Days of preparation

Well, these past several days have been spent fixing up the base. We have done sooo much now already! It is incredible! I can´t even write down everything we have fixed because it is so much... I now have my own room! Instead of moving out into an apt., I have transformed the old kitchen in to a bedroom! It is awesome! I will try to get a picture up here soon so you can see it. It is a blessing.

I will soon be taking off for Italy! I leave on the 5th and come back on the 8th. I am really looking forward to spending so quality time with my fellow staff. They are a great bunch of people that I am blessed to be working and living with.

As far as I am doing personally, I am in high spirits these days. I am really anticipating this DTS (Discipleship Training School). I know God will do great things. I feel so much more prepared this time. I have learned so much over the past year here, and I know it will pay off. I´ll write again soon when something interesting happens! =)
-Jordan

YWAM Norway Worker's Gathering

Now, for the past days, I have been at a YWAM Norway staff conference at the main base north of Oslo. I will be here until Tuesday and then head back to Skien to begin preparing for the upcoming school. The nice thing about these staff conferences is I get to see friends from all around YWAM Norway... other than that the meetings get kind of boring... =) I was just not built or designed for long meetings... I get too restless. =)

The first days that I have spent in Norway were filled with work on the base cars and getting my visa renewed and so on... The not so fun thing about arriving back to Norway like this is all the things I have to pay for right off the bat... I feel like a bank... Other than all that, I have been greeting people as they arrive back to the base, and reaquainting myself with them. We are all looking forward to the coming year. We have at least 25 students coming, and they look like they will be a great group of people.

The meeting we had last night was powerful. Our speaker, Leif Braathen, had a really good message, and afterwards he had an altercall for those who were feeling like their fire was dwindling. I was one of many that went up, and I had an awesome time with God... I feel I have a renewed flame in my heart now, and I was also convincted of many things that I was able to straighten out. But anyway, I should get going now... I have kitchen duty soon.... =(... not so fun... haha... ok... talk to you all later!

Arrived safe and sound...

Well, after a long time on a plane, I have arrived. I am here, and it feels good. I just found out when i got here, that all the staff here are going to be going on a little staff trip to a vacation-like spot in Europe on the 6th of September... It will cost around $100 pr. person, but I think it is going to be worth it for all the staff. We will only be gone for a couple days, but I think they will be fruitful. I will write more later when I know more of what is going on... Love you all!
-Jordan K. Ernst

Sorry, it's been a little while for these...

Well, I am still alive and well... I am in my last week of my time here in the States. It has been good and replenishing for me. I am really ready and looking forward to getting back to Skien, Norway. It is going to be an awesome year!

Also, go check out my vacation pics! They are from my week on a house boat in Lake Shasta, California with my family and three other families. It is always an awesome time!

Talk to you all again really soon!
-Jordan

Time is really passing....

It still doesn't feel like a month since I have been in the United States of America, but it has been none the less. It hasn't been the most successful as far as making money is concerned, but I have made a little and it has been nice to be with people here. I am hoping to get some sort of work this week, but I am going to have to trust that God will help me find one... I have been trying with no luck... I think should have at least enough money to buy a plane ticket really soon, but I still have to talk to the travel agent... I think I will get that all covered this week. I'm praying I get it all taken care of soon. So yeah, that is a quick update about me... not really a whole lot new here... I will write more when there is something to tell... Until then!
-Jordan

Recent happenings...

well, lately I have been with my family, but have also been able to do a little work with a friend of mine. Today, I have been working with that friend loading up some gear for a festival this weekend. I will be helping him do sound for a festival in Salem this weekend called The World Beat Festival. We are bringing a big setup for the weekend. It isn't necessary to bring as much as we are, but it is more fun with a nice setup... haha... I will be able to make a few bucks this weekend, which will hopefully get me up to enough money to buy a plane ticket back to Norway.. I need to buy that as soon as possible. I am also waiting to hear on a possible job with a concrete company... if I were to get that job, i would be set. But it all depends on whether or not I get it. If I don't get that one, then I might work at Fred Meyer Jewelers again. I would rather work at the concrete place, but I would be thankful for the jewelry job. your prayers for the job that God wants me to have would be much appreciated. Thanks again for all your prayer and support.
-Jordan

Back in Salem

I cannot possibly describe to you how incredible it was to drive home yesterday. Literally on the border of Oregon and Washington there was also the border of an incredible storm in Oregon. It was seriously a line drawn from nice beautiful weather to absolutely not nice weather. It was almost like a storm you get in the mid-west... brown cloud-covered sky with rain lightning and two really cool rainbows... on top of all that we also had driven by Mt. St. Helens which was definitely showing that it was still active. There was a huge cloud of steam and smoke coming out of it. I mean huge. Yeah, it was a fun trip home. Now, it is a beautiful day with sun and warmth... Thank God for that.

I'm in Canada....

Well, I am now on a short trip with my family in Victoria, BC, Canada. Victoria is a really cool city. It is very European in many ways. That is one reason I like it... We are staying the Hotel Grand Pacific. It is a really nice hotel, but everything costs money... Which doesn't make so much sense... You pay more for the room in a nice hotel, but for what? So you can pay even more for everything you do there? I don't understand it, but I guess I just have to accept that they just want to make money in whatever way possible.... Oh well, it is still nice to be here. We go back to Salem, Oregon on Sunday.. tomorrow...

I am hoping to find a job as soon as I get home.... I have some possibilities, but I am hoping for the best one. That can be prayed for if you wouldn't mind.... Well, anyway, I am going to get going now.
-Jordan K. Ernst

Well, I have been able to secure at least a couple money making opportunities...

Early tomorrow morning, I will be working with a guy I know setting up a sound system for a local highschool graduation. Should be fun. It will be a good size system, as there will be probably a few thousand people.... In the evening we will tear the system down again.... Not a ton of money made, but it is something. The day after, I will be helping another guy I know rip out some carpet from a house. that should be a little more money.... not much more, but something. At this point, I am taking almost everything I can get. I really need help with my finances. I have to make enough to buy a plane ticket back to Norway, and hopefully a bit to help me through this next year. If I am going to be making my roots a little bit deeper in Norway, I am going to need to figure out a more consistent support method. I have strongly considered getting a part time job, but it would not be very east when I am almost always busy with other responsibilities. If you don't mind praying for possible opportunities, that would be very welcome. Well, I am getting tired and hungry, so I am going to go now... Take care! Hademmmm....
-Jordan K. Ernst

Alright!!!!!

I just had the coolest prayer answer from God! Last week I prayed, "God, could you give me an Apple G4 Laptop this summer?", and not actually having so much faith that I would.... The night I arrived back to the States(last night), my mom tells me that someone is giving me a new Apple G4 laptop! That is crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No way!!!!! Is it possible?!?!?! I couldn't believe it at first! God is so freaking amazing!

So anyway, yeah, that is cool....

I arrived safe and sound back here in the States.... now, I will be working on relaxing a bit, and trying to find some work.... I really need to earn some money this summer, as I am returning to Norway in August to start on the next Discipleship Training school. I am really looking forward to what God is going to do this year. He is already bringing students... we are near 30 now! That is awesome! God is teaching me and using me so much in Norway, and that is so cool. It is so awesome to know that you are in the right place. I can't tell you how good it is. I just have this piece that I am where God wants me and He is using me to expand His Kingdom. Well, I am at Starbucks now and am going to go visit a friend of mine, so I will write more later to ya'll. Take care! Gud velsigne dere!! Hademmmmm
-Jordan K. Ernst

On my way...

Well, I am now in Gardermoen Lufthavn in Oslo,Norway... I fly out in just some hours, and will be making my way to the States. I don`t look forward to the flights, as I am a bit tired of flying around this globe, but it should go fairly quick.... I just need to endure a little longer.... pray for me that it goes quick and that I don`t get too bored.... =) Be blessed everyone!
-Jordan K. Ernst

Today is DTS graduation!

Well, the day has finally arrived. This DTS is over. Tonight is their graduation ceremony, and for most of them, their last night living together. I pray that God will keep His hands around them as they go their separate ways, and also that they would be able to keep walking in His ways.

On Thursday night, I will be off to the airport and I will spend the night there and fly out early the next morning. I will arrive @ PDX around 9:45 pm... Many of you will be able to see me at church on Sunday, and if not then, some other time... Uncle Frank and Auntie Lauren, I will see you on Saturday night! Mom, Kenneth, David, Daniel, Micah, Sarah, and whoever else comes, I will see at the airport! It will be good to see all of you! Until then, be blessed!
-Jordan K. Ernst

Monday the 30th!

What is special about today? I don't know.... maybe it's MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!???? Woohooo!!! I am 21 years old now!

So yeah, the DTS is very soon finished now. Wednesday is graduation. I leave late thursday night to stay in the airport because my flight to the States is early on Friday morning. It will be nice to see people again, but I am really not looking forward to the traveling... I am a bit sick of traveling to say it like that.... oh well... it will be over before I know it... hopefully...

Also, if any of you know of any good opportunities for me to make some money this summer, please let me know. I have tried to contact my old work, but have had no responses... I don't know if God is trying to do something else, but I still think I should make the attempt to find a job... I just have to trust that He is in control. He knows I need money for next year... and I know He will provide.

Also, I have good news about next year! We have almost 10 more students coming that we had this year! That is great, but we want more! Pray for that. Which reminds me, I know I haven't been very good at updating my prayer request page, but I am going to update it now, so check it out. And please feel free to keep checking it out regularly.

Be blessed everyone!
-Jordan K. Ernst

Go Check out the pictures!

Just click on the link on the right side....

Back in Norway!!!!!!!

It is soooo good to be back in Norway!!! I had such a good time in Ecuador, but it is also sooo good to be back home again..... Thank God that I am back safe and sound. This last week and a half that I am here, the students will be going on one final trip around Norway to tell about outreach and then they graduate. I will be quite busy probably.... It has been a blessed year for DTS. It had plenty of hard times, but God really used it for good in the end. Thank you, Jesus.

As most of you know, I have financial needs. As a missionary with YWAM, I am 100 percent responsible for raising my own support, and I truly feel that God has called me to Norway for a time. Being in Norway is not cheap. That is the easiest way to put it. Hopefully I will be able to get enough work this summer to make some money for next year, but I only have a month of summer to work before I am back here to Norway. I want to ask that you pray and ask God if you are to support me either regularly or with a one time gift. Either way, it is a blessing to me and those I work with. So far, I am only one of three guy DTS staff for next year, and there will be at least 10 more students than there were this year... That means there aren't so many guy staff.... My point is, I am one more guy.... That is a large percentage.... Anyway, please just ask God and be obedient. I am blessed by you all. Be blessed back!
-Jordan K. Ernst

Back from the beach...

It was a very nice time at the coast here in Ecuador! Very relaxing! I really needed it.... Today, it is Saturday, and early tomorrow morning I fly back to Norway!! I am very ready to get back.... It has been a great time here, but it is very good that it is over... I am literally exhausted.... God has used me and the team so much here, and He has taught us all very much. I thank God for this outreach. It was a success.

On a not so happy note, I have some really disappointing news.... On my way to the coast both of my cameras were stolen... yeah... it really sucks... I was so disappointed and frustrated... but I have given it to God... He will provide... Hopefully it can be covered by my travel insurance.... Pray that it does!

See you all soon! Please don´t forget to keep me in your prayers! Financially, I am still needing... Be blessed!
-Jordan K. Ernst

The last week....

Today is the start of our last real week of outreach! The team will be working some more with kids, and I believe it will be in a similar focus and age group. I won´t be able to join today as I didn´t sleep almost at all last night due to an annoying and painful cough that kept me awake. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired..... Tomorrow, I really want to try to join.. Please pray with me that I can.

Another thing that I ask you to be in prayer about is my finances. I still owe money for my outreach, and I will need to pay it as soon as I get back to Norway. Including my rent and the remainder of the outreach fee, it will be right around 750 USD. I only ask that you ask God if you have a part in this. Thank you so much for all your previous support! May God bless you! I will also be continuing to raise support through the summer for next year as well. Thanks to everyone who has been a support to me both financially and in their prayers. Both are equally important and appreciated. Until next time!
-Jordan K. Ernst

Sunday....

The team has today off. The last few days they have been working a lot with kids. I believe they have worked with over 500 kids now in the last 3 days.... I am very proud of the team. They are doing very well, and are also in very good spirits considering 2 of their leaders are sick and out of ministry and one of the students is sick... God is using this team and it is awesome. The team is going to go out for dinner tonight, so that will be good for everyone. I have now taken some aspirin so I am feeling a little better. I am not getting as light headed and dizzy as earlier... I still have a bad cough and sore throat, but I think I will be better soon. There are 3 more days of ministry this week, so please pray that the team is healthy and that it all goes well. God bless you all!
-Jordan

En solskinnsdag......liksom

Javel.... idag er det en solskinnsdag......igjen.... og jeg har ingenting aa gjoere...igjen... jeg hater aa vaere syk og svak.... kjedelig... jeg tror at jeg gjerne vil ha mye tid med Gud... har du noen tanker? Karin? Hvorfor er det saa inni haeljeroa kjedelig aa vaere syk?! Jeg vet at du vet... javel, jeg maa gaa naa.... snakkes!

Well, wasn´t expecting this...

I have some not so fun news. Since I have been back from the jungle, I have not been feeling so super. Our contact person had her doctor come do a house visit to check me and the two other leaders out. As it turns out, he said my bloodpressure is higher than it should be and the symptoms I told him about tell him that my body is just totally worn out. He said it appears as if I am rather stressed out, so he told me that I can´t do any work for some days until I get a little better. On top of that, my left eye has started to swell a little bit shut for some reason. I am not having so much fun... I covet your prayers, and I hope all is going well with you. Over these last weeks, I have had a ton of things going through my mind, and it all came crashing down on me yesterday. I had a bit of a breakdown last night. I am grateful for my fellow leaders, because they were there for me. They really helped me last night. They are a blessing.
Since I have not been able to join the ministry since we have been back here, and I won´t be able to for some days, it might be a lack of detailed information on what God is doing through our team. I will do my best to keep you updated. I can really see God working with our team, and it is awesome. He is really working with me too. He is so good. Well, this could go on and on, but it would get too long to read then. Be blessed!
-Jordan K. Ernst