“When the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will receive power…” Acts 1:8
I had a great week! I spent the weekend in Seinajoki with the Haapoja’s! I got to go do some shopping in Seinajoki, check out a youth meeting, eat tons of kebab, go to a soccer game, youth meeting, and play some croquet! I had a lot of fun. I met up with Pekka and Neea on Sunday night a drove back to Ruurikkala with them! It was nice to be able to catch up with them and talk!
This week we learned about the Holy Spirit and Holy Living. We had Pekka and Neea come and teach us on it! The teaching was amazing! We did many different games and questions and such. We had a very powerful prayer/soaking meeting! The Holy Spirit came down so powerfully! Praise God! At the end of the week we practiced moving in spiritual gifts! Many people spoke out prophesies, and visions! Later on we prayed for the sick and a few people got healed! Hallelujah!
I also had the chance to meet up with Pekka and Neea for a one-on-one. They know me very well, so it was nice to be able to talk to them. We went talked about some stuff I’m going through and some decisions ahead. It was really nice to have them here. A little piece of home! haha!
We also had a lot of time this to prepare for our outreach! We’re going to be heading to Israel for 6 weeks! As I write this, I’m in Lahti, and I’m going to be heading to Helsinki today. Tomorrow (Sunday), I fly out to Israel! I can’t wait to go and serve! It’s going to be a great time for us to step out of our comfort zone! We also get to go check out a bunch of Biblical places like Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Dead Sea, and the Jordan River! We are then going to Elat for some diving and water sports. I’m really excited! In less than 48 hours, I’ll be in Israel!
God bless!
Shane
9.12.2009
9.07.2009
Week 13!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” and “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 3:5 and 4:23
I had a great week! Harald and Reidun Nyen from Norway came to teach us about Relationships! The teaching was more directed towards relationships in general than romantic relationships. It was very practical and explained very well. There was lots of visuals used to help us remember things. It was nice to Harald and Reidun here! They have been married for 42 years and had lots of experience dealing with relationship issues. Harald had a very good teaching on how a man’s brain and a woman’s brain work. It definitely helped me realise the differences between men and women, and also helped me identify how I think and how I process things. We also discussed the foundations of relationships. It was a great week of teaching!
During the week, we had more free time than usual. We didn’t have an open meeting on Tuesday, so I didn’t have to set up the sound system or practice with the worship team. I spent much my free time walking. I listened to some preaching while walking through the forest, picking blueberries as I went. It was very relaxing. I really enjoy autumn. I love to walk through the forest and enjoy the colours, the cool breeze, the crisp scent in the air. I had a great time just walking. It reminded of home, of walking through around Centennial Park. Many memories there!
On Thursday I was able to lead worship in the morning! I had a great quiet time beforehand and I just spent time soaking in God's prescence and listened to some Jason Upton. I knew the worship session was going to go good! As soon as we starting worshipping, God came down in the room and the whole session went great! I didn’t pick any songs beforehand, and God just lead me the whole time! I really love leading worship!
God bless!
Shane
I had a great week! Harald and Reidun Nyen from Norway came to teach us about Relationships! The teaching was more directed towards relationships in general than romantic relationships. It was very practical and explained very well. There was lots of visuals used to help us remember things. It was nice to Harald and Reidun here! They have been married for 42 years and had lots of experience dealing with relationship issues. Harald had a very good teaching on how a man’s brain and a woman’s brain work. It definitely helped me realise the differences between men and women, and also helped me identify how I think and how I process things. We also discussed the foundations of relationships. It was a great week of teaching!
During the week, we had more free time than usual. We didn’t have an open meeting on Tuesday, so I didn’t have to set up the sound system or practice with the worship team. I spent much my free time walking. I listened to some preaching while walking through the forest, picking blueberries as I went. It was very relaxing. I really enjoy autumn. I love to walk through the forest and enjoy the colours, the cool breeze, the crisp scent in the air. I had a great time just walking. It reminded of home, of walking through around Centennial Park. Many memories there!
On Thursday I was able to lead worship in the morning! I had a great quiet time beforehand and I just spent time soaking in God's prescence and listened to some Jason Upton. I knew the worship session was going to go good! As soon as we starting worshipping, God came down in the room and the whole session went great! I didn’t pick any songs beforehand, and God just lead me the whole time! I really love leading worship!
God bless!
Shane
8.31.2009
Week 12!
“Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Wow! What a great week! I’m going to bring it back to the weekend before. We had the YWAM Staff Weekend at Ruurikkala and the students became the base staff. I was able to exercise my Leadership skills and I lead the students and organized the weekend! The team worked great together with no major hiccups and everything ran smoothly! I was able to able to lead worship on Saturday night and Sunday morning as well. It was my first time leading worship on acoustic guitar, and it went really great! I love leading worship! I also got to meet some of the great YWAMer’s from all around Finland.
After the weekend, Mark Erickson stayed with us to teaching about Intercession and Spiritual Warfare! He shared his testimony and how he spent 10 years in Cambodia, and also how he got involved with YWAM Finland. He also told us about how he has seen many successes and breakthroughs come from prayer. We had a great time learning about how big intercession is. God has really been broadening my view on who He is and His Kingdom.
We also had a week of 24/7 prayer. There was a room that always had at least one person praying in it, 24/7, for one week solid! What a great place to be! I loved being able to spend time with God, even in the middle of the night! Many inspirational painting, drawing, and even a punching bag showed up! I had a great time in the prayer room and I’m really learning how to pray and how to enjoy spending time with God.
On Friday we headed to Pietarsaari for some street evangelism. It was a step out of our comfort zone, but it went good. I tried out “treasure hunting” for the first time, but didn’t meet the people I was looking for. Oh well, I wasn’t expecting perfection on my first try. We were able to speak some people and pray over them. It was a really good experience and it helped prepare us for our upcoming outreach.
Over the weekend we had some team building exercises! It was lots of fun, but quite frustrating at times. We had a “chair bridge” activity which involved 4 people piling on one chair and moving across the room. The “slack line” challenge took some thinking, but we came through great! The “spider web” took a bit of time. It definitely built up our trust in each other and our patience!
That’s all for now!
God bless!
Shane
Wow! What a great week! I’m going to bring it back to the weekend before. We had the YWAM Staff Weekend at Ruurikkala and the students became the base staff. I was able to exercise my Leadership skills and I lead the students and organized the weekend! The team worked great together with no major hiccups and everything ran smoothly! I was able to able to lead worship on Saturday night and Sunday morning as well. It was my first time leading worship on acoustic guitar, and it went really great! I love leading worship! I also got to meet some of the great YWAMer’s from all around Finland.
After the weekend, Mark Erickson stayed with us to teaching about Intercession and Spiritual Warfare! He shared his testimony and how he spent 10 years in Cambodia, and also how he got involved with YWAM Finland. He also told us about how he has seen many successes and breakthroughs come from prayer. We had a great time learning about how big intercession is. God has really been broadening my view on who He is and His Kingdom.
We also had a week of 24/7 prayer. There was a room that always had at least one person praying in it, 24/7, for one week solid! What a great place to be! I loved being able to spend time with God, even in the middle of the night! Many inspirational painting, drawing, and even a punching bag showed up! I had a great time in the prayer room and I’m really learning how to pray and how to enjoy spending time with God.
On Friday we headed to Pietarsaari for some street evangelism. It was a step out of our comfort zone, but it went good. I tried out “treasure hunting” for the first time, but didn’t meet the people I was looking for. Oh well, I wasn’t expecting perfection on my first try. We were able to speak some people and pray over them. It was a really good experience and it helped prepare us for our upcoming outreach.
Over the weekend we had some team building exercises! It was lots of fun, but quite frustrating at times. We had a “chair bridge” activity which involved 4 people piling on one chair and moving across the room. The “slack line” challenge took some thinking, but we came through great! The “spider web” took a bit of time. It definitely built up our trust in each other and our patience!
That’s all for now!
God bless!
Shane
8.24.2009
Week 11
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4
Relaxing week! We were down in Perheniemi (near Lahti) for the week! We didn’t have to prepare the food or and do any work duties! So it was a very laid back week! We had Bas Rijksen (our fourth Dutch!) come and teach us on “Destiny by Design”! He was a very enthusiastic teacher and a great guy! Lots of fun and plenty of laughs!
We were able to find out what our dreams were. It definitely opened my eyes! We also did a few tests to find out what kind of Soulprint (personality) we have. I always knew I was more of an extrovert, but I found that I learn by speaking my thoughts out loud. This is funny, because some of the biggest revelations I’ve had during this DTS have been when I was asked to speak out. I also took a test and my top gift was Administration! At the end of the week, we were asked to write where we thought we would be 10 years from now. It was really neat to see what everybody’s hopes and dream were! Haha, and out of 10 students, everyone was planning on being married!
This week also meant we didn’t have a scheduled quiet time. So for the first few days I didn’t have a quiet time at all… I REALLY began to miss my them. So for the last 3 days, I got up early and had some time with God! Very great times! It was such a great way to start the day!
I also got the chance to go to Lahti a few times. On Monday I checked out the mall a bit and was able to catch up with Janne and Minna! After I met with him, I had a bit more time before we had to meet up, so I walked around the city a bit. I thought I knew the way. But after a wrong turn, I didn’t know where to go! And on top of that, my phone died. So I prayed! God guided me the whole way to the train station and I was able to meet up with my team. I’m beginning to trust God more and more! He’s so good! I also got to go bowling on Thursday.
God bless!
Shane
p.s. Three weeks from right now, I'll be standing in Israel!
Psalm 37:4
Relaxing week! We were down in Perheniemi (near Lahti) for the week! We didn’t have to prepare the food or and do any work duties! So it was a very laid back week! We had Bas Rijksen (our fourth Dutch!) come and teach us on “Destiny by Design”! He was a very enthusiastic teacher and a great guy! Lots of fun and plenty of laughs!
We were able to find out what our dreams were. It definitely opened my eyes! We also did a few tests to find out what kind of Soulprint (personality) we have. I always knew I was more of an extrovert, but I found that I learn by speaking my thoughts out loud. This is funny, because some of the biggest revelations I’ve had during this DTS have been when I was asked to speak out. I also took a test and my top gift was Administration! At the end of the week, we were asked to write where we thought we would be 10 years from now. It was really neat to see what everybody’s hopes and dream were! Haha, and out of 10 students, everyone was planning on being married!
This week also meant we didn’t have a scheduled quiet time. So for the first few days I didn’t have a quiet time at all… I REALLY began to miss my them. So for the last 3 days, I got up early and had some time with God! Very great times! It was such a great way to start the day!
I also got the chance to go to Lahti a few times. On Monday I checked out the mall a bit and was able to catch up with Janne and Minna! After I met with him, I had a bit more time before we had to meet up, so I walked around the city a bit. I thought I knew the way. But after a wrong turn, I didn’t know where to go! And on top of that, my phone died. So I prayed! God guided me the whole way to the train station and I was able to meet up with my team. I’m beginning to trust God more and more! He’s so good! I also got to go bowling on Thursday.
God bless!
Shane
p.s. Three weeks from right now, I'll be standing in Israel!
8.16.2009
Jyväskylä
I had such a great time in Jyvaskyla with Ketola's! When I first arrived, I met up with Jarkko and we to his place. Roosa soon came home from work and Jaakko came over as well! We spent the evening talking and catching up!
The next day I woke and made some puuro for breakfast and listened to a few preachings. I didn't even know Jarkko was home, I had thought he went to work. Well, around 2pm, up come from Jarkko from bed! haha! We headed into town and I got a haircut, and we walked around the city center for a bit. Afterwards we went back to his place and BBQ'd some pork for supper! I then had to chance to try out some longboarding! Tons of fun once I got the hang of it! Later in the evening, we headed to a scremo concert (one of Jarkko's friends were in the band). After the rain calmed down, the outdoor concert started. The band was very skilled and played great. After the first song started, me and Jarkko looked at eachother and ran straight for the moshpit! It was my first time in a mosh pit! haha. Had lots of fun pushing my weight around! haha!
The next day we woke up and made some breakfast and headed out to play in a football (soccer) tournament! We were a bit a late, but we played in one scrimage match. We then went to a camp ground. We got to play in a different tournament there as well. We won both of the games and had a great time! They provided us with some supper, then we headed for the sauna! When we went swimming, we discovered a 5m diving platform! After a few dives and some other stunts, it was time to head into town. We caught the movie "Public Enemies". A great movie. The next day I woke up and tried to make some lettu's (Finn pancakes). It was my first attempt to make them on my own. After a bit of struggling, they actually started to turn out ok! Then it was time to head for the train station. As I write this, I slipping through the finnish backcountry on a train headed for Lahti! I'm excited to be spending the next week in Lahti learning about "Desitny by Design." Thats all for now!
God bless!
Shane
The next day I woke and made some puuro for breakfast and listened to a few preachings. I didn't even know Jarkko was home, I had thought he went to work. Well, around 2pm, up come from Jarkko from bed! haha! We headed into town and I got a haircut, and we walked around the city center for a bit. Afterwards we went back to his place and BBQ'd some pork for supper! I then had to chance to try out some longboarding! Tons of fun once I got the hang of it! Later in the evening, we headed to a scremo concert (one of Jarkko's friends were in the band). After the rain calmed down, the outdoor concert started. The band was very skilled and played great. After the first song started, me and Jarkko looked at eachother and ran straight for the moshpit! It was my first time in a mosh pit! haha. Had lots of fun pushing my weight around! haha!
The next day we woke up and made some breakfast and headed out to play in a football (soccer) tournament! We were a bit a late, but we played in one scrimage match. We then went to a camp ground. We got to play in a different tournament there as well. We won both of the games and had a great time! They provided us with some supper, then we headed for the sauna! When we went swimming, we discovered a 5m diving platform! After a few dives and some other stunts, it was time to head into town. We caught the movie "Public Enemies". A great movie. The next day I woke up and tried to make some lettu's (Finn pancakes). It was my first attempt to make them on my own. After a bit of struggling, they actually started to turn out ok! Then it was time to head for the train station. As I write this, I slipping through the finnish backcountry on a train headed for Lahti! I'm excited to be spending the next week in Lahti learning about "Desitny by Design." Thats all for now!
God bless!
Shane
Week 10!
“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
- Hebrews 12:1 [NLT]
What a surprisingly great week! The teaching topic this week was “Sin and Repentance”. I thought it was going to be another tough week, a week of deep conviction. But I was wrong! Kel Steiner was a very uplifting man of God! He had a great sense of humour and was a great story teller! He brought us through all the steps and reasons behind sin and repentance. He also shared many stories from his own life. I even got to enjoy the first two lectures in bed…spark your interest?
Well, last week we were in Pori serving. On the last day, I was out in the sun washing car windows all day. I didn’t drink enough water, which was a bad decision. After getting back to Ruurikkala, I wasn’t feeling very good. I went directly to bed. The next morning, I woke up and went downstairs to get some breakfast. I was drinking a glass of water and my vision started to go black. I put down the glass of water, took a few steps, felt my body slam to the ground. I had fainted. I didn’t hurt myself, but I then spent the next 24 straight hours in bed. I didn’t even have the strength to sit up and eat. I spent a lot of my time in prayer, reciting a few Bible verses, and singing some worship songs in my head. The next day I was beginning to feel better, but was still quite weak. When it was time for our lecture, they carried in a bed for me! What a great team! They were a huge help and were always bringing me food and water. Overall, it was a nice time with God during my recovery.
The following day (Tuesday) I was back to normal! Praise God! I had the opportunity to lead the open meeting, and it went pretty good. I spoke from my heart and felt quite natural, but I could always use more practice. Kel spoke a very encouraging message on reaching those around us. Over the next two days, we had few extra teaching sessions, which made the days quite long. This was needed so we could finish a day earlier. On Thursday, we had finished by supper time and Janne, Tiia, and I headed out towards Lahti. I got off at Jyväskylä to spend the weekend with Ketola’s, some old friends from Canada. Until next time!
God bless!
Shane
- Hebrews 12:1 [NLT]
What a surprisingly great week! The teaching topic this week was “Sin and Repentance”. I thought it was going to be another tough week, a week of deep conviction. But I was wrong! Kel Steiner was a very uplifting man of God! He had a great sense of humour and was a great story teller! He brought us through all the steps and reasons behind sin and repentance. He also shared many stories from his own life. I even got to enjoy the first two lectures in bed…spark your interest?
Well, last week we were in Pori serving. On the last day, I was out in the sun washing car windows all day. I didn’t drink enough water, which was a bad decision. After getting back to Ruurikkala, I wasn’t feeling very good. I went directly to bed. The next morning, I woke up and went downstairs to get some breakfast. I was drinking a glass of water and my vision started to go black. I put down the glass of water, took a few steps, felt my body slam to the ground. I had fainted. I didn’t hurt myself, but I then spent the next 24 straight hours in bed. I didn’t even have the strength to sit up and eat. I spent a lot of my time in prayer, reciting a few Bible verses, and singing some worship songs in my head. The next day I was beginning to feel better, but was still quite weak. When it was time for our lecture, they carried in a bed for me! What a great team! They were a huge help and were always bringing me food and water. Overall, it was a nice time with God during my recovery.
The following day (Tuesday) I was back to normal! Praise God! I had the opportunity to lead the open meeting, and it went pretty good. I spoke from my heart and felt quite natural, but I could always use more practice. Kel spoke a very encouraging message on reaching those around us. Over the next two days, we had few extra teaching sessions, which made the days quite long. This was needed so we could finish a day earlier. On Thursday, we had finished by supper time and Janne, Tiia, and I headed out towards Lahti. I got off at Jyväskylä to spend the weekend with Ketola’s, some old friends from Canada. Until next time!
God bless!
Shane
8.12.2009
Week 9!
“…let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavnly Father.”
- Matthew 5:16
This was a bit of a different week. It definitely started differently anyways! On Monday each of the students got to speak a 15 minute devotional. It was very nice to see different styles of speaking from each of us! I got speak on “Salt and Light” out of Matthew 5. I really enjoyed the time preparing it and also speaking it!
We were then given a surprise…we were going to Pori the next day…by hitchhiking! A distance of about 300 km's! It was going to be an opportunity to evangelise people and trust God that He get us down there! We split into 5 guy-girl pairs. After some preparation, we were all ready to go! Early the next day, Tiia and I were dropped off in Alaharma. With our Etelään (South) sign, our thumbs in the air, and smiles beaming, we were off! It was a bit of a slow start, taking 6 cars to go about 100km’s. I was beginning to get a bit frustrated and prayed to God that He would send the right car at the right time. About 5 minutes later, a white Mercedes pulls up! We hopped in and the driver was a doctor! He bought us lunch and drove us the rest of the way to Pori (over 200kms!). We also picked up another pair on the way! What a blessing! I’m definitely beginning to trust God more and more!
During the week in Pori, we attended seminars on Evangelism. They were taught by Suzette Hatting and her team. They were very practical and informative! We also got to work alongside a DTS team from Argentina! Each of the students then split up into different groups to go serve. I got serve two days at the Lettupiste (making finn pancakes) in the town center and at a kids park. I then got to wash car windows for two days at the ABC (gas station)! It was great to be able to practically show the love of God and serve the city of Pori! I also had a chance to speak some finn! I’ve been a bit slow…ok…quite slow to start speaking finn, but the last week has been very encouraging, and speaking finn is becoming more natural for me.
On Saturday morning, we had a bit of a different meeting. We were encouraged to keep up this spirit of serving others. Then they gave us some advice to keep in worship and spend time with God during the tough times and when we're tired. We each got prayed for and I got hit by the Holy Spirit and heard some VERY encouraging words from God, and saw a few visions as well. These are things I’m keeping in my prayers right now. What a great week!
God bless!
Shane Lintunen
- Matthew 5:16
This was a bit of a different week. It definitely started differently anyways! On Monday each of the students got to speak a 15 minute devotional. It was very nice to see different styles of speaking from each of us! I got speak on “Salt and Light” out of Matthew 5. I really enjoyed the time preparing it and also speaking it!
We were then given a surprise…we were going to Pori the next day…by hitchhiking! A distance of about 300 km's! It was going to be an opportunity to evangelise people and trust God that He get us down there! We split into 5 guy-girl pairs. After some preparation, we were all ready to go! Early the next day, Tiia and I were dropped off in Alaharma. With our Etelään (South) sign, our thumbs in the air, and smiles beaming, we were off! It was a bit of a slow start, taking 6 cars to go about 100km’s. I was beginning to get a bit frustrated and prayed to God that He would send the right car at the right time. About 5 minutes later, a white Mercedes pulls up! We hopped in and the driver was a doctor! He bought us lunch and drove us the rest of the way to Pori (over 200kms!). We also picked up another pair on the way! What a blessing! I’m definitely beginning to trust God more and more!
During the week in Pori, we attended seminars on Evangelism. They were taught by Suzette Hatting and her team. They were very practical and informative! We also got to work alongside a DTS team from Argentina! Each of the students then split up into different groups to go serve. I got serve two days at the Lettupiste (making finn pancakes) in the town center and at a kids park. I then got to wash car windows for two days at the ABC (gas station)! It was great to be able to practically show the love of God and serve the city of Pori! I also had a chance to speak some finn! I’ve been a bit slow…ok…quite slow to start speaking finn, but the last week has been very encouraging, and speaking finn is becoming more natural for me.
On Saturday morning, we had a bit of a different meeting. We were encouraged to keep up this spirit of serving others. Then they gave us some advice to keep in worship and spend time with God during the tough times and when we're tired. We each got prayed for and I got hit by the Holy Spirit and heard some VERY encouraging words from God, and saw a few visions as well. These are things I’m keeping in my prayers right now. What a great week!
God bless!
Shane Lintunen
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