Mini Outreach

I am currently in the vehicle heading back home to Nordtun from our very successful mini-outreach. We spent a week in Øksnes which is a small community in northern Norway. I was the leader of my 3 person team and we were given a small budget and one contact person. We have had much teaching on the Holy Spirit, intercession and prayer in the last weeks and all three subjects were integrated heavily into our preparation and events during the week. We left Nordtun Tuesday morning and arrived late that evening after a long drive and several fairy rides across beautiful fjords; one of witch we were late for which delayed our trip by over an hour. After arrival we met our contact person who was the pastor of a local church and he brought us to our gracious host families. We split up into to homes, Åge from Norway in one home, and Jan from Germany and I in another. We had a nice evening meal with our minimal english speaking hosts, Ellen and Tore then were shown our koselig (cozy) sleeping arrangements. Wednesday we had a meeting with the leader of the Free Workers organization to get an overview of our activities for the week and possible ministries we could participate in. The lady we had the meeting with was very kind and she invited us to a Bible meeting she and her husband were apart of that evening. We attended the meeting and right off the bat we got along great with the people there and the night was filled with great fellowship and some amazing prayer. We could really feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and we didn’t go home that night until 2 a.m.! We really felt like God had opened a door for us for the whole week by bringing us to the people at that meeting and through the connections there we stayed busy for the duration of the week. Thursday (Thanksgiving) was a particularly eventful day with an invitation from the local school to come and teach english to the 10 year olds. This door was originally closed to us when we asked to come into the schools before arrival. We had free reigns when talking to the kids and they spoke impeccable english for being only ten years old. They asked all kinds of questions and we got to share why we were in Norway and about some of our experiences at Bible school. We walked through the school halls like professional sports players walking through the grocery store. I believe we planted some good seeds in the lives of the kids there and received random positive reports from parents throughout the week of our influence on the children there. That evening we went to a local youth group and there leader wasn’t there so we put on the whole night and it went great! We showed some videos and talked to them about Jesus and how He wants to be apart of more and more of our lives. Friday we climbed one of the peaks overlooking the town and prayed over everything we saw. That evening we went to a local club for teenagers and got connected to a wider range of kids. I ran into a guy in his mid twenties from Nebraska who has been living in Norway for several years. He found out the hard way that his American drivers license is only good for a year after entry into the country and as he was laying in the hospital bed after a car crash he read in the paper, “young American without license was in a car accident yesterday”. I found myself in a great conversation with a girl from Hungary also a few other locals. The club was extremely influenced by American culture, from the music, to the games to the dancing. It was slightly comical to watch. I was talking to this girl for a long time, probably an hour or so, and when I went out to where Åge and Jan were when I left they were no where to be found and I heard they had left about a half hour ago. I figured they left without me and one of my new buddies was going to give me a ride home when they both came back in with big grins on the faces and they told me they just led a girl to Christ! But they held the whole story from me until we got in the van. It was prayed for us that we would lead someone to Christ during our trip and it came to past. It was an awesome experience for our team and makes for a good testimony, but I believe we were used by God in many more situations then that. Saturday afternoon, we utilized our few hours of daylight to have a BBQ on the lake with a few families we met earlier. When I say we had a BBQ “on” the lake, I really mean “on” the lake. The lake was frozen over and had another few inches of snow atop of that. It was a phenomenal afternoon, we ate sausages and they had a good laugh when i tried getting towed behind the dog on ice skates. We also drilled into the ice and caught about 15 fish. Very different from a BBQ back in the wild wild west. That evening was going to be with the school at an open gym but it was cancelled because of Christmas decorating. We were invited by the girls in the youth group to hang out so we spent some time with them. We were told later that they were more alive in the last days then in quite awhile. We are a crazy team and I think we brought them out of their box’s a little bit. Today, Sunday was spent at church were we gave an account of the week and Jan played some worship songs for them. It’s always fun to talk with a translator and get the delayed laugh and other reactions from the audience. I am now on the fairy and think I will try and get some sleep before our next road journey, so until next time readers, God Bless and thank you for your prayers.

Alec

the latest

Hey,

Things are going well here in Norway. We just finnished two weeks of teaching, first was on evangelism and mission, and second was on the Holy Spirit. Both were taught by Norwegians. Personally I've grown through the experiences we've had here, both in the class room and on our outdoor trips! We went on a caving trip where we would spend hours finding our way through small tunnels under the ground and dealing with the cold water and many obsticles that one would find under the surface of this rich Norwegian ground. We also have local outreaches to places within 3 hours or so of the base. We saw a few kids receive Jesus as their savior last week which is really awesome! Also we almost always find ourselves in good conversations with the kids in our youth groups. I am surrounded by people seeking a deeper relationship with God and things are really happening here. Many of us got to experience the Holy Spirit in a very tangable way this last week and we are finding more and more avenues to glorify God.

I am the leader of my mini outreach team to a town 7 hours away where we will spend 6 days in the town, putting on worship nights and doing some evanglism, prayer for that would be great, and also main outreach which is just around the corner. Himalayas here I come.

God Bless,

alec

hey everyone heres a video worth checking out for a little reminder of who your king is.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

Who is God and who am I?

We were confronted with these questions as the basis of our first weeks teaching, which happened to be taught by a man from the same town in Australia that I lived in two years ago. I was incredibly aggravated the entire week, each new idea he brought up seemed wrong to me. Maybe not wrong, but defiantly not the 'right' that I was sure was, right. After drilling him with question after question, and dwelling on his ideas about God and the scripture he had backing it, I have had some personal revelation about God. My mind has been racing about a side, or better put, a whole, of God that I've yet to venture to. I believe God is unfathomable, but we can see His character and nature through many ways. I think many people give God a partial introduction, I see people, including myself, leaning towards and holding on to only several characteristics of God. He is the ultimate judge, He is holy, fierce, righteous, He created everything and made the rules of this world. People take that and picture someone always watching and judging our every move, our every sin, and we feel that we ought not sin, and we should live right because of Gods wrath. They make Gods laws a religious game, where God is not the center, but not sinning is the center, and with that, comes a shade of judgment on the other side of the spectrum. Freedom Sinners, is how the teacher put it. Freedom Sinners concentrate on Gods forgiveness, Gods mercy, and love. They live their life with the attitude of, 'I can do whatever i want and God will forgive and forget it'. and the more they are judged for their actions, the more they want to exercise their 'rights'. Which leads the legalistic to concentrate even harder on the letter of the law. This isn't what our teacher was saying to the tee, but it is part of what I got out of it. He pushed that the right way to live isn't a 'balance' between these two distorted views of how and why to live, but that both are wrong, they both make sin and self, the center, one hides sin, while the other embraces it. The concentration is no longer on God, but on the actions, either making them everything, or nothing. I use to think that when i was close to God, or living right, I was not sinning, or balancing my life perfectly. But, when I really looked at it, I was still concentrated on the sin aspect of living right. I feel challenged to keep turning from sin, but now i have a new task in stead of just waiting to fall again, turn from sin, and to God! I’ve been introduced to the idea that the truest form of freedom is experienced under obeying Gods Laws. God as a whole, God who is not in conflict with himself, God who is all holy and all love. God is good, in all aspects. He's not waiting over us waiting to strike us down when we sin, but rather wanting more of our trust, more of our time, more of our hearts, and when we do fall, he wants us to allow him to pick us up and come back. God’s love is perfect and pure and he longs for us. He longs for me and longs for you. This message was a great one to have since this weeks teaching is on worship. I’ll post about that later. God Bless.

camping trip/glacier hiking

Hello everyone!

sorry it has been a while since my last post, my computer went into foreign language mode and i had a lot of trouble getting it back to English. haha. One of many goofy challenges here. The purpose of the first week here has been to get to know each other and more or less bond a bit. So we went camping! I've gone camping a lot back in the states but this whole trip was a bit diffrent due to the terrain and what not. We hiked up a 5,000 ft mountain in the cold wind and rain, it took about 4 hours and we were all beat when we finally arived at the cabin that was build from supplies brought in by helicopter! The weather got really gnarly and my group had to stay there for 3 days instead of the intended 2. It was a really good time with worship, fellowship, games and sleeping! Going to the bathroom out there was an experience in itself! You had to walk for a few minutes in the wind you could heavily lean into and stay standing; then drop pants over a little wooden box by a big ol bolder! haha After decending the mountain we headed directly to the glacier for some time on the ice! The glacier didnt look that big from camp, but when got all our gear (crampons/ice axes/helmets/belt harness) on and climbed up it a bit we were shocked with the absalute size and majestic feel of the never ending glacier! We were on the ice for several hours learning climbing techniques and moving really slowly due to our large group size and we were all more then ready to get off the ice and finnish up with the day... after an hour and a half hike back to camp w/ all our newly aquired gear. haha. The next day was our last day of camping and we had the option of going up to the glacier again, only half or so took the leader up on this offer and we had a GREAT time on the ice, getting to do much more and covering a greater distance on the ice! It was an amazing once in a lifetime experice for an Arizona boy!! During many of our long waits on the ice I prayed a lot and it was neat to be out in some of Gods coolest work! I was reminded how small I am, and how powerful He is. I had to trust myself, my gear, and my God out on the ice, because in the case of an accident on the glacier, it would be a long miserable trip down. On a good note, my relationship with God has already grown during my time at Nordtun. We have amazing leadership here. Are leaders are from all over the world and have admirable passions for Christ, as well as hard working and super fun personalities! It is a blessing to be here, God is the center, and everyone is in the same boat! The cultural diffrences are fun and this house is like a wirlwind of diffrent languages and customs. The next 3 weeks will be consintrated on class time and leactures, which I am highly antisapating. Week one will be tought by a guest speaker who many of my DTS leaders have told me is amazing! The topic will be the Nature of God. Week two will be on Worship and week three we are making a trip to Oslo to meet up with a DTS from Amsterdam for some more classes. The students here arn't super informed about all the details which is a bit of a bummer for me because I like to know it all. On another note, If you have not recieved a thank you note from me, I am very sorry for the tardyness. But everyone yet to get one will be getting a cool norwegiean post card, which I havent been able to find anywhere!!! yet. But we are making a trip into the bigger city of Bodo so I will get them then. Thank you everyone for helping me get here, I'm extactic about this trip and what is yet to come. Feel free to email me with questions or comments or requests or whatever at, miles152@gmail.com and please take a look at my pictures on my facebook at, www.facebook.com/alecoffner

I made it!!

After 3 flights 2 train rides and a car ride we made it to our final destination! right now is the evening of our first day, and i am over the jet lag because we came into their schedual very well from our travels. this place is very beautiful. this place is very beautiful. this place is very beautiful. All the DTS staff are very intresting and alive people who i cant wait to get to know better, i have high hopes for the next few months of classes and outdoor activities. I hiked a mountain today with 2 other guys and it was amazing. everything is wet and the weather is very eratic; the sun can be out one moment then it will be pouring rain the next moment. we tried to catch a sheep on the top of the moutain but it was super fast. maybe later ill win. This place screams God! from the leaders at our base, to the country side, to the spirts of everyone here. I'm in a room with two other guys, its a bit cramped but i think it will be a good experience, there are people from all over the world here. one of the german students just arrived today, he is Tellans room mate. he drove 2 weeks to get here. alrighty off to finnish unpacking. thank you everyone who helped me get here. bye for now.

Financial update

I have just tallied all the saving for my trip and it came to, $5,991.34!! I knew that that figure was close to what I needed for my 1st payment of tuition but was incredibaly surprised to find that it was EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! well... minus 34 cents. but still! The first payment due September 4th is, $5,991. very cool, thank you all, and thank you God.

the 2nd payment is due December 1st, and is $3,162.19. (these figures are subject to slight change due to currency diffrence and inflation)

Church of the Vine

This Sunday I will be speaking at the Church of the Vine in Surprise, AZ. They have been a big help for me and everyone who donated, by recieving the donations and continuing the total to my ywam base.

Going Away Party

This Saturday at 6p.m. I'm having a going away party. Anyone who wants to come is welcome, just ask me for direction, it will be held at my house.

7 days.

I'm leaveing a week from today!! ahh. Thanks to everyone who helped me get to this point!

Legal Guardian

Since I will still be a wee 17 year old for the time of our trip to Norway, Tellan will be my Legal Guardian for the flight over, as he just turned 18 on the 15th of this month. Daddy Tellan. haha

Fellowship Bible Church

This morning I spoke at a local church in town. It went great, I shared my vision and passion for my trip, and recieved prayer from the pastor and YWAM related members! Thank you all so much for your support and intrest. be sure to become a 'follower' of this site by clicking "Follow" link on the right side of the page. I will be keeping all my pics and updates on this site so its the one to keep checking out!!

Gear

Tellan and I went out for our big shopping day for all our gear, well at least most of it. Gotta be warm, -25 degree sleeping bag, special gortex jacket and pants. the works. lots of lifeguarding hours handed to the cashier at one moment!! haha

$$$

recieved nearly 15 hundred dollars in support letters! thank you so much for your support!!!!! Tellan and I are going down Thursday to get our gear. please continue to pray for the near future and this vision!

tid bit of info

just some info for those who dont know,

Tellan Lloyd, my best friend since forever and a day, is also going to YWAM NORWAY with me! so when i say, we, im refering to tellan and i.

its been exciting putting all the pieces of the puzzle together for this trip, we are yet to get most of our gear, -20 sleeping bag and things of the such. That shopping trip will be a little diffrent then most ive been on. ha. we want to be super smart on what/how we get our stuff. been talking to lots of people and surfin the web on gear.

God Bless,

alec

Support letters

thank you all for your response to my support letters. This trip wouldnt be a go, if it wasnt for your donations and prayers! THANK YOU!!!!

PLANE TICKETS and TRAIN TICKETS

31st of Aug is our leave date!

Tellan and I will be departing Phoenix at 7:50 am and arriving in Frankfurt Germany at 9:10am on september 1st. After our 2 hour lay over we will fly to Oslo Norway! but we will not be at our destination yet... we will hop on a train for a scenic 'little' 18 hours.

email

my email is miles152@gmail.com, please drop a line.

SUPPORT LETTER

Dear

I am going to Norway! I've recently graduated high school which is a great accomplishment and completion of an interesting chapter of my life. My senior year has been especially eventful, with a mission trip to El Salvador, high school sports and loads of school work! This turning point was awesome and highly anticipated, but the endless opportunities and paths to take were nothing short of overwhelming. I've contemplated several ideas for my life right out of high school. My interests seemed endless with career choices spanning from an Air Force pilot, to an engineer, to a psychologist, to an eye surgeon, to an EMT, to a business man, and of course, a professional basketball player. After checking out many different avenues I wasn't sold out on any plan of action, although I still held interest in several ideas. I even toured several colleges and got accepted at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA.

Praying, researching, and seeking advice has spread more light on the idea that has been in the back of my mind since the 10th grade. YWAM, Youth With a Mission, is a world wide organization that provides discipleship training, practical ministry and evangelism. The more I look into being a part of YWAM, the more I am determined to do it. The program starts with a DTS (Discipleship Training School) to equip people like me before going out into the mission field, and into the rest of my life. It is aimed to better equip Christians to serve others in everything from agriculture and health care, to drug rehabilitation and biblical counseling. Most YWAM schools combine classroom teaching with relationship centered discipleship and practical service. As a whole, YWAM is an alive Christian ministry with the heart of God flowing through its mission.

As a high school graduate entering a world filled with temptation, compromises, hopelessness, need and worldly passions, resisting conformity is a mountain to climb, and it is an even bigger mountain to take a stand for what is right. I want to be the man God wants me to be; from avoiding the accepted moral standards of this world, to making a bold and positive influence in the lives I encounter. If I am not proactive about growing with God and building my foundation with Him, I fear the overwhelming influences in my life will hinder my Christian walk greatly, and I will miss numerous opportunities to share my faith in God with those who need it. I'm excited for life and everything to come! I see YWAM as an aid to solidifying my knowledge, faith and relationship in Christ, and building my thirst for more and more of God and His purpose for me; not for just while I'm there, but for the rest of my life. I hope to grow as a person and be exposed to the needs of this world and learn how to get past myself in order to meet those needs. After looking and praying about the endless YWAM locations, I have landed on Norway!

I have been accepted to the 9th Nordtun Norway YWAM Discipleship Training School. I am stoked about going there and seeing what God has for me and for me to give! This particular mission is a packed nine month commitment loaded with very interesting and exciting events! The trip will include thirteen weeks of lectures, twelve weeks of outdoor activities, regional team periods, and ten weeks of missions outreach outside of Norway (Central Asia/Himalayas, Greenland, Alaska, Canada and Central Europe.). They mix up the lectures and learning sessions with outdoor activities. We will have many teaching topics including, the nature and character of God, worship, prayer, intercession, spiritual warfare, discipling the nations, evangelism and mission, the Holy Spirit, word of God, and relationship and team dynamic. Those lessons will be intertwined with outdoor activities such as glacier hiking, mountain climbing, cave exploration, sailing, canoeing, fishing, snowboarding, camping and enjoying the beauty of nature!

I need help in getting to Norway. I would highly appreciate your support in any form, but the prevalent need is financial. I have real passion for going to Norway. My time and efforts will be with a goal and not wasted. I hope you see that any support would be very appreciated and your gift to me will be forwarded to the people I serve. YWAM is an aid for me in building a foundation for my life, one that will be proactive for righteousness.

I need to raise 55,000.00!! I am very happy to tell you that that figure is in the Norwegian currency, and the real number is 8,621.34 US dollars. That is for the tuition alone and supplies and other expenses will be an additional cost. The trip starts September 4th 2009, and ends May 29th 2010.

Prayer is the engine behind any successful mission, so I ask for your prayers as well.

• Financial contributions can be made out to, "Church of the Vine - YWAM" and sent in the envelope provided. Your donation will be tax deductible! Once again, your generosity will be throughly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. You can follow my progress and activities on my blog at "www.alecoffner.blogspot.com"

God Bless,

Alec Offner