G.L.O.G. Gareth's Lovely Oustiti Gobbling: HEY! From Norway

This is another blog post from way back in the day (a few months after I came to Norway). This post is from a while back though still.

God is SO great! He has blessed me with an AMAZING time in Norway so far. I have grown so much and have become much closer to Him.

The first week I was in Norway I went on a mission trip with around 40 Norwegian teenagers

and youth group leaders to Rainham, England. It is a town known for youth violence and disruptions. In the week we were there the police said that it was one of the most peaceful weeks they could remember - they described it as having the week off. The week was filled with excitement and heart touching realizations. It ended with a concert and a barbecue that was attended by many teens and children with their families. Nine people were saved, many seeds were planted, and a youth group for getting the new Christians started was formed. God's presence was there.

After England, I had two days to relax in Stavanger, Norway before I headed off to my first volunteer. I arrived outside of Bergen with a group of about 30 people (staff and participants) for a camp for mentally and physically handicapped teenagers and adults. It was touching to see how just showing the campers love and talking to them (even though I don't speak Norwegian; some of them spoke a little English) made them glow with happiness. Over the course of that week I grew in showing unconditional love and humbling myself. It is a lesson that didn't benefit me just with working with the students, but in every area of my life.

The next two weeks I had off to enjoy with many of my new Norwegian friends in Bergen, Norway. I was able to see so many beautiful places. It was fantastic! The following week I attended KRIK ARENA, which is a Christian sports camp. The worship and teaching were great and the people were amazing as well. There were many different sports to choose to learn and play throughout the week. Since I have played many sports before, I thought I would try a new one and chose acrobatics. I learned how to do a front flip, front flip 180, side flip and back flip. One day while the sports photography group was there I attempted a double front flip... and landed on my face, my knee went into my chin causing my chin to split open. The hole was so big that I could stick my pinky finger in it. I ended up with three stitches under my chin. The pain was different than usual because my pride hurt the most, then my busted lip, then my sore legs and finally my face (it hurt the least of all, ha ha). It was a GREAT overall experience, though.

My next stop was in Hemsedal, Norway at the KRIK mountainside hotel. The Christian sports organization has had a hotel there for years. Hemsedal is one of the best places for skiing in Norway. While volunteering there I went rock climbing, telephone pole climbing and hiked up mountains for the first time. Working there consisted of mowing, preparing and serving food, cleaning the kitchen, running the front desk and register, cleaning rooms, and doing any other tasks that needed to be done.

I have been accepted into a Creative DTS (Discipleship Training School) for the Music Track (playing drums and singing). DTS is the training school for YWAM (Youth With A Mission). The school trains you in using your artistic abilities for God (and also your daily life). It also has teachings on many other things, such as God's nature and character, the prophetic and other things for building a stronger relationship with God. In the U.S. I was told that I could apply for my Residence and Work Permit in Oslo, Norway so that I could stay here for the school. When I arrived I was informed that I could only apply in the U.S. I contacted the embassy, police office, and the immigration office to see if they could make an exception because of the misunderstanding. After doing more than a day’s worth of just riding in buses and trains around Norway looking for where I should apply, I ended up in Ålesund. The DTS housed me while I was applying, even though the school did not start for another week. After applying and making more calls, I discovered that since my application was being processed I could legally stay in Norway. That guarantees at least another 8 weeks of being in Norway. At that time my application is sure to be accepted and then I can stay for the entire year! Thank You God!!! I am SOO excited to see the ways in which God will grow me during my schooling! Praise God!

I know SO many people have been (and still are) praying for me, and I just want to take the time to thank you all for that. You and God are the reasons that I am able to be here and why I have grown so much already. Thank you so much. I definitely feel God is calling me to stay here for the schooling and I have been praying that God would tell or show me otherwise if I was not supposed to be here, but He has continued to show and tell me that I AM supposed to be here.

Thank you for all your prayers and/or financial support so far. This schooling is expensive though and they encourage the students and staff to raise money through contact with people (doing our part) and relying on God to provide the finances. The cost of this school is 50,000.00 Norwegian Kroners, which is approximately 8,500.00 U.S. Dollars. All of this has been paid except for 8000 Norwegian Kroners ($1,386.19). This includes: food, housing, teaching, musical instrument and recording use, mini outreach, outreach (to countries such as France, South Africa or India) and pretty much everything else (except shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) I would be blessed if I could have your continued support-spiritual and financial. As I know God is calling me to this, I know He will help provide.

You may think paying off the whole amount of my school or giving $200 is the only way to make a financial difference for me here. Yes, these two gifts WOULD make a huge difference! But YOUR contribution of $5 or more would also help. Maybe you don't even have money to give but you or a group you are involved in would want to put together some support to help with the training I am receiving. If you cannot help in this way, don't worry, truly God has it all under control and He will provide. Listen and Obey-two words I am learning so much more about. Above all, keep me in your prayers.

CONTRIBUTIONS from my Norwegian friends can be sent to:

Ungdom i Oppdrag

Creative dts

N-6018 Aalesund

Norway

IN CARE OF GARETH PECK

IN AMERICA:

Please make all checks payable to Wendi Peck and mail to:

Gareth Peck

c/o Wendi Peck

901 Hannover Circle

Stockbridge, GA 30281