From Manchester and on to Finland…….

Val sits in the summer cottage in Finland and knits!!

The flight to Finland was very early in the morning, so the night before we stayed one km from the airport. We didn't think when booking, about planes departing and arriving every 20 seconds just above our bed, so that took a little getting used to!!

Arrived in Helsinki safely and were re-united and welcomed warmly by Gunner and his wife, Liisa.. Kev first met Gunner many years ago at a Prayer Counseling Board meeting in the USA. We were driven 200 km to their Summer Cottage near Mikkeli north of Helsinki. A "breath taking" forest setting not unlike our Benloch setting only on the edge of a beautiful lake and of course no gum trees, but silver birch, spruce and pine trees to name a few that we knew.

We discovered that Finland is 80% Forrest and 20% Lakes and once again the first couple of days it rained and stormed – all very unusual for the locals – apparently they hadn't had such weather in more than 20 years! We are getting used to folks saying this – everywhere we have been it seems that the 'weather' hasn't ever been like this, or not for 20 years at least!!

It was again great to have time with these lovely folk. We talked much and shared some of the things that Father had been teaching us. These dear folks were so hospitable – and they looked after us and we had such a lovely time together – they drove us around and showed us lots of their beloved Finland including a spot right on the Russian border.

After a few days there and a delightful 'catch-up' and rest, we then drove back towards Helsinki to stay in their home before we headed off for Switzerland.

Just the day before we left we had lunch with two young ladies in downtown Helsinki, who were part of a group who had moved out of the institutional church and were learning to walk with Father in the fellowship of just a few others. Once again we saw how good it is to see just a little of the things that Father is doing as he takes his church back from the controls of well meaning people.