Doors opening....

This weekend we had an amazing opportunity to spend some time with some of the other hockey players on Matt's team. It was so interesting to see their approach in asking to hang out with us. They were very concerned about having a good time, and wanting to show us the amazing things their city has to offer. We ended up going to Goteborg with Niclas, he is the other volleyball coach as well as the manager of Matt's hockey team. He has a lot of say in what happens on the hockey team. He is the same age as Matt. Niclas' best friend Kim (who is also Matt's former linemate) met us in Goteborg with his girlfriend. It was so interesting because Niclas asked me prior to going to Goteborg what our stand was on drinking. I was well aware that Niclas drinks, casually and also at parties. On the Island that we are on, if you are a Christian at all you don't drink. I told Niclas that Matt and I used to drink, casually and sometimes at parties. I told him that we wouldn't be drinking if we went out with them but that we were not going to judge them for things that they would be doing. We just simply wanted to spend time with them. I could tell that by me saying that it put him at ease.

It was great to see Matt in constant prayer in the days leading up to us spending time with these guys. He really was praying for the opportunity to share, and for his teamates to not feel judgement but acceptance and love from us. Matt had been reading the book he got from my cousin and was really encouraged by it. One part that Matt had underlined says;

" Let's not seperate ourselves from the lost, but take our light into the darkness and watch the Lord work in amazing ways."



That is exactly what happened.... When we arrived in Goteborg and met up with the others, we walked around and got to see some of the city. Then we spent some time getting to know each other over coffee. After that we went to a pool hall and played some pool. Matt, John and I enjoyed our cokes as the others enjoyed their beer. I felt at ease knowing that they felt comfortable enough around us to do what they wanted. It also opened up doors to start discussing the very grey area of drinking. After the pool hall we headed to dinner. As our food arrived, they asked us if we did anything before eating... this was an amazing opportunity to talk about prayer. It was so awesome to hear their openess to what we believe. Kim (matt's former linemate) knew a ton about Christianity. I could tell he had experienced it in some way. We had amazing conversation. It was so appearant that God's hand was in it all.



Since Swedish people eat very late, it was almost 10pm by the time we finished our meal. We decided to head home and left Kim and his Girlfriend. On the way home, Niclas received a phone call about a birthday party that was going on. The people throwing it invited us to go to it, since Niclas wanted to go and we would be dropping him off we decided to stop by for a bit, and I am so thankful that we did. As we arrived we were greeted by person after person. It seemed as if everyone wanted to talk with us. These were all young people, who had spent the night celebrating. There was drinking going on, loud music and in the midst of it all... we were there.. being lights. During this time Matt and I were able to share our faith with Niclas. Niclas is 26, and has had some hard times. He has a blood disease, and also has a really bad injury that has caused him to stop playing hockey. HOW AMAZING that Matt could give testimony to what God has done in his own life!!!! God just had that meeting planned out all along. Niclas was the one who started the conversation about God and I know that won't be the last time he asks questions.



After Niclas asked some questions, Matt had the opportunity to share with another guy on the team named Tobias. Tobias approached Matt and began to tell him about how he believed in God, but wasn't really following what he knew was right. Tobias asked Matt why he prays before games. Tobias said that he watched Matt and wondered if it helped with the game. Matt was able to share with Tobias how he prays before he does anything. Tobias has also had a girlfriend for 5 years, and asked Matt if we prayed together. I am just in awe of God's goodness. Matt had been preparing to share his faith. He had been ready to give and answer for the hope that we have, and God just presented these opportunities to him.



I had an awesome talk with the oldest girl on our volleyball team. Her name is Camilla. She is dating one of the guys on Matt's hockey team. She had been drinking a bit, but she approached me, took me aside and began to cry. She told me how she knew she was being treated badly by her boyfriend, and how she watched the way that Matt and I were together and how she knew that is how relationships are supposed to be. It is just so amazing and it blows my mind how God uses us even when we don't know we are being used. Camilla is such a sweet girl, and I shared with her a lot of stuff about Matt and I, and why we are the way we are. It was just awesome to be able to be used in the midst of such darkness.



As the night came to an end, we left the house encouraged, but so thankful that we are saved from that lifestyle. We felt that the timing was right and we left the house. I still, to this very moment, am so thankful to God for opening up those doors. It was so interesting to see how people began to open up to us, once we entered into their comfort zone. On Sunday morning Matt and I began to read Matthew 9:10-13



10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."



Matt and I desire to live a life through the example of Christ. Our hearts go out to the lost, or perhaps the misled. Some of the young people here have such an altered view on Christ, and Christians. I pray that God will use Matt and me in their lives and that He will be able to shine through us. We want to see them as HE sees them. Since we went to that party, we have been able to hang out more with some of the people that were there. We have played volleyball with some of them, and more of the Volleyball girls have approached me to hang out with them. All it took was us stepping out in faith and trusting that where we were was where God wanted us to be. Now we just stand in awe of His faitfulness and provision.

Matt had another game last night and they won 6-3. It was a very exciting game. Matt played very well with a few assists and 1 goal. He took a shot in his knee.. so he is pretty sore. Not sore enough though obviously since he is at the driving range with some hockey guys. It is a very nice day today and I am heading out to take some pictures on my own. I can't believe that we have already been here for half of our time! It sure is flying by really fast.

Thanks again for all of your comments. It is great to see first timers on here writing comments to us. We both LOVE to hear from you. It is a highlight in our day for us to be able to hear from people from home! We love you all and miss you a lot! This week should be fairly slow.. until Satruday when all of the fun begins!!! haha. My mom arrives!!!

Please pray for us as we continue to build these relationships. Please pray specifically for Niclas, Tobias and Camilla. They are very close to our hearts and we are praying that God will continue to work in their hearts and use us in their lives.

Lots of Love,
Jess and Matt

Ps: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAYDA!!!!!