Yay!

This week on Dts we are learning about the Bible! We have the privilege of having a teacher from Latvia coming to us to teach this week. Her name is Kristine Ecis. She told us studying the Bible is one of the disciplines of Christian faith, just like praying, fasting, bible reading. It’ s really good if you read your bible every day…But do you fast everyday? No, and in that same way. Don’t feel bad when the next time you study is a month away! When we want answers in things we don’t understand it’s great to practice this skill of studying and to find those answers.

When you study…don’t study for the sake of studying, she told us. Why do we study? She asked. Her answer is: We study to change life. If it doesn’t change our lives studying the Bible than there is something wrong with our study…If we just study to get knowledge, it doesn’t really help us. Only knowledge, without change puffs up! Yes, we need the knowledge, but we also need the change of character to live it out the knowledge.

It was really interesting the first day to hear about little facts as…the bible has 66 books. 39 in the Old testament. How to remember that? Old = 3 letters. Testament = 9 letters. 39 together! The New Testament has 27 books. New = 3 letters. Testament = 9 letters. 3 x 9 = 27! Good tip huh? Today we dressed up and put ourselves in their ‘clothes’ by imagining living in the time of Jesus. We played a drama being Pharisees, Sadducees, city elders arguing over Jesus raising Lazarus up from the dead. . It was a really interesting way of learning their point of view. The things they stood for.

We will be learning by heart the order of the books in the NT, we will study the book of Kings briefly and an in depth study on Philemon. All this promises a great week knowing the bible more! Cause after all… This is the book that has the power to change our way of thinking, it has had a tremendous impact on the world and how we live today, it still touches and changes many people’s life today, it is the book revealing to us our history and reminding us of our future. And is by far the most proven book in the history of man. It’s living and active. It’s Gods written Word☺ Love!

-Bendert

Only a few more weeks!

We are getting closer and closer to our outreach, and the closer we get the more excited we are(at least I am). Last week our teacher was Ron Archer, from California United Sates. His topic was Sin, Repentace and Restitution, but as he began to teach he felt the Holy Spirit leading him otherwise. He felt we should sit on the couches and talk. He led us through some team building, so we could be more prepared for outreach. We spent our whole week doing the teaching on the couches, and it gave us an environment to be open and share and also listen to his teachings. We all really liked Ron and had a good week.

Last Thursday we led a youth night here at the base where we had about 12 kids and we got to hang out, play games, worship and share a little to them. It was a lot of fun and beneficial for everyone.

Leading worship in Siilinjärvi pentecostal church

This week our teacher is Samson Kurshid. He is originally from Pakistan but now lives in Indiana. His topic is hearing God's voice. He has given us some great advice on spending quality time with God, and decifering between God's voice and other voices. He had told us the steps and what is needed to help us hear the voice of God. Each morning he leads a devotional, where we spend some quiet time listening to God and worshiping him. Last night He trated us to some Butter Chicken Curry, a recipe from Pakistan. It was a great week of teaching.

We had a visitor this week: Susa Jurvansuu she came to traslate and hang out for the week. She joined us in our second game of angels and mortals. A fun time where we get to bless our friends. This weekend we have our second free weekend. Some of students get to go home for the weekend, and spend some time with their family's.

-Kevin

Were Home!

After a long/good two weeks, we came home to Koivumäki. After we left Perhenemi we went to Vihti another snowboarding event, “Free to Ride.” This was held by the Gospel Boarders. It gave us a chance to talk to some people, show our drama and see God work through others. That night we went to Leea’s home church in Hattula.

We spent last week there, as well as Hämeenlinna. Sunday we introduced ourselves and showed our drama to the Church. Monday was a free day and we spent it at Leea’s grandpa’s on the snowmobile. Tuesday we went to a Lutheran Bible School and told them about what we were doing and some of the things God has shown us while we have been here. That night we held a prayer meeting at the church and had some time to pray for countries and their leaders.

Wednesday we visited an elderly home in Hämeenlinna, and got to tell them about how Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That night we went to a youth night in Tampere. We got to lead them in worship, perform more dramas and share a few of our thoughts. It was a great time to connect with the people there, and invite them to our youth night on Thursday. A few of us finished Wednesday night by going to see this Christian/Finnish/Rapper, Ruudolf.

Thursday morning we went to Hämeenlinna, and did some street evangelism. After that we delivered some free bread and went to visit an elderly lady. That night we had a youth night. There were more people than most of us expected, and it was a great night that ended in one girl giving her life to Christ.

The week was fun and was full of learning and building in each other. We look forward this week to hearing from our speaker Ron Archer from California.

-Kevin

Glimpse of SDTS

Hello all Exited SDTS-blog readers!
The time is flying, it´s already three weeks since the last blog-update. After our relationship-week we had teaching about spiritual warfare and intercession. So now we know much more about how efficient the armor of God is, and when it comes to intercession, I think all students got encouraged that prayer really works!! This week finished off with a Fun Night. All came clothed as something starting with an “S”; Spiderman, Supermodel, Spurgu, Siamesetwin, Star, Sock… just to mention a few. We had a really fun night and it was a good way of ending the week.
Next day we spent at the slopes in Siilinjärvi. It was time for the annual event, “Avalanche”. Avalanche is a happening organized by Christians from different congregations. Before we packed our snowboards, instruments, drama-equipments, and drove to Kasurila, we had an amazing worship-time. Wow!
At Kasurila we all got to do something, … the drama, play or sing worship-songs. I mostly spend my time playing with the kids outside. So fun! It was good to see that Christians can co-operate though we are from different churches.
This week we have been in Perheniemi. It´s very beautiful here, I can promise. A big old mansion, and an other house where we sleep. The view is almost breathtaking. First part of the week we got teaching about financial matters and Biblical worldview by Dirk Jan Couprie, and on Thursday and Friday we got teaching about love and relationships by Perhenimi´s principal Petri Välimäki.
Next week we will have an even more special week… but I won't reveal anything yet. Read it on next blog-update, right? ;)
-Martina