Photojournalistic and fine art photography
While on my trip in 2006 I met up with a friend in Norway, Jeremy Metzger, one of LeRoy and Cindy’s sons. He’s been living in Norway since I think 2000, with his wife Eileen and their three children. While I was there he mentioned to me a YWAM base that he had visited in a city in on the west coast, Ålesund. He told me it was a creative base and that they had a recording studio and had a coffee shop in town where they did live music. As far as I know, I have about 10% Norwegian blood, and I think part of me just felt at home in the culture and landscape there. I really don’t mind the cold, in fact, I really like it at times, and the thought had definitely crossed my mind to come back at some point to visit Jeremy.
It wasn’t until 2008 though that I thought about the YWAM base in Ålesund that Jeremy had mentioned to me. I looked it up on the internet and instantly began to dream of the idea of doing a DTS (Discipleship Training School) there. Over the next few months I just started taking steps towards going to see if God would open the doors for me. Well miraculously God provided financially for me to go.
Despite all rationale going through my worried mind about my debt and responsibilities at home, God paved the way for me to go to Norway and spend 9 months there soaking in a creative atmosphere of inspiration. It was… freeing… and challenging… and incredibly life changing. It was by no means a walk in the park. I had already spent a lot of time previously at bible schools in England and Austria and I do NOT do well in a classroom atmosphere! On top of that, Norwegian culture could likely be the 100% polar opposite of Hawaiian culture. Hawaii is warm, VERY laid-back and relaxed, all about relationship and FOOD! Norway on the other hand, is cold, rigid and scheduled, all about productivity and bread. A complete clash for me. I gave the staff a really hard time, constantly arguing about coming to class a few minutes late or taking a day off here and there. But it brought out some things in my heart… that I am very impatient, selfish, and prideful. Of course. But I was faced with this and had to continually think about what my place and purpose was there.
In the end, God used my time in Norway to awaken a creativity I thought I had lost when I “grew up.” I realized that it was time for me to take big steps of faith into using my creative gifts as my primary calling and vocation. It’s been a treacherous road of trust and I’m not looking forward to the pain and stretching that following my passions will require. But I know in the end that it will be far more satisfying.
