There Is A Generation...

 It feels like it has been a long time since I last sat down to write about what is happening here in Skien. I am sure that many of you are curious what life on a DTS is like, much less life in Norway and I promise that some day soon I will give out more details with pictures. But today I would like to share with you something that God has put on my heart while I have been here: the youth of Skien.

 
 Everything started one Saturday night as I was walking down to the YWAM office building to watch a movie. Our base, the old prison, is located in the bar and disco club district of Skien and after dark on the weekends is when what looks like half the city comes here to party.
 In order to get to the office building you have to walk through the main hub of clubs and as I was walking on that particular night, something caught at my heart. At one of the clubs, there was a long line of rowdy youths from the ages of about thirteen to seventeen all waiting to get in. As I was passing, something happened inside of my heart that is rather difficult to explain. While looking at these youths, I all of a sudden was overwhelmed by a feeling of hopelessness that was coming from these youths. They were pursuing what they thought would fill them, but it is all empty; an endless cycle of trying to find worth and escape from the monotony of life. As I was sensing this hopelessness, compassion for these youths overwhelmed my heart. I saw God's heart for them and felt His longing to be their hope and fill their lives. 
 Now my mission is to meet and connect with the youth here in Skien. There is a great lack of self-esteem among youths in Norway, many come from broken families, and many youths are depressed. Talking with people here that have worked with the youth, I have learned that they are open to hear, but they have a hard time believing that there is such a thing as truth. 
 Please pray that the hearts of the youth would be opened to know that there is truth and for opportunities for myself and other people from the base to connect with them.