Mondays...

It is Monday. Tonight we have sending off of the different teams for this team week. We have a time of prayer for each team. It will actually be an interesting week, because we are lacking several of our staff this week. It will be up to 2 1/2 of us... I am leading... It isn't so easy with so few staff, because we are often having to drive up to an hour sometimes to get to where we are having the program. With God's help, it will work fine. And by the way, I am feeling healthy now. Just so you know... =) Have a great day!

Last night before going home to Skien...

I am enjoying my last night of my week off. I am with Solveig and Helene at a friends apartment just hanging out and playing Risk. It has been a nice week. I have been able to relax and get a bit of my energy back. I am feeling nearly 100 percent better in my stomach now. I think I am going to pull through. =) I am glad for that.... YWAM Skien has a reunion tomorrow through Sunday, so that is what I am coming home to. I will be a couple hours late, but I don't really care so much. I won't miss a whole lot. It will be cool to see some people from my DTS. It is also a good weekend of teaching from a couple good teachers. I also want to thank you to those who have checked out the prayer page. I noticed a jump in visits to that page. Please keep it up! Blessings to you all! I will add more tomorrow most likely...

Middle of the week off.....

As some of you know, I am in Krisitansand, which is in southern Norway. A beautiful part of Norway. I love it here. I am staying with two friends of mine who are studying here. They were on my DTS two years ago. Actually, one of them was a staff and one was a fellow student. They are very fun and extremely crazy, but I love 'em. I am having a good time relaxing. I definitely needed it. Especially after visiting the hospital the other day... I hope I don't have to do that again.... I can't really think of much to say... I am enjoying my week off. Oh, I do want to add that it would mean a lot to me if you all would regularly take a look at the prayer subject page, as I have things in there that I would like to be prayed for. I consider that part of the page just as important as this one. Please feel free to check it out regularly. =) Have a blessed day!

-Jordan K. Ernst

That doesn't happen everyday...

Well, you're not going to believe this one.... Yesterday around 4 we went to one of the team's home for dinner, as they live in this area. We had really good homemade pizza and had a good time. I ate as much as I could, and soon regretted it...
I was feeling sooo full afterwards, and knew that I had to get back to the place we were staying fast. I ran into the restroom, but not a whole lot of business went on... A little, but not what I was expecting.. I decided to lay down. I had to miss out on the youth club we were to be a part of, because I did not feel good at all. As the night progressed, it kept getting worse and worse. It got to the point that I couldn't relax in any position. My stomach hurt more than I can explain. I knew there was something wrong. It couldn't be food poisoning because everyone else ate what I ate, and they were all fine... What was different with me? Did I eat way too much? Not likely... After talking with one of the team some hours later, I decided that I should try to throw up to see if it is something in my stomach. So, I did. I threw up about 6 times. Even after all that, I was still hurting, and even a little more than before. I was in pain. I was talking with God in my room for quite some time asking Him to take the pain away... A little later, the team had finished with the youth thing and it was later in the night. Around 11 they gave me a pain killer that didn't do too much. They finally decided to call the doctor and the doctor said to come down to the emergency room. They said since it had been going on for so long that they were a little worried... I got there and had to wait forever, because the emergency doctor had to suddenly make an emergency house call or something. Finally, I got in. They did a urine test, and a blood test, and the doctor did something else which was very uncomfortable, which I will not say on here... He felt that it wasn't the food, but actually was a bit worried that it might be my appendix. He said that the tests didn't show that it was for sure, but he felt like it was a possibility because of the symptoms and the location of the pain. He sent me to the hospital to be looked at more thoroughly, and the doctors there were talking about whether or not I should stay there to be observed or to do surgery then. They weren't completely convinced that it was my appendix, so they just gave me the option of staying there or going home with supervision. They told me to come straight back if it got at all worse. I went home around 5 in the morning, and fell asleep by the help of God. I woke up this morning with a little bit of pain, but was feeling a bit better. I thought about it and realized that because of the throwing up, I hadn't eaten anything in 24 hours, so I ate lunch. I figured that could have been part of the reason I still had some pain in my stomach. It helped, and now the pain is almost gone. I am praying that it continues to go away, and that it isn't my appendix. Even though that would make a great story, I would much rather I didn't have to go through that. I want to leave you with one thing. Even though God did not heal me when I wanted, it doesn't mean that God is not good. God is good all the time. Even through our pain and suffering, He is good. I am on the road to recovery now, and that is a blessing. Thanks be to God that I am as healthy as I am!

Wireless Internet is from God

Well, I didn't think that I would be able to update my page for a while, but I discovered that there is wireless interenet in this church! Cool?! I thought it was handy.... Well, I am in Aalgaard now, and have had a really good time so far. God has been doing things and there were two that got saved last night and 2 that were not Chrisitan, but they had questions! Cool?! God is good! It is so encouraging when these things happen. Well, I gotta go to a team gathering now... ( I am the leader you know... have to be a good example.... ) I will write more tomorrow or something! God Bless your day!
-Jordan

Weekends Weekends Weekends.....

It's always nice when the weekend roles around. Yesterday was the first official day of my weekend, and it was actually quite nice. A couple of the staff that are remaining here for the weekend wanted to go to a movie. I wanted to as well, but didn't exactly have the money. Luckily, I have really cool friends here, and one of them told me that they would help pay for it, so I got to go too! We saw Meet the Fockers! I must say that I thought this was a very funny movie. I thought it was almost funnier than the first one. I really enjoyed it. -Mom, you would like it I think.- It was definitely a good evening. After the movie we went back to the staff girl's apartment and hung out for a bit. I am hoping today can be just as lovely. It has started off well. I placed my laundry in the dryer when I woke up, and then had eggs for breakfast, and then took a nice shower. Now, I am clean and smelling nice, and am at the office updating this lovely site. Until next time, peace out!

Winter break...

It is now our winter break for the next few days. We have off until Tuesday afternoon. On Tuesday afternoon, I will be leading another team on a team week. This time we will be on the west coast of Norway in a place called Ålgård. We will be there from Tuesday until Sunday. We will be working mostly with teenagers as far as I know. I think it will be a really good opportunity for our team. I am feeling good about this week. I hope that we can have a godly impact on these teenager's lives. As far as this weekend goes.... I am once again in the place of trying to figure out something fun to do with those that are still here... tonight is on the front of my mind right now... think think think.... any ideas? I guess I will figure out something... Wish me luck!

Arriving home is a blessing....

I have arrived home. Thank you, Lord. It was a very long day, but I managed with God's help and His grace. I arrived home around 9:40 in the evening. I am very glad to be home again. It is a good feeling returning home after a long journey. The vehicle seems to be in good working order. That is a blessing. This week we are having extremely good teaching from a man by the name of Ken Helser. He is from North Carolina, and has so much of God in him. you would have to experience him to truly understand what I mean. He is such a man of God. Such an awesome heart. It is truly a gift to be able to hear from him. You all may notice a difference in my updates these days, because my life here is a bit more busy than it was in Denmark... =) I will do my best to do justice to the updates. Glory to God in the Highest! Until next time!

It is down to hours....

It is down to 14 hours and 43 minutes until I am on my way to Norway. I will catch a train from Høje Taastrup at 6:08, and arrive in Århus at 8:44. I will then take a bus from Århus to Skovby to pick up our infamous base car. I will leave there right around 10 o'clock and start driving north to Hirtshals to catch the ferry. I need to be there by 12:45, but I will leave at 1:45. I will arrive in Kristiansand, Norway at 6:15, and then drive to Skien and arrive around 9 or 9:20. That is tomorrow! I look forward to its completion. It will be a long day. Today, I have washed my clothes, watched another movie, and pretty much just hung around. There is a youth club tonight here at the church that I will most likely join, but right after I will try to go to bed. I have enjoyed my time here in Denmark, and thank God for all He has taught me.

Good films....

I must say that no matter how many times I have seen the movie Forrest Gump, it never gets old. It is a quality film. Quality. Every time that I see it, I just get so touched by it. It makes me think of things that have passed. It reminds me very much of my dad, and also of home. I watched that movie several times over the first few years of its release. I don't think there are many movies out there that are the same quality as Forrest Gump. I guess I should say why this topic came up. I just watched it. There. Make more sense now? =) I really admire the person Tom Hanks portrays in this film. He has such strong character, and he holds people so high. He has such respect for people. I think that we could learn something from him actually. Strength of character is something that most people today lack. Especially as Christians we should lead by showing strength of character. If we don't show that, then what is different in the world's eyes. They need to see that we live what we preach. Otherwise, they won't listen to ANYTHING we have to say. I pray that I will be a person that can and will walk what I talk.

The sun sets, and the sun rises once again

Monday has arrived. I find myself once again in a state of cessation. A place that I have not found myself for quite some time now. Over the last months in Norway, I have constantly been surrounded by people. Last year, I was always working. To be in this situation, is quite strange. Neither good nor bad. I do believe that if it were to be for much longer, I would get very restless. In one way it is nice to just be able to relax and hang around, but at the same time, I feel unsettled. Away from home. Out of place. It is a strange feeling to be here. This is a place that was filled with people I knew for the past two weeks, and suddenly, they are all gone. And I'm not even in a place that I really know. That just makes the whole thing even more unfamiliar.

But anyhow, I have figured out when and how I will pick up the vehicle. It will be an early Wednesday morning for me, and a long Wednes DAY. It'll be good to get home. I get a bit tired of just watching movies all the time... It will be better when the guy I am staying with gets back. Then, it's not so strange. Today, I watched a movie that was in Spanish, and I had to use Norwegian subtitles. Never actually done that before. Quite interesting. Now I know how people feel that have to watch a movie that is in a language they either don't know or don't know well and have to use subtitles. Also, a language I am still learning. So yes, that is what's going on today. Hope you're having a good one!

Another passing day..

It is Sunday. So far, I have gone to church and watched a movie. It has been a good day. The movie I watched, Riddick, was interesting, but have to admit that it isn't necessarily one of those movies that I would watch over and over again. It was a good one-timer. I just like Vin Diesel. He's a cool dude. =)

But anyway, as I drink my french pressed coffee, I wonder what to do next. What do I do after I am done writing this? That is the question of the day. The light is dimming, and there is cloud cover. I have green grapes in the freezer waiting until they are hard, but that could take some time till. I must only find an activity in which I can entertain myself till nightfall. The clock is ticking and still, there are no thoughts.

Why must this always be my standstill? I only wish that I was more creative, so it would be no problem to find things to do. When I have money, it is no problem, but without it; I am bored. It shouldn't be that way. Money should not be the thing that keeps me entertained. That brings up another valid point. Why must I always be entertained? Is it truly necessary to my existence? I don't think so. I think it is a thought brought on by an ever-changing society that tells us that our lives are only worth something if they are filled with "interesting" experiences. Now I've gone a little off. Is it always good to analyze? Did I over-analyze? Am I still over-analyzing? Probably. So I'll stop now. I'll go check my grapes.

Yes, first day without the rest of the team...

I am all alone. They all left at 5 this am, and now, I am lonely. The guy that I am staying with is gone for the day, and won't be back until later.... I predict that I will be at this computer quite a bit, as the other room is occupied by some church people in a little meeting... Maybe I will watch a movie on the computer... That sounds like a good idea. =) I only have to do this for a little more than 3 more days. I can handle that. Wish me luck!

So far so good...

Our guy from Norway just arrived with the vehicle to pick up the team. He has been driving literally all day. The team, minus me, will leave bright and early in the morning. Probably around 5 or 5:30 I believe. They will need prayer as their vehicle is actually a little older than the one that broke down, but it doesn't have any problems that I know of... other than it is a bit ugly and I have done a bit of the previous repairs on it... =/ =).... no worries. God is in control. (not me...) I will not be returning home until Wednesday... I am a bit bummed, but I will survive. It is a good thing for me, and I can look back on it positively. I actaully really like the fact that I am growing through all this stuff. I may not notice it right away, but when I reflect on it, I can see that I will be more capable next time if something similar happens. Thank God for that! Blessings to you all!

I got it!

I have been trying to get my hands on this juggling 'toy' since I discovered the joy it brought to me while I was on my outreach two years ago, and finally that journey is over. I was in a Toys'R'us here in Denmark and I got one! I will take a picture of it and post it on the picture page for you to look at if you want. I am so stoked... I love it so much. It is also an awesome thing to take on outreach, because it draws the attention of kids really well. Kids love watching it so much! I hope I will be able to use it as a tool on this next outreach. Talk to you all later!

Another day!

Yes, that is right. It is a new day with new opportunities. Today, a few of us were helping a woman from a nearby apartment complex clean her bathroom and also her'garden' in the front of where she lives. The rest of us either picked up trash or sat and just wrote down things or drew things that we wanted to speak over the apartments. The apartments have a very large percentage of immigrants, mostly muslim, so it is a very drab and depressive place. We have focused a lot on it over the last 2 weeks. We have prayed there several times, and have picked up trash there twice. In general, Muslims have a very fatalistic view on life, so they don't take any pride in there surroundings. You can really see the contrast from the Danish apartment complex not too far away. Everything is in good working order, and is also quite clean. It is almost as if there is this cloud over the one neighborhood that makes it very depressive. Everything looks dead in a way. Lifeless. Sad. We have been praying that there would be a change, and that there would be more Christians coming and living there. I really believe that things would start looking and feeling 100% better. I pray that God's name would just be glorified in that place. It really needs it. As well as Denmark. Denmark is in extreme need of Jesus. Kom Hellig Ånd og ta Danmark tilbake til Deg! De trenger Deg, Jesus. Amen.

Back from the city!

It was a success! We had a great day off in the beautiful city of Copenhagen and were able to see some cool sites, and also take in the city for what it's worth. I was able to take some cool pictures, and also look around in some cool stores. Copenhagen is a wonderful city where one could be entertained for days on end. Many things to do and many things to see.

A Day in the City!

Today, we are having a day off! We are going into downtown Copenhagen for the day, and seeing the sites and doing a little bit of shopping as well. That of course varies from person to person, depending on who has money. So that leaves a couple of the girls to the shopping part.... =) I intend on taking some nice pictures and just having an all around nice time. It is an awesome city, and one would find it rather difficult to get bored there. There are all kinds of things to see. Wish you were here!