on our way

I'm at the Heathrow airport in London right now! The following is actually a blog I wrote yesterday, at Geir Edvin and Nina's cabin. Now that I have internet access, I am posting it! :)

People have been asking me lately, “Are you ready?” The answer I give them is “I think so?”. But really, during these past days in Norway, I don’t think it has actually hit me that in not so long, I’ll be going to Ethiopia -- and staying there -- for nine months. That is, it didn’t hit me until my team and I packed ourselves and all of our luggage into one of the good ol’ YWAM Skien vans, and drove away from Grimerud (the place where we had a week of training).

So yes, this past week we were at Grimerud - the main YWAM Norway base. I was at Grimerud for the last Worker’s Gathering, in January. But oh wow, it’s so much more beautiful now, in the Summer. I’ve so much enjoyed being in Norway for these (almost) two weeks! It’s almost like being back in my “second home”. Anyway, this time around at Grimerud, we had an intense “crash course” week of training on different subjects, including mission, teamwork, language learning, culture, prayer on the mission field, ministry to muslims, poverty, and development work. Whew! It was a lot of fun… it kind of reminded me of being back in DTS during the “lecture phase”. But I’m glad to be done with it now, and as much as I like being in Norway, I’m excited to actually GO to Ethiopia and have the challenge of putting into practice what we’ve been listening to in all of the teaching.

Since Friday, our team has been staying at a cozy Norwegian cabin in the woods. It’s been nice and relaxing. Yesterday I picked wild blueberries! I felt like I was in Little House on the Prairie… or like I was one of the “Matchbox Children”. hehe. It was fun. Today we went for a walk in the woods, and took some team pictures. It’s beautiful here, and I’m very much enjoying seeing and being in God’s creation! :) Tomorrow, bright and early, we will drive to the airport. Our plane leaves at 7:50am, I believe. We’ll have two connecting flights: London and Alexandria, Egypt! We’ll arrive in Ethiopia at 3:00ish in the morning, and that very same morning, we will begin our language school! We’ll be going to this language school (learning Oromo) for the first 4 weeks in Ethiopia. Then we’ll travel south to our soon-to-be home in Koffele!

HERE'S SOME PICTURES!

The Ethiopia Team: Evan, Jorun, Amund, Brittney, Melissa



Grimerud

back again

In less than 24 hours, after setting foot in three different countries, riding in two cars, two planes, two busses, one subway, one tram, and one ferry, I have arrived safely in Norway! Thanks to all who prayed for my travelling. God was oh so faithful! He even provided me with company from two really sweet German girls on the busses and the ferry. I didn't feel all alone and confused and lost, yay! :)

Right now I'm in a town called Vestby. It's south of Oslo. I'm staying at Jorun's (Ethiopia team leader) house. I'll be here until Thursday. Tomorrow we're having a BBQ here at Jorun's house... kind of a "farewell" thing for the Ethiopia team. Then on Thursday we're heading to Hamar for GoFest/Worker's Gathering. That will be funnn! :)

sidenote: Soon I'll be posting my to-be-address in Ethiopia.

Thanks again for your prayers -- they make a huge difference!

~Melissa

the time draws near

So... in less than 24 hours, I will be boarding a plane to Coppenhagen, Denmark... then from there I'll fly to Oslo, Norway. Wow, this past week has gone by fast!!

If anyone reads this, if you could remember me in your prayers, that I have safe, stress and hastle-free, on-time flights and train rides, that'd be most wonderful!!! :) Thanks so much!

Until... later!
~Melissa :)

all along the road

wake up, o sleeper

little flowers that you have sown
show people you have known
that I AM Love

as i walk along this road,
i see Your footsteps by my side