The beginning of this week for me started Sunday when I visited Lindakirkja. This is the church that my host is pastor of. The service was unbelievable. The power of the Spirit filled the chapel, and surprised me through the amazing voices of a Gospel choir, that aside from the Icelandic words, sounded as if they were from Atlanta! It was a joyous event, and so inspiring that I began to sing and clap, despite being completely unfamiliar with the language.
This week we visited the seminary within the university campus in Reykjavik. We were given the opportunity to connect with students who are in very similar states of mind, while being very different at the same time. We compared experience, and I even got to chat with a fellow senior. We shared anxieties of the coming future, as well as thoughts of school experience, and even a little liturgical evaluation. The universal notion of the body of Christ present in the forms of coffee and pleasant conversation.
Today we were given the chance to experience the geography of Iceland. We went to the meeting point of the European and North American continental plates. I stood on two continents at the same time! The beauty of God's creation, and mighty forces that shaped the landscape around this area were all present and in mind within this moment. The wonders of Iceland's unique land was further explored in the waters of The Blue Lagoon. This is a naturally heated, large, mineral rich lagoon, that is in fact blue (I was actually surprised). The mineral rich water is said to be extremely soothing and healthy for one's skin, so we were eager to get in. It was an amazing look into a mixture of natural beauty and man made ingenuity. The complete wonder that was this place was warming.
A once in a life time opportunity happened for us this week as well. Our small band of seminarians and professor were invite to meet with the President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson. Not only did we meet him, but he sat with us over tea, coffee, and cake, for an hour and twenty minutes about our trip. He was very interested in our thoughts and reflections. He spoke to us of the history of Iceland and gave us some great insights into the country. The president also showed us a copy of an original transcription of the Bible into Icelandic (one of only 30 known copies). Speaking with a head-of-state like this was a first for me, and the fact that we talked about many interesting topics including our experiences was amazing.
But, through it all, the various trips and adventures, the most unbelievably amazing thing about this trip has been the people. The local pastors who have opened their homes to us, fed us, laughed with us, driven us, educated us, and been eager to be with us has been a blessing of massive importance. I have felt the true nature of Christian hospitality in the hearts and minds of these people. They have been so amazing and they truly are the aspects of this trip that will make in unbelievable, and unforgettable.
Gracious Lord, I humbly offer my thanks to you for allowing your children to experience the warmth and light of each other, as well as the light you shine upon us as individuals and as a united community of faith. Words cannot express the joys I wish sing to you for the wonders of your creation. I continue to be in awe of your might, and ask for the continued blessings upon all the peoples of your creation. These and all prayers I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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