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