On a journey...

I’m sat here in my parents’ cottage only a 12 minute drive from my home. It’s white, built literally on the beach (although not on sand), and beautiful. I’m sat inside listening to the webstream with the sound of waves crashing on the rock in the background, writing emails, and looking out at the view of the sea. It’s so peaceful. (The photos are of my view here I'm sat). I got back to Norway on Friday evening. It’s strange how even if I only had one short flight to get home, it still felt like I’d been travelling for days (well, I guess that’s exaggerating a little bit, hours and hours...) probably coz I usually have had a long journey behind me when I reach Amsterdam airport. It was lovely to get home again. The rest of my last week in Amsterdam was really lovely and had a much nicer pace, although I did manage to keep busy. I spent time in the Tabernacle of the Nations (the prayer room), had coffee and meals with friends, and enjoyed the city. It was a good week. Coming home i

Noises of the city. The sound of children laughing. Cars. Sirens. The constant buzz of the city. I sit in the watchtower. Once used to watch for enemies, now used to watch and pray. The city is so near, yet so far below. The sun is setting and the sky is yellow, orange pink. Beauty. Pure beauty over a city of people who are loved. Church spires break the horizon. Reminders that there are ones who love God... Smoke from a factory chimney, a reminder that someone is working. Even on a Sunday people are working instead of resting... Windows. I wonder what the stories of those who live there are? The pale blue apartment complex or the stone brick building next to it with a window bricked shut. What are they thinking? What is going on in their hearts? Jesus loves this city because he loves people. I wonder what He sees as He looks at Amsterdam? Does He see light or more darkness? Hope or hopelessness? What moves His heart when He looks at this place? The sun has almost set. The colours are

I headed off quite early with the goal of going to see Corrie Ten Boom’s house in Haarlem before coming back for the 2pm intercession set at the Tabernacle of the Nations (the prayer room). I arrived in Haarlem around 10am and went looking for the house. In cold rain and wind I walked towards the centre in hope of finding this house that is famous as the house where Corrie and her family hid Jews during the Second World War from the Germans. I found the house, but I also discovered that the next English tour was not for another hour and a half (and it’s the kind of set up where you can only go in with a guide). Cold and wet I decided to walk around in search of a cafe I could use the internet in (some cafes offer free WiFi). Not the best of ideas as I ended up walking around for a while getting colder and colder and finally a wee bit lost. But then I recognised a street and made my way towards the centre again. I found a cafe which offered coffee and homemade apple pie and sat there. I

Just said goodbye to more friends who are leaving. It’s amazing how connected you can get to people in such a short time, but it’s such a beautiful thing. One of the things I’ve gained these past 6 weeks is a whole set of new friends. I am so rich! This weekend was busy but very good. It was so encouraging to see and meet people from different parts of Europe, all with a heart to fight against Human Trafficking. I led a time of intercession which went well and other then that participated in the conference. I am excited to see what the continuation is. A friend of mine from my time at uni in Leeds came and it was wonderful to reconnect with her after almost 13 years. She’s at an exciting place in life considering the possibility of heading into missions. So here I’m sat in my new room. I had to move to a different room for my last week here. It’s one floor down (so not quite as many steps to climb) and has a different view which is nice. Sat here praying and pondering. “What next, Lord