Life has been good over the past few months for me..... however within these weeks it has been some of the more challenging times of my life. I feel drained, weak, and heavy hearted. The strongholds that are in Norway (and more specifically Skien) are depression and apathy, which has definitely affected me. I often times want to hide in my room and do nothing for no reason; and coming here to Poland I have felt an increased loneliness and worthlessness. I know all these things are lies and I'm praying against them daily and replacing them with the Truth of the Word, but I am weary. I want to come home; somewhere that is familiar, where I actually have friends instead of strangers with names that I can't pronounce. This has not been easy for me.... to be dealing with so many thoughts, questions, and wonderings all in one very jamp packed, fast paced several months.
The one breath of fresh air that I have had was recording week. Though it was hard work and draining in its own way, it was wonderful. Why? Because I was with two American's that I felt I had known for a long time, even though I just met them the same week. It was amazing to be around musicians with the same heart and the same understanding of the Norwegian culture.
I'm reminded of my outreach to Egypt 8 years ago and how that was one of the hardest times of my life but also the most fruitful.... I'm clinging on to that and praying that this will bear much fruit as well. I can tell you this... when I get home... I will not take it for granted! Not that I did before actually, because in reality I've basically been away from home since December, so the little moments I had there in between I cherished.
Please pray that God will continue to give me the wisdom and strength to finish well here in Norway. I really want to make an impact here at the base in Skien, Norway. Right now.... I'm still in Warsaw, Poland but we fly out tomorrow morning at 12:40. I'll give more details on that tomorrow or the next day once I get my pictures uploaded.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Hard times
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Threshing Floor
the fantastic fourThis past week Erika and I undertook the ambitious task of recording 5 songs in 5 days with our two dear friends Caleb and Erin Paxton. I have been fans of their music ever since Erika sent me their album but getting to meet them.... record with them.... spend 16 hour days with them.... laugh my head off with them....and talk about our lives together has been one of the most memorable times in my life to date. Getting to write music and record it is a birthing process that takes time, pain, labor, and hopefully results in great joy; they have been through this as a couple and were an amazing encouragement to Erika and I individually and as a couple. I can't recall myself ever feeling so connected to someone so quickly...it was truly a great joy to get to know them.
The music for our little EP, if you will, won't be done for a little bit longer since we have to mix all the tracks, get it mastered, and figure out a way distributing it. I want to thank you for any prayers that you may have lifted up on our behalf this past week, it was an intense time. There is a growing excitement within my heart as we begin to make this idea of music into a reality and I'm eager for you all to be able to let it speak to you. When we get closer to being done with the final product I'll be sure to let you know more details.
ME!..... Vocals, piano, guitar, drums and a shaker!(and as you can see in the background... we spent a LOT of time playing speed scrabble)
Our beautiful piano at the Methodist church where we did a lot of recording
Erika!.....Vocals, violin, piano, and cello
Erin!....Glockenspiel, accordian, and vocals
The last day!! almost there!!There was Caleb as well who played the mandolin and did 90% of the recording!
What a trooper!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Italia
If you don't already know, Erika and I found $25 flights to Italy and were able to visit my wonderful new cousin (she married into the family) Sarah! We were blessed beyond belief by her wonderful southern hospitality and knowledge of Venice. It was everything we hoped it would be and was such a great time of rest and rejuvenation for us, as we had just come off the tour around the west coast of Norway with the Wellspring band.
I actually have been talking to a guy named Georg Kivijarvi who was at one of our concerts at a cafe in Kopervik, NO. He wrote me on facebook and told me about how when he heard our music it made something in his heart change and he suddenly had an urge to read the Bible. It's amazing to see this 16 year old kid that isn't from a Christian family begin to search for answers simply from hearing a concert and hanging out with a few believers. We weren't sharing the Gospel, but simply let our hearts be known and the music speak. I love it when we are able to see such obvious fruit from our labors! Please pray with me as I continue to stay in contact with him that the Lord speaks to his heart and he joins the family!!
Before I get back to talking about wonderful Italy, I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm not done with my traveling. I'm joining YWAM Skien in their vision for an outreach called RISK. From here in Skien, Norway we are sending out teams to be in every European nation from May 20-25 to do strategic evangelism and simulataneous intercession and worship! It's a sweet opportunity to really bring the continent of Europe up in prayer and to plant seeds in the process. Erika and I are taking a team to Warsaw, Poland and are so excited to see what God will do through us while we're there! It's costing us about $300 to get there and I'm not sure about food and such while we are actually there, but we'll probably fasting some of the time... so that will help :) If you're interested in helping to specifically support me in this please contact me via my email (bihoasis@gmail.com) or send a tax deductible check to YWAM Denver, 12750 W. 63rd Ave, Denver, CO 80004.
From our view here we're looking at St. Marks Basilica
Enjoying some FABULOUS gelato!
Around every corner was another beautiful picture!
This week Erika and I are working on a recording project of our own original material and have been blessed to be joined by two of her friends Erin and Caleb Paxton who are amazing musicians of their own. They are here to help us with the actual recording and to put in their own artistic flair to our work. We're so excited to see this happen and hope that many of you will be blessed by the fruits of our labors. This process does take a lot of time and some money, so if you want to donate to the "Threshing Floor Project" then feel free to let me know. Thanks again for all the prayer and support that I receive to help make my ministry and life possible! I can't do it without you!
