Discipleship Training School (DTS)
“I am learning more of God’s love. I have always known it in my head...but I am starting to know it more in my heart.”
Corban (USA), School of Biblical Studies
“SBS is a stretching time experiencing the pains of growing, but also the vital importance of God tearing down fear and assumptions and renewing who He really is to you.”
Marianne (Norway), School of Communication Foundations
“God has shown me I can do more than I think I can...He is revealing the truth about who I am.”
Mikael (Sweden), DTS
“God has basically turned me upside down and made a lot of things in my head more than information, and in that way touched my heart!”
Sarah (South Korea). Prayer Seminar participant
“It has become obvious how society deteriorates when we turn our backs on God...He wants to restore Sweden.”

UPCOMING CALENDAR

January 2010:
Start the year with a staff gathering where we look forward to the year.
Working in the training department.

February:
Teaching about learning styles in a YWAM training week in England.
Helping with staff training for upcoming schools.

March:
Two weeks in Thailand and Cambodia - looking around and connecting with people and ministries
Two weeks in Melbourne - visiting friends
April: In NZ!!
May: Still in NZ!!
June: Back in Sweden
July-September: In Sweden preparing for the SCF and YWAM/Restenäs Birthday parties.
September 20-26th 30th Birthday for Restenäs and 50th Birthday of YWAM International.
September 9th -
December 4th: SCF 2010

COMING HOME....
I had hoped to come home to NZ for Christmas, but unfortunately I was not able to raise enough money for the tickets. I really really want to come home in the next few months though and will be aiming to leave here in March for a three month trip.

BROKEN CAMERA
I have always enjoyed taking photos and have come to the point where I wonder if I can start to sell them online. Unfortunately I fell over a couple of weeks ago and my camera was broken.
If you want to help with either of these expenses please let me know!

NEW COMPUTER!!
Thank you all those who contributed to my new Macbook Pro laptop!
It is an awesome computer and is helping me a lot with all that I do.

Hope 2010 will be a great year for you all!!

May News!

2009-05-13T20:49:00.001+01:00

SPRING IN SWEDEN ’09 There is something about spring that lifts the soul and puts, well, a spring in my step! The trees just burst into fresh green leaves and the flowers shoot from the earth, birds are singing, flies are buzzing (OK it is not all nice!). It is a time where I just look forward to the future even more than usual; like spring declares with it fresh promises and a new hope. The past four months have been different in many ways, Here are some highlights:
January: Amsterdam I got to be a part of ‘UniQuip’ in Amsterdam, which is a week- long training event for YWAM staff. Over 90 people from many nations who work mostly in Europe came together for meetings and specific skill-focused workshops. For me the best part was to see again the bigger picture of YWAM internationally – in many ways it is like getting a can of spinach (which is a new burst of energy and inspiration for those who do not know the Popeye reference). The spectrum of work focus for the participants was broad, from a group of young people working in Afghanistan to others who work in training and administration. Yet all were there because of their heart to see peoples and nations lives transformed by God.

February till now: SFI Swedish for Immigrants Most of my time in the last months has been focused on learning Swedish. “Why? You may ask. Several reasons: Firstly, language is the key to people and their culture. Although most Swedes speak excellent English, I am living in their nation and want to connect and understand them on a deeper level. Secondly, I knew if I did not MAKE the time I would never learn the language (Exhibit A; four years in Norway, very little Norwegian). Thirdly, it is great to get my brain trained to learn languages which will help me in the future. Finally, it just makes life a lot easier when you can read what is written and understand what is spoken around you!

Overall I am really glad I have taken this time to go to school and see that it is helping me be more effective in what I do here in Sweden. There is also a great love for this nation and the people growing in me.

I have really enjoyed my time in SFI. I drive 20 minutes into Uddevalla to the government-run school. The school itself is free which is a HUGE blessing! There are over a hundred adult students, most are refugees but there are also a number of “love-immigrants” who are together to Swedes. It is really the case of the mission field coming to us as I have met people from Ethiopia, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Brazil, Poland, Thailand and the Philippines...plus more! It has been fun! Most rewarding for me has been to get to know the Muslims. Seeing woman in headscarves can summon stereotypes in our minds (or at least it did in mine!). But to meet these people, especially the women, has been an eye opener and a privilege. They are so warm, friendly and intelligent.

I am advancing in my Swedish and have definitely improved. At this stage I can understand quite a lot and have basic conversations about familiar subjects. However the more I learn the more I see how much MORE there is to learn, especially as I learn more and more grammar. Still, I am so encouraged to know that I CAN learn languages!

Coming-up: Next week I will go to the middle of Finland for another ‘UniQuip’. This time I will be a part of the leadership team and also will teach a workshop of “Learning Unleashed”. The topic is about creating classroom and teaching environments that are effective and relevant to the way people learn. I really love this topic and find it so exciting to see people realize that they can learn and the school can be an exciting place to be. The event is one week long but I will go a little earlier to help set up. The rest of the summer I will be working on base and with school related projects, with also a few weeks holiday (likely camping around Southern Sweden) somewhere in there.

From August onwards my focus will be on the upcoming School of Communication Foundations (SCF). I have 5 accepted students already and am very excited to see who will come. The school will run from September until December and you can read more about it here:
http://www.ywamrestenas.se/index.php?id=scf&L=0

In December I plan to come home (NZ home) and hope to be there for two months. YIPPPEEE!!!
Thank you for your friendship, love and support!
God Bless,
Helen

Prayer Points:
• For the UniQuip and my leading and teaching there.
• I step more into the areas that God has gifted me in.
• I clearly recognize the doors that God opens in front of me.
• There is an increase in financial support.
• A good end to my focused time in language learning.
• Good preparations for the SCF.

25 Random things about me

2009-02-02T17:00:00.000+01:00

1. Movie soundtracks are some of my favorite CD’s to listen to
2. I do not like bananas – although I wish I did
3. Alaska is one of my favorite places in the world
4. I would love to write a novel and children’s books
5. If I am reading a good book I can lose track of time and be disorientated answering the phone.
6. If I get a new CD I can listen to it several times a day for a long time
7. I considered doing the training to do a solo parachute jump after I enjoyed my two tandem jumps a lot
8. I often chorography ice dancing routines in my head when I listen to music – even though I do not really ice skate myself
9. As a child I liked to act out the ‘evil’ characters in stories on tape (like Psalty the Singing Songbook tapes) because they were more dramatic
10. I think Agatha Christie is one of the greatest crime writers of all time
11. I did not like Coke Cola until I was a teenager – still not my first soda choice
12. After visiting the Pacific Island of Samoa when I was 18 wished I was not white, and felt at home with the Islanders
13. Loves the fact that I am left-handed
14. Really dislikes using the telephone and would much rather communicate over email or face-to-face
15. Thinks being brought up on a farm has helped me be a better missionary
16. Favorite TV show are crime-based like NCIS, Bones, Without A Trace
17. Wants to go to Prince Edward Island in Canada, just because of Anne of Green Gables
18. Is looking forward to the day when traveling home to NZ takes only a few hours (space travel!!)
19. LOVES to learn new practical things
20. I love to make people laugh – although wonder if people really find me funny or are just laughing at me laughing at myself….
21. Can easily switch driving on the left or right side of the road depending on the nation driving in
22. Would rather walk than ride a bike
23. Likes the fact that I have spent 5 weeks in East Greenland – not so many have done that
24. Would really love to travel to every continent in the world someday
25. Do not normally respond to these sorts of internet questions….but this one seemed like fun.

First Newsletter of 2009

2009-01-13T22:00:00.003+01:00

2008 has finished its final minutes as I sit in my apartment in Sweden, looking at my Christmas tree which is leaning oh so slightly to the right.

It seems like a good time to reflect over the past year and muse a little on the year ahead. But oh gosh…you have properly already received 20 such newsletters in your inbox this past week, so how do I make this one more interesting to read….perhaps I shall take my inspiration from the movie I watched ….the 1951’s version of Scrooge.

Well in my own version I shall have no ghosts, Tiny Tims or ‘Bah Humbugs’….but a look back, at the present and future……(OK not much like Scrooge...but you read this far!!!)

Enjoy and Happy Holidays….

BACK; What a great year when I think about it. I started 2008 on the plane from NZ and spend the first six months in Switzerland. I loved being a student the Advanced Principles of Communication School and can see how I have grown in being a deeper thinker with a greater understanding in how God and His Word is so relevant for this World.

Next I co-lead the School of Communication Foundations (SCF), which as usual, was a good growing time in my leadership skills and character.

July saw me move to Restenäs Sweden...my new home for at least the next two years.

I have settled very fast and really feel at home. I am very much enjoying the people here and see there is potential for me to be challenged and grow in who I am and the ministry I work in.

The final three months of 2008 saw me lead the first SCF in Sweden. It ended up that I only had one other staff for the school which meant a lot of work for both of us. In the end though, while it was busy, the base staff helped a lot and the work load was quite manageable.

A week before the school started we had 12 possible students but in the end we only had 6 come. The others dropped out for various reasons like finances, visas and health issues. But in the end the 6 we had were so great that I cannot imagine the school without any of them.

This group of students were so easy to lead and get along with. Our classroom was often full of laughter and I am very grateful to them for being so willing to learn.

What makes this job of leading so worth while has often so little to do with me, but seeing the change in the students. To see each person gain more revelation about who God is and created them to be, and start to practice the skills of good communication is the reward.

An example has been one student who had even a physical change as she grasped a deeper understanding of God’s love for her and how He saw her as a beautiful woman.

On the night of public event for the school she had undergone a secret makeover and wowed the audience as she came out in a ball dress, hair cut and a new confidence in who she is. The atmosphere in the hall was electric and the standing ovation revealed not only the power of what God had done in this student, but for each person on the school. This positive influence has also been seen in the whole base as they really got behind myself and the school to support us, many times being blessed themselves.

I have also seen my own growth as a leader as this is the first school where I have not felt like I have ’failed’. Many times in the past I have had huge, rather unobtainable, expectations on myself. This has lead to disappointment when I felt like I kept letting others down by not being that perfect leader. In this school (while far from perfect!) I have been much more realistic in my self-expectations...which overall has meant a happier me, staff and students.

Leadership is a great facilitator of character growth!

PRESENT; At this very moment I am sitting at my kitchen table looking at the frosty view outside. The aforementioned Christmas tree has been thrown out the window because the days have marched into January while my unfinished newsletter mocks me for being lazy....the irony of being a communication school leader vs my lack of communication is not lost on me.

Honestly I am not sure what to think of 2009. The year stretches before me with new possibilities, and there is a sense that more of God’s promises will start to be fulfilled. The potential there is....but potential is only that...the capability and possibility of being or becoming. I really desire to step up and out to see this potential actually work itself out in reality.

It is in those day-to-day decisions on how to spend your time; which choices you make; how to relate to the people around you, that determines if that potential is achieved.

So for me that means stepping out more in leadership, using the God-given gifts to influence and serve those around me. I would love to travel and teach more this year as well as serve this base and Sweden in the best way I can.

I want this year to count towards God and His purposes!!

FUTURE; So what is this year 2009 shaping up to be….

I will continue to be on a team that works with YWAM staff training and University (UofN) development in Northern Europe. This also includes a newly developed role as the UofN point-person for Sweden—which is basically serving the Swedish YWAM bases.

I will travel to Amsterdam in January for two weeks to be apart of UniQuip—A YWAM staff training event.

February is when I will start to learn Swedish fulltime. I have learnt from past experience that language learning is vital...and will not happen unless I am very deliberate about it. So I will spend at least 2 months (possibly 5 months) in Swedish lessons in the closest town to the base.

I am looking forward to meeting the Swedish immigrants—properly mostly Muslims from the Middle East who will be in the class with me.

There is a possibility of attending a three week training conference in Germany in May. Also in May I have been invited to speak in a DTS in Bulgaria and will also teach at a training event in Finland.

In the summer I would love to go on a short outreach somewhere...not sure where or what yet. From August onwards I will be preparing fulltime for the next Communication School which will run from September 17th until 11th December.

Then my plans are to go home to NZ for two or three months from Christmas onwards!!!!

Thank you all for your friendship, prayers and support...I could not be doing what I am doing without you! Love Helen

…….2009…..Bring it on!!!

There are specific things you can pray for if I come to mind....

· Help in learning Swedish!

· Good connections with the immigrants in class.

· Wisdom to know how I can step up and make this year count.

· Finances for specific needs:

· New glasses—the protective layer is coming off so my view is a little foggy.

· Computer—My broken computer screen is getting worse and the dream of a MacBook still seems very far away.

· Travels—The cost of my ministry trips

SCF 2008

2008-10-15T09:15:00.007+01:00

Here is a picture of a picture of my wonderful class. We are already 1/3 of the way though school with the first month going very fast. In the end we have six students with the other six who were accepted not coming for many reasons....but the six we have are great. It is fun to have so many different cultures...so many so I am the only native English-speaker.
I am doing well. I have only one staff so we are very very busy at times, but it has not been overwhelming. And that is even though I was teaching and leading the first two weeks.

It has become very beautiful here...autumn colours are out in full force, and some days are very beautiful and clear days. I really enjoy being at this base and am getting to know the people. Having a car makes a big difference to feel free to get out and off the base.

Evening Photos

2008-08-23T20:32:00.006+01:00

Weekend in the Norwegian Mountains

2008-08-23T19:08:00.007+01:00

I got to have a great relaxing weekend recently with my friend Turid when we went to a cabin/hut in 4 hours north of Oslo. Now the hut to Norwegians is as a bach is to Kiwis so it is like a well setup little house (without electricity or hot water mind you). We took Turid's dog and her parents dog with us and they pulled us up the hills. They also tried to pull us down the hills but that was not as fun.
Always it was a nice relaxing time of chatting, reading, sleeping in and a few hikes....good times!

Turid and VictorBelinda

A farmers hut we found on a hikeThe Cabin

Sweden

2008-08-23T18:43:00.008+01:00

Here is an update which is basically the same as my newsletter info....but hey! It is still news!

Greetings from my new home in Sweden. It is a nice feeling to know that I will be in one place for a while. I have committed to work with the YWAM Restenäs base for two years in starting the School of Communication Foundations (SCF) and continuing to work with the University of the Nations development team.

The work is continuing to stretch me and refine my skills to be used effectively. I expect I will be working even more with staff development and teaching. I am really enjoying to teach but I do keep thinking that all this teaching stuff should be left to the older experienced people…then I realize that in 1 year and one month I will be 35 years old….. how did that happen???!!!! Please check out my web pages for my latest photos.

Odds and Ends: I ended my time in Central Europe with a road trip to the French Rivera with 3 friends. We stayed in an amazing campsite high on the hills over looking the Sea. In our short weekend we saw Cannes, Nice and Monaco which was all great. It was a busy time and a long drive but fun! See my flickr site for photos.

It was also great to have Mum and Dad visit for a few days near the end of their European Trip (I saw them in Switzerland as well). It was a blessing for them to see my new base….and also buy a car!! They will use the car when they come back here next year…in the meantime I get to use it! I have not had a car for 8 years now so it is a HUGE blessing. I feel like I have a greater opportunity now to get off the base and integrate more into society and have more of ‘life’; avoiding the danger of just been stuck in the YWAM environment. This would include taking Swedish lessons next year.

SCF 2008 in Sweden: And that brings us to the rest of this year. I am now preparing for the first SCF in Restenäs. So far we have 10 applications and do not think we will accept many more for this year. I only have one staff which will make my job harder; but it is doable. Have a look at the www.ywamrestenas.se to see more of the base and read about the SCF.

I believe this year will be one where I will stay around Sweden (rather than travel too much) which I think will be a good thing. I can see now that my ministry focus is coming more to a point. Now I want to zero in with the skills I have into areas of education and training. There may even be some doors opening on the horizon in teacher training in developing nations. I really never saw myself going back to preschool so it is interesting to see how these new opportunities will form.

Thank you all for your love and support! While it is easy for me to become a very ’here and now’ person, I never forget my friends and family around the world. If you want to know more specifics about what I am doing then email! Until next time….

First photos of Sweden

2008-07-26T11:55:00.006+01:00

Just down the road

Entrance to the base

Mum and Dad visited for a few days

Very beautiful area

Past APC...into SCF

2008-04-29T18:13:00.007+01:00

Ok finally.....(how many times do I start my blog with those words!!)

It gets very tiring to look at my blog and think I should update it (I WANT to update it) and then the day slips by and woosh two months pass by.....

I am now five weeks into the School of Communication Foundations, still here in Burtigny, Switzerland. But first a little update for the past few months.....

The APC school was one of the best times I have had. It was so great to be a student again and really great to be challenged in my thinking and how I view the world. I did my final paper on the current situation in Russia; and it was very interesting to really look at what the Russian people are wanting and choosing as their leaders. I tied top-of-the-class in grades so I was amazed and happy with that. After many years telling myself that I am of average intelligence and average grades....it came as a surprise to know that actually I do have a brain that works quite well.

What made the first three months most memorable was my classmate and staff. We just got on so well and became a very social close group. I still miss them today...thankfully 4 of the students are still here on base doing various things and of course the staff are still here as well.
In the few days between the two schools I went to visit my new base of operations. I am moving to Restenas in Southern Sweden in July to start the communications school there and continue my work with the YWAM University of the Nations. It was very good to go there and be reminded of where my work and home will be for the next two years. The people there are super friendly and welcoming so I am looking forward to moving there……Still miss my friends in Borgen though.
Now, as I said, the School of Communication Foundations is in its 5th week. I am co-leading with Susi who was my leader when I did the school in 2006. We have 10 students and 3 staff....a small group but one that is very diverse in ages and cultures. It has been good to practice my teaching skills as I taught the Public Speaking week, it went well and I learnt a lot as well. I am looking forward to seeing how this class will grow and what God will teach us though the school.

Plus Mum and Dad where visiting that week and were able to sit in for a couple of sessions which was great. They are continuing their 4 month trip around Europe and I will see them again for a few days in Sweden in July.

Thank you to those who are still bothering to check my blog site! I will not promise I will write soon, but I do hope to. I am also on facebook...so if you are there (and I know you) connect!

PS...Update on my computer which I mentioned last time. My insurance paid out the cost of replacing the screen, I have decided to use that money to go towards a MacBook which I am saving up for now. It will take a little while to save, but until them I can keep using my Dell, although the dead pixals are slowly taking over the screen!

PPS Here are a couple of random photos...check out my photo site for more....

Switzerland...

2008-02-24T10:58:00.005+01:00

OK FINALLY i am back. Excuses?? Well I am super busy, but it has been on the back of my mind everyday that I needed to update on my blog...only to find that two months have slipped by.
So I am in YWAM Burtigny, Switzerland as a student on the "Advanced Principles of Communication" APC school. You can go to the website to see what the school is about... http://www.jemburtigny.ch/

APC CLASSMATES

I am really enjoying my time and am with a great bunch of staff and students. I feel quite at home at the base here since I have staffed another school here last year.

The school itself is very challenging; both in time and energy but also in the depth and push to learn to think in a deeper Biblical way. To many thinking in a 'Biblical' way may sound like we start to talk all this spiritual jargon and really not be not understood by most of the world....in fact the opposite it true. It is about seeing that God in the Bible is talking about EVERY area of life; how to run a good government, health care, business, good leadership qualities, good family lives....and on and on and on. We, as Christians, have often just made it sound all so mystical and 'holy' that we even have no idea how to practically put these principles into practice. These changes do not come easily though because I need to change the basis of my thinking; and that is a lot of hard work.

I have never had to work so hard on homework either. I am famous for being a huge procrastinator and leaving my work to the last minute.....here I need to do homework every night and 6 days a week. OUCH, thus nothing else seems to be getting done.

On another note, I have really excited to learn that in a photo competition I entered for kiwis on flicr (photo website), one of my photos was chosen from over 3000 photos to be in an exhibition of about 70 photographers and 100 photos in Auckland Art Gallery 6-9 March. The photo is below. Do not know if I one anything; but I am just happy to see it been chosen anyways.

On a sadder note; I dropped my computer last Sunday. As you can see from the photo below that screen has now got some very artistic inkblot decorations. There are cracks in the screen and slowly the dead pixels are spreading. The good news is that it should be covered by my insurance; now I just need to get all the paperwork in order for that to happen. I do not know what they will cover and since my computer to over 2 1/2 years old now it has depreciated a lot. The very good news is that 1, I have insurance 2, the computer is working and i can still use it now, 3, I am the one who dropped it so no one else needs to feel bad. It happens.

So there was a little insight into my life at the moment. I hope I will be a little better in updating my blog in the coming month. See ya soon

School of Communication Foundations

2007-12-29T07:31:00.000+01:00

HOME!

2007-12-20T08:33:00.000+01:00

OK OK OK....here it is finally; a post from the Land of the Long While Cloud (that would be New Zealand). I cannot believe it, but my time home is nearly up, on Monday I shall once again be flying to the Northern side of the world in time to catch some winter (I hope there is snow!!)

I have done so much these past 4 weeks so here is a bit of a low-down (what does that mean anyways);

Had a few opportunities to get to know the people of Morrinsville Baptist a little more with a women's lunch and homegroup meeting.
Stayed with friends in Auckland and visited my old preschool (worked there, not attended!)....so nice!
Got to meet Karen who I only knew from her blog. It was a great first meeting and she blessed me alot! It felt very easy to connect with her. Check out her blog she has many great insights and wisdom from God to share. Karen...hope you had a great Christmas break and thanks again for the visit!
Hang out with more friends enjoying to be with them and get to know their children a little more (they have grown so fast!).
Went to Feilding with Mum and Dad to see relatives.
Celebrated my friend Hanneke's 30th birthday!
Headed down to Taupo to see the Short family who were with YWAM in Norway for a couple of years. They stayed in a Sami village and did a lot of work with the youth there. They are now getting ready to join YWAM in Trinidad. What a great example of a family that is willing to give everything up to serve God!
Stopped by to see friends in Rotorua....These few hours together never seem enough!
Had THREE BBQ's over two days before Christmas and then went out to eat on Christmas day....OH man NO more food!! Very good times though.
Saw Jenny and Shelley and played great cards games.
Now am working on my sermon for Sunday at church, and working out how on earth I will pack my bag to leave!

OK that is the highlights of my time home; there was also time hanging out on the farm with my parents and brother as well which was great. Coming home in the summer was really the best thing, NZ winter is not so great.

I have not got to visit everyone which i am disappointed about! So if that was you I am sorry....I plan to come home for at least three months next time!

I have also put photos on my photo site so check out the link here.

Hope you all had a great Christmas and will have a great New Year!

Love Helen

The farm!!

Sunny Cape Town

2007-11-25T18:06:00.000+01:00

Hello from beautiful sunny Cape Town!

I am definitely getting closer to home! There are many similarities I have found between NZ and Cape Town which makes the place feel very familiar. When I first arrived I was picked up by Jireh (who I did my communication school with in 2006 in Switzerland). We stayed with her parents the first night and then when to her place in Stellenbosh for two nights. People are very friendly here and it was great to spend time getting to know people who do not live on a YWAM base! One night we even went to watch Jireh’s sister play indoor netball and it just felt like home!

I then went to the YWAM base in Muizenberg and we had a YWAM/UofN staff training event which was good to be at. Now I am here until Friday doing random things; visiting the area. Saturday some of us went into Cape Town city; beautiful place and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The V & A Waterfront was especially nice. Today I was out on the beach in Muizenberg and got some colour on my skin….mainly red, but still it is colour! Here are a few photos to enjoy….more on my photos site….the link is on the side here.

Looking forward to flying into NZ!!!!!

RWANDA!

2007-11-05T13:00:00.000+01:00

Greetings from Rwanda!!

I can’t really believe that I am in Africa, it feels great! I am reminded how much I love to travel and meet people and go to new places. It has been a busy month leading up to coming here, and getting my passport back only a couple of hours before I flew added to the excitement. I had lots of hours in London; but I got to catch up with my cousin, Patsy, who came to the airport with some tickets she had picked up for me and we had a great time chatting in a restaurant. Next was the 9 hour flight to Johannesburg; it was so great to have a long flight!! Sounds strange but long flights means I am going somewhere exciting! Because of the way my flights worked I then boarded a flight to backtrack halfway up the continent to Kigali the capital of Rwanda.

The first thing that struck me was the friendliness of the people. They are so helpful and ready with a smile and greeting. They are also not shy to stare and the children cry "(white person)" when they see us, waving and jumping around. The YWAM base is in the city down a long red dirt road lined with houses and little shops with many many people walking up and down going about their business. The first week I was working with a team from Switzerland to help run a staff training event for the YWAMers. It was a great time of getting to know people from YWAM Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. I got to teach a little on Public Speaking and Learning Styles.

For my second week I will get a chance to go and see the ministries that YWAM has here. I will also go to the Genocide Memorial Museum to learn more about the months in 1994 that saw people murdered by the hundreds of thousands. On Saturday I went on a SAFARI!!!! It was an early start at 5 am and a 2 hour drive to the national park. The first animal we saw was zebras and then giraffes, which was the best because we got to walk around near them. Then we saw several types of deer type of creatures, hippos, monkeys and baboons; only missed out on the elephants!

Here are some photos, but look on my flickr site to see more photos.

I will be here until next Wednesday week and then fly down to Cape Town!

Helen

That what was lost, has been found!

2007-10-26T13:50:00.000+01:00

Thank you for your prayer!

After one phone call which said they could not find my passport in the mail office, came the wonderful news that they had indeed found it and would let my friend go and pick it up!

So Thank You God, again a reminder how you are never late!

PRAYER REQUEST!

2007-10-24T14:12:00.001+01:00

Hi,

I have a prayer request.....I fly to Oslo on Friday night and then to London on Saturday morning to begin my round the world trip.......and I still do not have my passport.

It was in London getting the Rwanda visa, but with a combination of postal strikes and I think the embassy not posting it back immediately; it is not somewhere between the countries.

I talked to the Norwegian postal service and they are sure it will never make it up to me in the north in time. The only possibility is that they intercept it in Oslo....then I need to go into the city on Saturday morning, pick it up and get back in time for my flights. And even then they cannot guarantee that I will get it.........

OK so I am feeling VERY stressed. I am teaching on the Bible school this week as well; packing my life and belongings up in Borgen; and trying to continue to work on 3 other simultaneous projects!!

This is when verses like "Do not be anxious for anything" come to mind and I battle back and forth in stress and worry; with faith and peace.

Please pray that I get my passport in my hands soon.....the consequences of if I do not get it on time is big and very expensive......thank you God that You are FAITHFUL!!!!

Something for all the Mums out there

2007-10-07T14:27:00.000+01:00

New Skills Learnt

2007-10-02T17:37:00.000+01:00

Got a chance to learn a new skill! We started with this empty space in the kitchen.... Spread on this gooey stuff... and stuck up these tiles!

It took much longer to figure out the pattern than it did to put it up!. Here is Bex working hard.

We have not finished yet and will get help in cutting come tiles....but pretty happy with what we did!

Golden Family

2007-09-22T12:30:00.000+01:00

Just wanted to say how much I love the Golden Family!!
Many years ago in 1992 when I was just a wee little farm girl, I moved to the 'big smoke' Auckland to begin my life as a preschool teacher. What I didn't know was that God was setting me up to hijack my life for missions...but that is another story.

In Takapuna I started this YWAM early childhood teacher training school and my leaders were this young American couple; Brian and Ruth Golden. I say young but I did not realise how young they were until a few years later when I was the same age and thought back to all the responsibility they had...but at the time I was 17 so anyone over 21 was old...er in my eyes. This couple quickly grew with the arrival of Mahealani a month into the school. Over the next three years Jevon and Austin can along as well.....we had great fun being Aunties, but I was especially close to Mahea.
We were an interesting bunch of students who grew very close after three years of living and working together; and there was always the Golden Family who guided us on our journey.

Now after many years in Hawaii they are moving to the awesome half of the world...closer to the best country in the world...NZ, that's right they are moving to that other country beside NZ.

YIPPEE for them!

May God bless you all HUGELY in your move and settling in to a new country and work and friends.

Love you lots

Funny

2007-09-20T09:23:00.000+01:00

Funny sign which I got from my friends blogsite; so sorry do not know where it comes from!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

2007-09-12T09:02:00.001+01:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Wow 33 years old...I tell you...Jesus was sooooo young, I keep imagining a 50-60 year old man, but he was only 30 years old when starting his ministry!!! If you are not 30 yet and that still seems really old, trust me its not!

Finland

2007-09-10T17:12:00.000+01:00

After the great week in Bulgaria I headed to the South of Finland for the first time. Flew into Helsinki then up to Kuopio to be with the YWAM Finland DTS staff. This is the first DTS staff training they had ever had so it was a privilege to be there! We had a week together and I gave teaching on public speaking, cross-cultural teams, UofN and YWAM, small groups, one-on-ones, learning styles, outreaches and foundational values (which means nothing much to anyone who has not been in YWAM). Oh it was fun and I enjoyed it a lot. I also feel a lot more in touch with what YWAM is doing in Finland with the dreams and vision they have of seeing Finns going into all the world to preach the gospel!!

It is so exciting to see the doors open for me to be able to teach. Now I will go to the south of Norway to teach public speaking at a DTS in Skien in October, then teaching a week here in Borgen.

Otherwise right at this moment I am going many things in preparation for the future; trip to Rwanda and South Africa; trip HOME!!!; starting the school in Sweden; promotion things for Borgen etc.

Please keep praying that my final months in Borgen will go well…I am struggling at the moment with the DTS starting and I do not know where I fit anymore. Need to read my teaching material again about my identity being in God NOT in what I do!

I am now signed up in Facebook so see if you can find me!

Bulgaria and More

2007-09-10T16:44:00.001+01:00

Hello all who are faithfully checking my blog wondering when on earth I am going to update it!

It has been a busy three weeks but now I am back in Borgen for a few weeks.
I have been confirming the discovery that I LOVE to teach and apparently I am not bad at it either! So here is the low down for the last couple of weeks;

Started by helping run the DTS staff training for YWAM Norway with Janne. That was good to connect with people and meet the new staff as well. Difficult to know what to teach in a short time thought.

Started getting sick….but then I was OK! Thanks for your prayers!

Headed to Bulgaria where I was met in Sofia airport by Ani (a YWAMer) and stayed at her house that night. It was very very nice to have someone there and I did not have to get stressed by negotiating taxi’s etc. The next day I caught the bus to Plovdiv (2nd biggest city) where Bodil met me and we took a second bus to Hissar. Bodil is a Norwegian missionary who we pray for at the Borgen base. I did not know her really so it was good to see her in her ‘home’ setting.

I taught at the DTS on the topic of “Identity in Christ” and it went really well. It was my first time teaching this topic and first time teaching for a whole week so I was not sure how it was going to turn out. In the end it was great and all timed out well. Learnt what things I need to improve on as well so that was good.
The school had 7 students, two couples and 3 singles, all but one coming from Bulgaria. Christina from America was married to a Bulgarian and spoke and looked Bulgarian anyways! Then there were 5 staff and another visiting to sit in on the teaching. They were great fun to be with and were open to God and the teaching…what more can I ask!!

It was hot when I was there…one day it was over 40 degrees C. But surprisingly it did not bother me so much (and me and heat do not go together!). I rested in the afternoon and then we went out walking in the evening….with what seemed like everyone else in town! Hissar is known for its mineral spring water so that draws a lot of visitors from all over Bulgaria and Turkey. There were two fountains that you could take water from, it was hot water so people would bring their bottles to fill up for later (or drink straight away). A couple of times I went to the swimming pool……ohhh so nice and refreshing!

Here are some photos to look at….the rest of my photos are on my flickr photo site.

Svetlana, Georgi and Georgi!

They (well not the boy) were students on my first DTS here in Norway (2003/2004)

I went to a Gypsy youth group to speak...I really LOVED it a lot the people do not have much but there was a lot of joy and enthusiam!

Here is Eriin and Nasko and family; and Karen knows them!

Where I stayed on the top floor. The DTS was in another house down the road.

Nearly all the DTS staff and student! So great to be with you guys!

Oh the fresh fruit and vegatables were divine!!!

Found Yoda's dog, I have

Reflection Award

2007-08-17T18:37:00.000+01:00

Thank you to Karen for the nomination for the reflection award!

I am not feeling very reflective this moment, but I will think about who I want to nominate next.

Fighting a cold!!!!

2007-08-17T17:08:00.000+01:00

Hello again!

I am in the south of Norway at the biggest YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base at the moment. I was helping to run a short DTS (Discipleship Training School) staff training event. I taught on public speaking, team work and about the University of the Nations. And I loved it!!!! It was so awesome to teach and it helped me be even more excited about next week in Bulgaria.

I will leave tomorrow to fly to Sofia (the capital) and will stay the night there before taking the bus to where the base is located near the city of Plovdiv. The area is well known for the mineral baths so I have packed my togs! (swimming suit).

But I really would appreciate your prayers. This the first time teaching the subject "Identity in Christ" so I need to develop this alot and follow God's leading carefully.

Plus at the moment I have a sore throat and running nose, I really can't get sick!!!!

Then after a week there I will fly to Kuopio in Finland to run the DTS staff training there.

I am very excited about all the teaching opportunities, but need wisdom and discernment.

Looking forward to posting news and photos soon.

In my defence........

2007-08-08T12:07:00.000+01:00

Well Bex's has pointed out that I am tarnishing the reputation of Kiwi's everywhere by using a plastic fork to roast marshmallows. Not wanting to do that let me explain: I was not roasting over a fire but one of those BBQ's in a box, and then not paying attention to what my marshmallow was doing.

However you will be thrilled to now I did fix the situation.....and since I had no duct tape or number 8 wire around I used my pocket knife.

If you are still concerned about the Kiwi image...you can always note that I am a natural blond.

Picnic

2007-08-07T20:38:00.000+01:00

Beautiful Picnic spot!!

Out with some of the Borgen base girls

Do not use plastic forks when roasting marshmallows

Nico

Congratulations!!!!

2007-08-07T08:20:00.000+01:00

Congradulations to Peter and Hilde on the arrival of their 4th child; Naomi Esther.
She was born in Tromsø (Norway)on Saturday and will be coming home today! (Norway has a wonderful system where mother and child can stay in a hopsital run hotel until they want to go home)
You can see their blog here: http://tkaczyks.blogspot.com/

Haka

2007-08-04T10:25:00.000+01:00

YWAM Teaching on-line

2007-07-30T12:50:00.000+01:00

Here is a link to a page that has podcasts of foundational teachings in YWAM. So there are lots of topics and different speakers that you can download for free.

http://www.ywampodcast.org/

Great if you are or were a YWAMer, or am just interesting in what YWAM is actually teaching people.

....What am I doing here?....

2007-07-28T23:31:00.000+01:00

I have been reflecting on some things…so if you are interested, read on;

I remember in the mid-90’s praying about what God’s plan was for me. And I kept reading stories about how God spoke and 10 years later His promises happened….I felt God was speaking to me through that…but 10 YEARS!!!! But that would mean I would be like 30 years ANCIENT before I move into where God has spoken about. Oh 10 years seem like a long time to someone in their early 20’s. But now, as a 32 year old, I can look back and see His Word come to be. Back then I was so bound and crippled I could not have believed the truth God was speaking to me. This is not so say I think I have “arrived”, I am well aware of my imperfections and my distance from being like Jesus, but I am in a better place to see that my ministry or calling in life is not a destination to be reached and achieved; It is about dwelling in relationship with God and living from that relationship. During the past 15 years God has used me to minister to others, but I can also see it was a time of shaping, molding, cutting, squeezing and releasing me to be who I am today. It is Him who has transformed a shy girl who couldn’t look people in the eye, was very surprised if people remembered her name, hating what she saw in the mirror…to someone who is teaching and walking alongside other in discipleship and most importantly basing my identity in an unchanging God. And yet it is still only by the grace of God, how easy those feelings of old can return if I do not stand on what God tell me who I am.

Please do not make the mistake to think that being a missionary equates to some higher level of spiritual whatever. Some of the worst decisions turning from God have been while I have been in ‘full-time ministry’. The same struggles are faced; stretching to discipline myself to read the Word and pray, finding the words to share my faith with others; troubles in relationships with others (ohhh man, try to imagine living with many diverse people from many nations and backgrounds and try and agree on how to wash the dishes, let alone minister together.), stress of finances etc. Those are just the surface things, inner struggles continue to battle inside, contradicting God and His Word. But in the ups and down in my life one thing stays constant…God.

I first came across Isaiah 61 in 2002 during a YWAM school in Hawaii. Immediately I sensed that this chapter was my calling. The first three verses are well-known by many, but I was struck by the whole chapter. During that time my ministry focus was Indigenous People and I could see how much these words spoke into the destruction and sorrow felt by many of the indigenous peoples around the world. Now God has been “stretching my tent pegs” to see my mission field in broader light. And this chapter has taken on more relevance for me. What awesome promises are written there. Through Jesus’ death and life, God has given us the power to be proclaiming freedom, release from darkness, bringing His healing so they can be “called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
Here is where my latest revelation comes in; “Then THEY will rebuild…renew…”

I have struggled with what I imagined (or experienced) others expected of me as a missionary. When I was first getting ready to leave to Canada (working with the First Nations there) I had approached the missions department of my churches denomination to ask if they had work in Canada. They literally laughed in my face. They said the mission field was Africa or Asia…not Canada. I guess that went deeper than I thought because that little voice has stayed in my head. Finally I am coming to a place where I see that the best place to be is the place God wants you. And for now He has called me to Europe, to be a discipler and teacher of primarily Christians to see them set free, and released into greater relationship with God. “Because the LORD has anointed me…and… they will be called oaks of righteousness…they will rebuild…restore…renew.”
I believe that I also will rebuild, restore, renew and so on as well. But God has given me a great peace in knowing HE has called me to where I am and what I am doing, and that is the best place to be.

You need to be where God is calling you…if that is at home, working….then that is AWESOME!!! God wants the people you work with that He loves them. If you feel a calling to somewhere and you are not there….then why are you not there??? Of course His timing needs to be followed, but if you are waiting for the perfect circumstances, maximum savings in the bank, to be a better Christian before leaving…..there will be ALWAYS be something to stop you…A ship need to be moving for it to be turned, so take that first step in obedience and see how faithful God is.

Isaiah 61 (NIV)

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed."
10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Books...Books...Books....

2007-07-28T13:01:00.000+01:00

On someone's blog there was a contest for people naming their favorite children’s book, I am too late to enter that (the prize; books for married women did not really fit my single state anyways), but it got me thinking about my favorite books.

I do not know if I can choose….I was a HUGE reader and like different authors at different stages of life, but here are a few of my favorites for me in my pre-teen years.

Willard Price and is Adventure series, eg Lion Adventure, Amazon Adventure. Based on two boys who travel around the world capturing animals for zoos and the adventures they got into. Really focused for boys to read but I loved the adventure and animals.

Laura Ingalls Wilder and the books about her childhood.

Maurice Gee. A Kiwi author who wrote “Under the Mountain” and the “Halfmen of O” series. Scifi/fantasy books.

Roald Dahl’s books eg, “The BFG”, “The Twits”, “The Witches”, “George and the Marvelous Medicine”. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

"Caddie Woodlawn" by Carol Ryrie Brink. In the same vein as Laura Ingalls.

“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Nancy Drew detective series by Carolyn Keene

The Famous Five series by Enid Blyton

Now I still LOVE novels and my favorite authors now include:

Agatha Christie

Stephen Lawhead

Francine Rivers

Frank Peretti

Karen Kingsbury

Terri Blackstock

Dee Henderson

It is times like this where I wish I lived a lifestyle where I stayed in one place was able to collect books.

Newsletter Done

2007-07-27T20:42:00.000+01:00

I have FINALLY finished my newsletter, so if I do not email it to you, you can download it at my other website www.ywamconnect.com/sites/HelenWilson

If you would like it emailed you can let me know by emailing me at flyingkiwi28@yahoo.com

Nico

2007-07-27T20:29:00.000+01:00

Meet Nico.....I am dog-sitting him for three weeks. He is a nice dog, old, nearly blind and at least he acts deaf. Don't let that cute little face fool you, he is a stubborn little thing, however I have worked a lot with two years old kids so I am more stubborn. So when I think it is time to go for a walk, he does not agree and would rather sleep. So after some persuasion he comes (either that or get dragged) and walks straight to the car....nope, bad luck, so after more conceiving off we go...Nico looking like the old dog he is. Miracles occur on the way back though as all of a sudden he is transformed into a puppy; prancing and running all the way home.
Well he comes with an apartment to stay in for free so I can be a doggy-sitter for a few weeks

1am North Norway

2007-07-23T16:58:00.000+01:00

Here is what it looked like at 1 am the other night from my window.....we may have 24 hour night in the winter....but in the summer....24 hour daylight!

Photos

2007-07-01T22:40:00.001+01:00

Hello all,

The school of communication foundations has finished now and my parents are with me here in Switzerland. It has been a fun few days seeing things and going places I would not normally be about to afford; eating at restaurants is a treat as well.

I have lots of photos from our trip to Europes highest mountain, but decided to start up a flickr sight to share them with you...here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9528720@N05/
Or go to Flickr.com and search for Flying Kiwi 2007

I am in the process of writing a newsletter; but it is a very frustrating process as i never get around to finishing it...it I am getting more annoyed because I want to!!! And yes I know the answer to my problem is to JUST FINISH IT!! .....but...but...but....dang it can't think of any good excuse.....OK I will finish it soon...promise.

Anyways...check out the photos!

Dancing Matt

2007-07-01T22:32:00.000+01:00

Here is a funny video I came across. This guy Matt has been traveling around the world doing this funny dance...and now he is sponsored to do it!!! He is a clever witty writer as well as you can read in his website: http://wherethehellismatt.com/index.shtml

2007-06-21T18:13:00.001+01:00

Has we head past the longest day of the year here in the Northern part of the earth...I found this video to remind us of what to look forward to. Funny thing is that Statoil is a Norwegian company!

Kiwi taste bud love....

2007-06-20T22:25:00.000+01:00

Some kiwi joy for the taste-buds (and this is not a hint, just another trip down memory lane)

Marmite....better than the other stuff....hehehe

SCF nearly over

2007-06-19T20:01:00.001+01:00

Here are some photos from the SCF:

Yan Yan (China), Ragnhild (Norway) and Karin (Germany)
Teaching with Matt Rawlins on Interpersonal Communication

Martin (Germany), JongYoung (S.Korea) and Jessica (USA) demonstrating some Swiss cooking.

Myself and Karin and famous Swiss cheese!

Swiss Culture night on the Burtigny Base

Latest photo of me. Note to blonds: If you dye your hair red......

do not expect you can just go back to blond when you feel like it!!

So I am now on that slow process to go back to my natural colour!

Kiwi Burger!

2007-06-11T16:11:00.000+01:00

Thanks Tania for the trip down memory lane with the Kiwi Burger Song!

For those who don't know what it all means....well it's a kiwi thing.

Here is the link to the ad...

http://www.sealion.co.nz/view_video.php?viewkey=d451727aeff9082c29a5

Thinking of home.....

2007-06-05T21:23:00.000+01:00

I have been thinking a lot about home lately.

About the people; those who are in NZ I have not seen for two years now...about the kids who are growing up fast and the ones who I have not met yet. About the people who are supporting me and my ministry and how incredibly humbling to be blessed in this way. About how I will only be home in December for one month....and how short that is....and already planning my visit after my next visit. About how negligent I have been about keeping in contact and how I want to but excuses and time seem to be against me.

About my nation; who are making choices if they want to be called a "Christian Nation" anymore and removing daily prayer from the government session, which use to be the #1 missionary sending country per population....now is had dropped considerably. About the growing violence and crime levels.

There is a burden on my heart to pray for NZ. A burden to again see many people go overseas in missions and to be Godly influences in every part of society they live and work in in New Zealand itself. To see the very unique giftings and blessings Kiwi's have, to be a blessing to their neighbours, areas and other countries. We are different...we do have gifts in areas others do not...we are sure not perfect, but nobody is....we carry a unique piece of God to bring to others.

I am glad I am a Kiwi.....I do not wish to be another.....and even though I am far away....my heart is always close. I miss home.

Nice to be a Tourist!

2007-05-05T22:19:00.000+01:00

Hi!

Well I am having a great time with my parents! It has been very nice and a great blessing to do things I would not normally be able to do. My Dad and I had a great snow-machine safari in Finland. It was just the two of us with the guide and we were out for about 3 hours. We got some good fast rides on the frozen lake, including a chance to ice fish, and also a little up in the mountains. Dad managed to flip his machine on a little tricky area.....but i made it OK!!.

All of us went on a bus and boat trip this Friday. It was PERFECT weather, so still and clear. It was my first time on the Hurtigruten ferries which are basically cruise ships that travel up and down the Norwegian coast line...beautiful.

Tomorrow we drive down into Sweden to go to Kiruna and stay with friends of mine for two nights.

Good times!

Summer back to Spring

2007-04-29T15:42:00.001+01:00

Well I left summery Switzerland to come up to snowy Norway! It is Spring up here but there are still batches of snow around...which is good because that is just what my Dad ordered as he wanted to see the snow. In Finland the snow is thicker so we will take a end of the season snowmoblie trip around Mount Saana! It should be fun becuase I love snowmobling!

It has been great to be with my parents, it doesn't not feel like it has been two years since I saw them last! So during the two weeks we are together now we will look around the area a little and also go into Kiruna (Sweden) for a few nights to stay with friends. Then on the 10 May I head back down to Switzerland to continue staffing the school and Mum and Dad will come and visit me there at some stage as well.

So all is good and happy!!!

Cow Village

2007-04-09T11:22:00.000+01:00

It is a tough life being in Switzerland in the spring time...all the mountains, green grass, flowers and warm sun....emmmm. I will survive.

I arrived in Burtigny, Switzerland 12 days ago and it have been a busy start to the School of Communication. We have 17 students from 9 nations and already I can see it will be a very different school to my own last year. I am very much looking forward to getting to know everyone more. I can see it will be a very busy time as there is only 4 of us staff and a lot of work to do; but it is a good challenge and will be a growing stretching time.

Will try to update once in a while!

Funny...

2007-03-20T22:24:00.000+01:00

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

If money doesn't grow in trees then why do banks have branches?

Since bread is square! , then why is sandwich meat round?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"...but it's only a "penny for your thoughts?" Where's that extra penny going to?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

If you drink Pepsi at work in the Coke factory, will they fire you?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for Miss America?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

If a 911 operator has a heart attack, whom does he/she call?

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet soup?

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out!"

Or watch a white thing come out a chicken behind and think, "that ought to taste good."

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?

When your photo is taken for your driver's license, why do they tell you to smile? If you are stopped buy the police and asked for you license, are you going to be smiling?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?

If the professor on Gilligan's island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

What d o you call male ballerinas?

Can blind people see their dreams? Do they dream?

If Wyle E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Is Disney World the only people trap operated by a mouse?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the window?

Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?

Half way through March

2007-03-18T20:56:00.000+01:00

Well i am sitting here at the computer trying to gather up the motivation to write...I am working slowly; one sentence written, then 10 minutes surfing. Should only take a few hours to have this post done.

My lovely little bunch of DTSers came back a week ago and we have being doing de-briefing this week (Kiwi's: that is nothing to do with underpants!). It has been an important week and I think it has gone very well. There are always things to work through and hear people talk about; but in the end it has come to the place where we have seen how much God has done in their lives and in the lives of the people they touched.

Friday night we had a report back presentation which is so great! One of the base people said it was the best they have ever seen. It just showed us again how creative this group is. They had photos and skits which had us rolling in laughter. They also held an auction as a fundraiser and that was great fun with good participation from the crowd.

Saturday was graduation for 5 of them (Sigurd was not able to go on outreach due to family sickness) and they were released back into the world. Fun thing is that they will all be around for another week as we are running a support raising course at the base.

For me I have one week now before I start heading down to Switzerland; i am looking forward to it alot!

So thanks for reading this update...and thanks for the people who left comments last time!!

OK Better Now...

2007-03-06T16:33:00.000+01:00

Karen you get 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 zillion points for being the ONLY ONE who left me a get well comment.....shame on the rest of you! I havn't even met Karen yet!!

Ok well as you can see I am feeling better now, although I still have a cough that is attempting to dislodge the flem from my lungs....but otherwise I am better (aren't you glad to know that).

The flu has dissolved the last week and now I feel a little shocked to note that DTS is coming back on Monday, then I am busy with de-briefing week, then a teaching week, then.....I am leaving for Switzerland......which technically means I need to get everything done this week...hahaha (laughing weakly)

Well I better get back to it now....

Love Helen

I'm Sick...

2007-03-02T16:16:00.000+01:00

I am sick, just so you know and feel a little sorry for me.

Hoping the fever, cough, feeling tired but can't sleep stuff all stops soon....

...OK feel better now knowing that I have spread the news.... :(

Coming Months

2007-02-27T12:45:00.001+01:00

I just realize that I should really let you know what I will be doing in the next few months!

Well this DTS will come back from outreach in two weeks and we will have one week debriefing time and then one more week of teaching. After that I am going back to Burtigny, Switzerland to staff the School of Communication Foundations (SCF) which is I was a student in last year. I am very excited because I believe it will be a part of developing my teaching ministry. It also means new challenges and opportunity to grow which I like!

In addition Mum and Dad will also be coming to Europe for three months, so I will take two weeks off the school to show them around the North of Norway. They will then continue on their touring and come and visit me in Switzerland. Finally in July I will be with them for another couple of weeks before they go home.

For me after July I will come back to Borgen and help the new DTS leader in preparing for the new school. After that we will see what happens….but my trip to NZ is top of my list!

H

Finally....About Russia

2007-02-27T12:01:00.000+01:00

So the “few minutes” in my last blog has turned into a few days….

OK here goes...a report about my time in Russia……IT WAS GREAT!

But maybe you would like a little more detail.

Well I should start with my impression of Russia before I went. I am a little ashamed to admit it but I guess I imagined Russia to be a place of serious, poor people who lived in poor conditions and did not have the same access to “stuff” than the western world. And while this still maybe true in many places….in Murmansk (and I have heard in other bigger cities), my perception was exposed to be at least ten years old.

Buildings are still the lego block apartments that look run down and dirty; city buses are old and still have the original Norwegian or Germany signs inside (even saw a bus that said it was going to Oslo!) and of course the famous boxy Lada’s drove around the streets.

I have seen Murmansk advertised as a city of contrasts and that is very evident as you looked around. Beside the Lada’s are the latest SUV’s and I even saw a PT Cruiser (OK many could be Mafia cars though because there is a strong Mafia presence in Murmansk, but not all). The outside of the apartments are run down, but I heard that most are nice inside. And nearly all have the trademark fur hats and full length coats. They are very much a status symbol and may take years to pay off, but everywhere you look people are dressed in fur coats and Italian leather shoes.

I can honestly say that I liked this area. We were warned of how we can be ripped off by officials and people hoping to make a buck off foreigners, and that is very true and does happen (as evidenced by the outreach team being charged 4000 NOK by the administration office in Naryan Mar). But I found the people we dealt with to be honest. The bus attendant never over charged us, and in all the shops I was not worried about getting a different price. Of course this is my experience of a one week trip, and I am sure many have stories that would tell otherwise, but I found no more rip off artist here than anywhere else. A big factor has been that we had Russian friends with us, and that helps A LOT!

It was great to be with the team. The days were full because once we had a morning meeting we had to leave to town (one hour bus ride) to have a hot lunch and then onto the school or children’s home, then the bus ride back. Some days ended up starting at 8am and coming back to the hotel at 9pm, and then I was having one-on-ones with everyone so I did not finish to 12 each night. But then there were the days we got to sleep in!

This bunch of staff and students are very talented and great initiative takers. In all we did there was never anyone hanging back and not joining in. The normal challenges of living and working closely together at a group of adults were turned into opportunities of growth and learning. It is always a challenge in how do we turn all the theory we learnt in lectures into practical application….especially in regard to loving your neighbor, or in this case your teammates! But everyone was rising to that challenge!

In the North here there has been a lot of talk about Russia and how it seems like the religious freedom is under threat. Also how is it more difficult now to get visas for the Northern Regions, such as Murmansk because of the military areas. In particular this area of Norway keeps a slightly wary eye to the east. During the Second World War Norway was occupied by Germany and this area had a lot of activity being so close to Russian boarder (Russia POW’s were kept here). Even now, because of the geography, if an invasion came from the north east, it would pass through the valley we live in.
So while some the Finnish and Norwegians in the north may be questioning what could happen, the Russians I talked to were not too concerned yet. And while it is true that the government wants all religious meetings to be registered, they have done so for years; it is just becoming a little stricter in its registration process.

A Russian friend said how when Russia opened people came and preached the prosperity Gospel, and in a land where people had nothing...it lead to a lot of disappointed and disillusioned people. Now you can buy anything you want or need if you can afford it (in the big cities at least). And the Church struggles to disciple Christians into 24/7 God lovers...rather than the Sunday Christians.

So how can you pray? Pray the personal relationships with God would become real and that Russians will see their place in reaching this world with the Gospel. Because it will be the Russians who will be well equipped to go into the communist nations of today, as they understand where they are coming from. So pray for more Russian missionaries to be raised up!
I recommend anyone to visit Russia, it is not easy I you do not have a Russian translator, but it was awesome to see this new culture and the people!

Cabaret!!

2007-02-23T15:11:00.000+01:00

hmmm...ok..well as you may have noticed i have not been very motivated to update my site about my Russia trip...but i will eventually, in fact i will try in a few minutes after i finish telling you about what i did last night!

I went to the theater! And while Liza Minnelli was not there and it was in Norwegian, it was still the musical "Cabaret". Four of us got free tickets because the ticket holders where too sick to go. When I was asked if i wanted to go I didn't click really what I was going to see and had a vague thought that maybe it was an amateur theater group doing some songs.

When I got there I realised it was the well-known show professionally done. It was very well done, the music, singing, dancing and stage were all excellent. The content and some of the dances where a little too much at times; but as it is set in the "Kit Kat" club, a cabaret club in the late 20's in Germany, it's sensual nature was expected. However it got better and better and i like it a lot.

It reminded me now much I enjoy theater and musicals and hope to go to more!

It was also great to get off the base and go into town. FUN FUN!

On the plane...

2007-02-14T17:21:00.000+01:00

OK so while you wait for my overview of my time in Russia. Here are my impressions during the flight to Murmansk.

Not the exact plane but same sort

2nd Feb.

To start with the flight was delayed 4 hours because of bad weather in Tromsø (in Norway). Then my first impressions on board the Aeroflot turboprop plane was of an old movie theater. I think it was the material on the seats and the old musty smell. The vinyl wallpaper on the sides added a nice touch as did the bubble porthole windows and gold curtains to cover them. It was like a bus in its layout with baggage racks and 2 seats per side with about 50 seats all together.

The seat beside me was broken as it would only stay in the laid back position. There where no face masks to fall down if the cabin lost pressure…but I am pretty sure that was because the cabin was not pressurized.

To get to the cockpit you needed to walk through the baggage hold where I could see netting holding back the bags from falling on the airhostesses.

Number one benefit of this old plane was the massage you got from the vibrating seats…I mean you would pay big money for chairs like that in your living room.

Another funny thing was when the hostess was giving the safety demonstration. After she showed the exits (one was beside me and only seemed to go halfway down the wall – so I guess you would need to dive out, and hope the propellers that were outside had stopped.), she had put on the life vest (which looked so old it I really did not want to have to test it). Then when she was demonstrating how to turn on the light by pulling the cord…it came off in her hands much to the amusement of the people around her. Overall it was a relaxing trip, although rather loud with the engines. For fun I would watch my pen travel around my tray table by itself. And wonder how it would be going through passport control…

But in saying all this I never felt unsafe, and just enjoyed the ride…..not bad at all, and far better than other stories I have heard about flying in Russian aircrafts!

More to come……

Russia Photos!

2007-02-11T21:54:00.000+01:00

Meeting some girls at school...keen to practise English.

Walking in Murmansk ..............At the school

Very friendly high school kids.

Cherob adopted a Madagascan cockroach

Murmansk....................... The Bus...

Our hotel in the background....... Classic Russian contrasts

Santa with pigs in February!!

Eating pizza at Sergei and Lena's house...GOOOOD!!

Frosty morning! ......................Birds on the man holes

KONA!!! Not .............................Performing at church

Murmansk views

Looking like people from X-Men

Happy bunch of outreach people

Russia leaders old and new

Tea time at a Children's Home.

They did not want us to leave!

Little chairs.................................. Dancing team

Cute kids!

Children's Home

Block apartments of Murmansk

Near the big hotel in Murmansk centrum

Waiting for the bus with Sergei

Typical bus with tinsel and toys in the windows

report coming...

2007-02-11T18:41:00.000+01:00

OK I am back safe and happy in Norway! I am working on a update so check in soon!

I updated the team blog so you can check that out first.
Helen

Russia Here I come..

2007-02-01T09:23:00.000+01:00

Ok peoples....

So I am heading out tomorrow; flying from Tromsø to Murmansk. The team is in Murmansk now and we will be together until they leave on the 8th to go further east into the trundra in Naryan-Mar.

I an looking forward to my first trip into Russia!! Tell you all about it after I get back on the 9th..

H

Snow...snow...snow!

2007-01-30T12:05:00.000+01:00

Here are some photos around Borgen over that past couple of days....snow...snow...snow. It is beautiful, but lots of work.

Outside my apartment.

Ice Hockey game on our Ice Rink

SNOW ANGEL :)

'Stupid waste of time' things you find on the internet...

2007-01-29T19:47:00.001+01:00

You Are a Buttered Popcorn Jelly Bean

You have a strong, distinct flavor that makes you quite controversial. Some people love you, others wish you would disappear forever.

What Flavor Jelly Bean Are You?

What kind of puppy would you be??

2007-01-29T19:31:00.000+01:00

You Are a Beagle Puppy

Cheerful, energetic, and happy go lucky.
And you're sense of smell is absolutely amazing!

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

Russia Trip

2007-01-24T15:16:00.000+01:00

With much discussion back and forth and website searching for good prices....it is finally mostly settled with my trip to visit the DTS team in Russia.

So next week on the 2nd (hopefully with visa and passport in hand) I will fly into Murmansk from Tromsø. Then spend a week with the team before heading back here on the 9th. So I am not going all the way to Naryan Mar, which is OK for me, I am happy I am getting to be in Russia anyways. Plus the cost of going to Naryan-Mar was a push when I do not even have enough to get to Murmansk yet.

So it is all very exciting and I am looking forward to catch up with everyone on the team!!

More Lecture Phase Photos

2007-01-19T21:13:00.000+01:00

DTS started with Artic Extreme!

Leivur representing the boys...can't seem to find a photo of Sigurd!

Some tough Kiwi Chicks!

Artic Circle fun

Well......

DTS girls

Cherob & Melodie

Lenneke wearing the lastest in house holiday decoration

Plodding on

2007-01-19T19:57:00.000+01:00

I am known for not having the greatest sense of the passage of time. Thus my nickname 'last-minute-Helen'. Knowing this about myself helps me to combat my tendency to not get things done until the last moment.....but honestly I do work better under pressure. So this coming few months will be very efficient as many things are going to pile up and clamour for my attention....namely the Russian trip (darn little things called visas), next DTS, this DTS's end, plus all the other little base administration things that end up in my corner because we lack an office person. Not to mention my new evolving role in the University of the Nations promoting and expansion in Northern Europe (golly gosh that sounds important and impressive, should get that printed on business cards).

Another exciting thought that Mum and Dad will arrive in Europe for their three-month trip in the end of April and will start off with a visit to Borgen so see my little corner of the globe in full colour. FUN!!! Dad wants to go snowmobiling and it is my duty and obligation to go with him.....ohhh i feel the need for speed even now calling me.

Anyways....had practise being a 'mum' this week looking after a 10 and 8 year old for a week while their parents were away teaching. They were great and I enjoyed the time....and now I will also enjoy (with greater appreciation) the joy of sleeping in tomorrow morning in my own bed - child free.

The DTS is very busy on outreach in Kautokeino (Sami village further North-east from here) with lots of youth work. They will then continue outreach in Russia from the end of January until mid-march. I will plan....I mean I AM planning, to visit them in mid-February so I look forward to seeing them then!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK TEAM!

Have a look at their blogsite so you can see for yourself what they are up to.

This school I have not taken so many photos so here are a few taken by the students over the lecture phase.

Combined with the Rovaniemi DTS in Finland

Snow families

2007-01-02T18:09:00.000+01:00

It all started when we noticed our neighbour, Young Bo, creating a snowman outside his window. It was soon obviously a snowwoman that looked remarkably like his pregnant wife, Chun Ok. Thats when the plans hatched in the minds of three sugar-filled-slightly bored individuals; namely myself, Olga and Jan Willem.

What is a mother without children, we thought, so set out to make children. So hiding behind a building we created a little brood of kids to surprise them.

Waited for their light to go out before we moved the 'kids' into place. Unfortunately it started to rain so their faces started to fall off. Here is the little scene that awaited the Kim family next day.
And here they are a couple of days later, poor things suffocating in the snow.

Not so much to do here over Christmas so one must create your own amusement.

2007 starts.....

2007-01-01T00:33:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year!!

It is 12:33 PM here and 2007 has arrived. What will this year hold? God only knows.

God Bless you all!!!

Helen

Merry Christmas!!

2006-12-24T12:12:00.000+01:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

At least it is here in Norway where they celebrate Christmas on the 24th. So at the moment I am sitting in my apartment doing this...but will soon go to Peter and Hilde's house to have Christmas dinner with them and their family!! NICE! Fun thing is that tonight I will phone home and it will be Christmas there at the same time but different dates.....Not sure when I should be opening my presents though.

Here is a fuzzy photo of the Christmas tree I have in my house!! Very nice to have.

We have now had the darkest day (shortest day) and I am looking forward to growing sunlight and the very much anticipated day of first seeing the sun! I will be cheating a little because I will go to the south of Norway to see it.

It really is not as dark as some people may think....especially when the snow is here. Below are some photos taken about 11am. By 1pm it was totally dark again. Thank God for the snow which has been coming and going over the past weeks.

From our backyard

There is a Lavuu which has a fireplace inside and is great for when the skating rink is set up.

Another couple of views

Well I hope the this festive season goes well for all and we always keep in mind what we are celebrating!!

God Bless!

PS My Christmas newsletter is available to download on my main website; one change however is that my trip to Mali has had to be cancelled as it clashed too much time wise with my trip to Russia....disappointing!!

Sock eating monster

2006-12-14T22:36:00.000+01:00

I had the proof in my hands the other day that washing machines (and I suspect dryers) do in fact eat socks. Our machine was not working and with Sigurd's help we found the culprit....a green sock. Somehow it had either squeezed its way through the tiny little holes in the drum, or slipped past the door and seal into the filter......thrilling stuff, right?!

However I properly do have better things to write about than a washing machine and a sock.

Yip! It is now officially Christmas holidays and I have quickly got into my habit of late nights and late mornings (or afternoons). But it really is depressing to wake up after the little brightness we have in the day is gone. The end is in sight though as the shortest day is coming soon so the tide of darkness will soon be turning. It has been snowing the last couple of days which is a very welcome relief to the ice of the last two weeks. BEAUTIFUL!!

It is nice to have several of the students around for a few more days, they will leave on Friday. But Olga, one of my flatmates, will be here over Christmas so that is great to have the company.

I will spend Christmas eve (which is the main Christmas meal) with a family from the base here so that will be great.

Otherwise I am happy....I will try and get some photos on here soon....as soon as I take some.

Busy Week

2006-12-07T19:13:00.000+01:00

This is the last teaching week of the DTS now it has been very busy. We are video conferencing with another YWAM base in South Sweden and it is going well. But all the people at the base who would normally be setting all the equipment up are not here....so that leaves me, who now has learnt in a very practical way how to run "Genesis".

But....hey, I like learning new things and having challenges to work through so it is all good.

The best thing is that Tove Poulsen is our speaker here and she is a friend of mine, so that is great to have her around.

REALLY looking forward to Christmas break....but I will miss all the students and staff as they are fun to have around.

DTS 06/07

2006-12-03T13:49:00.000+01:00

Here is the DTS......L to R Hanna (Finland), Melodie (Canada), Me (NZ), Bex (New Zealand/Aussie), Leivur (Faroe Islands), Cherob (USA), Annika (Faroe Islands).

FRONT: L-R Bea and Niko (USA/Germany), Jung Im (South Korea), Lenneke (Holland) and Sigurd (Norway)

Tis me...

2006-12-02T23:19:00.000+01:00

Twisted my arm!!!!

2006-12-02T16:56:00.000+01:00

OK....I am caving in to the blog world, submitting to the peer-pressure, opening myself to the public view of the viewing public......welcome to my blog.

As you know, I do already have a website and I will continue with that site, but I getting a little discouraged with lack of feedback and not knowing who was bothering to check up on me.
Thus here you can leave messages and (hopefully!!) be a little more informed about my life as I will try and update more than once a month!

Another problem was in my other site I have reached the limit of storage space (without paying more) so I will put photos here as well.

So here I go......

Flying Kiwi

Cambodia

Thailand Retreat

Christmas 2009!

May News!

25 Random things about me

First Newsletter of 2009

SCF 2008

Evening Photos

Weekend in the Norwegian Mountains

Sweden

First photos of Sweden

Past APC...into SCF

Switzerland...

School of Communication Foundations

HOME!

Sunny Cape Town

RWANDA!

That what was lost, has been found!

PRAYER REQUEST!

Something for all the Mums out there

New Skills Learnt

Golden Family

Funny

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Finland

Bulgaria and More

Reflection Award

Fighting a cold!!!!

In my defence........

Picnic

Congratulations!!!!

Haka

Recommended Reading

YWAM Teaching on-line

....What am I doing here?....

Books...Books...Books....

Newsletter Done

Nico

1am North Norway

Photos

Dancing Matt

Kiwi taste bud love....

SCF nearly over

Kiwi Burger!

Thinking of home.....

Nice to be a Tourist!

Summer back to Spring

Cow Village

Funny...

Half way through March

OK Better Now...

I'm Sick...

Coming Months

Finally....About Russia

Cabaret!!

On the plane...

Russia Photos!

report coming...

Russia Here I come..

Snow...snow...snow!

'Stupid waste of time' things you find on the internet...

What kind of puppy would you be??

Russia Trip

More Lecture Phase Photos

Plodding on

Snow families

2007 starts.....

Merry Christmas!!

Sock eating monster

Busy Week

DTS 06/07

Tis me...

Twisted my arm!!!!