#andwerehoff Fredrickstad Norway-Odder-Copenhagen Denmark-Jonkoping Sweden
Now it has been a long time since the last update. Reflecting on the last days in my memories and pictures helps lift my gaze from the shortening gaps between terror attacks everywhere, and heartbreaking accounts of injustice and retaliation in the US, and a presidential election that leaves me on the brink of despair. Then I remember being at Hans Nielsen Hauge's home outside of Fredrickstad, Norway.
Hauge was out working in the fields his family leased from the wealthy landowner between Fredrickstad and Sarpsborg. He had been living in the old city of Fredrickstad in his teens/early twenties, but the licentious lives of the Danish occupying soldiers forced him to warn them of the spiritual peril in which they were placing themselves. He was not the most popular person in Fredrickstad, so he walked home and started work in the fields. Maybe it was in these fields that used to be farmed by his family?
He sat at this desk and sought the Lord, and surrendered to the Lord's call to tell his fellow countrymen about this living God in Jesus Christ. Lay preaching was prohibited in Norway during these days, as was traveling on the king's roads without a permit. Unable to travel by road, Hauge travelled through the forest. Up and down, back and forth through Norway gathering small groups here and there and instructing them in the way of salvation. He sacrificed much of his adult life to prison for surrendering to this call. There were 900,000 souls living in Norway at the turn of the 18th century. By the end of Hauge's life (29 March 1824), 300,000 were Haugeaner. What an impact a surrendered life can have on a nation or even beyond!
The friends of Hauge bought the family home when it went up for auction in his life time. He spent the last years of his life in poor health right here. The inner mission built an adjoining prayer house (Bedehus) where the curator now lives with her family.
Two rows of chairs for Arabic translation at Danish Oase (Charismatic Lutheran Renewal). I talked to a pastor that serves a church similar in size to Trinity (around 225 average weekly attendance). They brought about 50 refugee/immigrants, many from Muslim background, to camp, eat, sing, play, and pray with the other 3000 people. I like this movement! Here are some more pictures from the week:
I spoke in the big tent on Sunday night on Ephesians 1. You can find the YouTube recording here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejr3kWeYJuo It was a privilege for me to speak to this crowd, and looking back I wish I would have made less points, and used the time to develop the most important points. 
I'm not exagerating when I say that the week with Danish Oase was one of the best weeks of my life. Our family had a blast. We met terrific friends. We felt so welcomed, and happy to serve. I met some guys (at the sauna) doing all sorts of exciting things in God's world. Our kids (along with every other kid) had free reign. They could go wherever they wanted. At lunch they would say, "See you at supper." At supper they would say, "See you at the camper, or whatever." Usually we would find them late into the long sunset playing volleyball or soccer with some new friends. Worship was so rich! Deeply creative, and singable songs that included the best hymnody and new expressions. Their charismatic practice was highly expectant and highly responsible. They are unashamed about their Lutheran convictions and sacramental life. Their leadership was intentionally collaborative, displaying variety and mutuality. They are successful at multiplying leaders.They could have fun! I picked up very little religiosity. Real congrats to the leaders (elected and staff) who are investing sacrificially in this movement!
After Church coffee (and lots more) we had picnic lunch at the botanical gardens (free). 
On Monday we went to Tivoli with Anette. Beautiful gardens and music and lights and food! Fun rides too.
This morning (Tuesday) we left Anette and Maria (who are flying to LA and will stay in our house), and went across the beautiful and expensive bridge to Sweden.
We drove through the regions of Skane, Halland, and Smalland and visited the communities and churches that my grandpa Karl Gustav Hoff's mother's family came from.
The church is large and beautiful. It would have been an old church where my ancestors worshipped, but this would be their parish. This church seats many (900?). I asked a lady in the graveyard about the church (her church), and she said, "It's way too big." "Why" I replied. She said there were probably three people there last Sunday. I hope I missed something in the translation!
Lillian's mother (Borta 1848), grandmother Kersti (1809) and great grand mother Borta (1781) came from Veinge in Halland. Here is the Veinge parish church.
Now we have made it up to Jonkoping Sweden to spend some time with renewal friend in the Swedish Oase. More reporting later! Be of good cheer, friends. One soveriegn move of the Holy Spirit, and the world is changed! How we need him! Come, Holy Spirit! Renew the face of the earth!
While singing "Jesus, I Long For Thy Blessed Communion" Hauge had an encounter with the living God that sent him to his room for three days and three nights.
After being encouraged at the summer gathering of Oase in Norway http://www.oase2016.no/ we drove down to Gothenberg Sweden to ferry across to Fredrikshavn, Denmark. We drove down to Odder, Denmark with is 20 miles south of Denmark's second city, Aarhus. Rudehoj Efterskolen (boarding school) http://www.rudehoj.dk/ in Odder has hosted the Danish Oase http://www.danskoase.dk/ for the last 15 years. Oase Denmark is growing, so they will relocate to a larger facility next year.
Again, amid all the world's deep sadnesses, I remember this picture:
Sunday morning celebration of the Lord's Supper in the big tent.
Mud run for Peter and Samuel's age to raise money for Danmission in Ethiopia.
Beach day (8 miles from camp) with some great new friends (Hans and Kirsten) from Aarhus.
The most fun part of ministry was teaching in the TuneUp (17-23 year olds) every morning. There is a great future for Danish church with young people like the ones I got to be with this week! Here are some pictures from that time in the TuneUp tent:
Many of the participants took notes, engaged quickly in discussion, reflected deeply, and responded to receive ministry which was offered daily.
Every day there was an artist who would paint during the worship and teaching. At the end of the week, the paintings were sold to raise money for the ministry.
I also got a chance to meet with the prayer ministry team and bless their ears as they listen for themselves, listen to God's people, and listen to God's voice for others. Active ears!
On Saturday, we travelled to Copenhagen to stay with our new friend Anette and her daughter, Maria. Anette is Pastor Poul Erik's sister. What a blast. Sunday we worshipped at Bethlehemkirken near the city center. Bethlehem is full blown high church and full blown charismatic. http://www.bethlehemskirken.dk/m/page/3825/bethlehemskirken
Love church ceilings.
Ole Skjerbæk Madsen was the priest who served BK from 1980 for nearly 20 years. He is doing creative ministry among new age and pagan folks, and serves at Bethlehem when called upon. Their current priest is on holiday, so Ole presided at the Lord's Supper.
We stopped at Vor Frue Kirke (Our Lady), the Cathedral church of Copenhagen which has the famous sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen's "Come to me" statue of Jesus.
Annika and Peter (especially Annika) was happy to sit in the royal balcony across from the pulpit. The queen is a devout Christian, but worships with everybody else on the ground floor these days. Our friend Anette sat next to her one Sunday.
We did a canal cruise in the sun, and then walked to the public beach and went swimming right in the Copenhagen harbor. Refreshing!
Anette and Maria were fun hosts, soaking up every bit of sun at breakfast every morning and supper in the patio. Annika tends to take pictures of meals she loves. She especially loves meals that we can all eat without regard to gluten. YUM!
Copenhagen's city hall is in the background.
Top ten meals I've had in my life.
Nathan (1975)-Herbert (1950)-Karl (1916)-Lillian Danielson (1889). Lillian's parents were Peter Johan Danielsson (1849) and Borta Nilsdotter (1848). Peter Johan's families came from Lidhult (and hearby Odensjo) in Smaland.
We stopped at Lidhult to pick up some lunch groceries, ice cream, and to walk the graveyard and peak in the church. Here are some pictures from Lidhult.
The old crucifix above the altar.
"Glory to God in the highest" from the angelic song we sing most weeks in the liturgy is written over the nave.
Processional cross
Beautiful carving of our lady and the Christ child carved from one piece of wood is below the pulpit.
Three of Lillian's mother's grandparents came from the small town on Tonnersjo which now has a beautiful agricultural school. Here is the old church that Jean JÎżnsson (1768), Anna Nilsdottor (1771), and Hakan Persson (1776) would have worshipped in.
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