Friday, September 11, 2009
Happy Saturday Morning
Hello friends. It is Saturday morning at 7:50 am. The weather in Bergen is overcast and rainy. Looks like a perfect day to go fishing in the cold rain. A neighbor has invited me to go fishing out on the fjord. Should be fun and wet. Blessings, Craig
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Road Trip with Crystal
I am not sure guys, Norway might take the cake so far. Sure it rains a lot and there are crazy wind storms, Craig and I saw a little child's inflatable pool with palm tree attached fly right by the kitchen window the other day. Still, it's an absolutely gorgeous place.
Yesterday, Crystal took us on a road trip, this girl doesn't mess around, we were on the road for 11 hours, going from place to place. Craig took way too many pictures as usual, but I really couldn't blame him, there were waterfalls everywhere and it was amazing. In order to give you the true details of this trip I will need to wait to have Crystal spell out all the names of the places we visited, but I can tell you we stopped at two fjords and two giant waterfalls, one of which we walked behind-yeah behind the waterfall. Craig nearly was in tears because we failed to bring along the fishing rod and there were great fishing spots everywhere. I think of the places we've visited so far, this might be Craig's favorite. Why? All you really need is fresh air, fish, lakes, rivers or other bodies of water, and mountains to climb. It's definitely his most suited habitat, the man becomes a different person in nature. It's funny actually because most of you know him to be a pretty ...how do you say...laid back, mellow, sometimes-difficult-to-record-a-heartbeat-kind-of-guy. Well, just take this guy into nature and he really comes alive, it makes me so happy to see him like that and it was great to have had Crystal witness it all.
Yesterday, Crystal took us on a road trip, this girl doesn't mess around, we were on the road for 11 hours, going from place to place. Craig took way too many pictures as usual, but I really couldn't blame him, there were waterfalls everywhere and it was amazing. In order to give you the true details of this trip I will need to wait to have Crystal spell out all the names of the places we visited, but I can tell you we stopped at two fjords and two giant waterfalls, one of which we walked behind-yeah behind the waterfall. Craig nearly was in tears because we failed to bring along the fishing rod and there were great fishing spots everywhere. I think of the places we've visited so far, this might be Craig's favorite. Why? All you really need is fresh air, fish, lakes, rivers or other bodies of water, and mountains to climb. It's definitely his most suited habitat, the man becomes a different person in nature. It's funny actually because most of you know him to be a pretty ...how do you say...laid back, mellow, sometimes-difficult-to-record-a-heartbeat-kind-of-guy. Well, just take this guy into nature and he really comes alive, it makes me so happy to see him like that and it was great to have had Crystal witness it all.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sailing
Monday, September 7th 2009
Yesterday we went for a sail on the local fjord. We experienced a variety of weather. We were thankful for a strong wind which made for good sailing. It was sunny at times and windy and rainy at others. The weather changed frequently and we were blessed with witnessing the beauty of rainbows as the sun and rained intermingled to produce a beautiful landscape. It would rain and I would get soaking wet then the sun would come and I would dry out then it would rain some more. Mariella took shelter in the cabin when the rain became too heavy. Crystal remained comfortable while wearing her nice boiler suit, protecting her from the wind and rain.
We putted away from the dock using the motor then used wind power once we left the shelter of the cove. After sailing for a while I wanted to give fishing a try. While sailing the main body of the fjord I let out a trolling line. The line was in the water for about an hour and we hooked no fish. We decided to sail up a smaller channel where we finally got into some fish. We caught a bunch of mackerel. Mariella and took turns fishing. In the end we hooked eight fish and landed six. We were the only sailboat out on the water the entire day. I guess the other Norwegian sailors did not want to brave the unwelcoming weather. After a day of sailing and fishing we docked the boat and drove up the street to Crystals in-laws. They treated us to hot coffee and a pancake snack. Crystals father-in-law offered to clean the fish and her mother-in-law started frying them. Two hours after landing the fish we were eating batter fried Mackerel. What a great day!
Yesterday we went for a sail on the local fjord. We experienced a variety of weather. We were thankful for a strong wind which made for good sailing. It was sunny at times and windy and rainy at others. The weather changed frequently and we were blessed with witnessing the beauty of rainbows as the sun and rained intermingled to produce a beautiful landscape. It would rain and I would get soaking wet then the sun would come and I would dry out then it would rain some more. Mariella took shelter in the cabin when the rain became too heavy. Crystal remained comfortable while wearing her nice boiler suit, protecting her from the wind and rain.
We putted away from the dock using the motor then used wind power once we left the shelter of the cove. After sailing for a while I wanted to give fishing a try. While sailing the main body of the fjord I let out a trolling line. The line was in the water for about an hour and we hooked no fish. We decided to sail up a smaller channel where we finally got into some fish. We caught a bunch of mackerel. Mariella and took turns fishing. In the end we hooked eight fish and landed six. We were the only sailboat out on the water the entire day. I guess the other Norwegian sailors did not want to brave the unwelcoming weather. After a day of sailing and fishing we docked the boat and drove up the street to Crystals in-laws. They treated us to hot coffee and a pancake snack. Crystals father-in-law offered to clean the fish and her mother-in-law started frying them. Two hours after landing the fish we were eating batter fried Mackerel. What a great day!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Hiking around Bergen
Sunday, September 6th 2009
Yesterday Crystal took us on a long hike. There was no driving to the trail head. We just walked out the front door down the street and started up a mountain. We hike a couple of the mountains surrounding the city of Bergen. We were rewarded with great views of the city, sea and nearby islands. We walked past a WWII fort which the Nazis built. We also picked some fresh blueberries, which Crystal is making pancakes with this morning. Mariella slid down a rock on the hike and scraped up her arm. She is ok. After hiking from Crystals place to the city we took the bus to return home. Today we are planning on taking the sailboat out to see some fjords. The weather is overcast with frequent showers. This is typical weather for Bergen. Here are some photos.
Yesterday Crystal took us on a long hike. There was no driving to the trail head. We just walked out the front door down the street and started up a mountain. We hike a couple of the mountains surrounding the city of Bergen. We were rewarded with great views of the city, sea and nearby islands. We walked past a WWII fort which the Nazis built. We also picked some fresh blueberries, which Crystal is making pancakes with this morning. Mariella slid down a rock on the hike and scraped up her arm. She is ok. After hiking from Crystals place to the city we took the bus to return home. Today we are planning on taking the sailboat out to see some fjords. The weather is overcast with frequent showers. This is typical weather for Bergen. Here are some photos.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Arrived Safely In Bergen
Just want to make a quick update. We arrived last night to Bergen, Norway. We flew from Amsterdam to Copenhagen to Bergen. Our friend Crystal welcomed us at the airport. We are looking out their window to the ocean and a large island. Sailboats are cruising the fjord as the sun is out today(a rarity). We hope to go on an evening sail tonight on Crystal and Jon Andres' (Crystals Husband) 30 ft. sailboat. We are excited about soaking up the beautiful landscape. I assume the area is much like that in Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, Canada. Unfortunately Jon Andre is working for the next two weeks out at sea on an oil rig. Crystal is graciously hosting us.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Corrie Ten Boom House
A short description about Corrie and her Family from the website:
In 1837 Willem ten Boom opened a watch shop in this house. His family lived in the rooms above the shop. The home was later passed down to Willem’s son, Casper, and then to Casper’s daughter, Corrie. In 1987 the Corrie ten Boom House Foundation purchased the building. To continue this family’s witness, in 1988 the Foundation opened this home as a museum. It is often called the Hiding Place. It has become a symbol that surpasses national boundaries. Let us share the inspiring story of the Ten Booms and the Hiding Place with you!
The Ten Boom family were devoted Christians who dedicated their lives in service to their fellow man. Their home was always an "open house" for anyone in need. Through the decades the Ten Booms were very active in social work in Haarlem, and their faith inspired them to serve the religious community and society at large.
During the Second World War, the Ten Boom home became a refuge, a hiding place, for fugitives and those hunted by the Nazis. By protecting these people, Casper and his daughters, Corrie and Betsie, risked their lives. This non-violent resistance against the Nazi-oppressors was the Ten Booms' way of living out their Christian faith. This faith led them to hide Jews, students who refused to cooperate with the Nazis, and members of the Dutch underground resistance movement.
During 1943 and into 1944, there were usually 6-7 people illegally living in this home: 4 Jews and 2 or 3 members of the Dutch underground. Additional refugees would stay with the Ten Booms for a few hours or a few days until another "safe house" could be located for them. Corrie became a ringleader within the network of the Haarlem underground. Corrie and "the Beje group" would search for courageous Dutch families who would take in refugees, and much of Corrie's time was spent caring for these people once they were in hiding. Through these activities, the Ten Boom family and their many friends saved the lives of an estimated 800 Jews, and protected many Dutch underground workers.
On February 28, 1944, this family was betrayed and the Gestapo (the Nazi secret police) raided their home. The Gestapo set a trap and waited throughout the day, seizing everyone who came to the house. By evening about 30 people had been taken into custody! Casper, Corrie and Betsie were all arrested. Corrie’s brother Willem, sister Nollie, and nephew Peter were at the house that day, and were also taken to prison.
Although the Gestapo systematically searched the house, they could not find what they sought most. They suspected Jews were in the house, but the Jews were safely hidden behind a false wall in Corrie’s bedroom. In this "hiding place" were two Jewish men, two Jewish women and two members of the Dutch underground. Although the house remained under guard, the Resistance was able to liberate the refugees 47 hours later. The six people had managed to stay quiet in their cramped, dark hiding place for all that time, even though they had no water and very little food. The four Jews were taken to new "safe houses," and three survived the war. One of the underground workers was killed during the war years, but the other survived.
Because underground materials and extra ration cards were found in their home, the Ten Boom family was imprisoned. Casper (84 years old) died after only 10 days in Scheveningen Prison. When Casper was asked if he knew he could die for helping Jews, he replied, "It would be an honor to give my life for God's ancient people." Corrie and Betsie spent 10 months in three different prisons, the last was the infamous Ravensbruck Concentration Camp located near Berlin, Germany. Life in the camp was almost unbearable, but Corrie and Betsie spent their time sharing Jesus' love with their fellow prisoners. Many women became Christians in that terrible place because of Corrie and Betsie's witness to them. Betsie (59) died in Ravensbruck, but Corrie survived. Corrie’s nephew, Christiaan (24), had been sent to Bergen Belsen for his work in the underground, and never returned. Corrie’s brother, Willem (60), was also a ring leader in the Dutch underground. While in prison for this "crime," he contracted spinal tuberculosis and died shortly after the war.
Four Ten Booms gave their lives for this family’s commitment, but Corrie came home from the death camp. She realized her life was a gift from God, and she needed to share what she and Betsie had learned in Ravensbruck: "There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still" and "God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies." At age 53, Corrie began a world-wide ministry which took her into more than 60 countries in the next 33 years! She testified to God’s love and encouraged all she met with the message that "Jesus is Victor."
Corrie received many tributes. Corrie was knighted by the Queen of Holland. In 1968, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem (Yad Vashem) asked Corrie to plant a tree in the Garden of Righteousness, in honor of the many Jewish lives her family saved. Corrie’s tree stands there today. In the early 1970's Corrie's book THE HIDING PLACE became a best seller and World Wide Pictures released the major motion picture "The Hiding Place." Corrie went on to write many other inspiring books and make several evangelical videos.
Corrie was a woman who was faithful to God. She died on her 91st birthday, April 15, 1983. It is interesting that Corrie's passing occurred on her birthday. In the Jewish tradition, it is only very blessed people who are allowed the special privilege of dying on their birthday!
Corrie's story is recounted in her books THE HIDING PLACE and TRAMP FOR THE LORD. These, and many other books and videos about this family are available from the Book Shop on this web site.
In 1837 Willem ten Boom opened a watch shop in this house. His family lived in the rooms above the shop. The home was later passed down to Willem’s son, Casper, and then to Casper’s daughter, Corrie. In 1987 the Corrie ten Boom House Foundation purchased the building. To continue this family’s witness, in 1988 the Foundation opened this home as a museum. It is often called the Hiding Place. It has become a symbol that surpasses national boundaries. Let us share the inspiring story of the Ten Booms and the Hiding Place with you!
The Ten Boom family were devoted Christians who dedicated their lives in service to their fellow man. Their home was always an "open house" for anyone in need. Through the decades the Ten Booms were very active in social work in Haarlem, and their faith inspired them to serve the religious community and society at large.
During the Second World War, the Ten Boom home became a refuge, a hiding place, for fugitives and those hunted by the Nazis. By protecting these people, Casper and his daughters, Corrie and Betsie, risked their lives. This non-violent resistance against the Nazi-oppressors was the Ten Booms' way of living out their Christian faith. This faith led them to hide Jews, students who refused to cooperate with the Nazis, and members of the Dutch underground resistance movement.
During 1943 and into 1944, there were usually 6-7 people illegally living in this home: 4 Jews and 2 or 3 members of the Dutch underground. Additional refugees would stay with the Ten Booms for a few hours or a few days until another "safe house" could be located for them. Corrie became a ringleader within the network of the Haarlem underground. Corrie and "the Beje group" would search for courageous Dutch families who would take in refugees, and much of Corrie's time was spent caring for these people once they were in hiding. Through these activities, the Ten Boom family and their many friends saved the lives of an estimated 800 Jews, and protected many Dutch underground workers.
On February 28, 1944, this family was betrayed and the Gestapo (the Nazi secret police) raided their home. The Gestapo set a trap and waited throughout the day, seizing everyone who came to the house. By evening about 30 people had been taken into custody! Casper, Corrie and Betsie were all arrested. Corrie’s brother Willem, sister Nollie, and nephew Peter were at the house that day, and were also taken to prison.
Although the Gestapo systematically searched the house, they could not find what they sought most. They suspected Jews were in the house, but the Jews were safely hidden behind a false wall in Corrie’s bedroom. In this "hiding place" were two Jewish men, two Jewish women and two members of the Dutch underground. Although the house remained under guard, the Resistance was able to liberate the refugees 47 hours later. The six people had managed to stay quiet in their cramped, dark hiding place for all that time, even though they had no water and very little food. The four Jews were taken to new "safe houses," and three survived the war. One of the underground workers was killed during the war years, but the other survived.
Because underground materials and extra ration cards were found in their home, the Ten Boom family was imprisoned. Casper (84 years old) died after only 10 days in Scheveningen Prison. When Casper was asked if he knew he could die for helping Jews, he replied, "It would be an honor to give my life for God's ancient people." Corrie and Betsie spent 10 months in three different prisons, the last was the infamous Ravensbruck Concentration Camp located near Berlin, Germany. Life in the camp was almost unbearable, but Corrie and Betsie spent their time sharing Jesus' love with their fellow prisoners. Many women became Christians in that terrible place because of Corrie and Betsie's witness to them. Betsie (59) died in Ravensbruck, but Corrie survived. Corrie’s nephew, Christiaan (24), had been sent to Bergen Belsen for his work in the underground, and never returned. Corrie’s brother, Willem (60), was also a ring leader in the Dutch underground. While in prison for this "crime," he contracted spinal tuberculosis and died shortly after the war.
Four Ten Booms gave their lives for this family’s commitment, but Corrie came home from the death camp. She realized her life was a gift from God, and she needed to share what she and Betsie had learned in Ravensbruck: "There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still" and "God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies." At age 53, Corrie began a world-wide ministry which took her into more than 60 countries in the next 33 years! She testified to God’s love and encouraged all she met with the message that "Jesus is Victor."
Corrie received many tributes. Corrie was knighted by the Queen of Holland. In 1968, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem (Yad Vashem) asked Corrie to plant a tree in the Garden of Righteousness, in honor of the many Jewish lives her family saved. Corrie’s tree stands there today. In the early 1970's Corrie's book THE HIDING PLACE became a best seller and World Wide Pictures released the major motion picture "The Hiding Place." Corrie went on to write many other inspiring books and make several evangelical videos.
Corrie was a woman who was faithful to God. She died on her 91st birthday, April 15, 1983. It is interesting that Corrie's passing occurred on her birthday. In the Jewish tradition, it is only very blessed people who are allowed the special privilege of dying on their birthday!
Corrie's story is recounted in her books THE HIDING PLACE and TRAMP FOR THE LORD. These, and many other books and videos about this family are available from the Book Shop on this web site.
Amsterdam, Anne Frank House
At the end of the day we visited the Anne Frank House. We invited a friend we met earlier in the day to come with us. Hank is twenty-something years old and is on his second day working at the hostel. He has lived primarily in Papua New Guinea and West Africa (I cannot remember what country.) Oh, the Ivory Coast. His parents are missionaries and his sister worked here a few years back, so now he is here following in her footsteps. The hostel employs quite a bit of young people in exchange for room and board, or most of the room and board. They hold daily bible studies and daily evening prayers in the dining room/common area. So, back to the Anne Frank museum.
“Anne Frank was one of the millions of victims of the persecution of the Jews during World War II. She lived in Germany when, In 1933, Hitler came to power and installed an anti-Jewish regime there. For their own safety, the Jewish Frank family fled to the Netherlands. However, In May 1940, the German army occupied the Netherlands and repressive measures against the Jews followed here as well. The Frank family hoped to escape these by going into hiding.”
For more information on Anne Frank visit Wikipedia
Written Tuesday, September 1st 2009
Written Tuesday, September 1st 2009
Yesterday afternoon, we arrived safely to Amsterdam from Kenya. We took a bus from the airport to the city center and walked to the hostel less than a mile away. We are staying at a hostel a few blocks from the Anne Frank house (Anne Frank Huis). This is where Anne wrote her diary while in hiding during WWII and the Nazi occupation of Holland. The country was devastated and most of the countries Jews were murdered. Many of the Dutch tried to fight against the Nazi occupation, but like much of the rest of the world, the Nazi propaganda had confused and divided the people here.
Still, Amsterdam is a breathtakingly scenic city, with beautiful 17th century housing and some of the continent’s best museums. It is a compact and user-friendly city with tons of bikes and beautiful boat filled canals. Today we went on a long walk along the canals of the Jordaan passed the Anne Frank house. We walked through the south west of the city going through Leidseplein (theater area) to Vondelpark where we walked for about an hour. Next, we left the park and went passed the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum (we may visit one of these highly acclaimed museums as the entrance fees are high). We walked through Museumplien (a park) taking pictures at the touristy “ I AM STERDAM” sign. We then walked north toward the city center stopping at the FOAM photography museum: terrible. We wish we would not have paid for that visit. In fact, we decided that in order to make the visit worth our precious Euros we would occupy the top floor’s conference room. Mariella spun in their comfy chairs and I sat and planned the rest of the day out. Mariella got a kick out of the people coming in with confused looks on their faces, wondering if they were interrupting a meeting or something, while wondering where the rest of the exhibit was, seeing as there were only 15 to 20 different photos, for way too much money.
Luckily, we were still satisfied with the wonderful bowl of soup we purchased shortly before the museum visit and ate next to the Keizersgracht canal. Next we walked to the Bloemenmarkt (flower district) looking at the beautiful variety of Holland’s finest flowers. From the flower market we walked north to Dam Square where we viewed the National Monument in the center of the square. It has been interesting watching people smoke marijuana as common as the way people smoke cigarettes at home. There are many “coffee shops” around that sell the drug. In Amsterdam, people go to the “Café” to get coffee and they go to “coffee shops” to get marijuana. Good thing I explained this to Mud before she made a crazy mistake and turned her coffee addiction into something worse. We have not yet visited the red light district where brothels abound. Prostitution was legalized in the Netherlands in 1815 and brothels legalized in 2000. Mariella does not want to visit as she says she does not want me to see the near naked prostitutes propositioning passersby from black-lit windows. I think she is right as it is heartbreaking to think about the lives of the individual women, their customers, and the families that are destroyed by the casual sexual encounters. What a beautiful act God created that man has abused. God certainly created sex for the right context. In the right context (between a man and a woman in marriage) it is a beautiful thing. When sex is taken out of this context it seems to destroy people. Of course it is fun in the moment, but it leads to difficulties and destruction. I have always liked the example of a fire in the fire place being a good thing and the proper place for a fire. But if the fire were taken out of the fireplace and put in the middle of a room it would certainly not be good and will eventually cause the house to burn. The right thing in the right place is good. Right thing in the wrong place is not good. I am just speaking from life experiences and observation of others. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. Is there a difference between living life and having fullness of life?
Yesterday afternoon, we arrived safely to Amsterdam from Kenya. We took a bus from the airport to the city center and walked to the hostel less than a mile away. We are staying at a hostel a few blocks from the Anne Frank house (Anne Frank Huis). This is where Anne wrote her diary while in hiding during WWII and the Nazi occupation of Holland. The country was devastated and most of the countries Jews were murdered. Many of the Dutch tried to fight against the Nazi occupation, but like much of the rest of the world, the Nazi propaganda had confused and divided the people here.
Still, Amsterdam is a breathtakingly scenic city, with beautiful 17th century housing and some of the continent’s best museums. It is a compact and user-friendly city with tons of bikes and beautiful boat filled canals. Today we went on a long walk along the canals of the Jordaan passed the Anne Frank house. We walked through the south west of the city going through Leidseplein (theater area) to Vondelpark where we walked for about an hour. Next, we left the park and went passed the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum (we may visit one of these highly acclaimed museums as the entrance fees are high). We walked through Museumplien (a park) taking pictures at the touristy “ I AM STERDAM” sign. We then walked north toward the city center stopping at the FOAM photography museum: terrible. We wish we would not have paid for that visit. In fact, we decided that in order to make the visit worth our precious Euros we would occupy the top floor’s conference room. Mariella spun in their comfy chairs and I sat and planned the rest of the day out. Mariella got a kick out of the people coming in with confused looks on their faces, wondering if they were interrupting a meeting or something, while wondering where the rest of the exhibit was, seeing as there were only 15 to 20 different photos, for way too much money.
Luckily, we were still satisfied with the wonderful bowl of soup we purchased shortly before the museum visit and ate next to the Keizersgracht canal. Next we walked to the Bloemenmarkt (flower district) looking at the beautiful variety of Holland’s finest flowers. From the flower market we walked north to Dam Square where we viewed the National Monument in the center of the square. It has been interesting watching people smoke marijuana as common as the way people smoke cigarettes at home. There are many “coffee shops” around that sell the drug. In Amsterdam, people go to the “Café” to get coffee and they go to “coffee shops” to get marijuana. Good thing I explained this to Mud before she made a crazy mistake and turned her coffee addiction into something worse. We have not yet visited the red light district where brothels abound. Prostitution was legalized in the Netherlands in 1815 and brothels legalized in 2000. Mariella does not want to visit as she says she does not want me to see the near naked prostitutes propositioning passersby from black-lit windows. I think she is right as it is heartbreaking to think about the lives of the individual women, their customers, and the families that are destroyed by the casual sexual encounters. What a beautiful act God created that man has abused. God certainly created sex for the right context. In the right context (between a man and a woman in marriage) it is a beautiful thing. When sex is taken out of this context it seems to destroy people. Of course it is fun in the moment, but it leads to difficulties and destruction. I have always liked the example of a fire in the fire place being a good thing and the proper place for a fire. But if the fire were taken out of the fireplace and put in the middle of a room it would certainly not be good and will eventually cause the house to burn. The right thing in the right place is good. Right thing in the wrong place is not good. I am just speaking from life experiences and observation of others. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. Is there a difference between living life and having fullness of life?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Hello Friends
We are making a quick update from the Apple store in Harleem, Netherlands. Thank you Mr. Jobs for the internet access. We just toured the Corrie Ten Boom residence. It was an excellent tour. We read the book, "The Hiding Place" during our last two days in Africa. We saw where Corrie and her family hid Jews during the Nazi occupation. We will jump on a train in a few minutes and head back to Amsterdam then walk the canals back to the hostel. We will do a more complete update soon. We are enjoying Amsterdam and we love all the bike riders. Tomorrow we hope to rent a couple bikes for the day.
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