Norway
September 2004

The Viking Festival-European Regional Arts Gathering took place in mid-September 2004 in Alesund, Norway. Over 300 participants came over different regions in Norway and north Europe. During the three day event, several workshops, seminars, teachings, exhibitions, presentations and concerts gave us all a fresh glimps in what God is doing and wants to do through the arts in our generation.

The event took place at the main cultural center in Alesund, a small city on the beautiful coast of Norway and several other venues, including some local churches that wanted to open their doors to exhibit artwork and hold seminars. An answer to our prayers! I had the privilege to paint during the main sessions, sharing visually and verbally what God had put in my heart. It would take many words to share all the testimonies from this time of ministry, but will share about couple of them.

A young lady came to me and said: You don't know this of course, but I am pregnant and things are not going well for me. I've had a very difficult pregnancy and my marriage is not going well either. I had a terrible night sleep and came this morning so broken and in need of God's grace. I had been praying all morning asking God for strength and a sign of his love. I opened my eyes and I saw your painting. The Lord had woken me up with a picture of a pregnant woman sitting on Norway's flag. As she saw the painting, she realized God had answered to her prayer.

For the third session, God gave me a picture of a Viking holding a sword and a helmet, a glowing silhouette of Christ stood close behind him, a large white dove hovered over. After the session, a young man came to me and said:  "So, you know some about Norwegian history?" I replied, "sorry, I don't." "But you do know some about swords then." I replied again, "sorry but I don't." "That is interesting," he said, "the type of clothing and helmet correspond accurately to the type of sword you've painted. I was very surprised to see the accuracy of your painting. You know? I am that man you've painted. God has been showing me how He is standing with me, covering me and surrounding me with His Spirit. I know He is calling me to raise up and walk in confidence and authority. I've struggled for so many years with a lack of direction and purpose in my life. I've allowed unbelief to dictate many of my choices and I'm tired of it. God has used your painting to confirm what He is doing in me and looking at it with my eyes, helps me to see myself the way He is looking at me. Thank you for being obedient."

Wow, I stood in awe at God's goodness and faithfulness. Of course, this encourages me and humbles me to see how He is indeed using visual arts in a prophetic way. What I've come to Norway to talk about.

Two very surprising and honoring things happened. I was in the local news on a brief interview and also in a two page interview in the main Christian newspaper.

God surpassed my requests and expectations. He really honored His heart's expression through thye arts. He is encouraging us to go forth in confidence and for that I am very greatful!
 

Jan, Franziska & Diana	Viking festival	Concert night	Live painting during concert
Jonathan Dixon painting	Preparing paints for Jonathan	Mauricio painting with children	Painting "The True Viking"
"The True Viking"	The Alesund Church where Mauricio's paintings from the festival were exhibited	Great friends, pastors from Agape Church	Cooking crew for a Mexican meal
Creative workshop	Jan Skrivervik playing acoustic guitar	A view from the pier	View of Alesund