over 4000 kilometers, Sollentuna, Sweden
We are back in Sweden. It wasn't without some sadness we unpacked Mr. Blues and left the 8 or so square meters we have called home the last month. And not without some happy confusion. This trip didn't turn out at all like I thought.
In the beginning I simply thought this would be a kind of mission trip from 24-7 Prayer in Sweden, where God would lead us to places and people and we would be God to them. And yes, that was part of it, but only a small sliver of the entire picture. In terms of being a mission team, we were a failure. We didn't have a single "God conversation" with anyone as a matter of fact. We ended up not being a mission team, and not going for a vacation. We were just "other". It seemed more like real life, but in a mobile way. Having a rhythm of prayer, food, sleep, time for self and others, listening to God and what he wants for different places while traveling is by no means simple, but still this was one of the most important things we learnt from the journey. And the other result of this journey is faith. God has not failed us yet.
Everytime we were out of money (remember that we started the journey with only about 2000 SEK in our pockets) it somehow worked out. Either buy gifts from our lovely parents, or from more salary than we expected, or by accomodation or food just being sorted for us. Mr. Blues broke down 4 times (one time not blogged about yet. Maybe later). The first time we were devastated (turned out great and we met cool Ana and Marco in Germany). The second time was bad (we got richly blessed by Pavel and friends in Czech Rep). The third time was alright (van is fixed and we get spoiled by Regina in Slovakia). The forth time we just laughed (and get van fixed at low price and food + entertainment from polish family). God is faithful, and he can do anything. Even take care of four bewildered kids traveling through Europe showing them what life could be like if we let Him.
This blog has only showed glimpses of our travels. You are always welcome to our houses if you wish to hear a more full story over big cups of tea.
Big thank you's to all of you who have prayed. You were a vital part of it, and we are deeply thankful.
Peace and blessings on all of your journeys, whether they be on the outside or the inside.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Krakow, Poland
Just a quick one to let you know we're here. Walked around town today. The cathedral is amazing. Johan and Eva tried on some cool leather shoes, ate gyros, prayed and listened to a Latin American concert.
Heading up north again tomorrow. Planning on being in Stockholm on the 18th, so maybe we'll see you then.
Just a quick one to let you know we're here. Walked around town today. The cathedral is amazing. Johan and Eva tried on some cool leather shoes, ate gyros, prayed and listened to a Latin American concert.
Heading up north again tomorrow. Planning on being in Stockholm on the 18th, so maybe we'll see you then.
Friday, July 14, 2006
In Krakow
3504 kilometers, Krakow, Poland
God is amazing. Just when money is gone, all our accounts are emptied, and the gas-meter on the tank is pointing on red, we find out that Johan is getting his salary earlier than expected and it is more than we thought. Brilliant. That means that Johan and Eva are spending the night in a hostel tonight, while Resa and Krister (me) spend the night in the van. Just had a shower, and I'
m telling you... When you haven't washed your hair for about a week, a shower is very welcome...
So we have a had a mad and fast journey north the last few days. Spent a night beside a graveyard in Timasoara in Romania, another night by a gas station in an unknown town in Hungary, and last night we slept by a trickling stream behind the tourist bureaue in Zakopanje, by the outrageously beautiful Tatra mountains. We have kept our rhythm of praying twice a day.
Was going to post more, but the lady running the hostel said I can't use the computer any more, so someone else will finish this off.
Cheeers.
God is amazing. Just when money is gone, all our accounts are emptied, and the gas-meter on the tank is pointing on red, we find out that Johan is getting his salary earlier than expected and it is more than we thought. Brilliant. That means that Johan and Eva are spending the night in a hostel tonight, while Resa and Krister (me) spend the night in the van. Just had a shower, and I'
m telling you... When you haven't washed your hair for about a week, a shower is very welcome...
So we have a had a mad and fast journey north the last few days. Spent a night beside a graveyard in Timasoara in Romania, another night by a gas station in an unknown town in Hungary, and last night we slept by a trickling stream behind the tourist bureaue in Zakopanje, by the outrageously beautiful Tatra mountains. We have kept our rhythm of praying twice a day.
Was going to post more, but the lady running the hostel said I can't use the computer any more, so someone else will finish this off.
Cheeers.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
all for 65 Euro cents...
lots of kilometers, Timisoara, Romania
We've started the journey home and here I am at a very nice mall in Romania using free internet. We've been living in the van for days now without using a camping place and I'd really love a shower. We made it here at about 3am after a pretty funny situation, but first, Belgrade...
I loved being back there. The bustle of Republic Square, the beloved cafe Plato, the friendly helpful people (it was said last night that more people speak English to us in Serbia than in Germany), Kalemagdon and the beautiful view at sunset as a city comes alive at night. We sat up there and prayed big prayers for Belgrade. Knowing God has so much more for that place. Then we slept in the city. Cooking many meals in the van as we are on a serious budget. Cafe Plato was our only splurge and even with the heat we didn't buy water, filling our many large bottles from the drinking fountain on the lagre shopping street.
The second day we went into the new part of the city and prayed a bit more, had a picnic outside of Genex and then walked around the apartments Krister and I helped to clean up last July. We headed back into town, filled the bottles again (it was and still is seriously hot) and headed off. Deciding where to go was hard. We'd love to go down to Croatia and even Italy, or up and explore Poland or to Dresden to visit friends living there and Misty and Scott. The possiblilites are endless, but with a non-existent budget and one dwindling bank account still with money in, we decided to head up north. Maybe take a ferry from Gdansk right up to Nynashamn. Expect news on a homecoming celebration in future posts...
The best story from the past couple of days has to be at the border crossing. We didn't cross at a large border as we were avoiding the large road tax Serbia has. It was about 1:30am when we left Serbia. The border patrol were fun and checked our passports, doing the roll call and seeing each of our faces. Then after a few minutes they okay us and we drive over into Romania. The sign says to drive 5 km/hr. A man comes running out of a booth and asks Johans name. Johan gives him the name and he says, "Two Euro." He didn't speak English and it took a while to understand that this was for a piece of paper which our van needed in Romania. The problem was we didn't have two Euros. We could also pay in Serbian Dinars but the last our our Serbian money went into our gas tank, right to the very last Dinar. So with only 1 euro and 35 cents he wasn't very impressed. We had to turn around and drive back into Serbia. At 1:30am and without a bankomat/atm in sight we got in line for the Serbia entry. The lady who had just inspected us came and talked to us. She said there was an exchange place and got permission from another border control on the enrty side for us to walk into Serbia and try to exchange our little money for one Euro or even 65 cents. Johan and I tried the booth with 25 SEK, a few Czech coins and some Hungarian Forints, but all were in coins. The booth wouldn't exchange coins, only paper money which we didn't have in any currency. Same story at the next booth but a second nicer guys tried to help us, but the man behind the counter refused coins. We went back to the border police and explained the situation. They tried to collect a Euro for us between themselves but didn't have any. Here it is 2am and we're tired and stuck between countries. The idea of heading back into Serbia wasn't ideal. The border guard called another guys over. We explained to him. Then he called another guy over. They talked among themselves. It went on this way for about 15 or 20 minutes. Then one man told Johan, "Come!" and they walked back to the second booth. The border control guard talked to the nicer of the two guys and he took a book and wrote something in it, then he handed the border police 5 Euros. They walked out and this was then handed to Johan who wasn't allowed to repay this. "Serbian people are good people," was the man's reply. Indeed they are! So, we went back to the disgruntled man with our Euros and here we are in Romania after a good nights sleep in Mr. Blues. You have to love random God-provision and the beautiful people it can come through.
We've started the journey home and here I am at a very nice mall in Romania using free internet. We've been living in the van for days now without using a camping place and I'd really love a shower. We made it here at about 3am after a pretty funny situation, but first, Belgrade...
I loved being back there. The bustle of Republic Square, the beloved cafe Plato, the friendly helpful people (it was said last night that more people speak English to us in Serbia than in Germany), Kalemagdon and the beautiful view at sunset as a city comes alive at night. We sat up there and prayed big prayers for Belgrade. Knowing God has so much more for that place. Then we slept in the city. Cooking many meals in the van as we are on a serious budget. Cafe Plato was our only splurge and even with the heat we didn't buy water, filling our many large bottles from the drinking fountain on the lagre shopping street.
The second day we went into the new part of the city and prayed a bit more, had a picnic outside of Genex and then walked around the apartments Krister and I helped to clean up last July. We headed back into town, filled the bottles again (it was and still is seriously hot) and headed off. Deciding where to go was hard. We'd love to go down to Croatia and even Italy, or up and explore Poland or to Dresden to visit friends living there and Misty and Scott. The possiblilites are endless, but with a non-existent budget and one dwindling bank account still with money in, we decided to head up north. Maybe take a ferry from Gdansk right up to Nynashamn. Expect news on a homecoming celebration in future posts...
The best story from the past couple of days has to be at the border crossing. We didn't cross at a large border as we were avoiding the large road tax Serbia has. It was about 1:30am when we left Serbia. The border patrol were fun and checked our passports, doing the roll call and seeing each of our faces. Then after a few minutes they okay us and we drive over into Romania. The sign says to drive 5 km/hr. A man comes running out of a booth and asks Johans name. Johan gives him the name and he says, "Two Euro." He didn't speak English and it took a while to understand that this was for a piece of paper which our van needed in Romania. The problem was we didn't have two Euros. We could also pay in Serbian Dinars but the last our our Serbian money went into our gas tank, right to the very last Dinar. So with only 1 euro and 35 cents he wasn't very impressed. We had to turn around and drive back into Serbia. At 1:30am and without a bankomat/atm in sight we got in line for the Serbia entry. The lady who had just inspected us came and talked to us. She said there was an exchange place and got permission from another border control on the enrty side for us to walk into Serbia and try to exchange our little money for one Euro or even 65 cents. Johan and I tried the booth with 25 SEK, a few Czech coins and some Hungarian Forints, but all were in coins. The booth wouldn't exchange coins, only paper money which we didn't have in any currency. Same story at the next booth but a second nicer guys tried to help us, but the man behind the counter refused coins. We went back to the border police and explained the situation. They tried to collect a Euro for us between themselves but didn't have any. Here it is 2am and we're tired and stuck between countries. The idea of heading back into Serbia wasn't ideal. The border guard called another guys over. We explained to him. Then he called another guy over. They talked among themselves. It went on this way for about 15 or 20 minutes. Then one man told Johan, "Come!" and they walked back to the second booth. The border control guard talked to the nicer of the two guys and he took a book and wrote something in it, then he handed the border police 5 Euros. They walked out and this was then handed to Johan who wasn't allowed to repay this. "Serbian people are good people," was the man's reply. Indeed they are! So, we went back to the disgruntled man with our Euros and here we are in Romania after a good nights sleep in Mr. Blues. You have to love random God-provision and the beautiful people it can come through.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
In Budapest
not sure how many kilometers, Budapest, Hungary
So we arrived yesterday evening after driving from beautiful Slovakia. Because we realized that we had missed the 4th of July, we had a belated American party, with Jambalaya as well as grilling corn on the cob and sausage. A feast! It is amazing what you can do with such sparse resources. We are becoming quite good at living in tight spaces, and we are not sick of each other yet (I am speaking for myself at least...) Spent some time talking to a Polish guy living in Sweden. He got us quite excited about the Balkans, so we will see what happens in that area.
Today has been spent walking around Budapest, trying to feel it out just a bit, and hoping to see where and how God wants to put his thumbprint on it. Hoping to hook up with Gabriella, our Hungarian friend tonight. Hoping that works out...
Love to all of you back home!
So we arrived yesterday evening after driving from beautiful Slovakia. Because we realized that we had missed the 4th of July, we had a belated American party, with Jambalaya as well as grilling corn on the cob and sausage. A feast! It is amazing what you can do with such sparse resources. We are becoming quite good at living in tight spaces, and we are not sick of each other yet (I am speaking for myself at least...) Spent some time talking to a Polish guy living in Sweden. He got us quite excited about the Balkans, so we will see what happens in that area.
Today has been spent walking around Budapest, trying to feel it out just a bit, and hoping to see where and how God wants to put his thumbprint on it. Hoping to hook up with Gabriella, our Hungarian friend tonight. Hoping that works out...
Love to all of you back home!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Barinka beautiful nature and people
1854 kilometers, Barinka, Slovakia
Bratislava is beautiful. I really enjoyed walking around it´s old streets. Because we spent the night in the van, with no shower access, we really wanted to go to a place where we could shower and chill out. We found the only campsite around Bratislava, Zlaté Piesky. As it was a national holiday that day the campsite was crowded with people, drinking beer (wich is cheaper than water) and hanging out. It was not what we were longing for, but we got some rest.
We had found a really interesting place in a brochure. It was old ruins on a hill not far from Bratislava, so the next day we decided to go there and pray. It took us a while to leave the campsite. When we came to Barinka, the beautiful village where the path to the ruins starts, we stopped for a quick lunch in the shadow of a tree.
Ready for the mountain we drove up to where we thought the path started. The lack of signs made us end up in another place, on someone's property and our car didn´t want to start, again. So again, the problems in our car made us meet people we wouldn´t have met otherwise. Regina, Kevin and their labrador retreiver George live next to where Mr. Blues had his rest. Regina and her neighbour (who owned the property where we were) helped us to call mechanics who fixed a burnt cable which probably was the cause for the van's difficulties starting, and maybe it will fix the beeping (the oil lamp likes to buzz even though the oil level is always fine) as well!! They fixed it right there, for free...
The woman who owned the property wanted us to leave our car there when we went up to the ruins, she thought that would be safer than having it in the village. So we went up the hills, through a fairytale forest, to the ruins with a extremely beautiful view and presence.
When we came back to our van, Regina met us and offered for us to stay in her and Kevin´s beautiful house. They are great, open and beautiful people. We´ve just had a great breakfast with Regina.
Now we are planning to go to Budapest, but if the trip will continue like this we´ll probably end up somewhere else! Thanks!
Bratislava is beautiful. I really enjoyed walking around it´s old streets. Because we spent the night in the van, with no shower access, we really wanted to go to a place where we could shower and chill out. We found the only campsite around Bratislava, Zlaté Piesky. As it was a national holiday that day the campsite was crowded with people, drinking beer (wich is cheaper than water) and hanging out. It was not what we were longing for, but we got some rest.
We had found a really interesting place in a brochure. It was old ruins on a hill not far from Bratislava, so the next day we decided to go there and pray. It took us a while to leave the campsite. When we came to Barinka, the beautiful village where the path to the ruins starts, we stopped for a quick lunch in the shadow of a tree.
Ready for the mountain we drove up to where we thought the path started. The lack of signs made us end up in another place, on someone's property and our car didn´t want to start, again. So again, the problems in our car made us meet people we wouldn´t have met otherwise. Regina, Kevin and their labrador retreiver George live next to where Mr. Blues had his rest. Regina and her neighbour (who owned the property where we were) helped us to call mechanics who fixed a burnt cable which probably was the cause for the van's difficulties starting, and maybe it will fix the beeping (the oil lamp likes to buzz even though the oil level is always fine) as well!! They fixed it right there, for free...
The woman who owned the property wanted us to leave our car there when we went up to the ruins, she thought that would be safer than having it in the village. So we went up the hills, through a fairytale forest, to the ruins with a extremely beautiful view and presence.
When we came back to our van, Regina met us and offered for us to stay in her and Kevin´s beautiful house. They are great, open and beautiful people. We´ve just had a great breakfast with Regina.
Now we are planning to go to Budapest, but if the trip will continue like this we´ll probably end up somewhere else! Thanks!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Through the Czech Republic...
about 1700 km Bratislava, Slovakia
It has been a crazy journey so far, and so much to tell in one small post.
In short, we moved on from Chemnitz, after making new friends with Ana and Marco and being spoiled by Anas amazing cooking, we left for the Czech Republic. Soon after we cross the border we started to smell burning, so we pull over.The tires are steaming, and the brakes are not what they are supposed to be. Feeling very down in the dumps (Not again!!!) Resa tries to find a bathroom, when a guy comes running out of a shop wondering what she is looking for. He became a friend. Pavel leads her to a toilet and then does the following:
* Helps us find a cool campsite for the night complete with lake, nice bathrooms and showers and mini golf!
* Gets his mechanic friend to fix our brakes, and finds out that there was some problem with the cylinders, which he fixes, explaining the high fuel usage and the thunk-thunk while shifting gears.
* Picks us up and drives around Chomolov to find a Bankomat for us.
* Invites us to his place for a barbecue with his friends, mostly from the Czech Army.
* Lets us use his house (gives us the keys and everything) for the night before we leave.
We later found out that in addition to his four jobs, (owning a pub, running and ISP, owning an internet cafe and another job) Pavel is also a videographer for skzdiving jumps.
We made it through the Prague traffic without stopping and were hungry by the time we got to Brno. Krister brilliantly drives us through the city center and through a richer neighborhood. Just outside the Brno city limits we found a dirt road going up an amazing hill. We tested Mr. Blues off-roading abilities and found him quite capable. We stopped the van and cooked our dinner just on the edge of an amazing wheat field on top of rolling hills. Beautifully done God. The sunset was nice and while cooking we could see a hot air balloon and two people parachuting in the distance.
We continued on after dinner, even though it would have been nice to wake up in that field. We made the Slovakien border at about 11pm. We stop the engine while they check passports and Mr. Blues is overheated and could not be started. So, Krister and Resa get out and then with Eva push Mr. Blues over the border. Classic!!
Mr. Blues was fine 10 or 15 minutes later and with it being so late we stopped in a parking lot outside a motel in Malacky. Now we are in Bratislava. Keep reading for more adventures with Mr. Blues.
It has been a crazy journey so far, and so much to tell in one small post.
In short, we moved on from Chemnitz, after making new friends with Ana and Marco and being spoiled by Anas amazing cooking, we left for the Czech Republic. Soon after we cross the border we started to smell burning, so we pull over.The tires are steaming, and the brakes are not what they are supposed to be. Feeling very down in the dumps (Not again!!!) Resa tries to find a bathroom, when a guy comes running out of a shop wondering what she is looking for. He became a friend. Pavel leads her to a toilet and then does the following:
* Helps us find a cool campsite for the night complete with lake, nice bathrooms and showers and mini golf!
* Gets his mechanic friend to fix our brakes, and finds out that there was some problem with the cylinders, which he fixes, explaining the high fuel usage and the thunk-thunk while shifting gears.
* Picks us up and drives around Chomolov to find a Bankomat for us.
* Invites us to his place for a barbecue with his friends, mostly from the Czech Army.
* Lets us use his house (gives us the keys and everything) for the night before we leave.
We later found out that in addition to his four jobs, (owning a pub, running and ISP, owning an internet cafe and another job) Pavel is also a videographer for skzdiving jumps.
We made it through the Prague traffic without stopping and were hungry by the time we got to Brno. Krister brilliantly drives us through the city center and through a richer neighborhood. Just outside the Brno city limits we found a dirt road going up an amazing hill. We tested Mr. Blues off-roading abilities and found him quite capable. We stopped the van and cooked our dinner just on the edge of an amazing wheat field on top of rolling hills. Beautifully done God. The sunset was nice and while cooking we could see a hot air balloon and two people parachuting in the distance.
We continued on after dinner, even though it would have been nice to wake up in that field. We made the Slovakien border at about 11pm. We stop the engine while they check passports and Mr. Blues is overheated and could not be started. So, Krister and Resa get out and then with Eva push Mr. Blues over the border. Classic!!
Mr. Blues was fine 10 or 15 minutes later and with it being so late we stopped in a parking lot outside a motel in Malacky. Now we are in Bratislava. Keep reading for more adventures with Mr. Blues.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
chemnitz, germany
just a short blog as time in internet café is drawing to an end.
Johan is sick, but slowly getting better. God has provided again, as a girl in the pension we have been staying at while Mr. Blues has been fixed offered us to stay in her apartment, which saved us 50 euros. We are now officially broke, but we feel God urging us to move on, so we are. Heading down to czeck republic today if nothing changes. Mr Blues is fixed. Feels good to be moving again.
Thank you for prayer. Our love goes out to all readers of this! We love you all!
just a short blog as time in internet café is drawing to an end.
Johan is sick, but slowly getting better. God has provided again, as a girl in the pension we have been staying at while Mr. Blues has been fixed offered us to stay in her apartment, which saved us 50 euros. We are now officially broke, but we feel God urging us to move on, so we are. Heading down to czeck republic today if nothing changes. Mr Blues is fixed. Feels good to be moving again.
Thank you for prayer. Our love goes out to all readers of this! We love you all!
Friday, June 30, 2006
broke down Blues
not enough kilometers, Chemnitz, Germany
well, a breakdown on the German Autobahn is classic.... so we experienced that one. here we are, in a city we´ve never heard off and weren´t planning on going to. Not sure for how long. Many calls to insurance. Hunting for net cafe. No youth hostels in the city (one 20 minutes outside)... and to our horror couchsurfing.com exists no more.
Watch this space, I´m sure there will be stories to tell about this one!
well, a breakdown on the German Autobahn is classic.... so we experienced that one. here we are, in a city we´ve never heard off and weren´t planning on going to. Not sure for how long. Many calls to insurance. Hunting for net cafe. No youth hostels in the city (one 20 minutes outside)... and to our horror couchsurfing.com exists no more.
Watch this space, I´m sure there will be stories to tell about this one!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
old school, new prayers
about 1100 kilometers, Lucka, Germany
Scott and Misty + their 2 kids are just wonderful people. We caught up with them in Wittenberg (the city Luther was working in) and it was great to meet people doing a similar thing to us. They're out with there vw-camper van (named 'Harry') for unlimited time touring Europe, asking God why he wants them to do this... :) Cool how God is using them. Just to see their hearts and longings has been a blessing.
Wittenberg... The city where the reformation started. After a night a bit outside the city (all four of us sleeping in the same van, Krister nearly got killed by evil mosquitos) we went to all different places in the city where Luther was studying, working, hung out etc. Krister even spotted the MGL (Martin Luther Gym). In the church where Luther held his first sermon, after nailing up the 95 theses at the bigger churchs gate, we found an old silent room perfect for prayer. We prayed for a new reformation. We prayed for a sometimes broken and divided Christianity to be healed. We prayed for God to move in Germany again.
We were planning to go to Dresten to meet Markus and the rest of the 24-7 prayer community there. But Markus was at his parents place in the small village of Lucka, so we (Harry and Mr. Blues) went there to pick him up....we thought. When we arrived to their place it was a BBQ going on with all his family. Such great hospitality! We ate so much good german food and wished we had at least three extra stomaches. After chilling by their outdoor firestove we were all ready for a good nights sleep. Beautiful.
Today Markus took us to an old schoolbuilding in the town next to Lucka where they want to start the Transit course in September (see 24-7prayer.com). They don't know yet if they will get the building or not but it seems to be the most perfect place for doing the Transit thing!! We were all standing on the top floor of the house, telling God that we want that old house to be theirs, to be a place that He can use.
It felt really cool to be there...at the beginning of something big...
God is moving.
And so are we. We're off Hernhutt. Yeehaa!
Scott and Misty + their 2 kids are just wonderful people. We caught up with them in Wittenberg (the city Luther was working in) and it was great to meet people doing a similar thing to us. They're out with there vw-camper van (named 'Harry') for unlimited time touring Europe, asking God why he wants them to do this... :) Cool how God is using them. Just to see their hearts and longings has been a blessing.
Wittenberg... The city where the reformation started. After a night a bit outside the city (all four of us sleeping in the same van, Krister nearly got killed by evil mosquitos) we went to all different places in the city where Luther was studying, working, hung out etc. Krister even spotted the MGL (Martin Luther Gym). In the church where Luther held his first sermon, after nailing up the 95 theses at the bigger churchs gate, we found an old silent room perfect for prayer. We prayed for a new reformation. We prayed for a sometimes broken and divided Christianity to be healed. We prayed for God to move in Germany again.
We were planning to go to Dresten to meet Markus and the rest of the 24-7 prayer community there. But Markus was at his parents place in the small village of Lucka, so we (Harry and Mr. Blues) went there to pick him up....we thought. When we arrived to their place it was a BBQ going on with all his family. Such great hospitality! We ate so much good german food and wished we had at least three extra stomaches. After chilling by their outdoor firestove we were all ready for a good nights sleep. Beautiful.
Today Markus took us to an old schoolbuilding in the town next to Lucka where they want to start the Transit course in September (see 24-7prayer.com). They don't know yet if they will get the building or not but it seems to be the most perfect place for doing the Transit thing!! We were all standing on the top floor of the house, telling God that we want that old house to be theirs, to be a place that He can use.
It felt really cool to be there...at the beginning of something big...
God is moving.
And so are we. We're off Hernhutt. Yeehaa!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
and we're off
We've had a brilliant time with the homezone community here. Had a bit of German hospitality yesterday... Eva and I went to buy food for a last meal together. We got to the front of the line to pay and realized that they didn't take visa and we didn't have enough Euros... the cashier spoke to us in German about where to find an ATM, and another lady in the line translated. Another man who was in front of us even offered to drive Eva to the nearby bank, chatting to her in German the whole time! Oil is changed in the van and today we're off to meet some other travellers, Scot and Misty and to check out Luther's hometown...
Monday, June 26, 2006
Gemeinschaft
# 762 kilometers, Genthin, Germany
Tyskland är ett trevligt land. Vi har varit här i tre dagar nu(känns som en vecka)och njutit av tysk korv och goda människor. Vi kom hit, till Genthin, sent fredag kväll. Hans (var vän som varit utbytesstudent i Sverige) tog emot oss i sin kyrka efter ett ungdomsmöte. Utan att veta om eller när vi skulle komma hade han förberett för oss. Vi har bott i ett slags kollektiv som heter D3Homezone i Genthin. Genthin är en jätteliten stad utanför Berlin. Vi har hängt med Hans vänner, med en familj som bor här i huset och hemma hos Hans. Det har varit fina dagar. Det är verkligen kul att fa träffa Hans, hans familj och vänner och se hur han har det här.
I fredags när vi akte fran färjan till Genthin stannade vi till i Brandenburg och tankade, full tank för första gangen! Vi körde vidare till Lidl för att köpa lite mat(det känns mkt bättre att köpa tysk mat i Tyskland!). Där upptäckte vi att det droppade rejält underifran bilen. Det visade sig vara ett ganska stort hal pa toppen av bensintanken. Det gar bra att köra med bilen, men det är inte det säkraste att köra runt med en läckande tank. Sa just nu haller vi pa att leta efter en billig tank nagonstans i Tyskland. Det känns ganska spännande för oss alla fyra att ta hand om en bil, en bil som ska ta oss ganska langt!
Nästa destination är fortfarande obestämd, men vi känner att vi vill röra pa oss snart.
Eva on Resas account.
Tyskland är ett trevligt land. Vi har varit här i tre dagar nu(känns som en vecka)och njutit av tysk korv och goda människor. Vi kom hit, till Genthin, sent fredag kväll. Hans (var vän som varit utbytesstudent i Sverige) tog emot oss i sin kyrka efter ett ungdomsmöte. Utan att veta om eller när vi skulle komma hade han förberett för oss. Vi har bott i ett slags kollektiv som heter D3Homezone i Genthin. Genthin är en jätteliten stad utanför Berlin. Vi har hängt med Hans vänner, med en familj som bor här i huset och hemma hos Hans. Det har varit fina dagar. Det är verkligen kul att fa träffa Hans, hans familj och vänner och se hur han har det här.
I fredags när vi akte fran färjan till Genthin stannade vi till i Brandenburg och tankade, full tank för första gangen! Vi körde vidare till Lidl för att köpa lite mat(det känns mkt bättre att köpa tysk mat i Tyskland!). Där upptäckte vi att det droppade rejält underifran bilen. Det visade sig vara ett ganska stort hal pa toppen av bensintanken. Det gar bra att köra med bilen, men det är inte det säkraste att köra runt med en läckande tank. Sa just nu haller vi pa att leta efter en billig tank nagonstans i Tyskland. Det känns ganska spännande för oss alla fyra att ta hand om en bil, en bil som ska ta oss ganska langt!
Nästa destination är fortfarande obestämd, men vi känner att vi vill röra pa oss snart.
Eva on Resas account.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Starting Off, the South of Sweden
318.2 kilometers, Staffanstorp Sweden
What an adventure! We made it down to Sävsjö, where the van was. A friend gave us and all of our things and our four new tires a ride the whole way down. Then, instead of collecting gas money as we agreed she bought us some groceries, about half of which we still have. We didn't have enough money to pay the mechanic as it cost a lot to buy a refurbished engine, put it in and fix a few other things so that Mr. Blues could pass his inspection. We left Stockholm a few thousand Swedish kronor short of what we owed but it is working itself out and so far we have lacked neither gas nor food.
Because we had to pay the mechanic in cash and it was after banking hours, we had to wait until the next day. Where do we spend the night? A phone call later we are eating sausages and watching football (England still hasn't beat us since 1968...) at our housemate's uncles's place. We spent the night (of course, in his caravan) and wake up the next morning to a beautiful breakfast (homebaked bread, grapes, cheese, porridge...) and a blessing from his parents. He then gave us a ride into town and got us a time for the inspection that would make Mr. Blues all legal...
The van worked, but was in a less than tidy state. But what to do when the rain was pouring down? We remembered that friends Resa and Krister had met in Cambodia lived in Växjö, so we called them and ended up being fed and tucked into bed (after receiving Bibles to give away from their mother). Sleep was especially welcome, as we just had spent five hours scrubbing, cleaning and organizing the van. It was great to share stories and catch up on Daniel and Frida's lives (Frida is beautifully pregnant with twins!).
Finally we were on the road. But where to? The more we drove south, the clearer the picture became clear that Germany is where we're heading. At 03:15 AM we are boarding a boat to Sassnitz in the north-east of Deutchland. With our free time we stopped off to visit our housemate Linda's parents (to continue our tour of her relatives homes) here. They've been great! Her dad helped us install our van safe (bolted into the frame) and we had an amazing meal. Hospitality and praying was very appreciated. After all, it was Linda and her mom who actually went to look at Mr. Blues and bought him in the first place. Soon we'll be on a ferry! Must go, they're calling us down for tea and sandwiches before leaving!
The journey continues...
What an adventure! We made it down to Sävsjö, where the van was. A friend gave us and all of our things and our four new tires a ride the whole way down. Then, instead of collecting gas money as we agreed she bought us some groceries, about half of which we still have. We didn't have enough money to pay the mechanic as it cost a lot to buy a refurbished engine, put it in and fix a few other things so that Mr. Blues could pass his inspection. We left Stockholm a few thousand Swedish kronor short of what we owed but it is working itself out and so far we have lacked neither gas nor food.
Because we had to pay the mechanic in cash and it was after banking hours, we had to wait until the next day. Where do we spend the night? A phone call later we are eating sausages and watching football (England still hasn't beat us since 1968...) at our housemate's uncles's place. We spent the night (of course, in his caravan) and wake up the next morning to a beautiful breakfast (homebaked bread, grapes, cheese, porridge...) and a blessing from his parents. He then gave us a ride into town and got us a time for the inspection that would make Mr. Blues all legal...
The van worked, but was in a less than tidy state. But what to do when the rain was pouring down? We remembered that friends Resa and Krister had met in Cambodia lived in Växjö, so we called them and ended up being fed and tucked into bed (after receiving Bibles to give away from their mother). Sleep was especially welcome, as we just had spent five hours scrubbing, cleaning and organizing the van. It was great to share stories and catch up on Daniel and Frida's lives (Frida is beautifully pregnant with twins!).
Finally we were on the road. But where to? The more we drove south, the clearer the picture became clear that Germany is where we're heading. At 03:15 AM we are boarding a boat to Sassnitz in the north-east of Deutchland. With our free time we stopped off to visit our housemate Linda's parents (to continue our tour of her relatives homes) here. They've been great! Her dad helped us install our van safe (bolted into the frame) and we had an amazing meal. Hospitality and praying was very appreciated. After all, it was Linda and her mom who actually went to look at Mr. Blues and bought him in the first place. Soon we'll be on a ferry! Must go, they're calling us down for tea and sandwiches before leaving! The journey continues...
Monday, June 19, 2006
It Is Time
So in the morning, we're off...
For the last two years me and Krister have been dreaming about doing God stuff out of a van. A lot of thought put into that one, so buy me a hot chocolate and I'll give you the whole schpiel. You can imagine the surprise when we told two friends this over a lovely dinner at Eva's and they had been thinking along the same lines.
Our transportation is Mr. Blues, an '88 VW Transporter, decked out with a double bed, sink, table, small fridge and plenty of small gadgets that make a lifeless vehicle into a hopefully cozy place to spend a lot of time. It feels as if we know Mr. Blues, but we have still never seen him. See, we bought him in the south of Sweden for a cheap sum, and knew when we bought him that he had to be fixed up. After three different friend-of-a-friend mechanics had looked at him, our housemate offered to drive it up to STHLM. It got half way.
So then he sat in a garage in a little town called Sävsjö ("No problem, halfway is better than nothing") where the mechanic said both the cylinders were leaking and it would cost more to fix them than to buy a new van ("Really? Nah, it will work out"). The mechanic just happens to have had a friend with a newly refurbished engine for a 1/4 of what it would usually cost ("Hmm. That means we won't have much money for the actual trip... doesn't matter, God has our backs covered"). So yesterday the engine was installed. Tommorrow the new tires and then Mr. Blues can pass his inspection so that we can drive legally ("It will be fine!").
Strangely enough, we four haven't been very worried about the whole thing. It's been annoying, but it has been ok. Is it naive? For sure! Foolish? Probably! At the same time it just feels right. We had hoped to paint Mr. Blues and sort out the inside before leaving, but now it isn't happening. Yet we had felt that this trip would be an organic one, and now it has to be. Painting bits and pieces of him and fixing up the van as we go. We don't have much money, we don't have much of an idea what we're doing and we are in way over our heads.
This has potential to be the best time of our lives.
For the last two years me and Krister have been dreaming about doing God stuff out of a van. A lot of thought put into that one, so buy me a hot chocolate and I'll give you the whole schpiel. You can imagine the surprise when we told two friends this over a lovely dinner at Eva's and they had been thinking along the same lines.
Our transportation is Mr. Blues, an '88 VW Transporter, decked out with a double bed, sink, table, small fridge and plenty of small gadgets that make a lifeless vehicle into a hopefully cozy place to spend a lot of time. It feels as if we know Mr. Blues, but we have still never seen him. See, we bought him in the south of Sweden for a cheap sum, and knew when we bought him that he had to be fixed up. After three different friend-of-a-friend mechanics had looked at him, our housemate offered to drive it up to STHLM. It got half way.
So then he sat in a garage in a little town called Sävsjö ("No problem, halfway is better than nothing") where the mechanic said both the cylinders were leaking and it would cost more to fix them than to buy a new van ("Really? Nah, it will work out"). The mechanic just happens to have had a friend with a newly refurbished engine for a 1/4 of what it would usually cost ("Hmm. That means we won't have much money for the actual trip... doesn't matter, God has our backs covered"). So yesterday the engine was installed. Tommorrow the new tires and then Mr. Blues can pass his inspection so that we can drive legally ("It will be fine!").
Strangely enough, we four haven't been very worried about the whole thing. It's been annoying, but it has been ok. Is it naive? For sure! Foolish? Probably! At the same time it just feels right. We had hoped to paint Mr. Blues and sort out the inside before leaving, but now it isn't happening. Yet we had felt that this trip would be an organic one, and now it has to be. Painting bits and pieces of him and fixing up the van as we go. We don't have much money, we don't have much of an idea what we're doing and we are in way over our heads.
This has potential to be the best time of our lives.
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