Early Friday morning, Swedish summer sun already blazing, we got up and rushed through our morning preparations. We grabbed our packed bags and freshly ironed clothes(not sure what got into me) and ran out the door at 6:30. We met Berit and Zoltan at the car and stuffed everything inside and we were off to District. The trip was about 2 hours, so not too bad. Halfway through we pulled into a gas station, and Zoltan asked if we wanted ice cream. He is a chronic jokester/prankster so we laughed it off. After using the bathroom and buying some gum we came back to the car to find him eating ice cream. Hey, I guess its never to early for ice cream. We arrived at the Strängnäs convention center about 8:30. The Witnesses used to own the facility, and then sold it and rent it now as the cost is much better this way. Because of the history the building is set up perfectly for conventions. It holds between 5000-7000 people, but since this was an English convention there were only about 1500 on Friday. We met a few of the people I had previously met from Gothenburg English congregation, but other than that we were pretty lost. I wont got into much detail about the program itself for as not to spoil it for those who haven't been yet. To get enough for an English convention in Scandinavia congregations from all over were invited, most from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, but as you will learn later it was a much broader reach than that. Because of the diversity, the accents of the speakers were alltogether different from one to the next. There were a few that were hard to understand, but most of the time you could adjust quickly to the voice. Friday after the convention we drove to the house we were renting, instead of a hotel. After a warm day this was a special treat cause the house had a pool. It was the four of us plus another couple, Edward and Yuri. Zoltan studied with Edward 10 years ago, so there was much laughing and teasing between the two the whole weekend. Saturday was a good day, except the convention center was boiling hot, so it was a bit difficult to pay attention. By random chance we sat right in front of a sister who we met working RBC in London. She was with a friend from Copenhagen and another London sister, and they all came up for the English Convention. (We made some plans to go to her hall when we get back to London. -Eric) We also went to the Bethel meeting on Saturday, which was much the s
ame as at home, except they did encourage sisters to apply. On Sunday we met a brother that we met in Gothenburg, who we will hopefully get to visit later. The drama was excellent, and very very applicable. The demonstrations were well done throughout, as well as interviews with missionaries form Namibia and Uganda, a branch overseer from South Africa, and a brother who has started MTS programs all over Europe. This was just a sampling of the diversity. All weekend there was a map up by the entrance and a cup of pins so everyone could say where they were from. During the last talk on Sunday they informed us that the total came to 96 different countries! From a crowd of 1700 this was quite amazing, and we also had a group of 60 that were listening to a simultaneous Chineese translation. One brother I talked to said it was like a miniature international convention, which is the best way to describe it.
Early Friday morning, Swedish summer sun already blazing, we got up and rushed through our morning preparations. We grabbed our packed bags and freshly ironed clothes(not sure what got into me) and ran out the door at 6:30. We met Berit and Zoltan at the car and stuffed everything inside and we were off to District. The trip was about 2 hours, so not too bad. Halfway through we pulled into a gas station, and Zoltan asked if we wanted ice cream. He is a chronic jokester/prankster so we laughed it off. After using the bathroom and buying some gum we came back to the car to find him eating ice cream. Hey, I guess its never to early for ice cream. We arrived at the Strängnäs convention center about 8:30. The Witnesses used to own the facility, and then sold it and rent it now as the cost is much better this way. Because of the history the building is set up perfectly for conventions. It holds between 5000-7000 people, but since this was an English convention there were only about 1500 on Friday. We met a few of the people I had previously met from Gothenburg English congregation, but other than that we were pretty lost. I wont got into much detail about the program itself for as not to spoil it for those who haven't been yet. To get enough for an English convention in Scandinavia congregations from all over were invited, most from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, but as you will learn later it was a much broader reach than that. Because of the diversity, the accents of the speakers were alltogether different from one to the next. There were a few that were hard to understand, but most of the time you could adjust quickly to the voice. Friday after the convention we drove to the house we were renting, instead of a hotel. After a warm day this was a special treat cause the house had a pool. It was the four of us plus another couple, Edward and Yuri. Zoltan studied with Edward 10 years ago, so there was much laughing and teasing between the two the whole weekend. Saturday was a good day, except the convention center was boiling hot, so it was a bit difficult to pay attention. By random chance we sat right in front of a sister who we met working RBC in London. She was with a friend from Copenhagen and another London sister, and they all came up for the English Convention. (We made some plans to go to her hall when we get back to London. -Eric) We also went to the Bethel meeting on Saturday, which was much the s
ame as at home, except they did encourage sisters to apply. On Sunday we met a brother that we met in Gothenburg, who we will hopefully get to visit later. The drama was excellent, and very very applicable. The demonstrations were well done throughout, as well as interviews with missionaries form Namibia and Uganda, a branch overseer from South Africa, and a brother who has started MTS programs all over Europe. This was just a sampling of the diversity. All weekend there was a map up by the entrance and a cup of pins so everyone could say where they were from. During the last talk on Sunday they informed us that the total came to 96 different countries! From a crowd of 1700 this was quite amazing, and we also had a group of 60 that were listening to a simultaneous Chineese translation. One brother I talked to said it was like a miniature international convention, which is the best way to describe it.
ironing? wow, im kind of impressed u didnt just wear whatever clean rumpled shirt u had (yes out of this nice long description of the weekend, ironing is what i take out of it lol) but the convention sounds so encouraging and like a mini international. im getting so excited for the convention after this invite campaign.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased for you to have experienced the international unity. It will be interesting for you to attend the USA convention to watch for different nuances of local need application..or if there is any! Fruits and veggies will keep you healthy while you travel. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOk I have to confess, I am addicted to checking your blog. So encouraging and fascinating. Blythe, you are quite the writer (and Eric I love your inserts), very entertaining reads. As a parent may I say I am proud of both of you for your spiritual zeal, especially to take on auxiliary pioneering while travelling is such a nice example for others in addition to a wonderful experience for you both to put into your bag of memories. Like the scripture in Ecc. 12:1 reminds youth - to use their time and energies for Jehovah! You will have NO regrets following that course. Keep up the good work you two, have a great rest of the time and be careful. Christian love, Tonya Dobis
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the kind words Tonya, and thanks for commenting. Sorry for being way behind, the last week has been limited internet access, but hopefully we can catch up today or tommorow
ReplyDeleteYes it was very encouraging to see so many different people from so many countrys all serving Jehovah. Oh and Amy i basiclly do just wear the wrinkled shirt from out of the bag. But my pants look good so its fine haha. Thanks Tonya too. It is very cool to see how no matter where you are or what you do everyone is always encouraging serving Jehvah, shows were all united
ReplyDeleteBlythe & Eric, you are living the life we all dream of!!! What a spiritual blast! And your comment about the "apparel rules" (lack of!)on the beach in Sweden cracked me up! We're excited to see you (and your photos?)in August. Party on!
ReplyDeleteLove, Shelli, Steve, and Anika
Since it was the first time in 19 years we did not go to District Convention as a family, we missed you very much in Toledo. But knowing you are having such wonderful experiences made it all worthwhile. Really, as long as we are serving Jehovah, we are at home anywhere in the world! We are very proud of you, not just for ironing and occasionally eating lettuce, but for putting Jehovah first in your lives.
ReplyDelete