Marius i Bergen by

December in Bergen

2011-02-04T23:27:00.004Z

Fireworks in Bergen

A cold december day in Bergen. (The city christmas tree to the right)

View of Bergen from Montana.

Too blessed to be stressed! =)

2010-11-10T22:56:00.003Z

Hello!

Since my last blog article, I've been very busy. Things at school have really mounted up, so there've been a lot of essay to write (and, unfortunately, rewrite..)and right now I'm in practice trying out what it's like to be a teacher. Great fun, but really hard work! We have to prepare things for every lesson we have, and having to prepare for a lesson in a class with 25 pupils is a lot more than I though it would be!

I've stressed a lot, which has also had an impact on my health. So i've been ill and tired for some time, but it seems a lot of it has been "psychological" stuff that have come out of me worrying too much! It's weird how stress can impact your head into thinking that you're ill, when you are actually perfectly well and healthy. Funny that!

Luckily I was reminded a brilliant quote by a friend the other day! You need the backrgound story as well:

When I was in Israel this summer, we spent a few days in Ma'agan, a place by the Galilee sea. We lived at this sort of hotel where jews from around the world came to stay. One morning, an American jew came and met his travel company. They asked him how he was feeling this morning. He brilliantly replied

"I'm too blessed to be stressed!"

Great quote, and at the same time, it's SO important to remind yourself how many good things I have in life even though things aren't always going that well.

I want that to be important in my life! =)

God bless you peeps, speak soon! =)

Autumns aren't too bad?

2010-10-12T13:44:00.004+01:00

Normally autumns should be rainy, windy and dark. So far it's been great! =) It's been really sunny, and the leafs are turning yellow and red so it's a spectacular view. I don't often write here anymore, but keep looking out for blogposts and someday there will suddenly pop up a new one! =)

Becoming a teacher! =)

2010-07-28T20:50:00.003+01:00

Hey guys!

Just thought I'd share the news of me starting to study to become a teacher this fall! =) I'll study in Bergen, at college in Landås (which is 15 mins to walk from where I live)

I was quite relieved to find out I made it into the study itself, since there had been so many applicants this year. 120 students had applied on a place in a class that takes 24 students. I'm lucky I made the grade, and I'm thankful that I worked hard in high school! =)

I will become a teacher for students from the 5th to the 10th grade. I'm not quite sure if I will become a teacher full-time after finishing these studies, but I hope it also opens doors so I'm able to work with drug addicts, in a church or whatever, because I think that is something God might be calling me into. I'm not sure what exactly I'll be doing in a few years, but all I know is that I'll stay in Bergen for at least 3 more years, and that God always knows what he's doing. I also know God wants me to help drug addicts in Bergen, which is also one of the reasons I wanted to stay. And I obviously love living in Bergen, so why move when it all feels right??? =)

It's scary to look forward in a few years time, but also exciting. I just hope I'm always willing to listen to God and do his will in my life. As long as he's the boss, things will always sort out.

I've just come back after a 1 month stay in Israel, studying Christology, Judaism and Islam, and I've had a GREAT time! =D I really enjoyed being there and seeing the country and of course hang out with my awesome classmates. Right now it's hard to get back to reading and studying (I've got 2 exams left to do before starting school again!!), but I'm sure it'll be fine.

Atm I'm at home in Førde, hanging out with my bro and my mates. It's great seeing everyone again, and I realize I'm a very privileged man to have so many great people in my life!

Thanks everyone for your friendship, love, loyalty and for being who you are!! =)

Love you all! (Well, I don't love EVERY person in my life, that would be quite impossible, but God knows I keep trying!!)

Love drug addicts

2010-05-13T00:57:00.003+01:00

As I might have written before, I've worked a lot with drug addicts and people who struggle in life. I worked with homeless people and people with drug or drink related problems in the UK for a year and then I worked in the salvation army in Bergen for a full year. Nowadays, besides being a student, I go to the park here in Bergen (Nygårdsparken), with a group from the church Salem once a week, to give out food and coffee/hot chocolate. This park is the place where drug addicts in Bergen hang out to buy, sell or use drugs. I've come to know so many great people who've been the unlucky ones in our society, and have ended up with drug problems. These guys are the ones "normal people" tend to try to avoid and not spend too much time with. I can't blame them really, because being with these persons is not always a joy. Many of them are cruel, unthankful, unhygienic (as in SMELLY), full of lies, and not fun to hang out with. Many of them have been abandoned by their families and friends, because they've just ended up stealing from their family and not been able to live proper family lives. I can understand why many avoid them and think they've deserved the misery they live in every day.

Why should they deserve your love and you being nice to them, when they don't show love back to you and just seem to give a crap about you? Why should anyone at all be nice to them?

The problem with drug addiction is that it often has a reason. Yes, many should have seen the danger signal a long time ago and understood that playing with drugs is silly. But for many people life is so hard that all they wanna do is spend time and money and energy in forgetting how horrible things are.

Many of the drug addicts I know have had problems growing up, being physically or sexually abused by parents or other grown-ups, being ignored by family or friends, having accidents, having the wrong friends etc. They've suffered all their lives and a bag of heroine seems to give them peace inside and forget that pain for a little while.
Others just seem to be "unlucky". Someone have experienced accidents, where they've been given strong pain killers from the hospital, like morphine etc, and they haven't been able to stop using it, then ending up as a drug addict having to buy it illegally. Others have had great childhoods, but have somehow ended up partying a lot and haven't been able to separate the fun from the danger, before it's been too late.

My point is: IT COULD'VE BEEN ME. Or you. The random junkie in the street, who we tend to judge just by a quick glance, could've been you or me. I'm lucky. I've grown up in a family that loves me, that cares about my well-being and how I feel. When I've been down, they've been there by my side to help me. I should be SO MUCH MORE thankful for my life and my family than I am!!

My hope is that I can treat others as I want them to treat me. With love and respect. The golden rule is brilliant!!
Matt 7:12 says:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

I think, that if Jesus would be walking the streets of Bergen, that he would go up to the park and show the drug addicts how much he loves them. Because I'm a Christian, and that means following Christ and doing what he did, I'm in the park trying to spread some of his love. And practically that can be handing out food, having a chat and a laugh with someone, help someone who's so high he or she can't stand, praying for someone, patting someone's shoulder, hugging someone or simply shut up and just listen to what a person has on his or her heart.
Almost every time we see how people are touched because of what we do. They can see Jesus in us. And we try to see Jesus in them.

As Matthew says in chapter 25:35-40:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

So basically, I should treat every person I meet as if I was to meet Jesus! That's a massive thought, but it really gives you a deep perspective about how you treat people in your everyday life.

This is real. And every time I go to the park, I get to see that God is real and his love is surely real too.

God is love. He loves every single drug addict, and he loves me and you too. He loves us no matter how much silly crap we've done and will ever do. I never have to prove myself good enough for God. Jesus dying for me has made me good enough. Now THAT'S what I call true love.

Now go out and practice this love to those whou you meet in your life!! =D

Japan!

2010-02-26T10:08:00.002Z

Hello everyone, sorry it seems to take forever for me to write something here on my blog. Just thought I'd say I'm on the other side of the world right now! =) I'm visiting my friend Bjørn Arve in a town called Akita in north Japan, where's he's an exchange student this year.

I arrived today at 3pm (15.00) and I've had my first japanese meal already. Some sort of noodle thing which I ate with chopsticks (Challenging stuff!). I'm gonna stay for 12 days. My head will probably suffer from severe jetlag quite soon, but so far I feel okay!=)

I'll try to update what's going on here the next few days! =)

See you!

Marius

January to June 2009 in pics

2009-11-08T13:37:00.018Z

HELLO!

As you've seen I haven't been very active on my blog for a loooong time. But I thought it'd be nice to sum up 2009 so far in photos I've taken.

In the schoolyear 2008-2009 I was working in the salvation army in Bergen, in a hostel/care centre for drug addicts and alcoholics. I had a great year there and although I saw a lot of bad things and saw so many great people do terrible things against themselves, it was a really good time there. I still try to get to work from time to time so I can earn some money while being a student.

Since august I've been studying christianity/theology/religion in a 1-year course at a school called NLA in Bergen. (NLA = Norwegian teacher's academy) My exam is coming up soon (1 month) so there's a fair bit of reading and work to be done, but I'll manage. I've got mixed emotions about the course, but all in all I really enjoy it. Sometimes it's fun and interesting, other times it's frustrating and challenging. I'm in a class with almost 40 people, and they're just awesome! I really enjoy hanging out with them and I've managed to become good friends with some of them already.

I've also moved into a new flat with 3 mates of mine, which is fantastic. We've got a nice big flat close to the Haukeland hospital, which is the second biggest hospital in Norway (?). We enjoy living together and try to do stuff like eat together(which sounds quite simple but a lot of people who live together don't actually eat with each other!!) watch films and hang out.

I still go to Pionerkirken, the pioneer church, which has been my church since october last year. I've really settled down there and love the people who go there. It's been really important to my faith, and I think it's vital for someone's faith that he or she can go to a church where they feel they're welcome and accepted for who and how they are. God's church is and should be a versatile one.
We've started a church group about showing kindness to others, f.ex. drug addicts or others who people have on their heart. My priority has been to try to do something for the drug addicts in Bergen, which I haven't always been able to pull through this semester. It's a rough business and can't always be bothered to do something about it, because it really gets me down sometimes. There are so many people who are in desperate need of help in this city, when it comes to addiction to drugs and alcohol. And I think too much about all the things that NEED to be done, all the people that NEED care and love, that sometimes it feel like a huge overwhelming task.
But I need to know that God is in control, and that I'm not in charge, he is. Also I must remember mother Theresa's words about this:

"It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it."

That can be a hard one to remember, but I just have to trust God and know that I don't have to do massive things to make people feel loved, but instead know that small things done with great love often have more of an impact.

Oh well. Luckily God's still the boss. And luckily his grace is always enough for me. I'm good enough for him, no matter how much silly stuff I do.

Here goes pics from jan 2009 and onwards! =)

JANUARY 2009:

New year's day at my grandparents in Måløy.

My grandad.

My nan.

Bjørn Arve's birthday, all the lads gathered at his place! =)

The Kjellings! Øyvind and Marion used to live in Førde but now live in Finnmark in the north of Norway.

Sigmund&Mikael, their sons (they have a 3rd one now). I'm lucky enough to be Sigmund's godfather! Lovely boys!

One of the most famous sights in Bergen, Bryggen.

FEBRUARY:

One of the highest mountains around Bergen, Ulriken.

Me, Asbjørn and Martin went up there a sunny february day!

The view from Ulriken towards Brgen city.

My mom and brother came to visit me in february! =) Another sunny february day in Bergen. (Now snow though)

Having fun at Festningen.

Another view of Bergen, this is taken from Fløyen, the closest "mountain walk" you'll have to the city.

Me and a visitor from UK went up there late february, namely the great Edwin! (stayed in Norway for a few days)

Johanneskirken, St.John's church in Bergen.

MARCH:

I had a weekend away to visit friends in Oslo in march.

I stayed with my mate from Førde, the soon-to-be solicitor Helge!

Vigelandsparken and all it's beautiful sculptures is well worth a visit.

Sinnataggen!

Visiting my mate Steinar in Ås, a place 30 mins outside Oslo.

Playing monopoly at Bjørnar's place in Oslo. Unfortunately for me and Bjørnar...

....Helge destroyed us. (And is clearly quite happy for that!)

In the end of march I was a leader at a christian camp for people who were getting confirmed.
A really good weekend! =)

Finally seeing hope and sunlight after a long and dark winter, me and my mates decided to have a BBQ in the park! ..in march... (Alex, Bjørn Arve and Martin in the pic)

Cold and dark.. but fun nonetheless! =) (from left: Simon, Alex, Chris, Monika, Alice, Bjørn Arve, Martin and Lars sitting down)

APRIL:

The view from my window a very early april morning..

Another trip to Fløyen.. Chris enjoying the view.

At the top with Chris, Bjørn Arve and Asbjørn.

Beautiful Nordnes.. Where I lived until July.

Easter! I spent the week at home with my family. My brother and my mum.

Me and my brother are rethar happy after the devastating 3-1 Chelsea win at Anfield!!!

Hanging out with my mates, Chris, Kenny, Vegard and Daniel.

The view from Hafstadfjellet in Førde.

Martin seems to be tired??

Me and my mum visiting my nan. Still easter!

The sun came out the same week! Hanging out with Bjørn Arve, Helge and Chris.

The view from our house in Førde on a sunny day in April

MAY:

So many views!! Rooftop of where I used to live, my birthday.

Me and my parents. They came for a visit on my b-day in may! =)

Having fun with the great civil workers in Bergen!

My grandad's 90th birthday in may. The family got together in Måløy. This is my cousin Sindre going mad!

The Saltkjel original family + offsprings! My grandad in the middle.

My uncle is jumping on Kannesteinen outside Måløy! ( rock shaped by the ocean for thousands of years!)

The Norwegian national day on the 17th of may.

Spending the day with my present flatmate Martin!

The parade in Bergen was huge.

Bergen city is crowded!

That's why it's nice to chill out with people from church afterwards...

My brother came to Bergen in end of may. (This is him rapping to Kanye West)

W went to see Brann beat Molde 2-0.

Mathis at the game.

JUNE:

This was the closest I could get to The Eagles playing in Bergen!! (I did go to see Coldplay play in august though!!)

Bergen in the sunset

June in Bergen can be beautiful (Note: CAN be)

Well that's it for now, I'll try to post pics from the remaining months as well. I've had a really nice year in Bergen and enjoy life here. I've got many things to be thankful for, a great flat with AWESOME flatmates, school, a job, and a lot of good friends around me.

See you soon! ;)

Marius

Love your enemy!

2009-07-20T22:08:00.002+01:00

Hey everyone, it's been a while, but my year in the salvation army is drawing to an end. Today is the 20th of july, and I've found out today that I'm going to study christianity next year! I'm going to study like a 1-year-theology course at a school in Bergen called NLA (=Norwegian teacher academy, and no I don't know if I'll become a teacher!).

I'm looking forward to it, although I'm having a hard time focusing on the future as well as working full time at sally army. I want to have a good attitude at work the last few weeks and not be lazy. It's so easy losing focus on what you do know when you're planning your future, and maybe I haven't focused too much on my future studies because I've feared I wouldn't be "there" with heart&soul at work. Oh well.

It's been a great year, and I feel I've grown and developed in many ways. I've come to know a lot of great people, found a new church, new friends and enjoyed living in Bergen.

I've been living on my own in a room not too far away from the centre of Bergen (shared bathroom and kitchen with others), to be precise in Skottegaten. It's been allright living here, it's a nice area, walking distance from work and everything else, but lonely at times. I have been living with 3 others, but we haven't had that much contact. In 2 weeks I'm moving in with 3 mates of mine, in Haukeland(just below the hospital), which I'm looking forward to. These guys are good friends of mine and I think we'll get on well together.

Work has been interesting, challenging, hard but also fun. It's really weird how you can get used to something that used to shock you before. Coming from a town with 10.000 inhabitants I hadn't faced many situations with drugs and addiction before, but now I see it nearly every day. It's horrible to see people struggle so much with drug addiction, and it's also hard to keep my hope of people being saved. I read Jackie Pullinger before I started here, and was really inspired by her ministry in Hong Kong where people accepted Jesus into their heart, and by prayer and persistance their abstinences and cravings for drugs disappeared.
I'd love to see stuff like that happen here as well, but since we take care of "the worst of the worst" we don't get too many happy endings or happy stories about people who make it out of that life. That can be hard to accept.

I have to admit I haven't always dared to ask if I can pray for people or talked about Jesus to them. I still fear what people think of me and my faith. That annoys me. Please Lord help me spread your word!
But somehow I hope I've witnessed about God's love to the people there, in the way I've acted and been to them. I recieved a word from God last autumn about me being a caring human and a servant at work, and I think I've managed to be that. The main target has alway been to love people, no matter if they're high on dope or not.

ATM I'm reading a book about mother Teresa's life and work amongst the poor in Calcutta, and she says it so well. She prayed a daily prayer that went like this:

Jesus - my patient

Dearest Lord, let me see you today and every day
in your sick ones, and while I nurse them, let me
serve you. Although you hide behind the little
attractive disguise as the annoying, the challenging, the
unreasonable people, let me still recognize you and say:
"Jesus, my patient, how wonderful it is to serve you!"

That's our challenge as followers of Jesus today - loving and caring for those who DON'T deserve it! Do you dislike someone, find someone annoying, think someone don't deserve to be loved?

Those are the people who need to be loved the most. So go for it! Love your friends! Love your neighbour! Love your enemy!

I'll come back with some pictures later on. Have a wonderful summer everyone, and God bless everything you're about to do this year.

SHALOM.

FA cup winners 2009...Chelsea!

2009-05-30T23:27:00.003+01:00

For once the men in blue played a cup final in yellow and it seemed to work out well..!

I haven't bothered to update for a while but I'll try to write something VERY soon...
(But I can't really promise anything, cause that means I might be lying!)

Well anyway, enjoy the fact the Chelsea won the FA cup final and that Man.Utd lost the champions league final!!!

See you!

Pictures october-december

2009-03-27T19:21:00.008Z

Hey everyone, I've tried to upload pictures a few times earlier but it hasn't worked, so I'll try again now. I just saw I haven't added new pictures since october, so I'll try and upload my pics from octobet-december. I don't have too many, but still, enjoy!

Back home in Førde for the weekend. Skiing with my mom&dad!

Mom&dad.

November - Snow in Bergen...

..and snow in Førde!

December - Salvation army christmas concert in Grieghallen in Bergen. This is the band from my workplace performing "Walk the line"!

Jesusbussen = The Jesus bus - A bus which is to find in Førde on a saturday night, Where all the drunk young people in Førde go to have waffles and a chat about Jesus!

The crew that came in december.. This is the inside, were we sit and chat to people. Great bunch!

My room in Bergen is a bit more "decorated" now. Just look at that Bond poster! Fantastic!

The other side of the room. Not very big but I like it!

Christmas - Matt B visiting us! This is early christmas eve, me, my mum, brother and Matt are going on Hafstadfjellet. (Hafstad mountain)

The Christmas meal.

Me and my brother doing the classic "posing-in-front-of-xmas-tree"!

Parents happy with xmas presents.

Presents!

Me and Matt with our presents. He got a new knife, and I got an old mug! (Xmas present from the year before)

Taking Matt on sightseeing..

WOOHOO! We made it up here before the picture was taken!

Huldefossen - a beautiful waterfall about 30 mins from where I live.

And finishing with one of the last pics I took in 2008 - new year's eve! Many of my best mates here so couldn't find anyone better to enter 2009 with!!

I'll come back with some more pictures!

God bless you all!

Marius

Films you have to watch!

2009-02-26T00:01:00.003Z

THE KILLING FIELDS

The killing fields is about an american journalist who's in Cambodia to report about the khmer rouge and the war in Cambodia. He gets a deep friendship with the native journalist Dith Pran.
Honest and brutal about the suffering and cruelty the cambodians experienced under the khmer roughe regime, and a story of a lasting friendship through war and horrible times. A tremendous, beautiful and magnificent film!
(My favourite film atm!)

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

This year's big oscar winner, 8 academy award, including the prize for best picture. A wonderful film about Jamal, a young "slumdog" who goes all the way on the indian "who wants to be a millionaire" and wins 20 million rupees. We get to see why he knows the answer and his search for the woman he loves, Latika. A wonderful film, full of hope and joy! I especially loved the soundtrack, upbeat indian hip-hop music and some great songs. Go watch it in your local cinema NOW! You'll love it!

Peace out y'all.

Revolusjonerande kjærleik!

2009-02-17T18:18:00.002Z

Dette står skrive i 1.Korintarbrev 13:

Om jeg taler med menneskers og englers tunger,
men ikke har kjærlighet,
da er jeg bare drønnende malm eller en klingende bjelle.

2 Om jeg har profetisk gave,
kjenner alle hemmeligheter og eier all kunnskap,
om jeg har all tro så jeg kan flytte fjell,
men ikke har kjærlighet,
da er jeg intet.

3 Om jeg gir alt jeg eier til brød for de fattige,
ja, om jeg gir meg selv til å brennes,
men ikke har kjærlighet,
da har jeg ingen ting vunnet.

4 Kjærligheten er tålmodig, kjærligheten er velvillig,
den misunner ikke, skryter ikke, er ikke hovmodig.

5 Kjærligheten krenker ikke, søker ikke sitt eget,
er ikke oppfarende og gjemmer ikke på det onde.

6 Den gleder seg ikke over urett,
men har sin glede i sannheten.

7 Kjærligheten utholder alt, tror alt, håper alt, tåler alt.

8 Kjærligheten tar aldri slutt.
Profetgavene skal bli borte,
tungene skal tie
og kunnskapen forgå.

9 For vi forstår stykkevis og taler profetisk stykkevis.

10 Men når det fullkomne kommer,
skal det som er stykkevis, ta slutt.

11 Da jeg var barn, talte jeg som et barn, tenkte jeg som et barn, forsto jeg som et barn.
Men da jeg ble voksen, la jeg av det barnslige.

12 Nå ser vi i et speil, i en gåte,
da skal vi se ansikt til ansikt.
Nå forstår jeg stykkevis,
da skal jeg erkjenne fullt ut, slik Gud kjenner meg fullt ut.

13 Så blir de stående, disse tre: tro, håp og kjærlighet.
Men størst blant dem er kjærligheten.

Eg seier berre: For ein kjærleik!!! Eg leste dette i dag og har tenkt ein del i løpet av dagen over Jesu kjærleik til oss. Veit vi eigentleg kor banebrytande den er??

Jesus elskar meg. Marius. Han elskar meg, som baksnakkar, som søker ære og hyllest hos andre menneske, som er ego, som tenker stygt om andre, som har skitne tankar, som ikkje bryr seg, som heller vil bruke tid på facebook enn andre ting, som drit i Gud nokon gongar, som overser andre som har det vondt, som seier dumme vitsar, som seier drit til kompisane sine, som lar vere å fortelje andre om hans kjærleik. Meg, altså meg som gjer alt dette - meg elskar Jesus. Han døydde faktisk for at eg skulle få liv i han!! Kor ufatteleg er dette??

Eg blir berre heilt lamslått av og til over kor kraftfullt evangeliet om Jesus er. Han elskar oss til tross for alle våre manglar og feil, og til tross for at vi kallar oss kristne = Kristus-etterfølgjarar og gjer det stikk motsatte av det Jesus gjorde. Konge!

Kristendommen får mykje pepper i verda. Og eg må seie det er utruleg vanskeleg å stå for det det seier av og til. Men det er fordi eg aldri kjem til å leve eit perfekt, syndfritt liv. Dessutan er det lett å kome med peikefingeren og døme andre. Men som i ordet ovanfor, så viser Gud at kjærleiken sigrar over alt anna. Vi er urettferdige menneske som skal få kle oss i rettferda - Jesus. Det er kanskje dette som verda ikkje skjøner. Kristne menneske er ikkje rettferdige menneske. Vi er urettferdige, ufullstendige, syndige menneske.

For kven kom Jesus for å frelse?

Drapsmenn.
Voldtekstmenn.
Baksnakkarar.
Løgnarar.
Svikarar.
Forrædarar.
Ekteskapsbrytarar.
Rasistar.
Undertrykkjarar.
osv

Vi meiner at menneske som er alt dette, fortener straff. Dei har gjort feil, og må betale for syndene. Men vi trur på ein rettferdig Gud. Ein så rettferdig Gud at han tek alt det urettferdige i oss og let oss vere feilfrie og utan synd i hans bilete.

SÅ høgt har Gud elska verda! At han gav Son sin, den einborne, sånn at kvar den, som kjem til tru på han, ikkje skal gå fortapt, men ha evig liv!

Det kallar eg ein revolusjonerande kjærleik. Og det er ein kjærleik som nettopp DU kan få i dag. Eg veit ikkje om du som les dette allereie er Guds born. Men det kan du bli i dag. Du kan gje livet ditt til Jesus. Det vil ikkje alltid vere lett, men det vil vere eit liv med mål og meining. Du kjem til å feile og synde sjølv som kristen, men Gud vil aldri avvise deg. Han vil berre halde deg endå tettare til hjartet hans.

Jesus ELSKAR deg.

Egotripp og oppdatering

2009-02-09T22:56:00.005Z

Må berre legge ut verdas kulaste bilete av meg sjølv. Eg veit, det er ganske ego, men det må påpeikast at dette biletet vart teke etter ein teamdag i Alperton i april/mai ifjor, og eg var i ekstase over at vi fekk tatt turen til Wembley! I tillegg så skinte sola!

TAKK TIL FOTOGRAF MARTE KJELSVIK!

Elles så går det bra her i Bergen. Eg er no kome omtrent midtvegs i året mitt som sivilarbeidar i Frelsesarmeen Bakkegaten bo- og omsorgssenter, og det har vore eit svært interessant opphald til no. Det er ein veldig kjekk jobb, og eg trivast blant kolleger og bebuarar på senteret. Det har vore rart å sjå og høyre så mykje drit på ein gong, og det har til tider vore svært hardt å vite kva eg skal gjere eller seie i situasjonar! Men takk og pris for Jesus, han held meg oppe og eg får lov til å kome til han med alle mine bekymringar og tankar! Det er så godt å vite at eg kan gje all skiten til han. Eg veit at Jesus kan redde menneske ut av liv med rus og psykiske problem, men det er vanskeleg å praktisere denne trua ut i kvardagen. Eg er i ein utviklimgsprosess.

Be gjerne for meg i arbeidet mitt og for livet mitt i Bergen! Og.. at eg skal kunne finne ut kva i alle dagar eg skal gjere neste år...

Ha ei fin veke folkens, Guds fred!

Marius

Christmas (and stuff)

2008-12-20T23:53:00.003Z

Hello!

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. I'm allright at the moment, even though I'm looking forward to have a christmas break now. Work at sally army is allright, just some very hard thing to go through right now. It frustrates not knowing what to say or do when I face situations with drugs, depression and hurt people. I also tend to think a lot about it at home, and not be able to fully "unplug" from work.
I don't know, I've just been thinking a lot about different stuff the last week. I don't like being confused and think too much about things. Sometimes I question my faith, and ask myself how a christian is supposed to be and act! Luckily I've got a geat family and I can talk to them about these issues. It's great to be able to phone them up and ask them about different things.

Christmas is coming up in a few days (Yipee!) and I can't wait! My UK flatmate Matt is coming to visit us and it's going to be brilliant! We lived together last year and got on really well. He's a great mate and I'm sure he'll enjoy spending Christmas with the Schwarz family.

Most of my student friends have left Bergen so it's a bit boring to be here right now. But it's only a few days and then I'm home.

The 21st of december is the darkest day of the year, and luckily now we can look forward to brighter times! I'm getting tired of the darkness, and sometimes you can feel that the lack of sunlight gives you less energy. Sun...

I'll post some pictures later. They might be a bit more interesting than my words!

BTW: I was on national tv for a few seconds tonight, you can check it out on this link:

http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/446017

fast forward to 33.55 and you'll see me! ;)

Merry christmas!

Will I ever update?

2008-12-18T19:04:00.001Z

Yes I will. Just give me some time.

Are you allright? I am.

Marius

James Bond is back...

2008-11-02T22:52:00.003Z

And he is coming to Norway in less than a week.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!

Pictures++

2008-10-16T19:27:00.012+01:00

Hello!

Though I'd post a few pictures again. Life is going well at the moment. I've lived in Bergen for a month now and I feel I'm settling into work and life here more and more. Exciting times. Today I've been to a christian sports group (my feet are gonna ache tomorrow!) and went to see the film "The US vs John Lennon" at the cinema. Something called BIFF is going, which is an international film festival in Bergen. The plan for tomorrow is to see a few strange foreign films, will be fun!

A few pics from august!

Went to the driving range with my mate Vegard!

Vegard is focusing all his anger on the ball...

Some people do it the proper way....

Others do it the Happy Gilmore way!

Still august - my uncle Geir and aunt Carolle from Canada came to see us in Førde!

Åpta! The Nms-lads from last year..

The old lot and the new lot of young hopefuls going away for a year working for the NMS...

In Hamar, visiting uncle, aunt and cousins! My brother Mathis, and cousins Sindre and Eirik.

We're throwing water balloons... Mom, uncle Øyvind, cousin Jon Kristian (showing off his new jumper), cousin Eirik and aunt Sølvi.

And then moving on to september in Bergen: The view from the rooftop of the house I live in.. (My room's in 2nd floor)

Per Kristian is reflecting in my window.

I went to see Brann-Deportivo with my mates Chris and Martin! Brann won 2-0, but lost on penalties in the return leg... (Boohoo, no uefa cup in Bergen this year!)

Bergen, seen from Fløyen.

I live somewhere on that bay on the right side. This is central Bergen.

I forgot my camera in Bjørn Arve's bag, and he decided to take a few interesting pics for me! (And about 60 of them!) Lovely pose...

Art?

....?

And at 00.00 they woke up Martin up for a.. birthday bun! Happy 20th birthday Martin!

Bjørn Arve is thrilled and Martin is tired.

From the 3th to the 7th of october I was back in London for a short trip! At the hotel with my mum and my bruvv.

Pre-match burger! Before Chelsea-Aston Villa

Hahaha

A very wet day at the Bridge!

Pride of London

Branislav Ivanovic impressed in his first full start for the Blues in the premiership! Chelsea won 2-0 against Villa...

The day after the sun came out, and we had a nice walk through Hyde park.

Moving on to Knightsbridge... and all the superposh shops..

And then to good ole' Richmond!

Where I met up with James for lunch, and then bumped into Jon Smith! See you again in november, lads!

Great, that's it, it's 2am and I want to SLEEEEEEP! Thanks if you're having a look at my blog once in a while, I'll try and write more stuff later. Appreciate any comments you want to write!

God bless you all!

Marius

Nyhende frå Bergen

2008-10-02T21:38:00.006+01:00

Hey everyone

Since I have moved back to Norway now and I know I have a young cousin wanting to read my blog in norwegian, I'll make it in norwegian for now.

HEI!

Ja takk for sist. Det har vore ein flott sommar og eg var klar for jobb i Frelsesarmeen no når eg byrja i september. Eg skal heller kome sterkt tilbake med bilete (har lagt ut ein del av Tunisia). Det vart ein litt sein sommarferie for meg, kom heim 11.juli, men fekk nokre etterlengta og deilige veker i Førde.

No har eg altså flytta til Bergen, nærare bestemt skottegaten 16 på Nordnes. Her har eg fått eit fint lite rom, deler kjøkken og bad med 3 andre koselege folk og trivast svært godt her. Eg er i Bergen for å vere sivilarbeidar hos Frelsesarmeen Bakkegaten bo- og omsorgssenter. Har jobba der no i 3 veker og trivast veldig godt så langt! Dei har ein lang tradisjon med å ha sivilarbeidarar hos seg, så treng eg råd er det mange å vende seg til! Avdelingsleiar bl.a. var sivilarbeidar for 12 år sidan og har rett og slett blitt verande.

Bakkegaten er eit midlertidig busenter som huser rusmisbrukarar før evt. avrusning eller busetjing. Eg fekk noko erfaring med dette i London, då eg jobba og brukte tid med heimlause. Men dei eg var med der sleit gjerne meir med alkohol eller berre det at dei ikkje hadde husvære. Her er det litt verre tilstandar og det har vore både kjipt, utfordrande og lærerikt og sjå korleis realiteten kan vere.
Foreløpig gjer eg div. praktisk arbeid som å ta på reint sengetøy på senger, vaske rom, hente post, ta telefonar i resepsjonen, løfte/bære ting og tang. Så langt har det vore mykje springing rundt på huset og fikse ting rundt om, så har ikkje alltid vore tid til å henge med bebuarane. Men eg håpar dette er noko eg får tid til. Det er ein artig gjeng som bur der, og sjølv om mange har rusproblem, er dei til dels oppegåande folk som vil ha det moro.

Foreløpig har eg snakka lite om Jesus med dei, men eg veit av erfaring frå London at det tok tid å bli kjent med folk og å kunne snakke om litt djupare ting. Eg skjønar også at dei kan ha lite tillit og tenke at den unge sivilarbeidaren ikkje skjønar seg på noko, men eg er tålmodig og veit at det tek tid å få gode vennskap. Eg synast også at det er utruleg lett å miste fokuset på Jesus og at han elskar oss. Av og til snakkar ein med nokon, og absolutt alt i livet er drit, og eg veit eg kan snakke om Jesus og hans kjærleik til oss, men eg lar det vere. eg må ta vare på moglegheiter for vitning og forbønn!
Jesus kom for å redde oss alle, men hadde eit spesielt forhold til svake, fattige og folk som blei sett ned på. Tenk om Jesus hadde vandra på jorda i dag, kor ville han vore? Han ville sikkert vore med alle dei narkomane i nygårdsparken og rett og slett vist si kjærleik til dei! Mi bøn er at eg og dei andre i Bakkegaten kan bruke Jesus som eit godt førebilete og vise den kjærleiken han ville vist dei. (Sjølv om ein har ein dårleg dag)
Gud har så mykje betre i vente for desse menneska, og kan hjelpe dei i kamp mot avhengighet og synd. Å Jesus, bruk oss! Lat oss vere dine disiplar og etterfølgjarar!

Elles er det artig så langt å bu i Bergen by. Har mange venner frå Førde og rundt omkring samla her i byen, og det er veldig kjekt å sjå dei igjen. Var bl.a. på stadion me Martin og Christoffer og såg Brann slå Deportivo la Coruna 2-0! Artig! Skal finne på mykje artigt med kjende.

Leitar også etter ei kyrkje å kunne henge i, har vore i kristkyrkja 2 gonger, og det har vore utruleg bra. (men det er hardt å kome seg heilt til Minde på søndag morgon!) Eg skal sjå meg litt rundt, og har fått anbefalingar av Salem, Pionerkirken, den internasjonale kyrkja, Betlehem osv.. Vanskeleg! Be gjerne om at eg finn den rette kyrkja og det rette miljøet for meg og ei god heimegrupe å vere i!

Skal faktisk til London ein tur i morgon, det blir moro!

Vi snakkast kjære venner, Guds velsigning over alle saman som leser dette her!

Marius

(Bilete kjem seinare)

Je voudrais bien un grand chien dans mon jardin

2008-08-18T23:19:00.020+01:00

Bonsoir!

I've just come back from 2 weeks in Tunisia with my family. It was very very hot (35, up to 40 nearly every day) but relaxing and nice. Mostly we were chilling by the pool or beach, reading, swimming and playing around. But we also had time for a few trips around in Tunisia, which was nice. We learned to appreciate the aircondition in our hotel room, and that we live in a country like Norway, which is slightly cooler during summer! We also got the opportunity to ride dromedars in the Sahara desert, which was exciting!

But many times I felt uncomfortable being the white rich tourist coming to spend money.. The guys in the shops were always yelling "Five denars, five denars!!" and at times physically pushing us into their small shops! "Come, looky looky!" And when they found out we were from Norway they had a small norwegian (or swedish "Kom, titta!") up their sleeve. An interesting meeting with another culture. Question is if they act like this to their fellow Tunisians?? When we walked around in the small and narrow streets with the shops, we couldn't look at anything before they'd spotted us looking at THEIR prdoucts! "Come into shop, looky looky!". We found out wearing sunglasses was the best way, because they couldn't get any eye contact with us!
But by all means, it was fun, and we bought nice things. Although we had to cut prices down so we weren't totally ripped off.

The Tunisian mint tea was amazing. We had countless tea or coffee breaks, and it was fantastic. Recommended! Drinking was important, we drank many litres of water every day.

French is Tunisias second language, and I was lucky to use some of the stuff I learnt in school from 2005 to 2007! It was great fun, and during those 2 weeks I suddenly remembered french grammar and different words and meanings I'd learnt. It really inspired me and somehow gave me a desire to study french and see how it would develop. I'm good at languages, so why not? We'll see, one year at the time.

But it disturbed me being a white rich person in a country where people have less money than me. I can't really help it ouf course, but it just annoyed me and I wondered what Tunisians think of white tourists with "all the money". And I don't want to be one of those tourists who expects that they should speak my native language, and that I as a tourist can do ANYTHING I want to. There are so many white tourists acting like total arses abroad thinking they can do whatever they want to, disrespecting culture, behaviour and the way of being. They shouldn't adapt to our culture, we should adapt to theirs!

And by that I also mean that horrible techno music we heard whereever we went....

But hey, We had a great holiday, and it was awesome being with my family those 2 weeks. After a year apart it was nice to travel together the whole family again. We've always enjoyed our holidays together. But luckily we got 2 different hotel rooms. Otherwise we'd be going mad after 1 day! But seriously, my family is great, and I'm glad I've grown up in a safe and good home.

While in Tunisia I read Loren Cunnigham's "Is that really you, God?" and Nicky Cruz's "Run baby run". They are 2 totally different Christian books, but they really inspired me. Cunningham's book is his autobiography, where he tells us how listening to God and using his guidance (or not!) has led him and YWAM to where he is today. It inspired me to try and listen more to God, and use his guidance for even small things. If I want to be a Christian leader, I can't do it without God's guidance and the Holy Spirit. Not a chance. The things is now to actually use it in my life instead of just being inspired in the moment and then forgetting all about it. It's easy to lose focus. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus!

The other one, "Run baby run", is Nicky Cruz's story of how he became a Christian. He used to be a gang leader, and did all sorts of bad things before he invited Jesus into his life. He then returned to many of his former gang brothers in New York and many of them became Christians too. This book is also about God's guidance, and how it's affected Nicky's life. Since I'm going to work with alcoholics and drug addicts in Bergen in a few weeks, the book was very inspiring for me. Even though I know it's hard and not very fruitful work, this is something I have to do. And I think God wants me to get my hands dirty doing this. It's the only way. I might not always feel like I want to do this kind of work, I might want something more comfortable, but there's something tugging me in my heart towards people with addictions.

It's going to be a very, very interesting year. And I need to spend time with God preparing myself for what's coming. Bring it on.

Will update with pictures and stuff later.

Oh, and if you wondered what the headline means: I would like a big dog in my garden. Funny, I know.

Marius

June: The whole team gathered on team retreat for the last time. What an awesome bunch of people.

Sarah playing tennis at the retreat.. (before the hayfever kicked in)

My cousin Jon Kristian came for a visit a few weeks before I went home!

Inside St.Paul's church.

We went for a walk and found an undiscovered(well, for me) lake in Richmond park.

Every friday morning in St.Stephen's we had Cheeky monkeys, a moms&toddlers group. Good fun. This is the CM crew, Sam, Marie, Nikki and Alan.

The awesome drop-in was every thursday evening in he church. A great bunch of people, I miss them all...

Every thursday for a half year, me, Marie and James went to this lovely cafe (the top shop in Twickenham) and had our paninis for lunch. Food with good friends, can't get any better than that!

HAIL KING JON! Me, Jon Kristian, and someone he knew from Hamar went to see Prince Caspian in central London one of the days he was here.

Drop-in day away! We went to Eastbourne with some of the guys from the drop-in. A lovely day.

Linda, Ann and Shirley enjoying their lunch.

Paul enjoying the countryside.

Keep you daughter off the booze Matt! Matt and Jemima in Scott&Jane's wedding.

Scott and Jane (the Smiths) trying to pose for the mad photographer.

Si at the wedding. We both had the same haircut the last weeks in Twickenham, so everyone thought we were brothers!

HOPE 08 in the church! A 2 week-period where the congregation were trying to serve the community and bring hope into people's lives!

Matt's words: "You all look like a cult"

Peter! A great guy who I've had the honour of getting to know a bit more this year. He was helping out at the Vineyard on our social action sunday during HOPE 08.

The Ivybridge crew gathered for last cell beofre the summer! Great bunch of people, we've had a lot of fun this year.

But in july I had to move from my room in Twickenham...

And come back to my own in Førde! Back in Norway...

The view from our balcony a sunny day in july.

And finally! I could drive our lovely Toyoyta yaris again!! Missed this little car..

Visiting my grandparents in Måløy! This is quite stndard, my grandpa looking for ships passing by and my nan knitting...

Their house in Måløy, awesome view.

Me and Bjørn Arve went to bekkjavatnet in july. Get a shave mate!

Mhm. My dad cooks great summer food.

Family holiday in Tunisia! This is where all the shops are in Sousse, the city we stayed in. "Come, looky looky!"

My family, Roland, Eli and Mathis.

Mathis likes it so much in Tunisia that he's unbuttoned his shirt.

Coffee break. Mum.

Dad.

We went to another city, here visiting a mosc(?) with our taxi driver.

Another mosc.

These guys desperately tried to sell us a carpet. Even serving us tea didn't convince us.

An interesting wheelchair.

A guy working in his little shop.

Tunisian mint tea was amazing!

President Ben Ali wants to make sure the Tunisian people doesn't forget him. Pics like this were everywhere.

Alright mate?

I bought the green one in the middle!

Baby turtles anyone?

Getting tired.

Mr.cool with his fancy sunglasses.

Mathis and mum going up in a parachute the last day!

All packed and ready to go home.. at 4am. Puh.

Back in Førde

2008-07-27T00:20:00.002+01:00

Hey guys

I've been back home in Norway now for over 2 weeks, just haven't bothered to write anyhting. Things are good, but it's gone really quick to settle in back home. I miss UK and all the great people I got to know there!

So everyone from UK reading this: THANK YOU. I've had an awesome time in Twickenham, really enjoyed it, and everyone I got to meet was a part of it. I'll try as good as I can to keep in touch with people, and look forward to phone calls, e-mails, letters, facebook messages etc!

The first week back home was grey and rainy, but right now it's absolutely BOILING. We live just next to a cold and refreshing river in Førde, and the great thing about that is that we several times a day can go down there to cool down. It's fantastic! It feels like living in luxury at home right now, and I'm more aware of how lucky and blessed me and my family are. I should be thanking God every single day for what I have and keep paying it forward to those who are less fortunate than me.

So thank you God for everything you've given me and give everyone else each day!

Pics and stuff will come later.

Marius

May and june

2008-06-19T23:27:00.011+01:00

Hello guys!

I'm just posting quite a few pictures from the last month or so. I'll try and write something below the pictures!

Me and Robert went to Stamford Bridge to see Chelsea-Bolton on the 11th of may, the last premiership game of the season!

Outside Stamford Bridge - covered in BLUE!

Both Chelsea and Man.Utd. had 84 points before the game began, and we could actually win the premiership on the Bridge that day... The Chelsea players warming up.

There's a special atmosphere in the air! Moscow flags are flying, and there's a belief we can go on and win this.

At this point it was 1-0 to Chelsea, after a Shevchenko goal.

Unfortunately, Man.Utd. did their job and won 2-0 against Wigan.. The game calmed down a bit the last 15, and Bolton knicked a goal in the 93rd minute to make it 1-1...

The players walking around the stadium after the game for a lap of honour. Well done lads, no silverware this season, but albeit a memorable one!!

But who complains when Grame Le Saux and Roberto Di Matteo are sitting behind you!! An awesome moment, Le Saux was also the one who told us it was 1-0 to Man.Utd. (the lucky guy had a VIP room with tv, so he knew what was going on while everyone else had no idea!) Two true gents, I was a bit rude to Roberto, saying "Roberto, we need you as well!", but I wanted him to be in the picture!

Grame Le Saux and Robert. And to complete the day, we met Roman Abramovich, Joe Cole, Steve Sidwell and Frank Lampard senior and got their autographs!! What a day!

Would be nice to see the premiership trophy be lifted at the Bridge that day, but what a day it had been! And the sun was shining all the time! Thanks for many great experiences this year Chelsea and Stamford Bridge!! I'll definitely come back!

Camden town. Always a fun place to go to!

Matt's niese and nephew came to the vicarage for a visit! Cute ginger children...

Mhm. Nice stuff. Barbecue with Si, Matt and Jessi in Marble hill park a sunny saturday in may!

Gutten i røyken (I know that's norwegian, but couldn't really translate it to english. Doesn't feel the same)

The BBQ started on the grass, but when a security guard in the park came and told us we couldn't have a BBQ there, we moved to the car park and bribed him with a double burger! He was happy to be fed and let us stay there even tough we weren't allowed to. And even though the rules say no BBQ in the park, he said that we were welcome anytime to have another one! Thank you kind security guard of Marble hill park, you're a legend! hope we bump into you again!

A few weeks after this I went to Poole with Si, where he lives. This is him at the beach (having a.. ehm.. sausage salad) with his girlfriend Grace.

Forgot the name of the beach. But nice and refreshing water anyway! Apparently this is one of the world's most expensive places to live in the world.

Another BBQ, this time with Si's mates, from the left, Ben, Dave, Si and Steve. Great chaps!

Ben and Dave have just wet their trousers and are trying to dry them by sitting over the grills. (And no, it's not wee, just seawater)

We went to the driving range 2 mornings in a row. Great fun!

The week after Poole, I went to North England, to the Lake District for a small holiday!

My travelmates and teammates Marte and Marie!

Me and Marie in the sunset. Marie has been my colleague in St.Stephen's this year, and she's an awesome girl. She's got unhelathy thoughts about David Beckham, but besides that she's a great girl! (haha)

Marte and Marie. Marie works in Holy trinity Hounslow and is quite a nutter. But I mean she's ginger, so that would explain it. Joking Marte, you're great!

I got a bit homesick in th Lake District, looks so much like Norway!

I went for a swim in this lake! Really refreshing and nice, and meant I had accomplished what I came for, reading, walking, chilling out and going for a swim in one of the lakes!

We stayed from wednesday to saturday. This is on our way home!

The thems floods over! This is next to Richmond Bridge.

Me and Matt went to see Alison and Abbie in Ivybridge a wednesday night, and we had a great time! This is Abbie and Matt having fun!

The top shop or "le" top shop (not to be confused with the clothing store!) is the greatest coffee shop in the world!! Just around the corner from where I live, this has been mine, Marie's and James' lunchtime venue nearly every thursday afternoon for a half year!

Wohoo!! We've got a church banner!! This means people from the high towers can see the banner and come down EVERY sunday!! Ivybridge community church everyone. An awesome church.

My friend Helge from Norway came for a visit for a few days! We spent a lot of time in central London and had fun! This is from wednesday nearky 2 weeks ago, we were walking down Trafalgar square, and suddenly Desmond Tutu himself was walking past us! We were lucky to take a picture, and on this one Desmond says to Helge: "You are so tall, what are they feeding you??". And when we replied we came from Norway, he said: "Ah, velkommen! Tusen takk!". Great guy!

Our last team day in Hounslow! Marte, Elaine and Lydia.

Yes, something you want to say? Maria and Marie are planning something.

The pool table in Hounslow. Everey tuesday, Sadly Si normally beats me.. (Which makes me very annoyed!!)

Me and Helge went to see the Monty Python musical, it was awesome!!

Tower Bridge and Boris Johnson's new office to the right.

Helge in front of Tower bridge. I though it'd take just a few minutes to walk from Waterloo to Tower b., but it took quite a while! Sorry Helge!

Helge with his new baby. (worth 900quid or something like that?)

Matt and Si showing us typical Londoners on the tube. Their nose down the paper, avoiding contact with anyone. (this is fake though)

The team gathered in Hyde Park this tuesday, for a nice lunch! ( me and Si were 30 mins late...) This is Maria from St.James Alperton and Elaine from Holy Trinity Hounslow.

Marte from HT Hounslow and Lydia (in a LOVELY blue shirt) from St.James Alperton.

And of course my colleagues from St.Stephen's Twickenham, Si and Marie!

My team! Love these guys, have been really important for me this year! All passionate for the Lord and very inspiring!

Haha! Classic Elaine pose!

A few pics from the ballthrowing between Si and Marte. Marte has just thrown the ball at Si and finds it terribly funny....

But Si wants revenge.. Marte is hiding behind me, and I'm in the line of fire... danger danger...

SMASH!

And it goes on and on. Now it's suddenly Marte's turn to et back. Good entertainment for the rest anyway, thanks guys!

And YES! The EURO 2008 is one and has been for 2 weeks! The tournament has been amazing, and there have been many intersting moments and late winners! And as I will support my original home country GERMANY, I hope you will (for my sake) support them as well!!!!!
We're now in the semi-final and will play Turkey! Exciting stuff! COME ONE LADS!

Yeah, that's it for now. It's nearly 1.oo now and I need SLEEEEEEP!!!

God bless you guys

Marius

COME TO LONDON NEXT YEAR!!!

2008-06-03T17:43:00.006+01:00

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to say that unfortunately NMS are struggling to fill the intern posts in London next year!! And we don't even know if the new interns (which are 4 at the moment) will be sent to London or Carlisle (north England).

I sent in my application in june last year, so if you've considered doing this, but thought it was too late, SEND IN YOUR APPLICATION FORM NOW!!!!!

I strongly recommend this programme and it's sad to see that it might not even happen at all next year. This year has been a fantastic year for me and God has shown me incredibly much this time.
It is a great oppurtunity for you who want to experience what it's like working in a church and finding where your gifts are, but also a great source of learning (team days with teaching every tuesday), which you can do just by looking at other Christians and see how they live their life with God.

It's been a truly inspiring and wonderful year.

if you have any questions, do ask me!
God bless you!

Marius

Matt and Marius wish you a warm welcome to England!

Who knows, you might even be sharing your office with Batman?

Hmmm.. Only 2 months left!

2008-05-20T23:17:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone!

I hope you're all well. Todays is the 20th of may, and I'm leaving London on the 10th of july! It's very sad to think about, but I'm really looking forward to going home to see my family and friends. I've really started to miss them, especially now as the other Norwegian girls in my team all have been home recently. It's a bit hard to focus on your work here when you also miss home and want to go there, but I'm determined that I will stay focused and that God will do great things in my life here the last 2 months.

It's ben quite busy the last few weeks after coming back from Estonia, but it's been nice. I left Estonia with mixed emotions. The week was great fun, with a lot of games and activities. We met other christians frm France, Estonia and Norway. But I missed some of the spirituality. It wasn't always what I hoped for. But one night, after the London team had lead prayers, we felt the Holy Spirit was so present that we should pray more. We went into a small room and suddenly the Spirit was poured out over us. It was amazing, and we started to speak in tongues, falling down, laughing, crying etc. We had been told to expect great things to happen, and that night we felt our prayers really affected something. It was absolutely amazing!!
The estonians we chatted with seemed to be quite bitter for the past, for what the Soviet Union did against them for so many years. Estonia became a free nation in 1991 or 1992, but from what we experienced, there was a lot of bitterness against Russia and fear of what they could do. I even asked one girl where she lived, she replied east Estonia, so I asked "okay, so quite near to Russia?". She replied "Yes, but we don't like saying it that way.". We ask you to remember Estonia in your prayers, and to ask for a revival in the country!

Work is really exciting as well, especially with the homeless and needy. Many different things are exciting, but thursday (which is the day when I go to the vineyard in the morning and drop-in in the evening) is the day I'm most looking forward to. I'm getting to know the guys more and more, and I keep seeing them walking in the streets! I love the fact that I know their names, that they know mine, and that we always can stop for a short chat when we see each other. It's really sad to see so many of them struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol, but I really admire the sense of community and protecting each other they have. They know that others from the drop-in centre will be there for them, and offer them accommodation and protection if they need it. I've also been able to pray for some of them.

That's why it's so gutting to leave the whole thing behind in 2 months!!!! Things are really kicking off in that ministry, and I'd love to be around longer to see them fall in love with Jesus!! I'll just have to make the most of my time here, and pray that God will use me in this time. It's taken me a few months to get to know them better, but it's been worth it. I love these guys and wouldn't swap that job for anything in the world. I hope I can be a blessing for them, the way they have been a blessing for me this year!! Hopefully this experience will be vital and inspiring for working in the salvation army next year.

Last weekend I went with the Powerhouse bunch (St.stephen's 11-14 year olds) on our weekend away to Swindon. We had a great time, and it was nice getting to know them even more. On saturday evening we prayed to be filled by the Holy Spirit, and they were actually filled! We didn't have many extreme examples, but it was fantastic to see some of them laughing, crying or just standing in awe in what was for some of them their first encounter with the Holy Spirit. Overwhelming! Thank you Lord!

And today. Today was absolutely mad. We had our team day today, and we were supposed to speak about authority as a part of the living free course that we're doing right now. Barrie Armstrong, a very inspiring guy from St.Stephen's came to talk. The great thing about Barrie is that he always give us time to ask questions and to say what we want, he doesn't follow the programme strictly. We started talking about different things, and then we felt we should pray in the Spirit!
Almost 1 1/2 -2 hours later, we had been laughing, jumping, bowing down, crying, doing a lot of funny things and praying in the Spirit, and again we had that atmosphere that we got that lovely evening in Estonia. It was amazing. I don't think anyone of us expected it to happen, but we're so thankful for it! Thank you so much God!

God is awesome! I'm really experiencing his love and the outpouring of his Spirit right now in my life, and I hope it can remain in my life! I wish you all could experience what I've experienced today. He's got an exciting life planned for us. Dig in. Enjoy.

Marius

Time for pictures

2008-05-05T18:37:00.015+01:00

Hello!!

I promised you pictures from the last few months, so here thet are. It's stuff from Easter, football games and our trip to Estonia.

Enjoy!

My mom and brother came for easter!

Enjoying Ben&Jerry's in my room!

Yipppeee! It's snowing!

On march the 22nd me and Mathis went to the Bridge to see Chelsea-Arsenal!!

And Mathis was lucky enough to meet Marcel Desailly and get his match programme signed by him!! Lucky man....

The Chelsea players are warming up.

I was in Matthew Harding stand, always good fun, even though I had a restricted view ticket!

We won 2-1 after being 0-1 down, thanks to 2 Drogba goals!

Poor Tony Adams was bullied after the game.

Another wonderful game at the Bridge! LOVE IT!

Only 3 days later me and Matt went to the Emirates stadium to see Brazil-Sweden!! (In enemy land.... Interesting.)

Emirates is an impressive stadium. Well done Arsenal.

Matt seems to be enjoying himself!

Just look at that stadium!

(Sweden in yellow, Brazil in blue)

1-0 to Brazil in the end, could've been a better match, but still a great experience!

Matt's not feeling very well?

St.Margarets, round the corner where I live, on a sunny day.

St.Stephen's church!

A historic day. I bought the James Bond collection on video for just 10 quid!!

Just look at that. Lovely.

Me and James went to the "Movieum", the new film museum in central London! James is posing with the original Superman outfit that Cristopher Reeve wore for the 1978 film.

My uncle.

James and Darth vader!

James seems to have some trouble with the Empire.

Afterwards we went on the London eye!

What a view!

James enjoys his "flight".

But unfortunately, it came to an end!

Me in front of Ben.

A lovely day out was finished at EAT with a nice coffee.

Simon's messy room!

Estonia! Me on the bus in Tallinn. We went to Estonia on an NMS trip, to meet oter young Christians from Estonia, France and Norway. It was a lovely week!

You didn't see Si without his camera that week. 1400 photos speaks for itself.

The Brazilians, Lydia and Elaine!

All the girls in the team; Marte, Lydia, Elaine, Maria and Marie!

A war memorial in the village we stayed in, Pilistvere.

A celebration in Pilistvere for 90 years of independence for Estonia.

The fire made the number "90". An impressive sight.

We had a service in the evening.

Two of the NMS people who work in Stavanger, Merethe and Terje.

The church in Pilistvere. We had great weather all week in Estonia!

Hehe. Only 150 people live in Pilistvere, so that would explain why the centre of Pilistvere isn't bigger than this!

Back in Tallinn. Si is reflecting in the window. (?)

We stayed in the old town in Tallinn. Nice buildings and beautiful streets!

The town square.

That's it for now! I've been sitting here for 2 hours now, so I can't be bothered to write anything more now!
But if there's anyhting else you'd like to know, please leave a comment, send me an e-mail on mariusschwarz@hotmail.com or speak to me on facebook.

God bless you all, may his peace be with you!

Marius

Hola mes amigos

2008-04-17T23:16:00.001+01:00

I'm currently trying to write something and add a few pictures from the last 2 months, but with no success so far!

So you'll have to cope with just words this time, And I'll try and get some pictures up on the web later.
I've been very good lately, and I'm still really pleased to be here! My year is coming to an end, and it's now 3 months until we're levaning UK! I am looking forward to going home, but I will also really miss Twickenham, St.Stephen's, Ivybridge and all the lovely people I've met here.

Easter was lovely, and my brother and my mum came to stay here, and it was really good to have them here. Normally I would spend easter at home in Norway with my family, but since I'm not able to do that this year, it was good to have them here!! I would definitely have been homesick and missed them terribly if they didn't come over! On saturday me and my brother went to see Chelsea-Arsenal, which was just brilliant! They won 2-1in the end. On sunday my dad also came to London, after his trip to the pilgrim road in Santiago. The whole family was gathered sunday evening, and it was lovely being the whole Schwarz family together again!!

Since easter came so early this year,the holiday had to come 2 weeks afterwards (!). During the first week we had a holiday club for the children in the local area called Rainbow club. I was in charge of games, and we all had a lot of fun! I was doing the games in the park, and the weather was absoultely amazing.
The funny thing was that weather reports said that it was gonna be rain and rubbish weather all week, but it was sunny and hot all week!! (Well except for 5 mins of rain on friday) And just 10 minutes after all the children had gone on friday afternoon it started pouring down!! All the prayers for nice weather had obviously been heard.. (2 days before it started it actually snowed!)

I've also made a decision about next year! I'm glad I've come that far, this time last year I jsut felt confused and didn't have a clue about what I was doing this year. I've decided to do sivil service in Bergen (In Norway we have to do national service, either army or sivil service). I've found a job in the Salvation army, working with drug addicts in a centre. It's not for certain yet, I need to sort everything out with contracts and the government in Norway, but this is the one thing I'm peaceful about right now. I think this is God's plan for me next year. EXCITING!! I haven's spent hours in prayer about this, but once when I prayed; "Lord, what do you want me to do??" He then replied "Well, what do YOU want to do?". It was awesome, and since this is what I want to do, I just went for it. Exciting times

Next week will be vety exciting, since we're going on our NMS trip to Estonia!! I'm really looking forward to the trip, we're meeting Norwegian, French, and Estonian people somehow connected to NMS. We've been told to expect things to happen, and to pray for the coming week!

I would really value prayers for next week, and for everything to get sorted for next year. Life is exciting, and God is good. And great. And Awesome! Maye he bless you and your week!!

January&february

2008-02-20T15:18:00.003Z

Hello everyone!

It's a busy life in Twickenham, but right now I'm on a half term break, and it's good to just chill out and take some time off. There's not too much new stuff to tell you guys. But I'll write about the last few weeks.

Now after christmas I've been more and more used to my different jobs and tasks in the church. The excitement I had when I first came to London has sort of died down a bit. But relax, I know that sounds bad but it's agood thing!! It means that I'm no longer as confused of where I should be at different times, I'm more confident with names, and also overall I feel more confident and comfortable with what I'm doing. It's been 6 months since I moved here, and time has passed by really quickly! It's sad to think of that I'm going home in a few months again! But I'm just going to enjoy the rest and make the most of my stay.

I've started to go the Richmond Vineyard day centre on a thursday morning, which is for the homeless and struggling people in the area. It's really good fun and I get to know some of the guys very well, since they all come to the drop-in meal in St.Stephen's later that evening as well. It's hard being with them, but also really good and I feel more and more that this is why God wanted me to come to London.

Big things are also happening for our beloved Ivybridge community church. In january the Bridgelink centre commitee (Is that how you write the word) decided that we could finally come and have our church services there! This meant that finally, after 3 years, we could have our services ON the Ivybridge estates! I was in 11 Brantwood avenue, Luke and Gis' home that night with the Ivybridge cell group, and the noise level was high when we found out we were in!!

Last sunday we had our second official service in the Bridgelink centre, and everyone's really happy we're there. This also means it's a shorter walk for the "Bridgers" to church!! (Just across the street!)

Lately, we've also had MAGNIFICENT weather! It's been really sunny and warm outside, and I've been able to run outside with shorts and T-shirt on! It's a bit disturbing, because global warming must be the reason why it's so warm.. But right now I just enjoy the nice weather.

The NMS team met up on monay at Marie's place and we had a meal and enjoyed ourselves. Right now we have a leadership course in St.Paul's Hammersmith with a few other interns, which is really good. The team has been brilliant, and we enjoy spending time with each other. they're a great bunch of people. Simon also moved in to the vicarage in january, and it's fun to have him here!

That's it for now, Life is good, but I need some help! I need prayers for what to do next year!! THANK YOU!

If you want to buy wild mushrooms, please come to bathroom in the vicarage!Can you believe this is february?? Marble hill park on a sunday afternoon.
Lunch with Si in Marble hill park.
Finally in the Bridgelink centre!
The Ivybridge estates.

Iain and Spider-man (Charlie).

Luke's telling a funny story.

James and Matt worshipping the Lord.

The Bridgelink centre! Our new church building!

And please, LEAVE A COMMENT!!! It's really boring when NO-ONE leaves a comment!

Later guys!

Marius

YO

2008-01-23T12:41:00.000Z

Hello everyone! I can't be bothered to write too much right now, but I'll show you some pictures from christmas in England and Norway and from the last few weeks!

Visiting James Christmas eve!

Me and Matt visiting Luke and Gis on Christmas day.

Home sweet home! Back in Norway, dad, mum and Mathis while we're having a delayed christmas meal.

My mates at my place for a visit!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It was cold and dark in Norway.... This is at 2-3pm.

Bjørn Arve came over for a visit! Him and new flatmate Simon for a trip to central London. With Benny in the background.

Oxford street.

Bjørn Arve and the Simpsons family.

Richmond park on a lovely sunny day!

Star wars exhibition - I did my best trying to rescue Han Solo, but couldn't set him free.

Bjørn Arve's walking in James Bond's footsteps. On his 20th birthday!

Chelsea-Everton, first row on Matthew Harding stand!! Awesome...

Hilario. A hilariously good goalkeeper (hahaha)

Chelsea's trying their best to score a winning goal..

..and succeed in the 92nd minute! YEEAAH!!!!

Shaun Wright Phillips made the day! Me and Bjørn Arve after the game.

My noisy neighbour Matthew!

On our staff retreat I went for a swim in the sea.. on the 14th of january! Refreshing.

Simon's England shirt... His true feelings for the team or just his sense of humour?

That's it for now, I can't say I'll come back stronger, because that would be a lie. But I promise you guys, I WANT to write something, but when I have the time, it feels like such an effort that I can't be bothered. I'll do my best. That's all I can give you right now.

and remember...

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

AMEN!

Christmas!

2007-12-24T00:14:00.000Z

It's this time of year again!! I'm going home in a few days, on boxing day, but I'm so lucky that I can celebrate christmas here for now. In a way I would like to be at home on christmas eve, but I'm looking forward to spending it here and eating lots of delicious turkey.

Again I have to apologize about me not updating my blog. It's just been quite busy lately, and often I just don't bother doing it even though I know I have time. Sorry about that!

Christmas is a busy time in St.Stephen's church, but also a fun time. There's a lot of work to do, like decorating, setting up for services, cleaning, and finish off different activities before christmas. Right now I'm looking much forward to going back to Førde and Norway and just relax for a couple of days.
I also have to cope with opening my christmas presents on christmas day in stead of christmas eve! It's gonna be weird but I think I'll survive.

I'd like to say a big thank you for everyone who's been nice to me here in Twickenham, and thank for the friends I've got here now! I really appreciate being with all of you guys...

Merry Christmas everyone - and a happy new year! See you in 2008!

God bless

Love Marius

1.John 3,23
"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us."

Church on fire and visit from my family!

2007-11-24T15:12:00.000Z

Hello!

I'm very sorry that I haven't updated my blog in nearly a month. It's just been hectic the last few weeks, and I've never seemed to get started on writing a blog article. It's getting towards christmas! I'm leaving for Norway on boxing day (26th of december), and I'm looking forward to see family and friends back in Norway again!

Since last time different happenings have occured. The biggest thing is that we had a fire in the church!! Which, embarassingly, was my fault...

I'll explain. We were preparing for Breakout, which is a half day- event in the church for children on saturdays. Me and another guy were on the roof of a small room in the church, taking down a big clown cut out of cardboard. There was a lot of cardboard wrapped in black plastic bags on the roof, and we took it in a big pile unto the wall. After a few minutes we could smell smoke, and when I went up on the roof to see if the smoke came from there, and could see it coming out of one of the plastic bags. When I opened the plastic bag I saw a flame burning inside! I started to realize what realy happened, and called for a fire extinguisher. I got one, but somehow the fire extinguisher made a hole in the plastic bag and gave the flame air so it came OUT of the plastic bag. I had to get down, and we called the fire brigade.

Luckily the fire brigade extinguished the fire quickly and the damages were limited. The reason why it burned was a halogen light on top of the room. We couldn't see it because there were plastic bags all over, but somehow we put weight on it by taking more cardboard wrapped in plastic on top of it.

Even though the fire was small, I was just gutted with how the whole thing. But now a few weeks later I can laugh of the whole thing. People have said that it would've happened anyway, and it was only a question of time really before something like this happened.

I am now known under the name Firestarter in the church. Mhm.

About two weeks ago my family came to see me here in Twickenham, and we had a great time together! I was nice to see them again and just to chill out. My mum was staying in my room the first night, and then my brother slept in my room the remaining days they when they were here. My dad and mum stayed in a B&B.

My family was very happy to see other parts of London than just central London, and enjoyed Twickenham and Richmond very much. One day we also went to Windsor, and even though the castle was closed, we had a good time and enjoyed ourselves there. My brother went to see Chelsea-Everton, and even though the game ended 1-1, he enjoyed himself. (He actually met Chelsea right-back Juliano Belletti the day before at Stamford Bridge!!)

There's been a lot of work to do as well, but it's been fun. I get to do a lot of varied work and I'm enjoying it (although being in the office, especially the basement, can be tiring).
I love the different places where I work, and my colleagues are great.

The greatest thing about working in a church is hearing about Jesus everywhere I go! It can make me tired of it sometimes, but it really is refreshing in the end of the day.. God is working in me and has so much that he wants to show me. There are so many great christians around us all the time, and it's very encouraging to be with them. So I love it right now!

greetings from Marius, the firestarter.

God bless you all!

Proverbs 30, 8b-9:
Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.

Some of the damages in the fire.

1 hour after the fire - smoke filling the whole church!

This is where the fire started.. Spreaded onto the wall and some of the stained glass broke.

But we still managed to have a great Breakout the same day!

Chilling out with Simon and Matt.

My family came over for a visit! this is my mum.

My brother Mathis.

Andy was very happy for the soft shell jacket he got for his birthday! (He might look evil on this picture, but he's not.)

Ka du glana på??

Half term and darker evenings

2007-10-28T23:30:00.000Z

Hello!

I'm still having a good time here in Twickenham. I've had half term, and I've been quite lazy during those days. I went to see Chelsea-Schalke last wednesday with my roommate Matt, and Chelsea won 2-0! So it was a good evening! On monday and tuesday we painted another room in the crossway. Thursday I went to central London and was a tourist. I visited places like Big Ben and Tate modern. On saturday I went with a bunch of people from TNT to watch the fireworks. It's called "bonfire night", and basically englishmen are celebrating the fact that a guy failed in trying to bomb the parliament about 700 years ago. Hm. But who complains when you get to see great fireworks?

Romans 12, 1-2:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed byt the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Amen! Let's open up for God's will in our lifes. Even though his will not always is what we would prefer to do ourselves, remember, God's will is perfect, good and unfailing. Oh how wonderful it is to be God's child!

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.

Richmond bridge on a sunny day.

The Ivybridge estates seen from Richmond park.

Hopefully I can sit her on my next day off! Beautiful view in Richmond park..

Autumn in London.

Chelsea-Schalke! This is at kick-off, where thousands of Chelsea supporters were waving with their flags! A magnificent view.

42.000 people watching the game at Stamford Bridge.

Florent Malouda taking a corner right in front of us!

Me and Matt happy after a good game!

A trip to central London on thursday, here's Big Ben and the parliament buliding. And Westminster bridge of course.

A "normal" week

2007-10-17T23:00:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone!

I thought I'd give you a little summary of how my job week looks like here in St.Stephen's! I'll also include things that happen in the evenings.

Monday:
09.30: (Every 4th monday) All-together staff meeting
11.30-13.30: (Every 2nd monday) Lunch club with the seniors
13.30-14.00: Moving chairs in the church
14.00-15.00: Lunch
15.00-17.00: Varied work in the office

20.00-21.30: Prayer meeting at Luke's house (the Ivybridge vicar)

Tuesday:
10.30-16.00: Team day! (The team gathers in Holy trinity Hounslow and spends the day with talking, prayer, worship, Bible study and playing!)

19.30-22.00: Cell group, either in the St.Stephen's cell or the Ivybridge cell

Wednesday:
09.00-12.30: Varied work in the office

18.45-22.00: Doing the kitchen work during Alpha course in St.Stephen's

Thursday:
DAY OFF!!!
Ocassionally: 18.30-21.30: Drop-in at St.Stephen's

Friday:
08.45-12.30: Cheeky monkeys (Moms and toddlers) in the church
12.30-13.00: Moving chairs in the chucrh
13.00-14.00: Lunch
14.00-16.00: Varied work in the office

19.30-21.00: Ivybridge youth group

Saturday:
DAY OFF!!!
Ocassionally playing for the football team

Sunday:
10.30-12.30: Powerhouse (sunday service for the 11-14 years old)
16.00-18.00: Sunday service in Ivybridge (children's church every 2nd or 4th sunday)
19.00-21.00: Service in St.Stephen's

That's my week! I have a lot of fun here in St.Stephen's and Ivybridge, and I like the work I do. We have some problems here in the vicarage, because the house is old. The bathroom has been almost unuseable for the last few weeks, because tiling and plumbing etc. But it looks like the job soon is done.

Yesterday I could hear the rain while I was in bed, and I started to think about Norway and how much I missed it! I could remember all the nights in Norway where I opened the window just to hear the rain falling down and fall asleep to the noise of it... Wonderful times!
I know this sounds terribly weird, but when you've lived in a rainy place for many years you quite miss it! (It's a good excuse when you want to be inside)

And why the english complain about their weather I can't understand! We've had great weather so far! All I can say is: Welcome to Førde in Sogn og Fjordane, the west of Norway, where we had about 70 DAYS in a row where it rained last autumn!! Try that!!

I also started to miss my home town, my family, all the people, my school, my job and the cafes (Olefine og superskillings for alle førdianarar!!), and yeah, just everything! Maybe it's because work and life is starting to settling down here in Twickenham, and I can finally think back and how it was in Norway. I'm looking foward to go home for christmas!

Luckily, my family will come for a visit in early november! That'll be great and I'm looking forward to show them a bit around in Twickenham.
That's all for now!

Marius

Some good finishing words by a guy called Paul:

"For me to live is Christ, and death a gain."

Pictures

2007-10-03T13:04:00.001+01:00

Hello!

Here are a few pictures. Enjoy. More will come later!

The vicarage, my home this year! My room is the one in the middle on the top.

The St.Stephen's church office.

My friend Øystein from Norway came about two weeks ago for a visit!

And on tuesday the 18th of september we saw Chelsea-Rosenborg, what would become Jose Mourinhos last game as a Chelsea manager!

At half time, me and Øystein.

I'm not sure if the crown was too pleased with 1-1 against an average norwegian side..

Tottenham court road and a trip to oxford street.

nd in oxford street we saw Quentin Tarantino at HMV!

Coffe break at cafe nero.

Tower bridge!

Fish&chips for supper!

My goodness, MY GUINNESS!

With my brother and his mates on pizza express!

My brother Mathis and me!

Johan, Mathis and Per Kristian in my room.

Church weekend! Saturday afternoon, a trip to a place called BEER.

After a refreshing swim in the sea! Me, Simon (our new teammember), Luke and Toby (my roommate for the weekend)

I've just said something offending to Iain, and now his wife Nicki has to comfort them. Toby's just having a laugh.

Nice days at the seaside.

The "marquee", the tent where the youth was gathered. We had a good time!

When you pray, expect things to happen!

2007-09-26T00:30:00.000+01:00

Hi!

The title describes the important lesson I learnt the other day. You can pray as often as you like, and for as much or as many as you like, but if you don't expect things to happen, why do you pray then?

I went to an Ivybridge prayer meeting on monday at Luke's place with Luke, Marie, Roy and Donald. I felt tired and I really just wanted to stay at home and relax, but it was absolutely worth going. People like Luke and Roy are so inspiring and it was a fantastic atmosphere there. The Holy Spirit was present. After a while they said we should pray for Norway as well, for revival in Norway! Alhtough I really want revival to come to Norway, I asked myself, is this a realistic prayer? Will people REALLY be saved and believe in Jesus? When I look at Norway, I think of a country that is quite spiritually dry and of more and more people who just don't care about God and His word.

But here comes today's topic in, if I don't expect it to happen, will God let it happen? I need to raise my expectations to God! I believe in a good God, who answers my prayers. And I know he listens to my prayers about my friends, that I want them to become christians.
So what I have to learn is to believe in God listening to my prayers and that he actually wants to do something about them.

So this lecture goes for me and everyone who reads this: When you pray, expect things to happen!

I'm having a great time here in London. Of course, I have my highs and lows, and I don't always feel like I'm spiritually on top. I have these normal thoughts like "I should read more in my Bible, I should pray more!" etc. But it doesn't help having a bad conscience about this.

I've had a cold for a few days now, but luckily I'm recovering now. On tuesday my friend from Norway, Øystein Vallestad, came to visit me, and it was great having him over! I think he enjoyed his stay, and I certainly enjoyed his visit.
On tuesday his flight was a bit delayed, so we came 16 minutes late for the Chelsea-Rosenborg game!! We had to do quite a lot of running that evening! The game was a little disappointing considering the score, 1-1, but the game was very entertaining and we had fun! After the game we saw Michael Ballack and Steffen Iversen outside Stamford Bridge, and I got to take my picture with Iversen!

The day after we had a little tour in central London, we went to oxford street, covent garden, London bridge and Tower bridge! In fact, we saw the world famous movie director Quentin Tarantino at HMV in oxford street. This was a big surprise and it was fun to see him in real life.
We ended the night with fish&chips in a restaurant, and afterwards footbal and a pint in a pub!

To my enormous surprise, the day after I woke up with the message that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had been sacked! I'm not gonna describe the situation any more, because the whole thing just ANNOYS me, but let's just say Chelsea and Roman Abramovich have done a big mistake (which they sooner or later with no doubt will regret).

That's it for now from Twickenham, hope that all you who read this are fine and that God may bless you richly!

"The message of the cross is foolishness for those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I shall set aside.. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (1 cor 1,18++)

Marius

Chelsea!

2007-09-13T23:56:00.000+01:00

One of my biggest hobbies is Chelsea. And now that I'm living in London, I'll be able to watch them play! Next week I'm at Stamford Bridge with my good friend Øystein Vallestad from Norway, and I'm looking very much forward to it!

The ticket for the Chelsea-Rosenborg game next week!

I bought a new Chelsea hirt in Kingston, the nice away shirt from last season.

And this beauty I bought on ebay for only 13 pounds! It's Chelsea's home shirt from the season 1993-1994. Thank you ebay.

Settling in

2007-09-12T01:30:00.000+01:00

Hi!

From now on I'll try to write my articles on my blog in english. I'm sorry for all my norwegian friends who aren't that good in english! But I'm sure you'll understand it.

I've now been here in London for nearly a month, and I'm starting to settle in. I'm living in the top floor in the vicarage with Matt, Scott and Andy, 3 very nice blokes. The Watson family lives in the two first floors in our ENORMOUS house in 21 Cambridge park. From here it's only a 2 minute-walk to the church, so until now I've been able to stay up quite late (like tonight) and still get up in time for work! I haven't been exploring so much in the Twickenham area yet, but have had some looks around. Next to Twickenham is Richmond, a very posh and rich area of London.

The exciting thing about living here is that I live on my own (well at least in my own room). I cook my own supper, buy my own food, wash my own clothes etc. This is a good experience for a 19-year old guy! I always feared that my cooking skills would be miserable, but in fact they're not too bad! So far at least. I get 30 quid every week for food. And if I don't know what to do, I have the guys there and can ask them what to do.

We have been working with many different groups in the church so far, among them senior club, youth club, sunday school for the children, and it's all been very fun. I like the people we're working with, and my colleagues are great. The staff had a "retreat" outside of central London in a house who someone in the congregation owns. It's a HUGE house which has been formerly let out to the artist Rod Stewart! Oh, and the man in the house collects CARS. He's got around 30-40 of them.

St. Stephen's church has 3 sunday services, but so far I've just been able to go to the 18.00 service, which is quite "youthful" with a lot of worship. The spiritual life in the church is free and very good. I enjoy the church life very good so far. St.Stephen''s runs a project in Ivybridge, the Ivybridge church. It is a church for people who live on the Ivybridge estates, in "social buildings", where many of the people are struggling with abuse, alcohol, drugs and violence. The vicar Luke felt a calling to Ivybridge, and 2 1/2 years ago the church was started. The people working in the church have been patient and prayed a lot for revival and salvation for the people in Ivybridge. And the people have become. Still patience is required but you can see that the church is growing and that God is working in these people's lives. We were warned that people might be ignoring and not welcoming, but it didn't feel like this at all! When we came there on sunday people were very nice to us and wehad a great time. Becaude of that many of the people who come aren't christians, the service itself is very basic and small. The speeches are short so people don't find it boring and leave. It's a very relaxed atmosphere and people sit around tables and are able to talk to each other and enjoy themselves.

The whole things is just really inspiring. There are so many fantastic people around us, youang and old, who are so burning for Jesus and wanting people to get saved. I get so inspired and admire them for their courage and for their faith. I really hope that God also wants to use me to make an impact in people's lives. I want to see people believe in Jesus and get saved.

That's all for tonight, it seems like every time I write I should be in my bed sleeping. Thank you for you prayers, and if you want to, please pray for me and my work here, and the people in St.Stephen's and Ivybridge. Thank you!

God bless you!

Marius

One of my neighbours in the top floor, Scott Smith.

My first, successfull, self-made dinner! A milestone.

Retreat with the staff in Rod Stewart's former house. Quite large.

And the man who lives there collects cars.

Sarah Gough is rushing off. (Hey, det rimte!)

Første veka på jobb osv

2007-09-04T00:07:00.000+01:00

Hei!

Eg har no kome i gang med jobbinga på St.Stephens. Vi byrja forrige tysdag, og har fått rekt å jobbe med "senior-gruppa" (dei eldre i kyrkja), male eit rom i CrossWay (bygninga ved sidan av kyrkja), og vore med på søndagsskulen på søndag. Det har vore veldig kjekt til no! Eg har helst på så mange folk i kyrkja, at eg no byrjar å gløyme namna. Men eg prøvar mitt beste å hugse alle namna!

Vi blir teke svært godt vare på, av og til føler eg det nesten blir for mykje. Det er klart at når vi er nye, så blir det mykje merksemd rundt oss. Så vi kan lett bli ganske egoistiske og sjølv-sentrerte når alle rundt oss vil at vi skal ha det godt og er snille med oss. Men foreløpig er jo berre dette positivt.

Etter Soul survivor budde eg hos Frances, ei hyggjeleg dame som jobbar på kyrkjekontoret. Ho bur i Teddington. Eg hadde nokre flotte dagar hos ho, og fekk svært god mat og fekk låne dvd av sonen hennar Toby når eg ville det. Moro!
I går flytta eg inn i toppetasjen på presteboligen (21 cambridge Park), der Matt, Andy og Scott bur frå før av. Dei er veldige flotte karar, og eg trur eg kjem til å trivst svært godt her. Presten Andrew Watson og familien hans bur her, og det er eit ENORMT hus! Tre etasjer pluss loft. Det er eit ganske fint strøk, og eg fekk høyre i dag at sjølvaste Mick Jagger bur i Richmond hill, berre eit par hundre meter frå huset mitt. Det beste er at eg berre bur 2 minutt frå kyrkja! Det er kjempebra, men eg har fordiom klart å kome for seint mange ganger allereie... Fysj og fy.

Tradisjonen er at den som flyttar inn, får det minste rommet. Difor vart eg tildelt det minste rommet. Men det er heilt perfekt, eg treng ikkje så stort rom, fordi eg ikkje dreg med meg så mykje bagsje. Eg har det bra her, og har allereie fått dekorert litt med plakatar o.l.

Elles gler eg meg til å få tak i timeplanen, slik at eg faktisk kjem i tide til dit eg skal. Til no har eg overlevd på Marie sin husk. Hadde ikkje Marie visst alt om kor vi skulle og når vi skal det hadde eg vore heilt lost! Takk Marie!

Elles har vi vore nokre små turar til London inniblant, og laurdag 1.september tok vi turen til "London film and comic convention", der mange kjende og ukjende tv- og filmskodespelarar og diverse stjerner var. Det var ei geekesamling de luxe, med ting som figurar, leikedokker, signerte bilete, ting frå filmar osv. Det var kjekt å sjå så mange kjende folk. Det store trekkplasteret for meg var at den tidlegare Chelsea-kapteinen Ron Harris skulle vere der! Men til min store skuffelse var han ikkje der... (ARG!) Men vm-vinnarane frå 1966 Geoff Hurst og Martin Peters var der. Det dumme var at å få autograf og bilete med kjendisane kunne koste opp til 20 pund (=240 kr), og eg spurde Hurst om eg kunne ta bilete med han, men han sa nei. Litt irriterande at det skulle koste så voldsomt mykje, og at han ikje ville ta biletet gratis, men jaja. Men eg kan trøyste meg med at Geoff Hurst sa "No, unfortunately.." til meg! Det var uansett ei artig oppleving.

Som sagt har vi mange folk rundt oss som vil sørge for at vi har det bra. Merete Heintz og Jon Martin Bole frå NMS U kom også over til London for å sjekke korleis det sto til med oss. Og, ja eg har det bra så langt! St.Stephens verkar som ei kjempebra kyrkje, og eg er fornøgd med at eg kom hit. Dette er ei svært spennande tid, og eg må også lære meg å lage mat, vaske kleda mine osv sidan eg bur "for meg sjølv" her oppe. Det kjem til å bli utfordrande, men bra for meg! Trur det var på tide å kome seg vekk frå heimen og bli litt sjølvstendig. Og ja, mamma, pappa og Mathis, eg er fortsatt glad i dokke viss dokke begynte å tvile no.

Elles vil eg berre takk for dei som ber for meg her! Eg set enormt pris på det, og bønn er svært viktig. Viss du som les dette har noko du treng forbøn for, så berre sei frå.

Guds signing til alle i Førde, Noreg og rundt om i verda!

På pub med CrossWay-leiar Alan etter vel overstått maling.

Marie er ENDELEG ferdig med malinga. Det var jo kjekt Marie?

Eg blir varm i hugen av å sjå på dette. Stamford Bridge. Mitt Mekka!

Chelsea-fansen var ikkje så begeistra for Arjen Robben etter at han gjekk til Real Madrid.

Åja. Dette likar eg. Verdas flottaste butikk?

London film and comic convention i Earl's court.

Mads Mikkelsen, dansk bad guy frå forrige Bond-film "Casino royale". Eg skulle eigentleg ha betalt for bilete, det er difor jenta ved sidan av der så skeptisk på meg..

Kenny Baker, mannen som var inni R2-D2 i Star wars!

Geoff Hurst. Mannen som ikkje tek bilete gratis.

Marie og Maria.

Notting Hill er ganske travelt på ein lørdag.

Rommet mitt! Plakat og flagg prydar allereie veggen min..

Utsikta mi! Tv og godstol har eg og.

Soul survivor og første dagane i England!

2007-08-26T01:31:00.000+01:00

Hei! (bilete og evt. video kjem ved seinare høve)

No sit eg seint på natt og skal skrive om mine opplevingar dei første dagane i England.

Eg drog 17.august frå familien og regnet i Førde, og traff teamet mitt i Oslo. På flyet frå Oslo til London klarte faktisk eine flyvertinna å søle kaffi i fanget mitt! Hehe.
Vel framme i London drog eg og Marie til vertsfamilien hennar, familien Brooker. Veldig flotte folk. Dei bur i eit stort hus i Isleworth.

Dagen etter drog vi rett til festivalen Soul survivor, som var ein plass som heiter Somerset, ca. 3 timar vest for London. Det var ca.12.000 menneske på festivalen. Vi drog med alle ungdommane frå St.Stephens. Vi kom fram litt forvirra og utilpass, men fekk møte og snakke med arbeidarane frå St.Stephens og Holy trinity Hounslow. Alle saman var veldig hyggjelege og snille med oss. Vi åt alle måltida med Holy trinity, som forresten var SVÆRT glade i masse smør på kvar brødskive. Men det gjekk bra.

Møta på Soul Survivor var utruleg bra. Det var som oftast ein lang sekvens med lovsang, der ein sang av full hals og alle løfta hendene. Deretter var det tale, og folks om Mike Pivalachi (?), J. John og Jim Yoster heldt tale. Den kvelden J. John heldt tale, og dei spurde om folk ville møte Jesus og bli frelst, kom heile 700-800 menneske fram!! Dei sto i kø for å bli frelst! Det heile var heilt utruleg flott, og eg sat og såg på med store auge. Det var nesten ikkje til å tru at så mange ville invitere Jesus inn i livet sitt.

Mike Pivalachi var "leiaren" for heile festivalen og var som oftast på scena og snakka. Han hadde utruleg mykje flott å seie, og var veldig morosam i tillegg. Han fortalde mykje flott frå sitt eige kristenliv, og mykje morosamt også.

Det flotte med Soul survivor var at det var rom for Den Heilage Ande. Ein kunne høyre folk le, grine, skrike og sjå dei riste eller berre vere overvelda av Gud. Det var fantastisk. Eine kvelden avbraut Mike Pivalachi lovsangen fordi han trudde at Den Heilage Ande ville gjere noko i salen. Først skjedde det ikkje noko, men etterkvart byrja nokon folk å le, og det heile breidde seg ut over heile salen. Til slutt var det svært mange som berre lo i salen.
Ein annan kveld skulle vi be om helbredelse for sjuke i salen, og vi fekk høyre fantastiske historier etterpå om menneske som hadde blitt helbreda, sår som hadde forsvunne, skader som forsvann osv.

Det flotte med dette var at Pivalachi poengterte det at ein MÅ ikkje riste eller kjenne at Den Heilage Ande gjer noko med deg. Han sjølv følte ingenting, og han sa til dei som heller ikkje følte noko at det var heilt greit. I ein slik setting der det er mykje andeleg aktivitet, kan dei som ikkje føler noko, føle seg litt utelatt. Dette har eg kjent til sjølv også, men det viktigaste er at Gud ikkje krev noko slikt av oss. Han elskar oss same om vi gjer noko eller ikkje. Dette fekk Pivalachi og resten av teamet fram på ein god måte

Etter 5 slitsomme men flotte dagar på Soul survivor drog vi tilbake til London igjen. Eg fekk helse på mange av dei som jobbar på St.Stephens og ungdommane i kyrkja også, og gler meg til å treffe dei igjen.

På fredag drog teamet (Meg, Marie, Marte, Maria, Lydia&Elaine) inn til sentrum av London. Eg hadde sjølvsagt klart å møte opp 1 time tidlegare enn avtalt, så eg var litt irritert fordi jentene ikkje møtt opp til den tida vi hadde avtalt! (Som då var feil frå mi side. hehe.) Vi møttest på Piccadilly circus (dei store reklameskilta) og gjekk litt rundt og til Oxford street. For min del blei det lite handling.
Utpå kvelden, då vi skilde lag, drog eg til Stamford Bridge for å gå ein tur rundt stadion. Det var utruleg kjekt å kome tilbake dit og sjå stadion i vakker solnedgang.

Tidlegare idag var det SOL i London!! Det har visstnok vore den verste sommaren i London sidan 1850-talet, men i dag var det altså sol og fint ver. Eg nytta dagen til ein tur til Kingston, jogging i Bushy Park og såg filmen "Goodfellas" på kvelden.

Dokke kjem til å høyre meir frå meg seinare!
Gud velsigne dokke alle!

Helsing Marius

På tur med vertsfamilien til Marie, Anna og Nick Brooker.

Kvart 3.minutt kan du sjå dette luftfenomenet i London! Eg er fortsatt fascinert over kor ofte dei kjem.

Marie bur i dette store huset i Isleworth!

Her levde eg i 5 dagar under Soul survivor..

"The big top". Her samla alle ungdommane seg, på det meste 12.000 stk.

Mykje folk!

Eg og Marte har det kjekt.

Lovsang.

Lovsang med løfta hender!

Det var utruleg mange som gjekk fram for å be frelsesbønna! Dei som står i biletet er dei som ba om frelse den siste kvelden.. Kjempebra!

Lykke til med det nye året!

2007-08-16T10:25:00.000+01:00

Heisann!

Det er ei hektisk tid akkurat no, og eg brukar no tid på blogging, men burde eigentleg ha pakka. Sånn kan det gå. Eg reiser til London i morgon tidleg, og er svært spent på kva året har å by på. Mange av dykk andre som eg kjenner skal også ut i verda, og eg ville berre ynskje alle lykke til. Eg gler meg til å høyre frå dykk og korleis det går! Det er alltid hektisk med eit nytt skule- og jobbår, og det er litt spesielt å dra rett frå vidaregåande til noko anna.

Så difor: Lykke til og Gud velsigne dokke alle!

Samling for eitåringar på ÅPTA!

2007-08-07T23:22:00.001+01:00

Ja det var ihvertfall greit å sitje på bussen i dette veret.

Madagascar-pioneren Ole på stranda.

Min London-buddy Maria!

Den O store sjefen Åslaug.

Mario poserar. Mario skal til Kamerun med Stein Ove og Bente.

Håvard, Marie og Mie

Stein-Ove får fram sitt filmtalent med fotokameraet.

Håvard, Ole og Robert

Fjorårets eitåringar. Flott gjeng!

Heisann!

Forige veke var eg på tur ned til Åpta for å treffe andre eitåringar for NMS. Der traff eg Håvard og Ane som skal til Mali, Mario, Stein-Ove og Bente som skal til Kamerun, Ole og Maren som skal til Madagascar, Mie (Silje Marie) som skal til Japan, Robert og Anne som skal til Thailand og mine kjære London-jenter Marie, Marte, Maria, Lydia og Elaine. Eg kjente berre Marie såvidt frå før av, men her på Åpta blei vi alle ein kjempespleisa gjeng. Flotte folk alle saman! Eg gler meg allereie til å møte dei igjen neste år.

På Åpta fekk vi først og fremst undervisning og informasjon om det komande året. Dei fleste av oss kom og visste ikkje så mykje om opplegget, men no veit vi mykje meir kva vi går til. Etterkvart kom også dei gamle eitåringane, og vi fekk vite mykje av dei gamle London-fararane om livet i London. Kvart team frå dei forskjellige landa hadde også ei framsyning og rapport med bilete over året deira rundt om i verda. Ein kjempebra gjeng, med blanda inntrykk etter året.

Mine "sjefar" i NMS, Åslaug, Åsmund og Merete var også å treffe der, og vi kunne bli betre kjent med dei og omvendt. Det var første gongen sidan intervjuet at eg hadde treft dei. Ein representant frå den eine kyrkja St.Stephens, Sarah Gough, hadde også tatt turen til Åpta, og ho var svært hyggeleg. Eg og Marie skal jobbe i St.Stephens og kjem til å treffe mykje på Sarah i løpet av året.

Som sagt skal eg og Marie (Sandberg) jobbe saman i St.Stephens. Marie er ei artig og utadvendt jente, så dette blir nok eit kjekt år med ho. Elles skal Marte og Elaine jobbe ilag i ei anna kyrkje (hugsar ikkje kva for ei), mens Maria og Lydia jobbar saman i Holy trinity church.
Det er ikkje funne ein vertsfamilie for meg endå, men det ordnar seg sikkert. Eg kjem til å bu ganske i nærleiken av St.Stephens.

Mine romkameratar på Åpta var Robert (Fredrikstad), Ole (Trondheim), Håvard (SCHørdar'n eller Stjørdalen) og Mario (Ulsteinvik). Ein gjeng med forskjellige bakgrunnar og personlegdommar, men kjempeflotte karar alle saman. Eg saknar dei allereie!! (Kan bli einsamt i London som einaste gut i teamet!)

Etterkvart byrja også festivalen 1830 der, ein koseleg liten festival med rundt 75 deltakarar. Masse bra lovsang, talar og kjekke folk.

Etter ei kjempeflott veke med gjengen måtte vi skiljast. Det blei som å leve i ei lita boble på Åpta (Det einaste som eksisterar der er campingplassen vi var på), og det var veldig koseleg å bli kjent med så masse bra folk.

Må Gud velsigne dokke alle kor enn dokke dreg rundt i verda kjære eitåringar!

Blogging igang!

2007-07-23T00:40:00.000+01:00

Hei og hå!

Eg heiter då Marius og bur for tida i Førde i Sogn og Fjordane. Men om ein knapp månad flyttar eg til London, og eg tenkte eg skulle opprette ein liten blogg slik at andre kan få sjå kva eg driv med der! Dokke får unnskylde min datatekniske uvitenhet. Eg skal heller lære meg å blogge skikkeleg seinare.

Vi snakkast!