A New Generation Rising in Finland

Richard and I just got back from a 5 day round trip to Finland, with stops in Tampere, Jyväskelä, Turku and Helsinki, and although it's good to be on British soil again, we're missing the freaky Finns and their quirky culture. These northerners are indeed a breed of their own...boasting some of the hottest saunas and the longest words on earth are just a few of their merits. They're also hosts to the World Air Guitar Championships and rival events such as gumboot-throwing competitions and the world cup in wife-carrying!

Maybe it's their passion for something different that makes them great candidates for living a life of devotion?...maybe it's a coincidence? Either way, we got to spend a few days with 3 of the most committed young ladies I know, giving everything and a little bit more to serving the Scandinavian schools and making the message of Jesus known across their often dark nation. Visiting the New Generation base in Jyväskelä, led by the heroic trio Mari, Maria and Jenny was definitely the highlight, but being part of a youth event in Turku on Saturday and Sunday wasn't bad either! With 3 meetings on Saturday and one Sunday morning, I came home tired, but being part of spurring the girls on and helping them come that bit closer to the 50-school mark was a privilege and an honour. Leaving the country the group count was 48, and loads of new members, leaders and schoolsworkers had heard about our network and the new generation rising in this northern nation.

To check out the Finnish NG site, go to www.newgeneration.fi

To see me snowboarding go to Facebook!