There it was - stopped right there in the middle of the road – a snowplow - a full-blooded Swedish Volvo snowplow. Big enough to plow the biggest Swedish highways. It had blades on the front and blades on the sides and blades underneath. As many as a Swiss Army knife. I was out walking down the hill late that snowy evening. The snowplow had troubles. I could see a fellow underneath, working with some tools. Now - could I just walk by on the other side of the road and leave my fellow man to the elements? Being a neighbor, I introduce myself in English and found out about a broken air hose that actuates all of the plow mechanisms. Whereupon, I got a hand on one wrench and Jonathan worked with another wrench. Between us, we were able to break the fitting free the frozen fitting. Then we disassemble the broken hose from the fitting and reinstall good hose into that same fitting. It did the trick - just in time to let a lumber truck proceed on his way up the hill. All of this fun at 12 degrees Fahrenheit and with heavy snow falling. My effort earned me a ride in the cab of a real, real snowplow. All of my childhood longings were satisfied by that ride in that snowplow. We plowed the complete village of Grandfors and all around the hydro plant there. We talked a lot. Jonathan told me about the delight of his life – the recent birth of his son. To me, riding in a truck had interest – to him, that new born life was real value. I’m glad we met. He actually thanked me for being company for him in his vehicle. We will meet again. I pass his house when I walk down the hill past the elementary school in Gunnarn. I always wondered who lived in that house there – now I know.

There has been lots of action in Church these days. The Choir sang and then the kids put on a Christmas program. I spoke about the Shepherds in the Bible narrative about the birth of Jesus. Luke 2: 8 – 20. I recall telling them that those shepherds were uneducated. Then, right there in the church service I notice a young boy whose family raise sheep in Gunnarn. I hope I didn’t say anything offensive about shepherds – what do I know about raising sheep! Actually, those shepherds in Jesus day narrative did pretty well. Before they met Jesus, no body wanted their opinion about anything. After they met Jesus, everybody they met was amazed by what they said about Jesus. Before they met Jesus, they weren’t even allowed to worship in the Temple because they were unclean. After they met Jesus, they went back to work praising and glorifying God for all that they had heard and seen. They had their Temple within them, right out there in the field with the sheep. See what meeting Jesus can do!

Thank you all that pray and support this ministry here. It is a challenge to be here. The call here is that people of this church will actually spend time reading the Bible for themselves with the understanding God’s Word deserves.

I love you all.

In Christ,

George Wilson