Follow the Gnistes - Fristaden's Blog

Update

2011-12-13T16:49:00.000+01:00

As you may have noticed, we haven't updated the blog recently, but we're thinking about it...

Otherwise, you can go back and read the course of events after the fire as history.

js/Håkan greets you.

First sermon after the fire

2010-06-30T13:54:00.001+02:00

Now Håkan has preached his first sermon since the fire: ”One heart and one soul”! See the article from ”Bohusläningen 28 juni 2010”. (Sorry – all in Swedish, but there are some pictures! Find the link on the Swedish blog http://www.gniste.blogspot.com/, under "Läs mer på", in the righthand column, a little ways down.)

There are also some articles (with pictures) about Gunilla’s 60th birthday and the "Thanks for life"-concert the 1st of May! You’ll find the links to these also on the Swedish blog: ”Bohusläningen 2 maj 2010”, ”Bohusläningen 4 maj 2010”, ”Tidningen Dagen 3 maj 2010”, ”Tidningen Dagen 30 april 2010”, and ”Världen Idag 3 maj 2010”...

We shall celebrate LIFE!!!

2010-04-29T23:56:00.001+02:00

Hallelujah!!!

Now it’s beginning to be more and more finished in our house. Today the inside stairway came –
so beautiful, in ash. Tomorrow the handrails for the stairway – which Håkan tried out a week or so ago – are coming.

All the sweet rolls, seven types of cookies and four sweet breads, together with cakes – which will be eaten on Saturday – are ready and waiting for you!

If you’re hungry, there are different types of quiche, salad and three different homebaked breads. There should be enough, otherwise we’ll take something else out of the freezer.

We shall celebrate LIFE!!! We’ll do it with a concert in Uddevalla Church at 6 pm on the 1st of May. When Håkan was hovering between life and death, when the doctors didn’t give much hope, I thought from my hospital bed: “Where should we have the funeral?” After a little while: “Håkan shall not die. He is a man of God. His life shall not end in this way. He has more to give…”

Instead, we shall have a concert – when Håkan is better – a thanksgiving concert in Uddevalla Church. And now we are there!

Our children, with friends, will sing and play music in the church, and at the same time, make a live recording which will become a CD – several songs which meant a lot during the difficult times, and even new ones which have come into being during the year.

To live in thanksgiving is the key to a life in victory, in the middle of the fight for life. Looking back, now more than 13 months later, we can all see that death has turned to life.

God’s total love and care for us have carried us. All the support from people has helped us ”sooo” much.

Now you are welcome to celebrate life with us on Saturday, first at home with us at Sigelhultsvägen 22, and then we’ll finish up with the concert in Uddevalla Church.

Take a look at some of the new pictures, on the righthand side…

Thanks for everything!

God bless you all!!!

Gunilla

Life has conquered over death!

2010-03-24T23:14:00.001+01:00

We’re getting closer to Easter, when we celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Last year at Easter time, we were still fighting for Håkan’s life. There he lay, sedated, like a big white package, in Linköping, while we celebrated Jesus’ death and resurrection, in the square in Uddevalla.

Many came forward and said that they missed Håkan, who has been a part of the Passion play every year. The Easter drama is played for thousands of people, every Good Friday and Saturday before Easter. There one can follow the end of Jesus’ time on Earth, from death to life.

After the fire, when I was in the hospital, the news came that Håkan was hanging between life and death. If he made it through the first 24 hours, we should be happy. Then I understood the depth of how serious it was.

My first thought was: Where should we have the funeral? In Uddevalla Church. I gave Håkan to God, and prayed that if he was going to be a vegetable, it was better to take him home, to heaven.

Something raised itself up inside of me: No, he’s not going to die! Håkan is a man of God. He shouldn’t end his ministry in defeat. This will be used to glorify God. At that point, faith grew that Håkan would survive.

Then the thought came: Instead of death, we should proclaim life. We should invite everyone to a thanksgiving concert where we rejoice that life has triumphed, in Uddevalla Church.

Now we are there:
WELCOME SATURDAY 1 MAY AT 6 PM
”Thanks for life”-concert in Uddevalla Church.
Our kids will play and sing together with many musical friends.

Now as we’re getting close to Easter, we are so filled with thanksgiving, for what Jesus, God’s Son, did on the cross, for our sake – that we could draw from the cross victory for Håkan.

The cross is our symbol of victory!!!

God bless you!
Many hugs
Gunilla

On the 1 year anniversary: Thanks to God for my Redeemer!

2010-03-03T23:02:00.001+01:00

Today, this morning, the 3rd of March, it is exactly one year after the fire. We sat yesterday evening and talked about it in the kitchen, Daniel and I, when Håkan came walking in and wanted a little blueberry soup.

Just the greatness of being together and delighting in the fact that we are all alive – that’s something we’ll remember for a long time. That we can be together, that Håkan is at home, that he can walk, stand, be involved, that he is with it mentally. That his sense of humour is the same, that Håkan is spiritually strong and is beginning to give to others again, it is so great for all of us.

Thank you, Jesus, that you prepared the way to the Father, for us, so that during this year we have received strength to not just survive, but have gone through this tunnel and come out as victors.

Thank you, Lord, for all our friends, relatives, church members, neighbours, pastors and priests, Christian brothers and sisters, people in Uddevalla who’ve gotten involved. Without you, this year would have been a lot more difficult.

Thank you, Lord, for our friends all around the whole world, who have felt with us, cried with us, prayed for us, supported us. Without you, this would have been a lot heavier.

We’ve read every post on the blog. In the beginning, the first months, it was a way to survive. I read what you wrote on the blog, over and over again, cried, prayed, knew that you were all with us. THANKS!

When the money was gone, and I then saw gift after gift coming into the bank account from you, I cried again. Thank you all you dear friends for your financial support. Without you we never would have managed. A big THANKS from the depths of our hearts.

Thanks for all the flowers we’ve received, during this year. We are truly enjoying every last flower. It warms our hearts…THANKS!

Thanks for every postcard, letter, drawing, and greeting. All the love you have given us, during this year, has helped us manage a little more and a little more…

Thanks for the help with all the furniture and things in the apartment. Imagine that we got a full apartment, and a nice-looking one. We’ll take all of that with us to the house – it’ll even be the start on Sigelhultsvägen…THANKS!

Thanks to all those who cooked food for us in the beginning, when I was in the hospital, when we lived at the hotel – it was enough for the beginning of our time in the apartment also, when there wasn’t enough energy to prepare food. THANKS!

I don’t know if you understand, but every little deed which you performed became one more piece in the puzzle for us to get more energy.

Thank you, God, for your support, that you carried us through, in the valley of the shadow of death, that we didn’t need to fear anything evil, that you were with us, that your rod and staff comforted us… Thank you, Jesus, that you have been near us!

So today, on the 1 year anniversary of the fire, I’m just filled with God’s grace and thanksgiving that we are where we are…and are soon moving home to our house.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.” Psalm 23

“Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!”

My heart is filled with THANKSGIVING!

Bless you!!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Trips to England and Linköping!

2010-03-02T19:48:00.000+01:00

We traveled from Säve airport, with Gun and Gunnar Hedqvist, direct to London, where a man came and picked us up, and drove us to the hotel in Oxford.

Gun and Gunnar, came in every morning and evening, to the hotel room, to take care of Håkan. It felt so good to have them with us; otherwise, we wouldn’t have managed that trip.

Last year, two weeks before the fire, we were in Oxford together, at Salt & Light’s conference. They prayed for us there, for the work in Scandinavia and Europe.

Now we were there again, at the same place; it was like taking our places again, one year later. The year has been full of turbulence, but has finished in victory, for us as a family, but also for the Kingdom of God.

The first days, we met different leaders from Europe. Their joy, seeing and meeting Håkan, caused our hearts to be filled once again with thanksgiving over Håkan’s life and his quick healing process.

On Thursday evening, the conference started, where in the beginning, they took us forward – what an applause there was, a real tribute to the Lord, who is the God of life, who by His grace has let us go through this with His victory. The tears ran, on both Håkan and me; it’s so great that we are where we are now.

For Håkan’s sake, we came home earlier. What we were able to participate in was enough for us, this first time.

On Tuesday morning, the taxi came and picked us up to drive us to Linköping. Håkan had a follow-up appointment at the burn unit.

There we met doctors who examined Håkan and were amazed by the rapid healing. Everything is documented and photographed.

Many nurses came and greeted us – those who sat by Håkan’s side day and night for 3-4 months. Håkan recognized some of them by their voices.

Jakob, the physical therapist who contended with Håkan, was moved when he came and saw, for him, the new Håkan. Once again, we are struck by the miracle that Håkan made it through this ordeal, that today he is well on his way back.

Two trips, so close together, take a lot of energy, but at the same time, a processing that we must do so we can move on.

Future:

Please pray for the operation the 10th of March, down at Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg, when Håkan’s lower right eyelid will be repaired again.

Please pray that everything will be finished in the house before we move in.

Thank you, Jesus, that you are the Way, the Truth and the Life!!!

God bless you all!!!
Many hugs,
Gunilla

We’re getting close to 1 year!!!

2010-02-16T17:48:00.001+01:00

Yes, now we’re sitting here in the apartment, Håkan and I, watching the Olympics. Right now, Håkan says that he can see very well, including the names at the bottom of the TV screen. That’s something to be thankful for!!

We are going to England this week – the first plane trip for Håkan in a year. Gun and Gunnar Hedqvist are following along to help with the medical care. We will meet friends, “Salt & Light”, and stay in a hotel in Oxford. We promise to try to take it easy.

Håkan’s next operation will be Wednesday, the 10th of March, at Sahlgrenska, down in Gothenburg. It’ll be a new eyelid operation, on the lower left eyelid, which needs to be operated on. Please join us in prayer for that operation.

Tuesday, the 23rd of February, Håkan has a followup appointment at the burn unit in Linköping. We’ll travel by taxi in the morning and come home the same day. We have, of course, the winter sports holiday then, so I’ll go along with Håkan. Pray for us that day – we have many difficult memories from the time when Håkan was lying there.

Day by day, Håkan is getting stronger, but there’s a long way to go. We are so thankful to our God and all the friends who have supported us. We haven’t felt alone a single day. Surrounded by the grace of God, all the prayer and love we’ve received, encouragement via the blog, email, Facebook, flowers, letters, text messages, and telephone calls.

You can’t imagine what all your love has meant to us – we don’t know how we can ever thank you all. Can only say THANKS, but it comes from the heart.

We’ll come back with reports from our trip to England later… Until then, take care!!

God bless you all!!

Many hugs,

Gunilla and Håkan

”I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.”
Ps. 104:33-34

Eleven months later!!!

2010-01-27T23:15:00.000+01:00

Day added to day, week added to week, month added to month, and now 11 months have gone by. By the grace of God, and with much support, we are so thankful as we look back and see that we are where we are today.

The starting point, humanly speaking, was minus something, but the starting point with God, as our helper, was and is on the plus side. Thank you, Lord!

Once again, a big THANK YOU for all love, support and prayer we’ve received!

Many ask how Håkan feels. Is he in much pain? How’s it going with his recovery?

On Sunday, Janne Sääf interviewed Håkan at Fristaden. You can listen to the interview in Swedish (on the Swedish blog), and get a few answers to your questions about Håkan. Otherwise, here’s an abbreviated version of the interview:

Janne: Are you in pain?
Håkan: No, my skin is tight and draws, so I have to do stretching exercises, but it doesn’t hurt… In the beginning I was so sedated, that I wasn’t aware of any pain. I received pain medication, but I don’t need any pain medication or sleeping pills now…

Janne: Does it itch a lot?
Håkan: Yes, it does…

Janne: We who know you, know that you’re the same old Håkan on the inside… But on the outside, we see that you’re bleeding a little through the bandages on your head. How is your skin healing?
Håkan: It’s going pretty well. I’ve had a little infection recently, so it’s taken a little longer time to heal. There are only a few very small sores on my head now, and some scabs, so I won’t need the bandages on my head so much longer. You can prepare yourself for the fact that I don’t have so much hair anymore. I have a little in the back, but not so much on top. Actually, I didn’t have so much there before either!

Janne: On Tuesdays, you are here at Fristaden… You seem very peaceful… Do you have nightmares?
Håkan: In the beginning, I had some dreams and hallucinations, which I’ve had to work through... I’ve had a couple of prophetic dreams, but no more nightmares.

Janne: I think you’re fantastic. You aren’t out and about in town so much, but you are out among people…
Håkan: It’s a little difficult right now because of the icey streets. It’s pretty slippery and I don’t see so well… I’ll probably need more plastic surgery around the eyes, and maybe a cornea operation…

Janne: How is it with your fingers? We see that you’re still stiff…
Håkan: This hand [right one] is pretty sensitive and I can’t do so much with it. With this one [left one], I can hold a microphone, and I can feed myself with it… I have a training program I do several times a day, and I go to Rosenhäll for Occupational and Physical Therapy every week.

Janne: There’s an operation coming up for your hands…
Håkan: Yes, they’ve talked about that, but we don’t know when. We have to wait… The body is healing and changing all the time, so the doctors don’t want to operate unnecessarily…

Janne: On Friday, we have a pastors’ day here in Uddevalla...
Håkan: I’m looking forward to it. I see days like this and Tuesdays at Fristaden as an informal work training. I’m already involved in conversations with pastors and leaders… It’s not so much that they feel sorry for me, but that I can support them…
Janne: It’s like Job. He prayed for his friends and God restored him…

Janne: We usually participate in a Leaders’ conference in England in February… We know you’d really like to go…
Håkan: I really long to go… At the same time, it involves a plane ride and a lot of people… So that’s a decision that needs to be made soon…
Janne: It has to do with timing…operations and treatments, etc…and it has to do with wisdom…

Janne: Is there anything else you want to share?
Håkan: You’ve treated me very well… Occasionally, I can hear in peoples’ voices that they feel sorry for me. Try not to do that… It was good what you said earlier about being a city of refuge… Let people, including me, come and be with you… Just be normal… I don’t have any plans of traveling around and talking about how it is to survive a fire… My job is to lift up Jesus Christ, and my job is to continue to minister to leaders… I’m already in the middle of doing that! …This is a city of refuge. This is my city of refuge!

Every day Home Health comes home to us and helps Håkan in the morning, washing him and putting lotion on the 80-89% of his body which is healed, but needs a little help in the process.

Håkan needs different eyedrops every couple of hours. The days I work, Home Health workers come and give the drops and warm food for Håkan, which I have cooked.

In the evening, Home Health comes again to put on lotion and prepare Håkan for the night. Håkan can go to the bathroom and brush his teeth by himself now. After the 10 o’clock news, which we watch together, I help him with his hand splints, eye ointment and the eye patches that are needed to keep his eyes moist during the night.

Håkan has a long way to go, but he’s well on his way to recovery. Day after day, week after week, month after month, will soon be a year. We’re soon there…

I’ll be back soon, with a little more of a weekly schedule for Håkan, but until then…

God bless you!

Thanks for being there!

Lots of hugs,
Gunilla

"He who has begun a good work in us is faithful to complete it!”

Happy New Year!

2010-01-10T18:43:00.004+01:00

The Christmas and New Year's holidays have been wonderful opportunities to be together in various constellations with family and friends in Uddevalla, the Jönköping area, and Stord, in Norway, where Gunilla has "inspected" our latest grandchild, Aina, along with Gabriella and Josefina. There have also been many rich and blessed worship services during the holidays at Fristaden, where we have participated, among other things, with food for the needy and sharing.

Life goes on, with daily business, therapy and exercises. Tomorrow I'll go to Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg for an important examination with the plastic surgeon. Important decisions need to be made about future surgeries and treatments. Please stand with us and pray for wisdom.

Last year was a turbulent year in many areas of life, society and the world. This year we set our expectations on the Lord and hope for "a year with a gold rim"!

God bless!
Håkan

Merry Christmas! Imagine that…

2009-12-25T23:57:00.000+01:00

The tears come with joy and thanksgiving. Thank you, Lord!

Imagine that we, the whole family, are alive and can celebrate Christmas together.

Imagine that Håkan is doing so well that we could go to Fristaden on Christmas Eve, with all the beautiful Christmas songs, Christmas music, and a wonderful Christmas play, ”Saffron and Raisins”. It was great, with lots of laughs.

Imagine that we, together, can meet friends on Christmas Eve, and all the youth who are home for Christmas – lots of hugs.

Imagine that we, after that, could travel to Småland with the family to celebrate Christmas together with Rebecca, Johan, Alice and Angelina.

Imagine that Håkan is doing so well that he could travel with us and be a part of “the Gniste Christmas”, with everything that involves: big family, food, many presents and kids and grandkids.

Imagine that Home Health in Jönköping was willing to come morning and evening to care for Håkan, and that we could stay with Håkan’s sister, Margaretha, and her husband, Kenneth.

I met a woman at Willys in Uddevalla, in the middle of shopping for ”Fellowship at Christmas” at Fristaden, the day after Christmas, when 70-80 lonely derelicts come, year after year. At the same time, Neeta had a cart for the purchase of ”food bags” for the needy, which we hand out every year. Right in the middle of those fully loaded shopping carts, a woman came up to me and asked how things were going for us and for Håkan. When I told her the present situation, she said that it hadn’t gone a single day since the fire without her thinking about us.

There I stood in the middle of Willys, Christmas shopping, and got so touched by people’s goodness, by the care and love of an ordinary woman from Uddevalla toward us. It was too much, so tears of thanksgiving ran.

I want to wish all of you who have stood by us, in love and prayers, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and THANK YOU for all your love!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

Imagine that in that name, we have everything we need…the name of Jesus.

God’s peace and blessing!

Christmas hugs,
Gunilla

Thankful in Christ

2009-12-09T14:55:00.000+01:00

Dear brothers and sisters!

Now I’m home, but I’m still weak and need a lot of help from the community health nurses who visit our home 3-4 times a day. Gunilla is, of course, such a support, and a source of love and strength. Being away from each other such a long time - 225 days - we need your prayers for being and working together in the family and the Kingdom. My special needs are the healing of my hands and my sight. There are only a few sores left and my skin is in the healing process.

I have contact with quite a few brothers and sisters, and I'm very happy about the loving care I've received from all of you, and the reports I’m hearing. Your visits, emails, cards, text messages, etc have encouraged me so much. I'm so thankful for all the prayers from all over Sweden and the whole world. In Uddevalla, this has helped to unite the body of Christ. You never know when I'll come back in full strength, but we will continue to pray that my sores will heal quickly. I'm hoping to join the race again, in due time.

I'm attending leadership meetings and some of the public meetings at church, especially Sunday mornings. There will be many dear and emotional reunions similar to the first Sunday morning meeting on Fathers' Day at Fristaden in Uddevalla. Our friend, Paul Forsén, taught about "God as Our Daddy", and at the end, Janne Sääf asked me to share something. I shared, "The church is a family and needs a leadership. The leaders are the fathers of the family, and they can't force their authority upon the church, but in the long run, they can be trusted as fathers, advisors, encouragers, coaches, and so on." I asked the elders to go out in the congregation and give the people who wanted it a fatherly blessing. A large percent of the ones who got blessed started to cry. The first meeting I attended was in some ways hard for me, but in so many other ways, a great blessing, and so many of the sisters and brothers have had their hearts touched by this journey.

The outreach to Kenya, led by Janne and Gunilla, meant a lot to the team of youth. It's fantastic how our sisters and brothers in Africa live and work for the Lord, and it was moving to see the pictures of the team out working in the Nairobi slums.

Now we’re looking forward to the Christmas holidays when we’ll gather as a family and invite others.

Many thanks for your prayer support and gifts!

Thankful in Christ,
Håkan

Everyday life goes on…

2009-12-01T16:10:00.001+01:00

Morning business…

Håkan is visited by home-help, who take care of him, his shot, washing, smearing him with lotion, dressing him, and giving him breakfast.

Håkan gets eyedrops every other hour. If we aren’t home, home-help comes and gives him eyedrops.

Lunchtime...

Home-help comes and warms the plate of food I’ve prepared in the microwave, the days we aren’t at home. After that, Håkan tries to rest a little, before getting the next round of eyedrops.

Everyday life goes on…like…

Hand therapy...Trying out new hand splints…Prayer at Fristaden…Occupational therapy…Physical therapy…Walks…Church services…Eye operations…Sahlgrenska hospital…Pastors’ meetings…Eye doctor…Home-help…Bible on CD…Transportation to appointments…Reading aloud…Followup visits…Hand surgeon…Visits from friends…Relatives…Church members…Pharmacy…Doctors’ visits…Being in God’s presence…Family…Text messaging…Exercising…Rosenhäll…The house…The social insurance…etc.

Everyday life goes on…

When we come home, we eat together, and enjoy the fact that life goes on, thankful that we have each other, and that Håkan is getting better and better all the time. A BIG THANKS to God and health care services.

Evening business…

In the evening, home-help comes again – time for the evening duties and a new round of smearing with lotion. When Håkan is ready to go to bed, I get to put on his hand splints, eye ointment and eyeshields, before we say “Good night” to each other.

Håkan has my bed and I lie on the sofa, in the living room, and enjoy having my husband home. He lies like a king, on his back, and receives new energy for a new day, with new opportunities to continue to train.

And then it’s morning again. I take off Håkan’s eyeshields and greet my husband “Good morning!” I take off the hand splints so Håkan can do his hand exercises before home-help rings at the door…etc.

“Now it’s a new day, with new possibilities. Now it’s a new day. Morning has dawned… Yesterday is gone. I reach for what lies ahead… God, I want to give this day to you.”

Everyday life goes on…for Håkan…and for the Gniste family.

Thanks for continuing to think about us and pray for us. We have a long road ahead of us, but with God’s help and Håkan’s stubbornness and much prayer, we’ll manage this. You are an important part of this miracle, which is in our midst now.

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13

God bless you all!

Warm hugs,
Gunilla

Africa in our hearts!

2009-11-23T20:49:00.000+01:00

Here comes a little summary of a couple of fantastic weeks!!!

Background: Håkan has travelled to Kenya for over 10 years, where he has primarily trained leaders, often together with Dave Richards, from England. I was in Nairobi for a women’s conference 8 years ago, and that was the beginning of our travelling every year or so to Kenya.

The vision of taking along youth in teams to see and help teach was something God spoke to me about a long time ago. Now we’ve gone with teams to Tunisia, China and made several trips to Kenya.

”We carry on – you go!” said Håkan from his hospital bed when I asked what we should do about our trip to Kenya.

Our destination, this time, was the church in Umoja (a suburb of Nairobi), their school, children’s and youth work, and worship services on Sunday; they have three services in a row, with about 3000-3500 people in each.

We also helped out a few days in Mukuru, a slum area which has existed for over 35 years. A congregation has started there in the middle of the slum, with a school, church, girls’ home, and a clinic. It was great to see all our youth get into the work and leave a little of their hearts there. We had with us 18,000 crowns for the work in the slum, which is enough for a lot of food and medicine down there.

We have visited the Salvation Army’s orphanage every time we’ve been in Nairobi. There are 67 orphans there, and wonderful leaders, who give their lives for the children. They are like a big family. We had stuffed animals, footballs and a bunch of good things for all the kids, and even 18,000 crowns which they will use to buy Christmas presents for the kids and have a real Christmas party with a little extra good food. Previously, we’ve paid for school bags, shoes, and school uniforms for all the kids, so they could all go to school.

After our hard work, we went willingly on to Mombasa, where we stayed by the Indian Ocean, rested a little, and tried to take in everything we’d experienced. On Sunday, we took part in the service at a church there in Mombasa, with song, dance, testimonies and preaching. To be able to come there and see what God has done since we were there last, was totally amazing. Thank you, Lord, for what you’ve done and are doing in Mombasa!

On a free Saturday, we went to Lake Nakuru, a national park, a three-hour drive from Nairobi. There we met Africa’s awesome animals, in their natural surroundings. That’s a day we’ll carry with us for a long time.

We are so thankful for the trip to Kenya, everything we’ve experienced, everything we’ve learned, everything we’ve been able to give. A big “Thanks” to the church in Umoja, who took such good care of us, gave us rice and chicken, and to all our old friends and the new friends we’ve made.

We concluded our trip to Kenya by going to Nairobi’s oldest park and praying for the country. Janne Sääf got a Bible verse which we shared and prayed from: ”The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land…” (Psalm 125:3)

If you want to follow along and see a little of our trip, click on the links to the videos, under ”Kenya 2009” to the right.

Thank God for a wonderful trip!
Thank God for all the great youth who were with us!
Thank God for everything we got to help with!
Thank God for your protection during the trip!
Thank God that we can continue to pray for Kenya!

God bless you all!
Gunilla

An historic Sunday!

2009-11-15T09:13:00.001+01:00

Now things are falling into place! Håkan is at home and has found a daily rhythm that works for him, home health, and the family living at home.

Four times a day, personnel from home health come and help him in the morning and evening, but also give eyedrops and lunch, when the rest of us are in school and at work.

A nurse comes once a day for Håkan’s shot, and helps with his bath and changing his bandages every third day, so that the skin gets a thorough overhaul, so no infection sets in.

Håkan gets smeared with lotion twice a day to keep his skin soft and smoothe. We see a definite improvement all over his body.

Last Sunday, on Father’s Day, when Paul and Lena Forsén were at Fristaden, Håkan went together with Harry to the Sunday morning service, for the first time since the fire. Everyone stood up and a loooong, spontaneous applaud broke out, with many tearful eyes.

It was so fitting, of course, that ”the father of Fristaden” came on Father’s Day, and that when Paul spoke about ”God as Your Daddy”, Håkan got the idea that the leaders should stand at the front and minister to people, and in the end, go around and give ”daddy hugs” and bless the whole church. Thank the Lord!

Then it felt like Håkan was present again, with his prophetic anointing and father’s role in the church. Very powerful!

It’s so great to stand beside him and be happy about life! That which was so normal earlier is now a subject for rejoicing, and we’re so grateful to God that Håkan is home again.

Thank you, Lord, for your grace and your great faithfulness to us!

The operation went well, but this week and next week there will be more trips to Sahlgrenska, so please continue to pray for Håkan’s hands and eyes! God hears prayer!

Thanks for all your love…love back to you all!

God bless!

Hugs,
Gunilla

Home again!

2009-11-08T23:26:00.000+01:00

Now we’re home again, and Håkan is home for good! The time in the hospital is over. Of course, there will be follow-up visits, rehabilitation and operations down the road. Imagine, it’s been over 8 months since the fire, and now we’re at the point where my husband can be at home, walk around, sit down, stand up, lie down on the bed, get up from the bed, go to the bathroom, and eat cut-up food by himself. This is so great that I want to shout, “Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord!”

You who have followed us on this long, 8-month journey, probably understand my thankfulness, for every little step in the right direction which makes all this possible. Nothing is too small or too great for our God. “Thank you, Lord!”

Every decision which has been made and all care that Håkan has received, through doctors and medical staff, have made it possible for Håkan to be as good as he is now. A big “Thanks” to you all! God bless you all!

All of you who have supported us through prayers, thoughts, tears, letters, email, the blog, caring, acts of love, clothes, food, fixing up our new home, smiles, nice words, hugs, money, flowers, furniture, books… The list could be longer, but I just want to say, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

The factors that contribute to quick healing, a doctor told Håkan this summer, are:

* Coming quickly to the hospital for treatment.
* Good medical staff.
* High motivation in the patient.
* A broad circle of social contacts.
* A strong faith in God.

All these have contributed to Håkan’s speedy recovery.

When I preached in Nairobi, for a packed church of 3,500 people, I asked how many wanted to pray for Håkan and the eyelid operation he would have that week. 3,500 hands went up, and then I saw even more that God’s care for us, and all the care and prayers from people, are a big part of Håkan’s speedy recovery. Thank you, brothers and sisters, all around the world, who have prayed for us! God bless you all! ”Thank you, Lord!”

“Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”

More about the trip to Kenya is coming later...

Bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Heavenly dynamics

2009-11-04T22:09:00.000+01:00

Anita Barker Andersen writes:

This past Sunday, I was to preach at Fristaden, and the text from Revelation 22 was about heaven. The thought came to me that I should have a “conversational preaching” together with Håkan. He had the text read for him over the telephone, and a little later that day, we visited him at the short-term care facility and recorded his comments. It was so nice to (almost) have a worship service together with Håkan again. Following is the Bible text and his reflections, which also can be heard (in Swedish) from the Swedish blog.

Heavenly dynamics

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” Rev. 22:1-5

Cast your anchor a long way in
When I heard these verses being read for me, I began to think about the fact that my soul has an anchor, and that anchor must be cast behind the curtain, into the Holy of Holies (Heb. 6:19). What that really says, is that my deepest attitudes and priorities should be so much, much further ahead than the present – than right now, what I’m thinking about just now, the material needs I have, or the material security that I have acquired. My security doesn’t lie in the material. My security doesn’t lie in the humanistic. My security doesn’t lie in what people can do. My security lies in God!

We are blessed
This also speaks to me about precisely the thing Paul writes about in several places, that we are blessed ”in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing” (Eph. 1:3), and when I know that I have access to that, I know that I am both spiritually blessed, saved, and I will be saved, and I can also receive healing from the Lord because I have my eyes fixed on something so much, much further ahead of the reality I see right now.

My security lies in God
It’s a big mistake to only concentrate on the material, to only concentrate on the security that we Swedes are experts on. Security doesn’t lie there. Security lies in God, and security lies in the eternal, and the eternal is the Kingdom of God. So the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are really the same things, and we can acquaint ourselves even now with that which God wants to give us in His Kingdom. This also makes it possible for us to go through various trials and difficulties with our eyes fixed on Jesus in the eternal, and “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4)

Discover the whole reality
So, this really isn’t an escape from reality, but it is a living part of reality that only the Christian has discovered, or the one who seeks Him is able to discover. So, heaven is such an important part of reality, and it’s there that we get motivation to be able to stand, but also motivation to win others for God, and motivation to be sanctified by Him ourselves.

Look after your place
Then there is also a risk that we become so occupied with the present and the material, with the way of thinking and being of our times, and that we pile up everything possible, so that we can miss – yes, even here – the spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms. It can even be so that we don’t just miss out on them here, but also in eternity. So see to it – you can see to it – that you can already today be secure, and that you are a child of God, and that your place in eternity is there. You shall not miss out on that place!

Håkan Gniste

Meat patties with onions!

2009-11-02T22:52:00.000+01:00

Now while Gunilla has been in Kenya, we’ve had the pleasure of visiting with Håkan a little extra. On Sunday (25/10), Håkan came to our house together with Bella and Jan G. We ate meat patties with onions and mushrooms, and enjoyed being together, in front of the fire place. Håkan and Dan, who were in a their best teasing mood, kept stoking the fire in the fire place, and said, “We’ll have to put another log on the fire”, while the rest of us were sweating and cried, “Stop stoking the fire!” (especially us ladies over 50), but they just laughed and added another log.

On Thursday evening (29/10), we drove to Josefina in Trollhättan, for a belated birthday celebration, and ate a wonderful dinner together. We drank coffee and ate newly baked cookies, and read aloud an article from the local newspaper about a gospel concert which the churches in Trollhättan had had together, and for which Josefina sang a solo. Then Josefina and Pappa Håkan had one of those real “music-chat-and-listening-moments”, which only music people can have.

On Saturday, I drove over and picked up Håkan from the short-term care facility to eat lunch at home with us again. We had garlic marinated chicken, and Håkan ate drumsticks with his hands for the first time since the fire. “There you go, Gunilla! If you’d been home, you could have had a garlic kiss from Håkan!” When it was time for coffee, Håkan had a visit from Harry and Gun-Britt Andersson from The Word of Life in Uppsala. It was a time for an emotional reunion, conversation and deep prayer fellowship. Before they started on their return trip to Uppsala, Dan took them by the house.

At the keyboard in gratitude
Sister-in-law Lotta and brother-in-law Dan

The operation went well!

2009-10-30T08:30:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone!

It was a long day for Pappa on Wednesday, but the operation went well and he’ll go for a follow-up visit on Monday. He is naturally a little more tired than usual, and has limited sight because of the operation and the compresses over his right eye, but he’s in good spirits!

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts!

Hugs,
Johanna

Cozy moments

2009-10-27T19:53:00.000+01:00

We have had many cozy moments together with Pappa lately. A lot of listening to music, many good meals and a lot of mischief and play when the girls show their princess dresses, dance and sing songs for Grandpa.

It’s so wonderful to share life again. To see how Pappa’s strength is increasing all the time, how his body is healing from day to day. We are so thankful to have him nearby!

/Johanna

Tomorrow they will operate on Håkan’s right eyelid again. Pray that everything goes well and he recovers quickly!

/Jan

News from Kenya
From Janne’s mobile blog http://jannesmobilblog.blogspot.com/:

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

New maternity clinic
(See picture on blog.)
A new maternity clinic is being built in the Nokoro slum. Great joy, and even the pastor wanted to help with the work.
Posted by Jannes at 9:23 AM

Prayer meeting in Umoja
(See picture on blog.)
Prayer for Håkan’s operation on Wednesday. Approx 500 people!
Posted by Jannes at 4:58 AM

Safari
(See picture on blog.)
Oh, what a day. Nakuro National Park. Lions, giraffes, rhinos and a lot more. Fantastic creation!
Posted by Jannes at 4:58 AM

More news from Kenya

2009-10-23T15:38:00.003+02:00

From Janne’s mobile blog (http://jannesmobilblog.blogspot.com/):

Church service in the slum
(see video on blog)
Jesus proclamation!

The slum
(see picture on blog)
The church is doing a fantastic job here. The poverty is extreme. People are friendly. We’ve been able to help out. We have taught, painted, washed chairs, helped in the medical clinic. Now we’ll eat lunch and have a church service.

Håkan’s days

2009-10-23T12:33:00.000+02:00

Now Håkan has been at the short term care facility several days, and is happy with his new room and the staff there. On Wednesday, I picked him up and we drove by the house to inspect the new insulation that was sprayed into the outer walls that morning. Arne, Harry and Blanco were all white-haired from the insulation dust! It’s going to be nice and warm in the Gniste home in the winter. The afternoon offered Danish pork roast and good fellowship together with Erik and Anita, and Stig and Lillemor Walldin.

Yesterday Håkan went by taxi to Sahlgrenska for a followup visit with the plastic surgeon. The left eyelids are healing well, but the surgeon wants to operate on the right ones one more time, as soon as possible. The date hasn’t been decided yet.

More visits and a cozy evening with Johanna, Daniel and the grandchildren are on the program for today.

Blessings,
Jan Griffith

Kenya outreach

2009-10-23T10:59:00.004+02:00

Follow along on the Kenya outreach at http://jannesmobilblog.blogspot.com/. It’s all in Swedish, so I’ll try to update you here with English text. The local newspaper also printed an article with pictures of the team yesterday. Go in and take a look at http://bohuslaningen.se/nyheter/uddevalla/1.614574.

From Janne’s mobile blog (see pictures on the blog):
Thursday, October 22, 2009
School in Umoja
The youth are at the school all day, playing with the kids and telling about Sweden. Gunilla and Janne have had a meeting with the pastors in the area.

Breakfast at Russam Villa!
Everyone has slept well. Gunilla gives assignments to everyone for the day. Great expectation.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Kastrup Airport, Copenhagen
Early morning. Making sure the vaccination cards are in order.

Now our bags are packed…

2009-10-20T23:15:00.001+02:00

Håkan’s bags – two dark blue ones – are packed for Österängen, a short term care facility diagonally across the street from our house on Sigelhultsvägen – cool!

Imagine that we, Håkan and I, were out on Saturday and bought sweaters and pants, so now we’re slowly starting to build up his wardrobe again. Thanks for everything Håkan has received. He only had one sweatshirt left, which was fortunately lying in the dirty laundry. The coats which hung in the closet in the hall have survived. Thank goodness, one less expense!

My bags – two purple ones – are packed for the trip to Kenya. We will live at a guest house in Nairobi where we’ve stayed many times before. Simple, but nice. Our church friends there take good care of us, and are making two minivans available to us, with drivers and everything.

We’ll visit the Salvation Army orphanage we’ve been visiting since 2001. We’ll have with us balloons, stuffed animals, clothes and 18,000 crowns which have come in from collection boxes in Fristaden. Hallelujah! We love the children there who come from trying conditions, who the Salvation Army is taking such good care of.

We’ll work in the slum a few days. They have a school there with over 200 students, who also get meals every day, a clinic where they help people with HIV, and even a maternity ward where they do Caesareans on mothers with HIV so the babies won’t risk being infected.

Orphans can live in a home, near the school and the church, situated in the middle of Nairobi’s slum with about 500,000 people. As a private person, one should never be in the slum, but we go with the highly esteemed friends who have given their lives for the slum.

Second Hand has given 10,000 crowns, plus an offering from Fristaden. The money given will go direct into their work.

We have payed for our flights and lodging ourselves, out of our own pockets, but we’ve found cheap tickets. Living in Kenya is cheap, plus our church friends down there – a church with 7,000 members – take such good care of us. They are friends we’ve had down there for many years. Their pastor has visited us several times. Beckie was here for a week this August. The big church is in Umoja, a suburb of Nairobi. They have a big school there which we’ll visit.

On Sundays, they have 3 services in Umoja, with around 3,000 in each service – that’s a powerful experience. At the same time, there’s Sunday school for the kids and a youth service, which our youth will participate in.

A trip on a bus to Mombasa, a safari, markets, etc., are also on the program. Please pray that we will be a blessing to them!

We’ll be enriched, blessed and overwhelmed… Every time we’ve been there we’ve had the grace to see people get saved and healed, and those are the memories we bear with us, now as we travel again.

”We carry on – you go”, Håkan said, and with those words, I’m going with Janne and 11 youth, anxious and happy for the mission we’ve received.

Thanks for following along with us on the trip, with your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you, Lord, for letting us go on this blessed mission!

Thanks, Håkan, that you unselfishly wanted me to go. Next time we’ll go together again. Love you!

”…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” Matt. 28:18-20

God bless you all!

Hugs,
Gunilla

Beautiful week in October!

2009-10-17T23:52:00.000+02:00

What weather we’re having here in Uddevalla! We usually have nice weather in the middle of October. Twice we’ve been in a time of waiting, and this same week in 1980 and 1985, Johanna and Josefina came into the world. As far as I can remember, there have always been nice, sunny fall days this week, and the same is true this year.

The joy over the fact that the whole family survived the fire becomes even greater on birthdays. It comes like an intoxicating joy, an appreciation of life, which we don’t take for granted any longer, but the feeling about life becomes so great that the heart beats an extra beat, in a praise song of thanksgiving.

”Thank you for the life you give. It gets bigger, and more and more!”

We were at Sahlgrenska last Wednesday, to see the hand surgeon. The doctor checked Håkan’s hands. The splints he wears at night will be bent some more in order to stretch out Håkan’s fingers even more. In about a year, they will operate on his right hand and it will get new skin on the palm, with the help of skin from another part of Håkan’s body.

We explained that Håkan had his mobile in his left hand when he came out of the house, whereupon the doctor said that the mobile had saved the palm of Håkan’s left hand. That was a new thought for me anyway.

The doctor also said that Håkan didn’t have the typical burn injuries around his mouth, chin and neck. “There must have been an angel present there,” he said. I was just filled with even more thankfulness that Håkan looks like himself around his mouth. Thank the Lord for angels who protect!

Today and yesterday we’ve been out on walks together. Håkan walks by himself, without any help, other than that he put his arm around me, but that was more out of love. However, he shouldn’t go out by himself yet.

This evening we went and looked at the short term housing where Håkan will stay when I go to Kenya. It was a really nice room at Österängen, just down the street from our house on Sigelhultsvägen. That’ll be nice and close.

Tomorrow morning, the home health workers will come to bathe Håkan and change his bandages. It’s nice that all such things are working. There are a lot of extra things to do anyway.

Today we sat and ate beef and pork sausage with mashed turnips, just the two of us. When did we eat that the last time? Yes, it was very good. We commented, ”Why do we eat this so seldom?” A little humour...we haven’t eaten together for all these months, of course…but, more of that, in other words!

Now Håkan is sound asleep, breathing deeply, but it’s like sweet music to my ears. It is, afterall, just a miracle that he’s lying there in the bed. We are so grateful and happy to be alive! Thank the Lord!

”Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Now Håkan is coming home!

2009-10-13T23:53:00.003+02:00

At the care planning meeting on Monday, it was decided that Håkan is now ready to be discharged from the hospital. Fourteen days ago, none of us had managed that, but so many positive things have happened with Håkan recently, so I believe it’s time now.

We will have a lot of contact anyway, partially because of the operations on his fingers and hands, which will take place at Sahlgrenska. The training of his hands will take place at the hospital, which has the most experience with burn injuries.

The eyes will be followed up partially by the eye unit here in Uddevalla. The surgeries around his eyes will be followed up by Sahlgrenska. The medical will still be here in Uddevalla.

Short term housing will be at Rosenhäll, not so far from our house, so when we travel to Kenya next week, Håkan will be there during the time we are gone. That feels nice and secure!

Today it’s 225 days that Håkan has been in different hospitals. He came into the emergency room at Uddevalla Hospital in the morning, the 3rd of March, then was sent by helicopter to Linköping’s burn unit. Håkan hovered between life and death with the words, ”…Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me…”, inside of him for over 3 months. Ps. 23:4

Once again, a big THANK YOU for all prayers and support, from you all.

Håkan got to move to Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg and after that to rehab unit 20 here at Uddevalla Hospital. Now we’ve come to that point when Håkan is soon ready to come home. We didn’t even dare think that thought a few months ago – it’s so big that it’s mind boggling. Thank you, Lord, for your goodness!

Håkan went up and down 6 floors of stairs at the hospital, his balance is much better, and his gait is becoming more steady and more rapid. Two to three months after Håkan started to wake up, we didn’t even know if he would ever be able to walk again. Physical therapists who have worked hard, Håkan’s motivation and faith, together with all prayers and God’s grace, have made all this possible. Thank the Lord!

The ideas and advice from occupational therapy have, with training and more training, given results. The splints that Håkan has at night are helping his fingers to straighten out somewhat, slowly but surely, but more help is needed through operations. Pray for his fingers and hands!

When Håkan comes home, the community home-help service will come into the picture to help with the morning tasks, eye drops, lunch, bathing and bandaging. Håkan will also get an alarm, in case anything should happen when he’s home alone during the days.

Today Håkan was at the eye doctor’s in Uddevalla and the sight in his left eye has improved. Thank you for all your prayers!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, it’ll be Gothenburg and the hand surgery…

“I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.” Ps. 104:33-34

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Håkan’s weekend

2009-10-12T13:57:00.000+02:00

On Friday, Håkan was a little tired, but very pleased with the Thursday evening in Gothenburg, when a group of pastors and their wives met. It was Håkan’s first get-together with a larger group of friends. As you surely understand, it was a little emotional for both Håkan and the friends who haven’t seen Håkan in 7 months.

On Friday, Håkan went down to Sahlgrenska to get his eyelids checked and take off the bandages around his eye. Håkan will see the eye doctor here in Uddevalla on Tuesday, and will go back to Sahlgrenska again on the 20th of October, so continue to pray for his eyes. It’s moving in the right direction.

In the afternoon, Gertrud and Kiell came on the train from Uppland to visit Håkan at the hospital. We took Håkan out, drove by the house to show them what is happening there, before buying Thai food, which we all ate at home in the apartment before our friends took the train on to Gothenburg. We are so thankful to God for all our friends who are supporting us in different ways. Thank you, everyone!

Mats and Sarah were going to visit Håkan at the hospital with their children, Lisa and Erik, but we called and they came home to us instead, and the Thai food was enough for the Samuelson family as well. After that it was time to take Håkan back to the hospital again.

On Saturday, Håkan’s brother, P-G, came and took us both out for pizza. We had a nice time together, which concluded at Johanna and Daniel’s, where we were served coffee and icecream. Håkan slept at home in the apartment, from Saturday to Sunday.

In the evening, our Mohammed came home to watch football with daddy Håkan. It was a nice evening at home, even though Sweden didn’t win. Håkan hasn’t been up so late in 7 months, so he went straight to bed after football. Mohammed slept on the sofa in the same room so I could sleep the whole night.

On Sunday morning, a home health nurse came and gave Håkan a shot, and helped with the sores on his forehead. We ate breakfast, my husband and I. What a feeling, to be able to sit and eat breakfast together again. We don’t take anything for granted anymore. We are thankful for every little detail, which is a partial victory for us. It feels like going from death to life, where life has gained victory over death, and every little act of life is worth rejoicing over. “Thank the Lord!”

On Sunday afternoon, Anita had a dinner for everyone who had helped make it possible for her biography to come out. Imagine that Håkan managed to be present at that dinner. That was the first time Håkan met such a large part of our congregation at the same time. Good food and good fellowship. Håkan was really pleased with yet another partial victory. Afterwards, we went straight back to the hospital.

Pray for the care planning meeting on Monday, the eye examination on Tuesday, hand surgery on Wednesday in Gothenburg.

Found an old prophetic word from Roger Larsson, dated the 25th of August, 1999:

”Step forward and stand still and see the great wonder that the Lord will do before your eyes.”

Yes, of course, we have seen wonders! Thank you, Jesus, for all the wonders we have seen!

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

The miracle - Håkan

2009-10-08T23:46:00.001+02:00

Imagine that he, my husband, can raise himself up by himself, during the day, without support, without help, and can walk all by himself. What a miracle!

Imagine that he, my husband, can sit down, ly down in bed, without help or support. That was unthinkable a month or so ago.

Imagine that he, my husband, is so clear in his head, remembers everything before the fire, what happened the 3rd of March, and now.

Imagine that he, my husband, still has his sense of humour, can crack jokes, and laugh at nonsense. That is colossal!

Imagine that he, my husband, is so stubborn, and has just decided to come back quickly to life and the ministry. Great!

Imagine that he, my husband, listens to the Bible every day, both in Swedish and English. That’s very good, isn’t it?!

Imagine that he, my husband, now has a new suit of skin on over 80% of his body, which is whole and fragile, but can be touched. Thank God!

Imagine that he, my husband, now after over 25-30 operations, is still in good spirits, just a little tired. Thank you, Jesus!

Imagine that he, my husband, has slept here at home, and that it’s just going better and better. Thank the Lord!

Imagine that he, my husband, went along to Gothenburg this evening, ate together with his pastor colleagues. Touching!

Imagine that he, my husband, will go back to Sahlgrenska tomorrow for a check-up after the eyelid operation. We’re making progress!

Imagine that we, as a family, can rejoice over the miracle – Håkan – and see that every step forward is a step of progress, toward victory!

Imagine being a child of God. Imagine being able to rest in His hands… Thank you, Lord, for Håkan, for the miracle You’ve given us!

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

An ordinary Friday!

2009-10-02T23:58:00.000+02:00

Today Håkan has been down to the eye unit and had his right eye examined thoroughly. There is a thin streak across his eye that is undoubtedly from the heat of the fire. The eyelid operation on his left eye this week went well, but Håkan is very tired after the operation. He’ll go back on Monday to have it checked. We’ll see when the doctor takes out the stitches.

We have also had a care planning meeting today. Last time I had to stick up for myself, so I was all worn out for several days afterwards. The feeling of not being understood hit me hard. I’m not used to having to fight for myself in that way. I’d prayed and fasted for this day, and hoped that God would fight for us.

Everything turned out so well. Håkan can stay on the unit where he is until he becomes stronger. He won’t have to come home on Monday. None of us had managed that now. So many positive things have happened with Håkan, but he’s weak right now – after the operation – and needs rest, and peace and quiet.

Every third day, Håkan is bathed and redressed, but the staff tend to the dressed areas every day. Special creams that guard against infection and help the skin heal are applied every day. Eye drops and creams for his eyes. Splints for the hands are used every night to help his fingers straighten out more and more – we already see results.

This afternoon we picked up Håkan for a leave. We went and ordered pizza. When we were going to pick up the pizzas, Johanna and Daniel came to the same pizzeria, to do the same thing. We ended up following them home and had a pizza party. Around 8 o’clock, Håkan was getting tired, so he decided to go back to the hospital. Yes, that leave was just about right for Håkan now.

It will be exciting with the hand surgery on Wednesday, the 14th of October. I have taken that day off from Saron House, and will go with Håkan down to Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg.

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Ex. 14:14

A few small thoughts from an ordinary Friday!

God bless you!

Hugs,
Gunilla

Healed skin and eyes on their way…

2009-09-30T14:45:00.000+02:00

Tuesday:
Today Håkan had a follow-up visit with the eye doctor here in Uddevalla. The doctor checked Håkan’s right eye, after the eyelid operation at Sahlgrenska on the 21st of August. Håkan is seeing better with his right eye now, after all the help with drops and eye ointments. Thank you, Lord, and all competent staff!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Håkan will travel down to Sahlgrenska for the left eyelid operation, so please pray for him tomorrow. He’ll be anaesthetized, but they reckon he will be able to come back to his unit here in Uddevalla the same day.

After the operation, Håkan will be bandaged again over the operated eye, and will probably have several follow-up visits, to make sure the operation has been successful.

Håkan had his second overnight leave, from Sunday to Monday. It was so nice to have him home. We were at Johanna and Daniel’s house for dinner, and both Amelie and Bella were with us. Fun for the grandchildren, Nova and Nicole, to have Grandpa at home again. After that, we went to the apartment for a pleasant evening at home with all the teenagers who are living at home. The hard part is that Håkan needs a lot of help, so I only get a few hours of sleep.

This past Saturday, Håkan’s siblings and their families came, so we picked up Håkan and drove to the salmon restaurant in Ljungskile. That was the first time in 7 months that Håkan ate out at a restaurant. Håkan appreciated the initiative. We drove by our beloved house, then continued on to the apartment, where we had coffee, before it was time to take Håkan back to the hospital.

As you understand, everything is moving in the right direction, so THANK YOU for all your love, all thoughts, and the prayers we’ve received during this time. We give God the glory for our lives, and we are happy for Håkan’s new suit of skin, which has healed well. This Sunday was the first day without bandages or some kind of protection on Håkan’s back.

“The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.” Ps. 41:3

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Tearing down has its time – Building has its time

2009-09-26T23:01:00.000+02:00

The tearing down took a long time; to get rid of everything burnt and smoke damaged has also taken time. Only the shell of the house was left. Tearing down has its time…

It turned out that the house had sunk, so some of the boards needed to be replaced. Even Håkan’s sauna in the cellar was damaged by moisture and had to be thrown out. Tearing down has its time…

Everything electrical, all radiators, all pipes…yes, tearing down has its time…

But now it’s a new time; the walls are being insulated and walls are being put up…the ceiling in the cellar, underfloor heating is being put in, the floor in the kitchen and living room are on their way…and the electrical is being mounted. Building has its time…

In the Bible it says, “There is a time for everything, …a time to tear down and a time to build,…” Eccl. 3:1a, 3b

Håkan has cautiously gone into the house to see how things are going. I have been in the house essentially every day since I came home from the hospital in the middle of March.

Right now, they are on the roof, replacing it, so please pray for nice weather for us. It will be a new tile roof.

In a few days, we’ll put a new picture presentation about the house on the blog, so you can see what is happening on Sigelhultsvägen in Uddevalla.

Tearing down has its time – Building has its time!

Thank you for your prayers, even for the house!

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

New times!

2009-09-20T23:59:00.000+02:00

I’m sitting on the sofa in the apartment, and in the same room, Håkan is lying in my bed, ready to sleep his first night at home. In other words, Håkan is on an overnight leave – imagine that! We have good sofas, so I’m lying on one of them. It’s nice to be in the same room, in case he needs anything.

Can you imagine how quick his progress has been? He can walk, he can stand, he can raise himself up, and he’s getting better at using his hands. As they say, “Practice makes perfect.”

There he lies – my husband – on his back, as he’s always done, but now he has some aids to keep him in the right position, with splints on his hands, plastic cups over his eyes, pillow under his legs, and the cute little gauze bandage cap on his head. I’m filled with such thankfulness. Imagine that we can still be together. It’s only by the grace of God that we are all alive.

Tomorrow I will drive Håkan back to his ward, before my music class at the school. After that, there is a care-planning meeting at the hospital, for Håkan’s future, so it’s good that I have a free hour in my schedule.

On Tuesday, there are two appointments at the hospital, one with the social welfare officer, and after that, I will meet a doctor.

Håkan has received an appointment for the eye operation on his left eyelid on the 30th of September, in the morning, down in Gothenburg, at Sahlgrenska. Please pray that the operation will go well.

Today I saw that his eyelashes are starting to come back also.

The hand surgeons’ office at Sahlgrenska has sent Håkan an appointment. Wednesday the 14th of October it’s time for Håkan’s hands. We are so thankful that he got in so quickly. New times for both Håkan’s eyes and hands.

Håkan is listening to the Bible on CD, in Swedish, and yesterday Lena Forsén came with a CD-Bible in English. It’s good for the pastor to take in the Word of God, now by listening.

Now he’s soughing so well. It’s music to my ears; I haven’t heard it for 201 days. New times, as in old times!

All of the kids who live in the area have been at home today with Dad and Grandpa. We notice that Håkan can manage more, but still, he tires quickly of everything happening around him.

“…who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Ps. 103:3-5

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Friendship in deeper dimensions

2009-09-16T17:03:00.000+02:00

Sat here at home today and spoke with a lady. It was the first time she had come to our home. We’ve only met once before, at the hospital, on March 3rd, the same day the house burned…

”It’s so nice here. It wasn’t that long ago – how have you found the time?” ”It was our friends, in different churches in town, who have done this for us. Everything was here when we moved in…” The more I talked, the more I saw her facial expressions, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made life so much easier for us. Friendship in deeper dimensions!

We continued to talk about what we had done these past months, that we’d been to Stockholm and Linköping, to see Håkan, that we could stay with friends who offered. The more we talked, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made it so much easier for us. That is friendship in deeper dimensions!

So, we talked some more, and came to the trip to England that Bella, Amelie and I went on this summer, how friends took care of us, how we stayed with friends. Dave was with us two days in London. The more I told her, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made it much easier for us. Friendship in deeper dimensions!

Then we came to the trip to Uppsala-Stockholm, and on to the island of Gotland, this summer, when I told about all our friends who we got to stay with, and how they arranged things for us, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, and all our friends who have made life much easier for us. It becomes friendship in deeper dimensions!

Now we both sat with tears in our eyes, I in thankfulness for all our friends… The lady said, ”Imagine that there are friends like that.” I answered, “Yes, there are, so many who have stood by us, during this time.” The answer was, “Then I understand better how you’ve managed as you have.” I answered, “I’m going to write a praise song about friendship…”

Obviously, part of the reason it’s gone so well is that you have been there and supported us in every way. So THANK YOU all our friends for being there. You’ve been a part of making life easier for us… Friendship in deeper dimensions!

“…She was full of good works and kind deeds which she did.” Acts 9:36

Thanks for friendship!
Thanks for your generosity!
God bless you all!

Hugs,
Gunilla

They come from east and west…

2009-09-14T19:23:00.000+02:00

This week Dave and Pauline Tidy from England have been here. They have visited Håkan several times. On Saturday, Håkan was on leave from the hospital, so he was at home in the apartment for dinner. Naturally, it was pork chops, Håkan’s favorite food, with our guests, Dave and Pauline.

Last week Hannah and Eliyahu from Israel came up to the hospital. What an encouragement for Håkan. Two weeks ago, Beckie Baraka, a good friend of the family and church, came from Kenya. She is one of the pastors in a church we’re friends with in Nairobi, Kenya, where Håkan and we have been many times. They are 8000 members, and they’re standing with us in prayer also.

It means so much to us, all you who have contacted us. I sat this week, here at home, with Håkan when he came home for a visit, and read all the greetings on the blog, after he had recorded his latest greeting. You can’t imagine how much it means to Håkan and me, that you are still with us, think about and pray for us. The tears just ran for both of us… Thank you, Lord! Thanks all of you friends!

Thank you also for all the gifts which have been sent to us. I haven’t needed to worry a single day about finances. As soon as a need has come up, someone has sent money to us. Thank you for your love. I can’t find words – don’t know how I can thank you. We feel so loved, by you and our heavenly Father. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Håkan is still on the rehab unit at Uddevalla Hospital, training every day, has a bath and bandage change every other day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The sores on his body are healing well. It was on its way to getting infected on his head and forehead. The sore is open and because of that, he has a bandage around his head.

Håkan’s gait is getting better and better. He doesn’t need a shadow anymore, and walks totally on his own. He is of course a careful type, by nature, so he doesn’t take any risks and hasn’t fallen once. Thank goodness!

Yesterday I was up with Mikaela and Josefine, two of our youth in the church, who will go to South Africa for a Bible school and outreach in an African country. They wanted to meet Håkan before they left. He prayed for them, and they prayed for Håkan. It was a nice time. They expressed that we are their spiritual parents and their love for everyone in the church. Such moments are precious. Thank you, Jesus!

Eva from Dalsland came up to Håkan with homemade jam and blueberry pie. That was good…they come from east and west…

Thanks for being there…

”Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18

God bless you all!
Hugs
Gunilla

Surprise after surprise!

2009-09-08T12:54:00.001+02:00

Much has happened, with and around Håkan. The doctor who decided to let Håkan have a chance and sent him to Linköping in a helicopter, came and visited Håkan. It was a time full of thanksgiving, for the right decision and that everything has gone so well.

Håkan was down at Sahlgrenska, and got the stitches taken out from around his eye. It’s healing so well. I got to go along in the ambulance. It felt strange. It was, of course, the first time for me since the fire. Håkan has ridden in an ambulance many times now, so he is used to it. Tomorrow he’ll go down again for a follow-up visit.

The eye doctor in Uddevalla has looked at the left eye and they have decided to operate on the left eyelid, the same way they operated on the right one, which is healing very well now.

Hannah and Eliyahu, old friends of ours from Jerusalem, who we have known for over 20 years, came to visit Håkan. They have followed our journey via the blog. What a surprise for us, to get a prayer and blessing from Jerusalem.

I went in to Håkan and told him that some old friends were there to see him. You should have seen the look on his face – it was priceless. He couldn’t believe his eyes. We didn’t know they were in the country. That was a happy surprise. We are welcome to visit our friends when Håkan is well again.

The best thing that has happened lately is that Håkan walks on his own, without the walker, and can even raise himself up from a chair. All we can do is thank God for all the help Håkan is getting and the strong motivation he has to fully recover!

“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done… Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done…” Ps. 105:1, 4-5

Life is full of surprises! Thank God for life!

God bless you!

Thank you for all support and prayers!

Hugs,
Gunilla

Yet another visit with my brother

2009-09-06T20:49:00.000+02:00

Yesterday we drove up from Varberg. Just as it started to rain, a shower came. Then I thought about the song, “Showers of grace will fall”.

The first thing we saw was Håkan, without his walker, in the corridor. It was so fantastic to see. He didn’t have any problem walking. And he recognized us a long way off. His first comment was, ”My, you’re tall!” He didn’t say that to me, but to Samuel, my son. I’m not any taller than Håkan.

Back to the song, “Showers of grace will fall”. They haven’t been small showers here, but rather DOWNPOURS of grace, over Håkan. What we’re seeing is so fantastic. Just to be able to see him walk, without any assistance. And that he recognizes us from a distance. The great Doctor is there with His showers (downpours) of grace.

We stayed until it was time for Håkan to eat and came back at 1:30 pm, because Dan was going to come then and pick up Håkan for a little outing. We drove to the house and had coffee on the patio. We had a really nice time telling about the things the Gniste brothers had experienced during their childhood as officer’s children in the Salvation Army. (It can be a very funny book.) “The pastor’s children are always the worst.”

When we sat there and talked, Håkan reminded me that I hadn’t written anything about my last visit. I didn’t have a chance – Gunilla beat me to it, and what she wrote was so good. But I thought back and remembered that the time flew by when we were there last.

You could recognize Håkan then, and you could see the teacher in him. We spoke about how the church should function, and what Fristaden had gone through, and about how it was at the Salvation Army in Varberg. Many interesting thoughts were presented by Håkan. I said to Inger, “Now he’s on the ball.” The discussion was based the whole time upon what had been revealed to Håkan through the Word of God. Håkan is really with it. Three hours just disappeared.

Back to yesterday. After being at the house for a while, Håkan took us sightseeing in Uddevalla.

When we got back to the hospital, we stayed a little while in the TV room. There was a program on that showed parts of an old series. It’s been a long time since I last saw Håkan laugh so much. His tear ducts really got a workout. Håkan said that it was probably good to be able to laugh like that.

After 6 hours, we parted and wished each other GOD’S BLESSING.

“Showers of grace will fall.”

Greetings,

Per-Göran Gniste

Greetings from Håkan...

2009-09-05T12:02:00.001+02:00

Håkan sends his greetings to all you English speakers once again! Click on the blue box to the right to listen to the new greeting from Håkan. When you’re finished, click on the small text just above the box to close the window and return to the blog.

Blessings,
Jan

We carry on – you go!

2009-08-30T23:36:00.001+02:00

It was when I asked Håkan what we should do with our planned trip, with a team, to Kenya this fall, that he answered, ”We carry on – you go!”

That sharing – which makes us one, so that when one of us does something, we do it together – is what it means to be one!

Now we’ve had a friend and pastor-colleague, Beckie Baraka from Kenya, here for a visit in Uddevalla for a week. She was one of the ones who translated us to Swahili when we were in Nairobi. It’s been a wonderful week. Beckie has visited the school, preschool, Second Hand, the boardwalk, Smögen, eaten at Lindesnäs and at home in different homes, seen our house and had different meetings at Fristaden.

Yesterday we had “Africa in Uddevalla”. Everyone who has ever been on a team to Kenya was welcome to meet Beckie. We ate apple pie together, and then there was an open house with food: rice, ugali, bread and salad, and then chicken in different forms – African chicken in a pot, stir-fry chicken, Swedish chicken with gravy. What a party-feeling!

We went in the sanctuary, looked at pictures, and told about our outreaches to Kenya. Many got to share one thing that made the deepest impression on them, from their trip. Afterwards, we had coffee and good fellowship around the tables.

We finished off the day with worship and African songs, before Beckie preached. The thing that made the deepest impression from that day was when Beckie invited all our friends from Africa, who were at the meeting, to come forward, and prayed for them. It was so nice – a holy moment which concluded with our Josefina singing in Swahili about God’s protection over them and us all.

What a day! What a week! Thank you, God, that I can be a part of it. We have been there so many times, and now Kenya is here with us again – Pastor JB Masinde was here last year. As they shout in Kenya, ”God is good – all the time!”

Beckie, who represents over 10,000 Kenyans who have prayed for us and Håkan during these past six months, visited Håkan several times. She’ll take that back to Kenya and they will continue to pray for us.

So, in October, we’ll go… ”We carry on – you go!” Yes, I’ll take a team made up of mostly youth with me. You’ll hear later about what we’ll be doing.

Bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

A Little Nuts!

2009-08-29T23:03:00.000+02:00

Thursday
We don’t have many of our personal belongings left, as you have surely understood. I was so happy that two of my lavender hair bands were still around after the fire. Today I had braids in my hair. After school, I went to the bank and the store. When I came home, I saw that one of the braids had come undone and the hair band was gone. I went back and ran around, searching everywhere. It was gone. I realized that my eagerness to find it had more to do with it being something that was left from our live before the 3rd of March. If I haven’t had the hair bands in my hair, they’ve been on my arm since April – a little nuts!

I heard myself say to the personnel in the store that they should let me know if they found the hair band because it was one of the few things I had left after the fire – a little nuts, isn’t it? I went home with a smile on my lips. What a ridiculous reaction on my part, but the best part was that I realized that myself.

Today Håkan went with a bus full of patients and staff to the aquarium in Lysekil. The whole gang went around with wheelchairs and walkers. Beef patties in the restaurant were a high point. I asked our Daniel if he could take the bus out to Lysekil, with a camera, and take pictures, but he said no. I can imagine how it looked, anyway.

After the trip, Håkan was very tired, with all the impressions, but was glad, anyway, for the visits from Johanna, Gabriella and Jan.

After we had walked the boardwalk with our friend, Beckie, from Kenya, I went by Håkan and kissed him goodnight, because the next morning, he was off to Sahlgrenska again.

Friday
They removed half of Håkan’s stitches today; they’ll remove the other half next week. So, there will be more trips to Sahlgrenska. Down there, they have taken pictures of him in all positions, so they can see what exact adjustments will be needed in the future.

Now Håkan is walking on his own with the help of someone walking beside him with the walker. Thank you, Lord, for one more step in the right direction.

“…they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them…” Ps. 107:19-20

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Shuttle traffic to Sahlgrenska

2009-08-27T23:37:00.000+02:00

On Thursday, last week, Håkan went down to Gothenburg and slept over, to be in place for the operation on Friday. That operation lasted 4 hours, with recovery. After that, Håkan was so tired that he stayed another night there and came home to Uddevalla Hospital on Saturday morning.

On Monday, Håkan was off again before 7 am for Sahlgrenska, in a hospital shuttle, to be there in time for his follow-up checkup. Back to Uddevalla again at 9 am.

On Tuesday, a new checkup and a new trip to Gothenburg, for Håkan and his eyelid, when he came with a new bandage over his eye.

Now I think we’re into “shuttle traffic”, aren’t we?

It’ll be exciting to see Håkan’s new eyelid. Imagine that the only thing left on his upper body when he came out of the fire was a cotton collar. Because of that, his neck was so nice that the doctors could take skin from his neck for his new eyelid.

The next trip to Gothenburg is on Friday, when we’ll see if it’s time to take out the stitches from the eyelids.

Håkan is healing more and more on his back and stomach. It’s even possible to give him a little massage – he thinks that feels so good.

Right now, Håkan has kind of like a stocking cap on his head. The thin skin is so vulnerable. Blisters come and go all the time – typical for a burn injury. Now we’re waiting for the skin to heal again.

The doctors say that, if it goes quickly, it takes about 1 year for rehabilitation, but it can take up to 2 years. Today is the 176th day since the fire, so we are thankful for every step forward – he’s making progress all the time.

Thank you for your continued prayers for us, and especially for Håkan.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” Ps. 147:3-5

God bless you all!
Many hugs,
Gunilla

Sunday hospital rally

2009-08-25T13:06:00.000+02:00

On Sunday afternoon, the staff took 5 patients from the hospital out on a wheelchair rally, down the hill to the park, where they all had a snack. It rained a little, but they were all so happy for the chance to get outside. That was when Håkan coined the phrase, “Sunday hospital rally”.

Per-Göran and Inger visited Håkan in the afternoon. They stayed for several hours and had a worthwhile conversation, Håkan said.

Nova and her mom, Johanna, also visited Grandpa, and Nova told him about the Sunday service we had on the beach, at Skeppsviken. Aunt Bella danced and Grandma sang about her backside, that is, ”Thank you, God, for all of me…heart…”

When I came up to Håkan, he was out walking in the corridor with his walker. He lit up, a long way away, so I asked him how he could see that it was me from so far away. He answered that he recognized right away the color purple.

We sat and talked and today Håkan was much more energetic – nice. We read out of his daily devotional and prayed together.

Now it’s easier to hold Håkan’s hand, but some of his fingers are very sensitive. I could hold his hand a long while. From his hands being totally bandaged, with skin transplants, to being healed. Now it’s time for physical and occupational therapy, and he’s making progress.

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength...” Is. 40:31

“…I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Is. 41:10

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

After the party!

2009-08-22T23:51:00.000+02:00

What a 50th birthday party Carina had – naturally high quality, musically, and good food – together with her whole family – fantastic.

Håkan recorded his congratulations to Carina, and I know how much he appreciates her, as a person, and the worship ministry she’s involved in, when she pulls down heaven.

After the party, I drove straight to Håkan. He sat there watching sports on TV. Kjell and Gunilla from Växjö had been with Håkan today with a guitar and singing, flowers and fruit. They had a nice time. We spoke about Carina’s party and everyone who had sent their greetings to Håkan.

Last Thursday, Håkan rode in an ambulance down to Sahlgrenska, and on Friday, he was operated on for four hours with a local anaesthesia. That was painful for Håkan. The doctor took skin from his neck and put new skin on Håkan’s right eyelids, both upper and lower.

Today, Saturday, Håkan came back to Uddevalla Hospital, but will go back to Sahlgrenska on Monday morning again, so they can look at his eyelids again.

But this evening, we were alone in Håkan’s room.

Just to be able to sit close and listen is such a nice feeling. That was inconceivable a few months ago.

Just to be able to stand close and massage his back is so nice. I didn’t dare touch his back a little while ago.

Just to be able to express our love to each other is so great, now that we can both talk again.

To rejoice over life, say how proud I am of my husband. Now we don’t take anything for granted.

To be able to pray together and bless each other – what a strength. Thanks, Lord, for grace and life!

“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
Isaiah 41:13

Thank you everyone for all your support!
Bless!
Many hugs,
Gunilla

Håkan sends a greeting from the hospital

2009-08-19T18:27:00.002+02:00

Last week, there were articles about Håkan and the Gniste family in two Christian newspapers in Sweden. I won’t translate the entire articles, but just wanted to pass on Håkan’s greeting which appeared in “Världen idag” on Wednesday the 12th of August:

A greeting from Håkan Gniste

Thanks. A big thanks to God for life. A big thanks to everyone who has been with us during this time, all the prayers, everyone who has helped and supported us, both in Sweden and abroad. Thanks to my family, especially to Gunilla, who has borne so much during these months. Thanks to all our children, family and relatives. Thanks to Fristaden and all our brothers and sisters in the faith in Uddevalla, who have helped in one way or another. Thanks to everyone who has stood with us through the blog, in prayer and gifts. The Body of Christ isn’t only meetings and events; the Body of Christ is much more. It is the Body of Christ which is attractive; it is the Body which will change. This happens when relationships are deepened among Christians, and we need to pass this on to the next generation.

Håkan Gniste,
Rehab Unit,
Uddevalla Hospital

Good feeling!

2009-08-18T23:42:00.001+02:00

The nurse was going to stick Håkan with a needle, but with his new skin, it’s difficult to find a blood vessel. Another nurse came in to help. She said to Håkan that it was good to see him again. “Do you know each other?” So she explained that the time before was on the morning of the 3rd of March, when Håkan came in, burned.

You can only imagine what a feeling that was to meet again after 5 months, in the state Håkan is in now compared to then…and for Håkan, to meet someone who was there in the very beginning.

These are important details in the process of inner healing, of emotional healing, from the trauma that we’ve gone through. When we came up to visit Håkan, we cried together, mostly for life, that we are alive, that Håkan survived, in spite of that burned body, and now he’s sitting there with patched and repaired skin, which is thin, but anyway, for the most part, in the process of healing.

It is good! It is great! It is fantastic!

Ps.107:19-21
“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”

We want to give thanks! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, my Lord and my God!

Bless!
Hugs,
Gunilla

The Kingdom of God!

2009-08-17T23:37:00.000+02:00

Last Friday, Håkan was at Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg, for an examination. The doctors have decided that both lower eyelids need to be operated on again, so that will be really good. Otherwise, Håkan’s eyesight is at risk. Håkan was satisfied with the decision and that they have taken this seriously, so his eyesight can be better.

This weekend I have been down in Halmstad, at ”The Building” Conference that the Salvation Army has there every year, at ”Gullbrannagården”. The plan was for both of us to be there and speak, but Håkan, of course, is still in the hospital, so I had to go without my husband.

The theme was ”The Kingdom of God”. Håkan and I sat and talked about it before Lotta and I drove down to the conference. I wrote it down and started my seminar with the Bible verse that Håkan got about the Kingdom of God which can’t be shaken to pieces and read excerpts from our conversation, so he could share a little, even though he couldn’t be there.

The whole weekend was absolutely fantastic. Lotta, who was with me, said it was the best she’s been a part of in a long time. The devotion and longing for more of God were enormous. The Salvation Army in Halmstad is such a good example, with many new families and singles who have experienced changed lives – powerful testimonies about what Jesus has done in their lives.

We drove straight to Håkan, told him how good we’d had it, about the wonderful meetings, good fellowship and what was shared. Naturally, we had a lot of greetings with us to Håkan.

Now it’s Monday evening and I’ve come home from visiting Håkan, who says that he will go to Sahlgrenska on Thursday, for an operation around his right eye on Friday. Today, an eye doctor in Uddevalla has sewn a couple of stitches in the eyelids which will help the eye until Friday.

Please stand with us in prayer, that this operation is successful.

God bless you!
Many hugs,
Gunilla

You anoint my head with oil

2009-08-12T23:55:00.000+02:00

Today my sister, Elisabet, and her husband, Carl-Axel, came. We had coffee in the apartment, drove to the house, and then to Håkan at the hospital. When we got there, Dave from England, Janne and Stig Walldin were there. Håkan was so happy. They spoke both English and Swedish.

Elisabet had both home cooked crayfish and fresh blackberries with her. Håkan enjoyed them and spoke about the mackerel sandwich and shrimp party which have brightened up his days in the hospital.

We have joked with Håkan and wondered if he should have a party with fermented Baltic herring there also. “It’s probably best to wait until I come home, or at Anders’ and Carin’s,” he answered, and we agreed.

Now we all stood there around Håkan, and the vicar began to speak and said that it wasn’t a coincidence that we were all there together. He had oil with him and wanted to pray and anoint Håkan. It was a holy moment. There was unity in Håkan’s room – different ministers of the Lord who together prayed and blessed Håkan.

Arne and Buck came to see Håkan later, and the evening concluded with fried chanterelle on ryecrisp for Håkan and a good night kiss, from me.

Mohammed will go along with Håkan to Gothenburg on Friday. There won’t be any operation, but just an examination, this time.

Thanks for all love, care and prayer.

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Håkan’s first home visit

2009-08-11T23:42:00.002+02:00

Today Håkan was out on his first mission, outside of the hospital. Together with an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist, he came home for a short visit. The red Saab stopped outside our entrance. Håkan got help, naturally, but managed very well to raise himself up out of the car – with the help of his walker – stand up, and walk, slowly but surely, up the 6 steps before coming to the elevator.

When we came into the apartment, we fixed a chair with cushions on it for Håkan, and then he could see our new home. Our dog, Jasmine, was happy to see Håkan, although a little shy. The dog would have preferred to go on a walk with Håkan, but now he just sat there on a chair and walked very carefully. Jasmine took it easy and lay down under the table – dogs are wise.

When they had seen what aids were needed for Håkan when he comes home on visits, they made their way downstairs, back the same way they came. It’s harder to go downstairs than upstairs.

Then we sat in the car and rode to Sigelhultsvägen. The car drove into the driveway, and with help, Håkan made his way to our patio, which is newly built. What a day, what a feeling for us, for Håkan, to be able to come home, even if only on the patio. He went carefully to the edge and looked down to see all that had been done in the yard.

Yesterday we picked apples from the yard. The grandchildren helped make apple pie for their grandpa to eat today. Now we sat there and ate, and then came the surprise for the day. Janne had picked up Dave Richards from the airport, and when they got to Uddevalla, they came by our house, and got to see Håkan’s joy over coming to the yard, and have fellowship with him.

Dave, who came to us directly after the fire, got to see Håkan from the beginning. That we now, 161 days later, are sitting and eating together at our home, is almost incomprehensible! “He who waits for something good, never waits too long!”

We thanked God and the staff who made this possible. There is still a lot that lies ahead, before Håkan can come home, but one more step has been taken on this long journey.

You must understand that Håkan has a different suit of skin than he had before the accident, and his face is different, but nice, considering it’s experienced an 80% burn injury, but inside, it’s the same, kind Håkan as before.

Margareta and Bength Gustafson visited Håkan this weekend. When we spoke to each other afterwards, Bength expressed that when Håkan started to talk, it was the same old Håkan, who with clarity spoke well of the unity and what God is doing in Uddevalla.

This evening, Dave is visiting Håkan at the hospital. I have to prepare for the weekend in Halmstad.

On Friday, Håkan will go to Sahlgrenska for another operation – more information is coming!

Thanks for praying for us!

Hugs to you all!
Bless!
Gunilla

“The impossible just takes a little longer time.”

2009-08-08T23:44:00.001+02:00

This week Per Cedergårdh, an old pastor’s colleague, visited Håkan. They also went through a pastor’s training together. Håkan said to Per, ”You’re coming with a gift for me.” The gift was that Per should pray for Håkan’s hands and his eyes. Håkan received prayer, and was so happy for it, and for all the good things that Per told him about, that God has done in different countries this year.

This weekend we’re having our church camp out at Ammenäs, a place we’ve returned to many times since the first time in 1988. Many have received Jesus here, been changed, and the Spirit of God has done so much in our lives. Now we’re here again, with good fellowship in worship, and we’re sharing our lives with each other. We know that Håkan would like to be here, but another year is coming, next year, when Håkan can be with us again.

Today Håkan’s sister has been with him in the afternoon and he was happy and alert when I came up, satisfied with hearing a little from the camp. We both cried and laughed together.

When we left, Håkan’s sister wanted to see what’s happening with the house before she went back to Småland. Håkan needed to rest before his next visitor came.

I drove back to the camp in time for the campfire, with a very fun program. Now we’re sitting and sharing testimonies. Gun said that she reads the blog every day, following it to know how she should pray, and excited about what has happened with Håkan. She concluded by saying, ”The impossible just takes a little longer time.”

Now the doctors have decided that Håkan needs another eye operation. One of his eyes has a little difficulty closing, so please pray for Håkan’s eyes. The operation might be sometime this coming week.

Thanks for being with us, through the blog, and remember that, ”The impossible just takes a little longer time.”

In the Bible it says, ”Nothing is impossible for God.” Maybe it just takes a little longer time, sometimes…

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

So much can happen in a week!

2009-08-06T23:17:00.000+02:00

Yesterday we came home from a wonderful vacation on Gotland. I drove straight to the hospital to visit my husband. There sat Håkan with Jan, Lotta and Dan on the balcony, full of flowers, the sun shining, the weather warm, after a real shrimp party, and he was in a good mood.

We went to his room and Håkan told me what they had worked on during the week. Training on walking up and down stairs has made it possible for Håkan to walk up 4 steps of stairs, with help.

The walker, which has been Håkan’s most important tool for getting back on his feet again, is still present, but he can raise himself up more easily now, with the walker’s help. We see a big difference just in this week we’ve been away.

We talked about Johan’s comment, “Give us one more week and Håkan will be able to walk better.” They have faith, and surely experience, and now we are there.

Today, Janne and I have been to see Håkan. Then he told us with a proud look that this was ”the big day” when he had walked 11 steps of stairs, both up and down, with an occupational therapist by his side, of course. After that, Håkan walked without the walker, for the first time, in the corridor, to the dining room, all by himself, naturally, with staff beside him.

This day is a breakthrough for Håkan and his gait! The joy in Håkan’s eyes, and the proud voice, make me think of the Bible verse, “Rejoice with those who rejoice…”

Håkan’s comment was, ”Imagine that you can be so happy for such minor progress, but in my world, this is extremely big.”

So now we are happy for this step. Please stand with us and pray for the next daring step that Håkan will take.

Thank you for visiting the blog and getting updated. Please write a greeting to Håkan – we’ll read it to him.

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Boards at the hospital

2009-08-04T18:13:00.001+02:00

A few weeks ago, a man called Bengt, who was on his way through town, came by our house with some boards and moulding. His family had gone through the same thing – their house had burned – in the beginning of January this year. Now they have a planing mill, and wanted to bless us with skirting-board, cornice and window cases. Bengt and his little daughter came with various samples. Very attractive moulding.

Amelie and I were going up to Håkan for an evening visit. We went by the house and picked up boards and moulding. I don’t know if it’s so usual to come with boards to the hospital, but by the way people looked at us, it seemed a little unusual. Håkan was happy for the board visit, and that he can participate in the construction of the house. The joy that comes from knowing that someone is blessing us in this way was icing on the cake, as we say.

The staff laughed at us when we went home with our boards under our arms, wondering what we’d planned to build on the unit.

Now one more thing is decided for the re-construction of the house. Today, Dan and Arne are on site again after vacation, and are looking at how the work on the house should be organized.

A big thanks to Bengt and his family, who thought about us and wanted to give to us. Thank you, Lord, for brothers and sisters who share with us – bless them back.

Håkan is continuing to work on occupational and physical therapy every day. Training and more training…results in skill!

“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Col. 1:18-20

God bless you also!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Take care of…

2009-08-02T23:55:00.003+02:00

We were up at the conference in Uppsala a few days. It was really good! Håkan and I have been there with the family every year since 1987. I was a little nervous about going without Håkan, but it was great to meet so many friends who have thought about us and prayed for us. We are really dependent upon the Lord and each other. That's the Body of Christ, taking care of and supporting one another – the Body functioning!

Imagine that a warm look can mean so much – it warms our hearts…
Imagine that a hug can mean so much – it’s felt…
Imagine that a word of encouragement can mean so much – it’s heard…
Imagine that a gift can mean so much – it’s noticed…

A big THANKS to everyone who, in one way or another, is participating in our long journey – it makes us feel borne, and we manage one more step.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2

Now I’m on vacation a couple of days with Daniel on the island of Gotland. We came over with the ferry yesterday, and got settled into a one bedroom apartment inside the wall in Visby. Today we’ve walked around, looked at the old part of the city, and at the old ruins. It’s fantastic to see all the old church ruins and monastery.

We were at the Salvation Army for a meal, fellowship and meeting in the evening. It was really wonderful, in every way. Afterwards, we took the car and traveled around the island. I wanted to see where my parents got engaged in 1945, here on Gotland.

Håkan has had visits from Josefina, Jakob and Maria, and Mohammed this weekend. Today, my sister, Anneli, her husband, Peter, Linnea and Agnes were with Håkan. Tomorrow, it’s Bella’s and Johanna’s turn.

I’ve been in 5th gear since the 3rd of March, so a few days’ break is not such a bad idea. When I spoke to Håkan today, he said he was happy for my sake and that this was what his wife needed – I suppose that’s true. That’s taking care of…

Live in the present, in thanksgiving, and take care of each other!

Bless!
Gunilla

Report from big brother

2009-08-02T15:48:00.001+02:00

From our visit on Friday, the 31st of July, we see what fantastic progress Håkan is making.

We also see how God is present in everything. The sores on Håkan’s body are nearly completely healed, and therefore, we, in the family, are so thankful for the prayer chain that has gone on all over the world for Håkan’s recovery.

Irrespective of where we are, we see how the power of prayer is functioning. I hope that you who read this never doubt that.

”The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

I believe that our battle for Håkan in prayer has come into a new phase. Håkan is getting better and better, but now he’s also starting to think more about the future. Here we need to stand with him more in our prayers, concentrate on and give our love to Håkan through our prayers.

We need to focus especially on praying for:

- Håkan’s hands. That he gets back all their functions so that he can use them in a normal way.

- Håkan’s eyes. That his eyesight is restored 100%.

We know that nothing is impossible for God.

”With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Thanks for your support. God bless you all.

Per-Göran Gniste

The ring finger!

2009-07-30T23:45:00.000+02:00

A few weeks ago, when Håkan was in Gothenburg, a doctor came and looked at Håkan’s ring finger. The finger seemed to be dead, so they were going to cut off a little bit of it.

That evening, Håkan’s brother came to visit Håkan, with his son, and my brother and his wife. As you may well understand, Håkan was preoccupied with the answer he’d received earlier in the day. So, they started to pray to God, that He who is the God of wonders would intervene, and in Jesus name, create new skin on the ring finger.

The next day after breakfast, the staff came and took Håkan to have the operation done. Håkan was both cold and hot, as you might understand. When the doctor looked at the ring finger, she saw new skin. Several doctors had to look at the finger to decide its future. They saw new skin, so decided to schedule a later visit.

Today, Håkan went to Sahlgrenska for the exam. The finger has new skin and doesn’t need to be cut off. Thank you, Lord, for your grace! The surgeons also looked at Håkan’s back. It’s healing so nicely. Håkan was satisfied with the day. Everything went so well, and it felt secure having Mohammed along on the trip. In a few weeks, Håkan will have another appointment…

We want to give all glory to our God for every small wonder and large miracle that we have seen on this journey with Håkan, but also thank the staff for making the right decision and doing such a nice job.

Please pray that the doctors continue to make the right decisions for Håkan!

”My future is in God’s hands. In the dark of night, He turns on the light. He leads me one step at a time, on the way to the land of heaven.”

God bless you all!

Hugs,
Gunilla

Little Nova

2009-07-28T23:52:00.000+02:00

Johanna was on her way up to Håkan when little Nova said that she wanted to go along and visit Grandpa. We sat and read the blog together when little Nova came in, pretty as a little doll, with a bouquet from the garden. You can imagine how happy Grandpa was to see her.

Yesterday we had care planning. Håkan’s training is moving right along. Every day when we come up, something new has happened, in the right direction.

Today we sat and continued with the blog. We started with reading the latest posts, and all the greetings to Håkan. He sends his greetings and thanks. It means so much to him. I have, of course, lived with the blog for months, but now Håkan is receiving from it.

We went back and continued with May. There are small and large gaps for Håkan, which he can fill in by reading the blog, so he’ll be updated on how things were for us and all the greetings that you have sent. We never could have guessed that this blog would be such a blessing, in so many ways.

On Thursday, Håkan will go by ambulance to Sahlgrenska, with our Mohammed. He’ll go to the hand surgeon for an exam, and other doctors will also come and look at other parts of his body – nice for Håkan that they do all the exams in the same trip. Please pray for the trip…

John 15:12-14
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
Jesus

Thanks for the love you’ve poured out!

God bless you all!
Many hugs,
Gunilla

Within walking distance

2009-07-25T23:56:00.001+02:00

It only takes a few minutes to walk to Håkan from our new apartment. Today, I’ve gone back and forth twice – what a difference from the long trips to Linköping.

We asked Håkan if there was anything he wanted. “A little smoked mackerel, please…” So, this evening we went up to Håkan with a little mackerel. Oh, how satisfied he was!

Håkan has said for several days that his leg hurts. He’s waited several days for the doctor, but today it was an assistant nurse (LPN) who took him seriously. You who know my husband know that he isn’t the type to make a big deal of things, but now they rushed him down for x-rays, and they discovered that Håkan had a blood clot in his leg.

This is very common, after months in bed. I know that in Linköping, Håkan was given medicine to prevent this, but now Håkan has been so active, so they haven’t taken him seriously when he said that his leg hurt.

We had planned to write something together on the blog, so you would get an extra greeting from Håkan, but after all the excitement, there wasn’t much energy left this evening, so we’ll do it another day.

This week Håkan and I have read through everything on the blog together. We have made it through all of March and April. Håkan cries, and so do I. Imagine that I can sit and read to him about the time he was sedated, and in that way, he can make up the time he’s lost, in a concentrated form.

When Håkan heard all the comments that were written by new and old friends, it was almost too much for him. I don’t know how many tissues we went through.

This week we will read through all of May. Soon we will come to July, so if you have something to say to Håkan, write on the blog!

Please pray for Håkan’s leg. Håkan sends a big THANKS to you all!

Blessings from God!

Hugs
Gunilla

The grandchildren visited Grandpa!

2009-07-22T23:51:00.002+02:00

We asked the doctor when the grandchildren could see Håkan, and she said that they could come when it was healed more under his eyes, and that we should show them a picture first, so they would be prepared.

I asked Håkan if we could take a picture, so the grandchildren could see how he looks now, and that wasn’t any problem.

Rebecca and Johan were here and took Angelina and Alice with them up to Grandpa, and Håkan was really glad to meet his little sweethearts. The girls handled it well. After a little while, they had gotten used to him and discovered that inside it was the same grandpa.

Yesterday when Mohammed was there, he told Håkan that we had eaten shrimp one evening. When I came up later, Håkan asked if I could come up with a little shrimp for him, like today. We saw that as a step in his recovery.

Today Rebecca’s and Johanna’s families, together with Josefina, Gabriella, Mohammed and I, went to Åstol. We ate at a nice restaurant, together with Erika, fished for crab, and drank coffee. We bought fresh shrimp for Håkan.

Daniel, Krister and I went up with the shrimp to Håkan, and when we came in, Håkan sat with Johanna, Daniel and both the girls, Nicole and Nova, out in the dining hall. Now, four of the grandkids have been to see their grandpa. They live, of course, so close to us, so we see each other every other day, so the longing for their grandpa has been so great. One more step is taken, hallelujah!

We went into the room and Håkan reveled in shrimp with egg and good bread. Oh my, how Håkan enjoyed it!

Tomorrow Håkan will get his eyes examined again. Please pray for Håkan’s eyes.

God bless you!
Your friend
Gunilla

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

One more step and one more step…

2009-07-20T23:14:00.000+02:00

That’s Håkan’s everyday life – he takes steps every day, for himself, for us and for the future. In the 70’s, we sang, “I want to take a step of faith with you, I want to walk in the word you’ve spoken to me…”

When I walk beside Håkan in the corridor, that little song rings inside of me. That’s exactly what Håkan is doing – he takes steps of faith the whole time. He dares to stretch himself a little more and a little more, the whole time. It is so amazing – I’m so proud of my husband.

When we sat and talked with the nurse, she said that now it’s time for training, and that as soon as Håkan can walk up and down stairs, he can come home for the day, and in that way train for going home.

I must admit that it took a few days for that to sink in – walk up and down stairs…come home for the day…going home…

As a family, we’ve also taken steps of faith with Håkan, during this time – sometimes small steps, that become a giant step, but without these small steps, no giant step.

Talk about an incentive! Maybe now you understand even more why Håkan walks and walks in the corridor. He can see that if only he can walk up and down stairs, he can come home for the day, to train for going home for good.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13

Thanks to all of you who have taken steps with us on this journey.
Thanks to all of you who have taken steps of faith with us on this journey.
Thank you, God, for every step forward for Håkan.
Thank you, God, for everyone who has stood and walked with us – bless them, Father, every one of them.

Please continue to pray for Håkan’s next step…

God bless you all!

Many hugs,
Gunilla

Håkan on home ground

2009-07-18T19:20:00.001+02:00

I met Håkan the other day. Every time you see Håkan, you’re struck by the progress of the healing process in his body. He looks a little different, but you can easily recognize Håkan’s good personality and humor. After burn injuries of this extent, the joints are stiff and need to be trained in order to get their function back. That means a lot of training for Håkan every day. It was nice to sit with Håkan and share thoughts about life. Naturally, Håkan wanted to know what’s happening in the church. Håkan had many questions. We expressed how much we appreciated each other and he thought that the experience we’ve had of living close to each other in the Body of Christ is important to pass on to the next generation. We even talked about the fire. One is humbled when one realizes how everything we take for granted can be changed so quickly.

Now, four months have gone by since the fire in the Gnistes’ house. It’s been a special and intense time, for me and Elisabet, to go through this with the church, together with our church leaders. The accident at the Gnistes’ has affected us in many different ways: a family has lost their home, a badly injured father, absence of a workmate, church members who are going through a crisis, situations in the country where Håkan’s wisdom and ability to give advice have been missed, a spiritual father has been put on the sidelines. We have seen a mobilization in prayer, a corporate faith, and prayer for the Body of Christ. In all that, we’ve seen God work, and we’re working to keep “Håkan’s chair warm”.

I was glad when Buck Hudson, who visited us at the Midsummer conference, said that the church wasn’t tired, in spite of what had happened in the spring. I believe that all the extra time we’ve spent with God in prayer, in the middle of all the needs, has also given us new strength. The church hasn’t stood still, but has even moved forward during this time. We have had a good conference this Midsummer, and have four camps during the summer. A new Bible and Discipleship School will start in the fall. We need new facilities, because it’s a little crowded where we have our services on Sundays.

In every crisis there’s a possibility. Paul says in his letter to the Galatians, “Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the Law of Christ.” The law of Christ is that we love one another. In every crisis the possibility exists to close one’s heart and not let love work. In this situation, we have experienced many open hearts, and a lot of love that has been shared as we, in different ways, have stood around Håkan and the Gniste family.

We are so thankful for everyone who has contacted us and offered support. We see what kind of network Håkan and Gunilla have across Sweden and all over the world. The truth is that what has happened has happened, but also that when we turn to God, he can help change that which was intended for something evil into something good. Dave Richards said in his preaching the first weekend after the fire, “Don’t ask why, ask what for.” To ask the question “Why?” only leads to a dead end.

When I asked if there was anything special Håkan wanted, he looked at my shorts and said that it would be good to have a pair of those. Håkan, who loves the sun, has barely been outside to experience summer this year. But, it’ll be different next summer…

Janne Sääf

The Lord is my shepherd…

2009-07-17T07:21:00.001+02:00

We sat and talked, my husband and I. What was the last thing you thought about before you were sedated, right after the accident?

”The last thing I did was recite Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my shepherd…’ I had it inside of me when I went to sleep; it was inside of me when I woke up; it was the first thing that came to mind…”

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

I’ve started my day with that Psalm for over 20 years, but that it would carry Håkan through this difficult time, when he had to make a decision to survive several times… Then that Psalm gave him new life, new hope, new trust, new courage, new strength… Håkan read what it said, believed what it said, and received what it said. That is “raw faith” and it bears!

So, ”The Lord is my shepherd” has taken on a deeper meaning for us! Yes, especially “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” “I wandered literally through the valley of the shadow of death, then…,” Håkan said.

”…he restores my soul…” means to come back to the starting point…you proclaimed that, the last thing you did.

…and then…”all the days of my life”…important to speak life, in the middle of the valley of the shadow of death…

…also, rest in God…”lie down in green pastures…quiet waters…”

Thank you, God, that we can stand on and rest in your word…

God bless you all!

Love!

Gunilla

Håkan is a miracle!

2009-07-15T23:43:00.001+02:00

Yes, that we’ve almost understood, after everything that has happened, but today when I met the doctor, she said, ”Håkan is a miracle!” I joined in with, “Yes, he is really a miracle.”

Today Håkan has just settled in, in Uddevalla. Johanna was there this evening and they walked back and forth in the hallway, 6 times, with the walker. Janne, our pastor, visited Håkan earlier today and welcomed him home, to our city, Uddevalla.

I was, of course, at Sahlgrenska, and gave the personnel a bag of cookies from the Gothenburg Cookie factory outlet, as a thank you for all they’ve done for Håkan. We had a good conversation with the doctor about eyes, ears, hands and sores, and even cosmetic surgeries in the future. There were many question marks which became exclamation points instead – that was nice.

This has, of course, been our city for the past 34 years. All our friends, Christian brothers and sisters, neighbors, workmates, the kids’ friends and their parents, students, church members, everyone we have helped…yes, the list can be long, but people in our city have really had empathy for Håkan and our whole family.

As Marianne said, ”I meet many people who think about and pray for Håkan who are never seen in church… That’s pretty nice.”

So, we continue to rejoice over the fact that ”Håkan is a miracle!” Tomorrow, Håkan’s brother and his family are coming. We will go to the house first and show them how it’s coming along, before Håkan gets a visit from the family.

When I was little, we sang at the Salvation Army, ”Good to everyone, but most to me, up to this day, good to everyone, but most to me, up to this day.” I feel like that – God is good to everyone, but his love has overwhelmed me…

Thanks for continuing to support us until we have come through this completely!

God bless you all.
Loads of hugs.
Gunilla

Uddevalla again!!

2009-07-14T23:52:00.002+02:00

This afternoon, a doctor called from Sahlgrenska and said that there was an opening on the rehab unit here at the hospital in Uddevalla. If we made a decision, they could move Håkan today. In that case, he had priority since he was coming from Sahlgrenska.

At 4:30 pm, Håkan was informed that everything was decided and he would be moved to Uddevalla after dinner. I sat on the balcony, outside of Håkan’s new unit and waited when the ambulance attendants came in with Håkan on a stretcher. We met the staff and went through the routines.

Håkan wanted me to be there. We put up all the pictures of the family which have followed along with Håkan from Linköping via Sahlgrenska and now to Uddevalla Hospital. It made it a little more personal in the single room Håkan is in.

Mohammed came up and stayed until Håkan went to bed. Håkan was tired, but content. It’s good, of course, for Håkan to be in Uddevalla again, but at the same time it means changing environments, personnel, and routines again. Imagine that Håkan is well enough to be on a rehab unit now.

It’s mind boggling – today it’s been 133 days since Håkan came to Uddevalla Hospital in the morning, severely burned, where a capable doctor decided to try to save Håkan’s life by sending him to the burn unit in Linköping. Now he’s back, walking with a walker, feeding himself, and getting stronger all the time. Today Håkan sat up straight on his bed for a long time, and held his balance.

My eyes fill with tears, my heart pounds, my legs get weak. My beloved husband takes steps the whole time which we couldn’t see so closely a month ago. The doctors think that he’s progressed so quickly. Thank you, Lord, for every step forward for Håkan!!

Håkan is still weak, so he wants me to keep a schedule for his visitors, so he’ll know what’s happening and can influence it based on how much energy he has.

Håkan was so thankful for the help he’d received in Gothenburg. Tomorrow I’ll drive down to meet the doctor and hear about follow-up visits for Håkan, what has happened, how it’s gone, and what to expect in the future.

Hugs to you all!
God bless you!
Thanks for your prayers, for Håkan.
Gunilla

“Overcome evil with good!”

2009-07-12T23:57:00.001+02:00

Of course, things happen that aren’t the best for us…
Our whole house – including the basement, 2 floors, and the attic – is drying after being sprayed with something that will keep it from smelling of smoke in the future. It’s guaranteed to be smoke-free! The house is only a shell at this point!

It’s interesting to see how we have managed to handle everything that has happened. Things that we have lost that can’t be replaced – then the thought comes, “You can’t take anything with you where you’re going…”

Then we find something we’re extra fond of and we cheer with delight, like when I found the ring Håkan gave me after 33 years of marriage. Or when I found a small Dalecarlian horse that my dad gave me when I was 6 years old. Or when some of my clothes just happened to be lying in the laundry and didn’t get burned – 4 pieces of clothing from my old life – what a feeling that I can’t describe with words.

All the good people who have donated furniture, books and gifts. All the postcards, greetings on the blog, and flowers… You have had a part in “overcoming evil with good!” It’s been like balm in our situation. Many thanks!

All the churches who have sent money have made it possible for us to make it financially through this difficult time. You have had a part in “overcoming evil with good!” Thank you! It’s been like balm in our situation.

When my computer got stolen from the new apartment, it was a little too much for me. I thought it was enough with everything else we had lost. You who gave me the new computer, you had a part in “overcoming evil with good!” Thanks! It’s been like balm...

When I came out and saw my nice, little, new car damaged – the rear-view mirror crushed, the whole back end damaged – the first thought was, “But Håkan is alive anyway; what’s a car?” After a while, when I understood that it would cost thousands of crowns for the deductible, I prayed to God for help and calmed down. You who have gotten together and promised to pay for the deductible, you’ve had a part in “overcoming evil with good.” Thanks! It’s been like balm...

You who have experienced a fire yourselves and were so blessed that you wanted to give moulding and trim for our “new” house. Thanks! You are “overcoming evil with good!”

So, a big THANKS to everyone who is with us in the struggle to “overcome evil with good.”

Thanks for praying for the whole family! Thanks for praying especially for Håkan!

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Our love is deeper than that…

2009-07-09T23:30:00.001+02:00

With a big, beautiful, red rose from our garden, I came in to Håkan. Red, the color of love, roses, the flower of love, and that it comes from our garden means that the rose symbolizes our love.

”Love is knowing everything about a person and loving them anyway.”

It’s a big thing to be a part of someone else – that we are one, that we are able to continue to live together, support each other – we won’t take each other for granted. Our gratitude is so great right now, and it will characterize our life together.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God…because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

We sat there for hours, just being together today. Håkan expressed his love to me, and I expressed my love to him. What difference does it make if Håkan’s outward appearance is a little different?

Håkan is still there – his humor, his way of seeing things positively, his smile, his expressive way of speaking, his strong faith in God that permeates his whole being, his carefulness, his motivation, his will to exercise in order to recover, his love of God, me, the family and all of God’s family, his vision and hope for the future, his depth. That is Håkan, my husband, of whom I am so proud.

Now when the swelling has gone down, we see more of the scars on Håkan’s face, after the accident. The hair follicles remain and that means that his beard is growing and the area around his mouth is healed. His nose has become narrower and his nostrils are different. His cheeks are healing nicely and it’s getting nicer and nicer around his eyes after the operations, but the eyelashes and eyebrows are gone. His eyes have become blue, instead of green, whereupon Håkan said that he must change that in his passport, and laughed. His ears have become smaller, but there’s nothing wrong with his hearing. Håkan is following an exercise program for his face, because the skin feels tight and it needs to be exercised the whole time.

Today, my sister, Ingela, and her husband, Mats, also came to visit Håkan. We drank coffee, talked, laughed, ate strawberries, and prayed together about tomorrow, when Håkan will go to an eye specialist in Mölndal for an examination.

I asked Håkan today if he has seen himself in the mirror. “Yes, a little warily,” was the answer. “Good,” I answered. “You are still the same Håkan inside. Our love is deeper than that…”

Thank you, all you beloved friends, for your love!
Take care of each other, kiss each other – we can do that now – don’t take anything for granted. Be happy for what you have!

Bless!
Hugs!
Gunilla

The Lord is a hero who can save.

2009-07-06T08:06:00.000+02:00

“The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zeph. 3:17

When we were in London, we lived with a couple in their eighties, wonderful people with whom Håkan has stayed several times. When we looked in their guestbook, Håkan had written that Bible verse to them in 1997. Now, 12 years later, we were standing in central London, outside Cafe Wesley, singing for Håkan and quoting that verse for him.

Yesterday Josefina, Gabriella and I drove down to Håkan. When we came, he wasn’t in his room, but was sitting on the balcony eating. We went there, and there he sat, satisfied, in the shade, and there was a nice breeze. After a few hours, the nurses took Håkan in and we continued our conversation in Håkan’s room. Håkan told us it was his third time outdoors. Anna has driven him twice in a wheelchair around Sahlgrenska, in a ”wheelchair rally”, as Håkan put it.

The operation on Håkan’s back went well. The doctors even operated on parts of his head – new skin on the left side. Now Håkan has skin everywhere, but it’s thin in many places. Please continue to pray that “his wounds will heal quickly”.

When we were about to go, we took out a Bible and read the same verse again that we had read for Håkan in London, before praying together.

“The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”

God bless you all!
Hugs
Gunilla

Håkan then – and now!

2009-07-03T23:59:00.000+02:00

From being sedated – to being awake!
From near death – to life!
From 80% burns – to 0%!
From being completely bandaged – to small bandages!
From being swollen – to losing weight!
From drip – to food!
From being fed – to feeding himself!
From being bedridden – to being able to sit, strapped in!
From sitting strapped in – to sitting on his own!
From sitting – to walking on his own with a walker!
From respirator – to breathing on his own!
From speaking valve – to speaking on his own!
From being blind – to now seeing!
From not being able to blink – to being able to blink!
From many, many operations – to being done with operations!
From being medicated – to being clear in the head!
From having nursing care around the clock – to being able to push the call button!
From being unconscious – to consciousness!

I’m sitting here in deep gratitude and full of wonder over the fact that everything has gone so quickly – only 122 days. The doctor said to Håkan today, ”You think it’s going slowly, but we think it’s gone fast.”

When I went down to Sahlgrenska today, together with three of our dear foster kids – Mohammed, Daniel and Amelie – we met a warm and loving dad and husband. Full of humor and memories from the past, we could laugh together about things that had happened. What happiness!

My whole being is just filled with such a sense of thankfulness that tears run down my cheeks as I sing the song:

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

God bless you also!
Hugs,
Gunilla

What a party! Strawberries and balloons on Dad’s birthday.

2009-07-01T23:59:00.002+02:00

What a fighter!
The first Josefina, Daniel and I caught sight of Dad, when we went to visit him on his birthday, he came walking down the hall with his walker. He wanted to show us his progress. Guess how proud we were! He walked so steadily and at a good pace. Way to go, Dad!

What an honor, joy and thankfulness to get to be with Dad on his birthday – to be able to celebrate life. We have so much to be thankful for. We came with Swedish strawberries, presents, and funny, colorful balloons for Dad. He thought it was fun to have a little extra party. “Balloons are a little anti-hospital, in some way!”, he said.

We read all the birthday cards different people had sent to him, and he was very happy for them. He got some clothes from us, but they were much too big because he has worked out so much recently. What a wonderful problem! With hard exercise and a good diet, he’s lost 22 pounds recently.

The week after the fire, we siblings recorded a CD which was played a lot in Linköping, but now we got to play it for him for the first time when he was “conscious”. The Blessing, Prince Song, and Father-Daughter Harmony are three very special songs for Dad and us, and it was fantastic to be able to share that with him.

Be blessed!

Johanna and Daniel, Josefina

Sunday afternoon

2009-06-28T21:27:00.002+02:00

The month of June is a special time when Håkan & Gunilla have, in various ways, been important in our lives. When I came to Fristaden in 1991, we had all our children’s and youth camps in June, as well as the Midsummer Conference, which still is an annual happening, as you well know. In 1993, Håkan baptized me, and in 1997, he and Gunilla married us. Thank God for all of that!

Today, on our 12th anniversary, we have had the privilege – for the first time since the end of February – to meet Håkan. The last thing Håkan and I spoke about the 26th of February was missions, foreign outreaches and the importance of appreciating each other and what God is doing in the congregation. There’s always a risk that we become blind to what we have and take things for granted.

Suddenly Håkan said, ”Thus says the Spirit of the Lord: A time will come when we are apart from each other for such a long time that we will begin to long for and really deeply miss each other.” Who would have believed then that he spoke prophetically about something that would take place just a couple of days later? What a shock it was when the phone rang early on that Tuesday morning! In some way, this has given me strength anyway. Sometimes it becomes so clear that Jesus holds everything in his hands. He says, “No one can be more secure.”

Håkan’s birthday is on Tuesday and we left a CD with Josh Groban where he sings, among others, the song, ”You raise me up” (Rolf Lovland):

“You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.”

We continue together to lift up the Gniste family and their relatives in our prayers. We even believe that Håkan and Gunilla’s important ministry will continue and also become even more powerful.

Håkan asked us to greet you all and say that there will probably be a new operation on Wednesday, where they will transplant skin to some sores on his back which aren’t healing well. Please pray that everything goes well!

A praise report that Håkan shared is that he was outside for the first time yesterday. One of the nurses took him in a wheelchair down to the main entrance, around the corner, and in again through the back door. Other than the transportation from Linköping, this was his first chance to get outside. We understood that that meant a lot to him and he rejoiced over that.

After almost an hour it was time for dinner and we could contribute with a little dessert – a few strings of wild strawberries that the kids had picked. We left Håkan for the day, but we bear with us the memory of a nice time of fellowship.

Be blessed! Have a nice summer!

Mats (on the keyboard) & Sarah Samuelson, Uddevalla

Håkan’s first telephone call!

2009-06-27T13:37:00.000+02:00

Here comes a greeting from England. We had bought tickets to England before the fire. Håkan and I were going to go to a conference center, a monastery in the country. We would be with leaders from different countries in Europe for a few days before going to Basingstoke, to be a part of leaders’ days, along with a good sized group of others from Sweden, who have taken the same leaders’ course over the internet as other leaders in Europe, for the past 2 years.

Håkan and I planned to take our youngest teenagers, Amelie and Bella, with us. They would take care of Nicole and Nova, Johanna and Daniel’s kids and our grandchildren, while we were at the leaders’ days, and then we would have a vacation in England, see London, etc.

We decided to make the trip as planned, and now I’m sitting here in England and I’m so thankful that we did it according to plans.

To meet all these good Christian brothers and sisters that we have here, who have stood with us in prayer for Håkan and us in these difficult times. My heart has been touched several times these days. Their love, their hugs, their tear filled eyes when they tell what Håkan has meant to them and that they have followed along through the blog and email these months.

What a mighty God we have. We are a part of something much bigger, with friends and siblings all over the world. That this blog can be a tool for information about Håkan, that makes it possible for many to travel along with us on the journey we’re taking with Håkan.

We made up a schedule, where different friends and relatives go to Sahlgrenska every day so that Håkan will get one visit per day during the time we are here. The day before yesterday, Gunnar was there. That was the same day that the doctors operated on Håkan’s left eye, so he was a little tired, but satisfied.

Yesterday, Arne and Fouad – the demolition guys in our house – were there, so they got to tell Håkan how far they had come with the house. Peter was also there for the visit. Right now, we can stand in the kitchen and see down to the cellar, or look up and see all the way up to the roof, past the second floor and the attic – a strange feeling – but it will be nice when it’s finished, sometime in the spring next year.

Today, I have spoken with Håkan on the phone, from here in England – what a feeling! Imagine that Håkan has taken another step, that he can pick up the telephone with his hands, answer it, and hold it throughout the conversation – what a wonder!

All these small steps put together with all the miracles make us so thankful to the living God that He is with us in everything. Day by day, He bears us, and gives Håkan the love of life he needs to be motivated to fight for his return to the life he’s meant to live.

Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts… ”Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD…”

Bless you!!
Hugs!
Gunilla

First visit in Gothenburg from Småland the 20th of June

2009-06-23T23:08:00.000+02:00

Finally, we from Småland could drive up together to visit Håkan. It was Rebecca’s, Lillan’s and Kenneth’s first visit to Håkan in Gothenburg.

We came just as Gunilla should go. She had been with Håkan a while and spoken about her upcoming trip to England.

We were so glad to see how well everything was going for Håkan – the healing and strength in his body that is starting to come back through laborious exercise. It is wonderful to see how he is going into recovery with such energy. For the first time, he raised himself up in bed and ate his dinner. We all applauded. The nurse said that Håkan was fantastic – Håkan smiled.

Naturally, he gets tired after a workout and he needs to rest after sitting up a couple of hours. So, I was happy to help my brother get from the chair back to bed.

Håkan has, of course, always liked brass music, so Kenneth brought along a brass CD with marches that Håkan recognized. He even explained how some of the marches originated and what they contained.

We noticed also how important it is for Håkan to be able to talk to his relatives, so there was a lot of general conversation. And that is something he needs. A little joking, mixed with seriousness.

The whole time, Psalm 23 lies in the background as a trusted message to us all.

Lillan/pg

Greetings from Håkan

2009-06-23T14:16:00.000+02:00

Håkan sends his greetings to all you English speakers! Click on the black box to the right to listen to a greeting from Håkan. When you’re finished, click on the small text just above the box to close the window and return to the blog.

Blessings,
Jan

Only Jesus!

2009-06-21T22:56:00.000+02:00

”Håkan, a person like you, at your age, shouldn’t have survived this. It must mean that you have more to do down here.” What a powerful encouragement Håkan got this Midsummer.

Naturally, Håkan would have liked to have been with us for the Midsummer Conference in Uddevalla, but the greetings he sent touched us all. Imagine that Håkan can speak now, and every day that passes, he grows stronger and stronger. You can listen to Håkan’s summer greetings if you like.

Yesterday was our 34th wedding anniversary and I drove down to Sahlgrenska to visit Håkan between a children’s meeting and the evening meeting. Håkan was curious about how the Midsummer Conference was going, so I got to share with him, and he rejoiced over the report. It was of course a partial report – he should have been there yesterday evening when all the youth went forward for prayer, but we’ll have to tell him about that.

Håkan has been out in the hall walking with his walker – talk about a partial victory! His face is healing more and more. His mouth is so nice now that I could kiss him on the lips – what a feeling!

When Mark Erickson from Finland visited Håkan, together with Janne, he asked Håkan if he had something to say to us, and Håkan answered right away, ”Only Jesus!”

I agree – ”Only Jesus!” When I look back and think about everything that has happened these past months, it all becomes one big ”Thank you, Jesus!”

Prayer requests:
This week they will fix the left eye.
Later they will operate on Håkan’s back.

Thank you for all prayer – you have a big part, with your prayers, in that Håkan is alive today and is getting better and better. We can all say, “Thank you, Jesus!” and “Only Jesus!” That is so great!

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

It’s fantastic

2009-06-18T23:56:00.000+02:00

Today Samuel and I had to drive up to Gothenburg to arrange something, so we took the opportunity to visit Håkan at the same time. There we met Johanna and Dave T, who had been there a little while before we came.

Håkan was in a very good mood after the eyelid operation he had yesterday. He didn’t need any protection for the left eye, and it seemed he could see fairly well. The eye hasn’t got used to seeing longer distances yet, but it will come.

Imagine that the brothers got to help Håkan come up to a sitting position. It’s a big strain every time he tries to do something, because he hasn’t really started using his muscles yet. It’ll take a lot of training.

The other thing we experienced was seeing Håkan feed himself for the second time today. They count how many times he has the strength to raise the fork to his mouth. In the morning he managed 4 times, but when we came and he should eat again, he managed 7 times. The nurse thought he was fantastic, and we understood what a great strain it was for Håkan to do something that we take for granted.

All progress is going so quickly now and we are thankful to God that He is present in everything.

We siblings thank you all for your prayers. We see how everything is healing so well and how Håkan is getting stronger day by day.

So, continue to pray for Håkan.

PG

Secretary’s and sister-in-law’s first visit to Sahlgrenska

2009-06-16T22:38:00.003+02:00

Today was our first visit to Sahlgrenska. Jakob was there when we came, helping Håkan with his dinner, so we arrived just in time for dessert, with rhubarb pie and coffee! The nurse asked if we were having a party, and we answered that we were celebrating Håkan’s “name day”, two days late. We had a fantastic visit with Håkan. He was alert and on the ball. He even asked me if I (Jan) had any questions for him, just like he usually asks. I answered, “Yes, a bunch of them, but we can save them for later!”

Lotta read from Håkan’s favorite prayer book, among other things, Psalm 118 – it fit perfectly! When Håkan started getting tired, we finished our visit with prayer, and took Jakob with us back to Uddevalla.

Håkan asked for prayer tomorrow morning at 8:30 am, when they will operate on his other eyelid, with only a local anesthetic. Pray that everything goes well and heals nicely.

“The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” Ps. 118:16-17

Secretary Jan and sister-in-law Lotta

The one hundred fifth day

2009-06-15T23:31:00.000+02:00

Today, Dave Tidy and I visited Håkan. Mohammed was there and had bought t-shirts for Håkan. He’s so thoughtful.

Håkan is glad to be at Sahlgrenska. He thinks the staff is good in every way. Today he had been bathed and redressed. The greatest news was that Håkan had been able to stand up and take a few steps for the first time since the fire. With the help of a “walker-chair”, he can carefully start exercising to get the strength back in his legs.

Håkan says that Psalm 23 means so much to him, and that he is often in other places in his prayers. He also says that God is speaking to him in a new way about leadership, that he wants to work with in the future. He hasn’t given up, but there is an eagerness to see God’s work grow and he listens intensively to the different reports we give from different directions. He asks how it’s going with the renovation of the house and how it’s going for Gunilla and the family in the apartment.

We had a nice time of prayer together. Dave, as an old friend of Håkan’s, could minister to him deeply.

Afterward, I’m so encouraged when I think about how we’ve prayed from the words in Acts 14:19-20, where they think that Paul is dead, but when the disciples gather around him, just like we’ve gathered around Håkan in prayer, Paul raises himself up and goes into his mission. Today, Håkan got to raise himself up on his own for the first time since the fire.

We have prayed for Håkan, in Uddevalla, Bohuslän and the ends of the earth. The blog is visited by an average of 500 people per day from different parts of the world. We continue to pray.

A precious time with a precious friend.

Janne Sääf

God is good – all the time!

2009-06-14T23:37:00.000+02:00

Our trips to Kenya are filled with tension. We never really know what will happen, but certain things recur every trip, for example, “God is good – all the time!” When we hear several thousand Kenyans rejoicing before God and shouting “God is good – all the time!” there’s something that happens inside of us. We, in the west, have a lot to learn – things that were so obvious in Sweden in the previous generation.

To be able to rejoice over little things, see God’s goodness through everything. He never changes – things we go through change, but ”God is good – all the time!” The nice thing is that if we can live in that, we change and something good comes out of every situation we go through.

Much good can come out of everything that Håkan and we, as a family, are going through now, if we speak out, ”God is good – all the time!” I don’t know how many times that, as I’ve said it quietly inside myself, something of God’s greatness has become even more visible.

For several months, I’ve existed in a quiet thankfulness, over the fact that we all came out, that we all are alive, and that prayer has been there. Now, as Håkan is getting better and better, my whole inner being is filled with such a depth of thankfulness that all of me – with my body, soul and spirit – can sing along, ”God is good – all the time!” I’ve known that the whole time, but now my whole being is united in that proclamation.

Dave Tidy, an old friend of ours, has come from England to visit Håkan. We drove together with Amelie and Daniel down to the hospital yesterday. Daniel told Håkan about his successful graduation party, and Amelie about the end-of-the-year assembly, when she sang and graduated from 9th grade. “God is good – all the time!”

We read, prayed, and took turns conversing. Dave and Håkan had an English conversation, while I spoke with the nurse. The gang went and got something to eat, so Håkan and I could be alone for a little while. There are many things that have happened that Håkan is getting more and more clarity about now. Several of his questions got cleared up, and as he expressed it, “It was very important for me to get clarity in that.”

I could kiss Håkan on the cheek for the first time; his cheeks have become so nice. “God is good - all the time!”

Please pray with us for Håkan:
1. His eye operation
2. No infections
3. The remaining 2-4% sores on his back
4. His processing of the accident

Thanks for being there for us now.
Bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Cozy day with Dad

2009-06-12T23:32:00.000+02:00

Mom said that I chirped on the telephone when I rang her on the way home from Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska. I was so filled with my visit. At last, Dad has come closer to us. What a difference, to be able to just drive down in an afternoon like that, and then still have energy left over when I come home! Wonderful!

When I came in through the door and said ”Hi”, Dad answered at once, ”Is that Johanna?”, before he had even seen me. What a feeling! I got to decorate his room a little. His whole room in Linköping was full of photographs and drawings, but here the walls were completely white. It became more homey at once. I even read out of one of his favorite books, a prayer book. Then I got to help him with a meal. It feels so good to be able to do something for my fine Dad.

We talked about everything possible. He was very with it the whole time. He said that he had exercised a lot in recent days. “They’re pushing me hard here!” He even told me about his helicopter ride, and he thought it was okay, but he was so tired afterward. That’s understandable! We even got into the night of the 3rd of March. For the first time, he told about how he went down the stairs and how he managed to get out of the house with Mom’s help. He stopped briefly, and then said that “It is, of course, fantastic that everyone got off as well as they did! Although, I did get a bit, of course.”

Yes, beloved Dad, he really did get it. But I am so proud of him – how he has managed to get through this – against all odds! And to see the difference now, only from last Saturday, was fantastic, both in how the skin has become nicer, but even in how much we could share with each other. We really had a cozy time, just Dad and I.

I want to close by directing a special thanks to everyone who is with us in thoughts, prayers and nice gestures. They are really needed!

Many warm greetings
Johanna

Hallelujah!! Praise God!!

2009-06-11T23:48:00.000+02:00

Now I want to ”Praise God,” so I burst out in a ”Hallelujah!” “Hallelujah” means “Praise God!”

When Håkan came out of the house the night it burned, he couldn’t see anything. During the time he was sedated, Håkan had salve all over his face, so when he started waking up more and more, he could see, but it was hard to know how much.

In the beginning, I thought that if only Håkan survives I’ll be satisfied, but because he reads many hours a day, I thought I’d have to sit several hours a day and read for him in the future.

Now the staff down in Gothenburg has examined Håkan’s eyes and he can see. There isn’t any damage to the cornea. Hallelujah! The rods and cones will get better, but it can take time.

Now you understand why I want to ”praise the Lord” a little extra this evening. The Lord is worthy of all praise and an extra “Hallelujah!”

Today Håkan has been washed and his bandages redressed, without anesthesia. It took four hours, but it went well, so they have worked with his hands in warm water.

This evening we had the end-of-the-year assembly for the school. It was the first time in the school’s 15-year history that Håkan wasn’t there. When our girls sang, it felt a little empty without him, but inwardly I started thanking God that Håkan is alive and that he’s getting better day by day. Hallelujah!

“Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares to You.”

Thank you, beloved friends and siblings, for being there, praying with us when needed, and thanking God with us for all small and large wonders. Hallelujah!

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

The big move – this is great!

2009-06-09T23:20:00.001+02:00

Håkan has been in Linköping since Tuesday the 3rd of March. The first month, he was sedated; after that he’s recovered little by little, against all odds. This is great! Thank you Father in heaven!

”When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, …what is man that you are mindful of him, …” Psalm 8:3-4

The days go by, become weeks, which soon turn into months… Håkan, without a respirator, means that the intensive care period is finished. Now he’ll continue to heal, without the constant supervision he’s had all these months.

Håkan still has one important operation to go, around his right eye, so then he’ll be anesthetized and of course back on a respirator. They can do that operation just as well at Sahlgrenska.

On Monday, Håkan was visited by Ulla-mi and Janne Rosman, who prayed for Håkan’s move, together with Håkan Eriksson. It was such a joy for them to see the change that has taken place.

The big move – this is great!
At 4:45 pm today, Tuesday, 98 days after the fire, Håkan took his place on a stretcher in a helicopter and rode to Säve Airport, where an ambulance met him and drove him to Sahlgrenska. The trip went well, and around 6 pm he was in place in his new room at the hospital. I must confess that I was a little nervous about the big move. Thank you, Lord, for answering our prayers! It is “suuuuper great”, as they say here.

Now Håkan is closer to home, so it’s extra important that all visits to Håkan go through me. Then it will go well and there will be order in Håkan’s days.

A big thanks to all of you who have prayed for Håkan’s big move to the west coast.

Thanks for all love, all prayers and thoughts you’re sending up to God! I continue to feel borne…thanks, all you wonderful, loving friends. You mean so much to us.

Bless You!!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Hopefully the last trip to Linköping!

2009-06-08T11:42:00.000+02:00

Today Inger, Samuel and I drove up to Linköping. We picked up Lillan on the way.

We went in hopes that Håkan would be awake so we could talk to him, but the visit didn’t start out so well. They had given him a workout in the morning, so he was very tired when we showed up just before noon. He dozed off, so it was difficult to make contact with him. We decided to go out and eat so Håkan could rest up.

When we came back, they had taken him out to the TV room. Then he was completely awake and he recognized us at once.

It is so good to see how nicely everything is healing, how nice his face will be. We also saw his hands and feet. What a fantastic job the doctors have done. We thank God.

Håkan is breathing on his own, without the respirator, and that’s going really well. He was really with it the whole time.

Suddenly, Lotta and Dan showed up. Dan explained to Håkan that the renovation of the house had started and what they had done. Håkan asked Dan a bunch of questions and Dan explained very well, so that Håkan understood.

Before we left Håkan, he prayed with us. It was a very powerful experience to hear how Håkan prayed for his family, siblings, and friends. Lotta finished with a prayer for Håkan’s continued improvement. We thank God for the great things we experienced today.

Before we left, Lillan thanked the nurses for their nice work with Håkan, but they said it was Håkan who was responsible for everything.

Now we can drive to Gothenburg instead. Hopefully they will move Håkan to Gothenburg on Tuesday.

God bless all of you who have been such a strong support for Håkan’s family and siblings.

Continue to pray that everything continues in the same fantastic way.

PSALM 86:6 ”Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications.”

PG (Håkan’s brother)

What successful days!

2009-06-07T10:07:00.001+02:00

On Thursday we had a very successful graduation party, first for Daniel. When we heard it should rain, we agreed to pray that it would let up between noon and 6 pm, and so it did! Five minutes to 6 the rain came, but then we were finished with the graduation party under the pavilion in our backyard, down by the river. Completely successful!!!

Later in the evening, together with the Sääf, König and Bergström families, we had a graduation party for our five handsome guys, all of whom had just graduated. Two nice parties! Daniel commented afterward that everything was beyond expectation. At the same time they were working and tearing out things in the house, we hung up balloons and inflatable life buoys, which spoke about life, party and future for our family. Completely successful!!!

On Friday, after working at school, we drove to Örebro. Linnea graduated from high school and Josef from university, so there were two more parties with relatives and friends. We stayed overnight there, so we could go on to Linköping today.

Rebecca, our daughter, looked in on Dad in the morning, and we, Johanna, Josefina and I, got there an hour later. Håkan sat up in his chair, without the respirator. We got to be there for that fantastic moment when the staff took the respirator out of the room, since Håkan doesn't need it anymore. What a day! After 95 days, he is free from the respirator and can breathe on his own. What a successful day!

Next week they want to move Håkan to Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg. It will be easier for us to visit then - 7 hours less each trip. We are so thankful to God and all the great staff.

We sang, read out of a devotional book and Ps. 103 from the Bible. We prayed for Håkan's body, soul and spirit. We were there a long while without any staff present, for the first time. What a successful day!

We drove home to Uddevalla, tired, but satisfied and thankful. Thank God for these successful days!!!

God bless you all!!! We continue to pray for Håkan!
Hugs,
Gunilla

The big job!

2009-06-03T13:46:00.000+02:00

One of our boys, Daniel, who came to us more than six years ago – then a shy little boy – is now graduating. We talked about graduation day and he wanted to be in our yard at the house. That’s how “the big job” came about.

I have clipped the hedge – which Håkan is best at, used the trimmer for the first time – that was Håkan’s job, and the grass has been cut – even though our mower didn’t start for the season. It’s noticeable that Håkan isn’t at home, but when everything was finished, I thought that Håkan surely would have been proud now.

At the same time as the big job of clearing out the house is taking place, a lot has happened in the yard. Cement slabs, flowerbeds were weeded, and herbs and flowers were planted in pots.

Down by the river, Dan and Marcus have built a large balcony on the little cottage. For the graduation party, we have bought two pavilions, which the guys built a floor for – it turned out really nice. At the same time, Blanco repaired the stairs down to the river. Talk about “a big job”!

A strange feeling – all that is happening at the same time as Håkan, in Linköping, is fighting in his own way to come back to a normal life. Håkan will get a cork in the hole on his neck, so he can breathe right. All the blood levels are normal, and yesterday he sat in the chair for many hours, without the respirator. So talk about successes on many levels. This is, of course, “the big job” for Håkan also.

The operation was delayed again – the one on the right eyelid – so now they have worked hard on getting the lungs going, with everything that involves: training, training, and more training. Håkan is really motivated – he wants to come back, and that means training hard. Please pray for Håkan’s training, that it will succeed.

Johanna and I are going to Örebro for the kids’ cousin Linnea’s graduation. We’ll spend the night there and drive by Linköping on the way home. I’ll write a report on the blog after that trip.

A big thanks to everyone who has helped with ”the big job” at the house – I’m so thankful, because I never could have done it without you.

If I think that we are going to our big allotment-garden, that the little cottage by the river is our allotment-garden cottage, then it is easier to be there, because the yard needs to be kept up anyway, and we need it also.

Pray for Håkan’s lungs, operation and move – that everything happens at the right time. Thanks again for all support and prayer and all hugs. Your love means so much!

God bless you all! God is so good!
Hugs,
Gunilla

The pain of yesterday is part of the happiness of today!

2009-05-30T20:57:00.000+02:00

I wrote this quote of Carl Lewis in my Bible several years ago, when I read about what he had gone through. At that point, I was more affected by his way of tackling what they were going through. We also watched the film, crying, praying that I would come to that place in my own life. If something so painful should happen in my life, Lord, help me to come to that understanding.

The years passed, and in just a few minutes, everything changed. The fact that we all came out alive was at first a great joy. When we stood there in the snow, barefoot with only our underwear on, and saw our house burning, we thought, “Everyone came out. We can’t take anything with us where we’re going.” Only a few minutes passed – but it felt like an eternity – before the police, fire department and ambulances arrived. Then we relaxed – now they would take over.

Because of their exploits, we are all alive and the shell of our house is still standing. Now the insides are being torn out, to remove all the smell of smoke.

Everything that has been done for Håkan, by all the doctors, and the great prayer support that exists for Håkan all around the world, have made it possible for small wonders and large miracles to make way for Håkan’s life to be saved, and God has shown His power in big and small ways. Glory to God!

The pain of yesterday, when I lay burnt, looked at myself in the mirror, disfigured, with a husband in another hospital, hovering between life and death, that was for me the pain of yesterday…

That Håkan has survived, that is part of the happiness of today.
That my disfigured face has returned to normal, is part of the happiness of today.
That all the teenagers made it out alive, is part of the happiness of today.
That Håkan’s healing process has gone so well, is part of the happiness of today.

That we can look ahead together, is a part of the happiness of today.
To seize the day, live in the present, is a part of the happiness of today.
To be able to rejoice over every little step forward, is a part of the happiness of today.
To have so many friends who support us, is a part of the happiness of today.

The pain of yesterday is part of the happiness of today. Now I understand that also! We learn as long as we live!

Prayer requests:
That Håkan’s operation on Monday will go well.
That Håkan’s lung capacity will get stronger.
That Håkan’s move to Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg will come at the right time.

Thanks all you dear brothers and sisters, and friends, that you are there for us right now!

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

What happiness, what a feeling, what a wonderful day!

2009-05-28T16:58:00.001+02:00

Yesterday, Wednesday, I left Uddevalla with my sights set on Linköping and a visit with my husband, Håkan. I’ve been very tired lately, and realized that it would be good to be able to talk to Håkan about many of the things I’ve been bearing. The last few times I’d visited Håkan, he’d just been operated on or had his bandages changed, so he was tired and I couldn’t speak to him about the important things that I had on my mind.

When I called in the morning, they said the operation would be tomorrow (Thursday). That’s when I jumped in the car and drove to Linköping. I sent text messages as I drove, so I knew there was prayer support for the trip and the day. This was the first time I’d gone alone to visit Håkan. As you might imagine, it’s emotionally taxing to drive up alone, with 8-9 hours in the car, because there is a lot to process after visiting with Håkan for several hours at the hospital.

The sun was shining. It was only my little lavender-pink Jazz and a bunch of trucks driving along in the wind; I had to hold the steering wheel with both hands. I made it in 4 hours, even with a coffee break along the way.

When I came into the room, Håkan was sitting up halfway in a special chair with a belt, so he wouldn’t fall. He’s training several hours a day sitting in that chair and it’s also good for his lungs. Håkan was very clear and it was good to be able to talk about the things that had been on my heart for a long time.

Håkan should have been in Kenya now, with several leaders and younger guys. He was well aware of that. We spoke about that and the next question was naturally, “What should we do with the outreach we’ve planned for the fall?” The answer came from Håkan direct, “I’ve already thought about that. We carry on. You go…” We talked about the conference, ”Building,” at Gullbrännagården, and the trip to England that we’d bought tickets for before the fire.

He took my hand and this time it was Håkan who squeezed, ”I love you,” with his left thumb, which seems to be the least injured one. What a feeling! When I stood in front of him he expressed how beautiful my hair was, especially in the sunshine. I think he’s glad that only a little of my hair got destroyed when I rescued him from the fire – I had my hair in a braid, of course. Thank goodness for everything good we have the grace to experience!

We prayed and started singing praise songs together, among others:

“In You, my God, I trust,
when worry dims my view of tomorrow,
because I know that you are faithful toward me.
When difficulties surround me,
I’m still secure with you,
because I know that you never leave me.
Whether it’s night or day,
Lord, I trust in You.
God, You are always near me.
You never change.
You are my future’s sure foundation,
You who stand fast by your covenant.
You are my rock, Almighty God.
I give You the glory.”

I told Håkan what that song has meant for me these past months. He mentioned which ones he had sung inside himself, among others, Martin Luther’s old Psalm:

“A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe --
His craft and pow'r are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He --
Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same --
And He must win the battle.”

Yes, Håkan receives strength for every day through the Word, songs and prayer. Thank you, Jesus!

”I love you; you are mine forever!” And the answer was, “I love you also, and I’m yours forever!”

What happiness, what a feeling, what a wonderful day!
Thank you for all the books, for all the things for our apartment, for all the gifts and money, for all the flowers, postcards, and greetings on the blog – without you, life would have been a lot harder to bear right now. We feel so loved, by God and all of you! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Thanks for continuing to pray for Håkan.

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Hi friends!

2009-05-27T14:29:00.000+02:00

Håkan will have surgery Wednesday or Thursday, so dear friends, please pray for him.

It is Håkan’s right eyelid that will have the same operation as the left one did a couple of weeks ago. That operation went well.

When Håkan went through the fire, it was so warm that the skin under his eye became so strained, so that he has had a hard time blinking. Now Håkan can blink with the operated eyelid.

Please pray an extra prayer for Håkan’s lungs. Here at home, we prayed this evening that, in the same way we’ve seen miracle after miracle in the healing process, we’d see a miracle with Håkan’s lungs.

Håkan had his bandages changed on Tuesday, and everything is healing so nicely. That’s something we can thank God for together.

God bless you all.
Hugs,
Gunilla

Every step forward is progress, or All progress is a step forward!

2009-05-25T11:37:00.001+02:00

After the operation on the left eye, Håkan can blink again!
Every step forward is progress!

Håkan got an infection, so they gave him antibiotics. Now the fever has gone down and Håkan is more alert, so they believe he’s responded to the medication.
Every step forward is progress!

Now, at this time, Håkan should have traveled to Kenya, and he is very aware that this is the time, so…
Every step forward is progress!

While redressing bandages, they saw that everything is continuing to heal so nicely.
Every step forward is progress!

Now the doctors have started talking about a move for Håkan to Sahlgrenska Hospital in Göteborg.
Every step forward is progress!

Pray for Håkan’s lungs...
Pray for his soul...
Pray for Håkan’s next operation...
Pray for the right timing for the move to Sahlgrenska...

Thanks for continuing to stand with us…

God bless you all!
Hugs
Gunilla

A new visit with Håkan today, Ascension Day

2009-05-21T23:05:00.001+02:00

Completely spontaneously, I called Miguel, a close friend of Håkan, and asked if he wanted to go with me to visit Håkan. Håkan had asked about Miguel and it felt good when Miguel answered yes. After 20 minutes, we were on our way. We picked up Lillan in Huskvarna.

When we came to Håkan, he had recently been redressed and was a little tired. He was really glad when we came. He hadn’t expected anyone to visit him today, and when he saw Miguel, he was very happy.

It wasn’t so long ago that we were with Håkan, but we were excited to see how his eyelid looked. It was completely fantastic. He could close his eye and it looked very nice.

We talked with him and we joked with each other. The nurse thought that we had a glorious sense of humor. And I got a rebuke from Håkan, when he thought I joked a little too much. “Watch yourself, so you don’t get a whipping.” Then I said to him, “You are the biggest, but not the oldest.” He agreed with me on that. It’s so nice that we can joke with each other, while at the same time, we are serious.

Today Håkan followed the whole conversation, but at the same time, he was a little tired.

We are so thankful that the healing is going so well and God is present in everything. All who are caring for Håkan are so astonished about how well the healing is going.

God bless you all

Per-Göran Gniste

Praise and thanksgiving bear us through everything!

2009-05-20T23:16:00.000+02:00

Lillan and I drove up to see Håkan yesterday; Jakob had been there since Monday. We were to meet one of Håkan’s doctors, who has followed him the whole time, and was one of those who received Håkan when he came in the helicopter Tuesday the 3rd of March.

It has, of course, gone well. There wasn’t much faith in the beginning that Håkan would make it. So, once again, “Thank you, Lord, that Håkan is alive!” The doctor talked about Håkan’s skin – it’s healing over and above all expectations. The healing process has gone so quickly and well, better than the doctors had dared to hope for.

Last week they operated on the thin skin under Håkan’s left eye. When it has healed, the doctors will do the same operation under the right eye. After that, Håkan will be finished with operations, for a while. Then they will wait and see how the skin heals itself, so join us in prayer for the continued healing of the skin. Much has healed on its own, but the skin is so thin, so pray that Håkan’s sores will heal quickly, and for protection over the skin.

The other thing is that since Håkan has been bedridden for several months, with a respirator, his lungs still need help. When the operations are finished, it will be easier for the staff to train Håkan in a sitting position, and that will of course affect his lungs. Pray for the lungs!

We took indoor shoes with us to Håkan, so he can start training at dangling his legs.

When we came into Håkan’s room, they had bathed and redressed him for the first time without sedating him, and it had gone well – it just took a little more time.

The hands were not bandaged, so I took Håkan’s hand and held it for a long time. We have had a “hand language”, and I tested * ** * I love you. * ** * What a feeling, just to be able to hold my husband’s hand and tell him I love him, as we’ve always done, by giving each other a hand squeeze.

We had David Ivarson’s new CD with us; Josefina sings on several of the songs. The worship CD is so peaceful – just what’s needed right now. I’ve lived with some of these songs these past months. Imagine that praise and thanksgiving can bear us through everything – that is so great. What a mighty God we have…

Thanks for all the support we have in you! Thanks for being there!

God bless you all.
Hugs
Gunilla

Yesterday's visit...

2009-05-17T15:33:00.003+02:00

Today, Lillan, Samuel and I have visited Håkan.

It is fantastic to see how everything is working with Håkan, how everything is healing, and how pleased the nurses and doctors are with him.

Håkan’s face is healing and his skin is getting nicer and nicer each time we visit him. When we first looked in through the window and saw Håkan, the face we saw was the one we’ve seen so many times before, prior to the accident, although a little swollen.

After the operation on the left eyelid, Håkan has got a slight fever and has been forced to use the respirator so he wouldn’t have to strain his lungs. That made it difficult for him to speak today, so he spoke as well as he could, but we understood that he had to strain himself. The nurse said that actually he shouldn’t be able to speak as well as he did, but he is really fantastic, she said. That’s my brother!

Lillan also received a task to do today. Håkan’s cheek and the tip of his nose itched. Lillan took care of that well. Håkan said it was good that Lillan had a job to do, and he said that in his special humorous way. You who know Håkan understand how he said it.

When we were about to leave the hospital, one of the doctors who took care of Håkan when he arrived in Linköping suddenly showed up. He introduced himself and told us how fantastic the healing process has gone. He said there’s nothing strange about a slight fever showing up after all Håkan has gone through. I also asked him what he thought the first time he saw Håkan. The doctor said that he didn’t think this guy would ever make it. That’s what he thought. He said that Håkan’s wounds have healed in such a fantastic way. He was very positive.

As you can understand, we are very thankful for all the prayers for Håkan. You see what a wonderful and great God we have. Continue to persevere in prayer.

God bless you all
Per-Göran Gniste

Håkan is newly operated again…

2009-05-14T12:20:00.000+02:00

Thanks for all your prayers. The operation went well. This time it was Håkan’s left eyelid that they took care of. The skin was taken from behind his right ear. The doctors are fantastic! The eyelid will be closed for 10-15 days, and then they will operate on the right eye.

Now Håkan’s wounds are down to 10%, but much of the skin which has healed on its own is very thin and vulnerable. Everything has gone so quickly, but Håkan still has a long road ahead of him. Håkan is in good spirits. His faith and the spiritual life that babbles inside of him are his strength and his security.

On Tuesday, Håkan sat for several hours without the respirator. We thank God for every small step forward. We are so thankful for all support and all prayer that all of you are a part of. It warms our hearts and makes everything a little easier.

THANK GOD FOR ALL THE LOVE WE ARE RECEIVING…

Thanks for the hug in the parking lot – it warms our hearts…
Thanks for the beautiful bouquets – they mean so much…
Thanks for all the posts on the blog – they minister…
Thanks for the set of dishes for Håkan’s welcome-home dinner – I’m speechless…
Thanks for all the tearful eyes we meet – that’s concern…
Thanks for the cookies we received in Linköping – we were touched…
Thanks for all the cards and text messages – they mean so much…
Thanks for all the gifts – it wouldn’t have worked without you…

THANK GOD FOR ALL THE LOVE WE HAVE RECEIVED…

Here in Uddevalla, it’s been sunny and I’ve started working a little in the garden. I’ve put out the garden furniture, trampoline and swings, fixed the sandbox and play house. Now it’s easier to be there – we’ll need the garden this summer. There’s a lot to do since I didn’t have the energy earlier, but we’ll just have to take one thing at a time. Thanks, John – you came like an angel to the rescue today!

God bless you all!
Thanks for your support!
Hugs,
Gunilla

The sixty-eighth day

2009-05-12T14:16:00.000+02:00

This past Saturday, Gunilla Gniste, Jan Griffith, and I visited Håkan. He was awake and we could have a conversation. It is encouraging to see, from one time to the next, what is happening with Håkan – the healing process is moving forward.

We noticed that Håkan was very clear when we spoke about spiritual things. I had bought a prayer book for him and he liked it when we read out of it. He sighed several “amens”. Håkan has used this prayer book in his personal prayer times these past several years.

We explained that we would go to Heby and he knew at once that we were going to Center Church’s 20-year anniversary. We asked if we should greet them from him and he joked at first that we shouldn’t. Then he said that, of course, we should, and that we should tell them to continue to evangelize, witness, and pray for the sick. He even had a Bible verse for them – Phil. 1:7 – where Paul says that he has them in his heart even while he is in chains. Maybe that’s how Håkan feels right now. He has chains that hold him “bound” to the hospital bed due to the burn injuries. We pray for the day when Håkan can come out of these chains. It won’t be like it was before, but it will be good. It’ll be a new time.

We will continue to gather for prayer in the church, Monday-Wednesday evenings at 6 pm. Several are continuing to fast on Mondays for Håkan, and for a breakthrough.

Thank you to all of you who are praying and believing.

Janne Sääf

Hallelujah!

2009-05-07T18:25:00.000+02:00

The surgery went well! They operated on Håkan’s upper arms, hands and the lower part of his stomach yesterday. The operation was from 8 am until 2 pm. So now it will be calm for a few days and Håkan can recuperate. The next surgery will probably be next week. Yes!

After a day like this, when Håkan has been anaesthetised, it takes a few days to revive him, so it’s good for Håkan to take it easy and rest. Pray for rest for his soul. We delight in the news that Håkan says he has been living in Psalm 23.

Here at home, a big container has landed in our driveway. A contract has been signed, so the work on the house starts today. Everything on the 2nd floor and in the attic has to go, plus the ceiling, floor and walls on the 1st floor, so it’ll be a big renovation. The insurance company has been fantastic so far. If you want to know the name of the company, let me know.

The lists of everything we had, when it was bought and what it cost, have been sent off. They take off 8% for every year, so we’ll lose a whole lot. Thank the Lord for all the churches and individuals who have sent gifts. Without you, we never would have made it through this financially. A BIG THANKS TO YOU ALL. I have written down everything we’ve received. Imagine the day when I can share that with Håkan. I’m already looking forward to that moment. Thank you!

Today I got an email saying that someone wants to give completely new shirts to Håkan. Such wonderful people there are. Naturally, I said ”yes”. He doesn’t own a single piece of clothing yet! We spoke about that the last time I visited him. It hurt so much to tell Håkan that all his clothes were gone, but there at his bedside, we thanked God that everyone had got out of the burning house, and that Håkan is alive.

On Friday, Rebecca and Johan will drive up to visit Håkan. Janne, Jan and I will go up on Saturday, and a little later on Saturday, some of our kids – Johanna, Daniel, Josefina, Bella and Amelie – will visit.

On Sunday, all the kids will meet in Jönköping and celebrate several birthdays together. We take one step at a time, and thank goodness, life goes on – that’s nice. Thank you, Lord!

We’ll meet in prayer, all of you dear brothers and sisters, new and old. Thanks for being there!

God bless you!
Gunilla

Thanks for everything

2009-05-06T10:09:00.000+02:00

Thanks for all love, encouragement, text messages, flowers and gifts! I prayed for an extra encouragement, when Håkan wasn’t home on my birthday.

It started already in Horred. A couple of friends gave me money to shop with. I saw all kinds of things that we needed for our house. When I put the things I’d gathered on the counter, someone who had heard that it was my birthday came and paid for everything. I got so happy and started gathering more things – it was so cheap. When I came to the counter to pay, that was also paid for! With money in my pocket, I drove to IKEA and bought a beautiful lavender-pink vacuum cleaner. Talk about surprises! My prayers had really been answered. It just continued. The day was so nice, cozy, and fun with a bunch of surprises, both at school and here at home.

The greatest present of all was of course that Håkan ate real food for the first time since the 2nd of March. Thank you, Lord, for every step forward! Today, Tuesday, it was time for a bath and re-bandaging for Håkan again. It was the first time they didn’t anaesthetise Håkan, but only gave him pain medication.

PRAYER REQUEST: Tomorrow, Wednesday, they will operate on Håkan, on the lower part of his stomach, lower back, left shoulder and both upper arms. Thank you for standing with us in prayer, that the operation will go well.

The nurse said that the legs and feet have healed well, but that the skin is so thin that they are bandaged for protection. What a victorious report! I am so thankful for all the progress in Håkan’s body. Thank you for all your prayers!

”When I rest, Jesus works in me, when I rest from my work, when I rest, rest, rest in God, the Spirit of God works through me.” We sing that over and over again, by Håkan’s bed. God is there. God’s rest is there and Håkan gets to rest and heal in that environment.

A big thanks to all the fantastic staff, a big thanks to all who pray and are thinking about Håkan, a big thanks to our Lord and Master that Håkan is alive and that the healing process is moving forward so quickly. “Thank you, thank you, my Jesus. Thank you, thank you, my Jesus…I just want to thank you, I just want to thank you!”

God bless you all!
Hugs
Gunilla

Monday’s visit

2009-05-04T16:25:00.002+02:00

Dave and Chris Richards and Mats Nordén went visit to Håkan Monday 4th May.

O how encouraged we were today! Håkan had his first meal! A little fish, potatoes and sauce, but he doesn't feel hungry, as he's been fed good nutrients so far.

I could see much progress since our first visit in the early days after the fire. A lot of the swelling is down. He is bandaged from chest down but he now moves his arms. His lungs are doing well. He can see and we had conversations! All in two hours either side of his first lunch. Hallelujah!

His voice is different, as he speaks through his throat, but his spirit and sense of humour are still Håkan. His English was amazing and he spoke it more than he spoke Swedish! Mats and Chris were seeing him for the first time. Mats says, “Håkan was very lucid and that made us glad. The nurse says they will feed him less through the tube and then he will get hungry for more real food.”

Håkan has been living in his spirit in Psalm 23, so we said it together after he had amusingly said to me, “Bishop, say the Blessing!” We told him of the excellent Nordic Conference we had just finished in Horred and how thrilled he would be to have seen his hard work and prayers answered. Håkan was very moved several times. We reminded him of Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do.”

Pray for continued healing for his head, particularly the back area. Pray for a rest of faith to be Håkan's so that the healing continues. Chris asked what Håkan wanted us to pray for and selflessly he asked us to pray that Gunilla would not be overstretched having to do so many things! Please keep praying with us! We need you and we greatly appreciate your prayers and our Incredible God who is answering them.

Glory to His Holy Name!

Dave Richards

The sixty-first day

2009-05-03T15:56:00.001+02:00

It’s been four weeks since Inger and I last saw Håkan. What a change! Inger, Lillan and I went up to Linköping the 2nd of May and were able to visit him twice in the same day.

Same old Håkan, with his humor. When I said that I had a CD with me with a very famous group from Västergötland, from the 70’s, he figured it out at once and said, “Qvinten,” with a twinkle in his eye.

It was so fantastic to hear his voice, and to know that he could even see us. He asked how it was in the corps in Varberg. Everything was completely clear – there wasn’t any loss of memory.

When we tested him a little, there wasn’t any problem at all. We asked him to move his fingers as we named them one by one – no problem. We talked about music and he asked for calm music, rather than lively.

Thanks for all your prayers.

We have a big and wonderful God.

Greetings

Per-Göran Gniste (Håkan’s brother)

Yes, now it was my turn again…

2009-04-29T23:28:00.001+02:00

It was with great expectation that we drove up to Linköping again. Yesterday, Margareta – who is called Lillan in the family – called. She has taken over the responsibility after her brother, Per-Göran, of calling the hospital every day and speaking with the personnel to get the daily report on Håkan’s condition. When she called, she heard her brother, Håkan, say in the background, “Hi, Lillan.” Can you understand how she felt? We cried tears of joy. She called Per-Göran, and he also called the hospital and got to hear his brother Håkan’s voice.

Tuesday was a good day when Håkan rested from bathing and redressing his bandages, so Jakob and I drove up so we could meet Håkan a little more awake this time. Since it’s been decided who will renovate our house, I wanted Håkan to be involved in the whole process from the beginning.

Spring is the most beautiful time of the year to travel around Sweden. My mom and I, when she was living, used to take a trip in the car every year about this time. Now we follow the progress of spring as we make our regular trips between Uddevalla and Linköping. The wood anemone is the prettiest spring flower we have, and my thoughts turn at once to Håkan.

When Håkan was 19 years old, he met God very powerfully. Then he saw the wood anemone for the first time in his life. Håkan usually says that it was that spring that God created the wood anemone for the first time. But, of course, isn’t it so that the more I have of the Lord in my life, the more I see the beauty around me. I become one with God, the Creator, one with creation, and can be joyful over being one with creation, since the God of creation is my God, and I am His child. That is amazing!

When we arrived in the middle of Håkan’s physical therapy, I said, ”Hi, Håkan” and he answered, ”That is a voice I recognize.” When they had put him back in bed, Håkan took a break before they put the speaking valve back in again. We spoke about the floor plans for the second floor. It was so nice that Håkan could get involved in the plans for the house, before they start tearing down the walls and ceiling.

Håkan appreciated that part of the leadership of the church came to visit him on Monday and anointed him with oil. “Fantastic,” he said twice.

What a great feeling – it’s hard to find the words to describe how it feels to just stand there. I can’t get enough of looking at Håkan. He’s alive and getting better every day – such a difference after only a week. I’m completely filled with thanksgiving. Some parts of Håkan’s exterior might not look like they used to, but his character and spirit are the same. After all we’re going through now, we’ll surely grow even deeper.

We sang, talked, sang, read some Bible verses, prayed together, and Håkan was with us the whole time. I am so proud of my husband who is so calm, secure, and has such courage in this situation. Thank you, Lord!

The final word which Håkan sent with us was, ”I love you all!”

We continue to pray for Håkan. Thank you that you’re also with us in prayer.

God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla

The fifty-sixth day

2009-04-28T22:00:00.003+02:00

Yesterday, Harry, Anders, Grant and I visited Håkan.

The situation was still stable and Håkan had been bathed and redressed in the morning, so he was pretty tired and a little dazed from the anesthesia. He had even practiced standing up with the help of a tilting stretcher. Håkan can’t stand up on his own since he’s been lying down for such a long time, so he needs to start training the muscles which bear the body in a standing position. Except for his head, he’s lying completely wrapped in bandages, and the intensive care room is filled with apparatus and hoses. The beard is growing on his chin and he has sores on his head. Håkan still has a respirator, but every hour he gets to practice using the speaking valve, and then he breathes totally on his own and can speak. He has a special type of glasses which moisten his eyes, because it is somewhat difficult for him to close his eyes.

When we came in, he looked carefully at us to see who had come in. We shared a little about what had happened at home in the church and about all the greetings we had with us. We prayed for him and anointed him with oil. We sang praise songs and played the CD of “The Blessing” which the kids had recorded. Harry read Col. 3:1-4.

We expressed that we missed him and that we love him and pray for him. Then Håkan answered in English, “I can feel that.”

Håkan was a little irritated because he itched and it was warm with bandages all over his body.

When we left, he said, ”God bless you,” and lifted both arms as a little wave.

Afterward, one is so thankful to God that Håkan is alive and that the healing process is going so well. One also thinks that we must continue to pray because Håkan has a long way to go and the family still needs a lot of care and support.

Pray for:
- The healing of the back of Håkan’s head.
- His feet.
- That it won’t itch so much.
- Continued healing and that no infections set in.

Janne Sääf

Surrender

2009-04-27T13:13:00.000+02:00

Every morning since the 70’s, sometime between being asleep and awake, I’ve started the day with a prayer of surrender. “Lord, lead me day by day. I want to be in your will, even if it takes me through suffering. When my path appears long, I pray that You, Lord, time after time, lead me home, where You are…”

Somewhere there, I’ve woken up and continue with Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want…”

This is surrender, rest, security, thankfulness, prayer… After that Psalm, I am so filled by an inner strength, that I just know that the Lord will be with me, even this day, and by grace I will be lead by Him one more day of my life…what grace…

For many years, I’ve tried every day to help others and see their needs, and with God’s help, give something to the people I meet. In the position we’re in right now, I’m in a place of rest, and friends, siblings and other people get to surround us with their thoughts and prayers, so that we feel borne by God and all of you.

I want to thank you for the commitment you have to stand with us in this. Håkan is being paid back for all he’s spoken out about unity, and all the prayers he’s prayed for change. Now you are involved in serving with your prayers.

Josefina was with her dad this weekend, and she was the first to speak with him after a speaking valve had been attached to the tracheostomy tube in his neck. They chatted short periods both in Swedish and English. Josefina got to rub lotion on Håkan’s face and shoulders, which have healed so well.

She read Psalm 23 and Jesus’ final words to his disciples in John 14. “…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid…” Josefina sang song after song and prayed the Lord’s Prayer, and Håkan prayed along throughout the prayer. When Josefina was going to leave, Håkan wanted them to put in the speaking valve again. Josefina asked him what he wanted to say. He answered, ”I love you” and ”Take care.” That was a good conclusion for Josefina’s weekend by her dad’s side.

On Monday, Janne, Anders, Grant and Harry will visit Håkan and take a bottle of oil with them. ”…You anoint my head with oil...” Then it’s my turn again…

Thanks… We’ll hear again… You’ll get a report after Monday’s visit.

God bless you!

Gunilla

“It’s no secret that God hears prayer…”

2009-04-22T11:30:00.000+02:00

Thank you, friends, that you have been with us during this time, and especially today during Håkan’s big surgery. Thank you!

The situation is calm and stable after a long day of surgery. Today, Håkan has burn wounds over 20% of his body, instead of the 80% it was in the beginning. It’s amazing that we are there now – it’s almost a little difficult to take in, but thank goodness, Håkan is there now. Thank you, Lord!!

The hospital staff did a super job today, and didn’t quit until everything they had planned was done. First they operated on the scalp and the back of the head, which were badly damaged in the fire. Previously, they had planed skin from Håkan’s thigh and cultivated it, so it was now ready to be used on his head and hands. The doctors were pleased with the operation. Thank you to all of the staff!!

On the back and feet, they took pigskin, which functions like a bandage. When Håkan’s real skin comes back, the pigskin will disappear, but in the mean time, it has acted as a protection for the skin. Even that operation went well. Thank God!

Now Håkan lies sleeping, and it will take time for him to wake up. On Saturday, they will change the bandages for the first time after the operation.

Our son, Jakob, was with Håkan for two days, and he sat at his father’s side a total of seven hours. He held his dad’s hand, and Håkan didn’t want to let go. They talked about all kinds of things, to the extent that Jakob could understand his lip movements. Håkan asked, among other things, if he had received any letters, to which Jakob answered, “Yes, Mom is taking care of them.” Håkan answered, “Good.”

When we got married in the Church of Joy in Kumla, on Midsummer’s Eve 34 years ago, and promised to love each other ”for better or for worse”, it was a joyous day. During the wedding feast at the Salvation Army later in the afternoon, when we were going to sing, Erik Lundqvist started the song, ”The trials we meet, we often don’t understand…” At that moment, at the wedding, it seemed a little strange, and everyone laughed…but now, after what has happened, we can say that this is the biggest trial we’ve gone through in all these 34 years, and in everything that happens, we see God’s loving care and His goodness to us. Thank you, Jesus!

Someone asked on the blog how it’s going with my arms and right hand. Yes, they have healed so well. I have new skin on my hands, arms and face. I am so thankful that the healing has gone so quickly. “My wounds have healed quickly.” Thank you, Lord!

On Wednesday, Anette and Miguel’s daughter, Roxana, will have surgery. They have found a tumor which can be the cause of her sickness, so please pray for this pastor’s family in Varberg also.

”It’s no secret that God hears prayer. He who wants to pray receives a glorious reward. Your sin He forgives, gives comfortable rest. It’s no secret that God hears prayer.”

Please pray for Håkan’s lungs and the continuation of his skin’s healing process. Thank you for your perseverance in prayer!

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

The fiftieth day

2009-04-21T19:27:00.001+02:00

Report from the hospital

Today is the fiftieth day, and every day so far has been a step forward for Håkan. We are so thankful.

Håkan’s sister called me as usual at lunchtime, after she had spoken with the hospital. She said that today’s operations had gone well so far. They were still operating. They had transplanted skin from Håkan’s leg to his head and hands, and other skin to his back and feet. This was a big operation, but they wanted to do as much as possible at once, so they wouldn’t have to operate so many different times.

We’ll get another report later this afternoon, after the operation is finished.

We thank God for the capable staff, and pray that the fiftieth day will be a ”day of jubilee” for Håkan – the beginning of a new time, just like the year of jubilee was for the children of Israel.

- Pray for healing and new strength for Håkan after the operation.
- Pray that no infection sets in.

Janne Sääf

An important appeal!!!

2009-04-20T20:25:00.001+02:00

Dear friends in Uddevalla, Bohuslän, Dalsland, Värmland and the rest of Sweden...

Dear friends in Scandinavia…and all over Europe…

Friends all over the world…Africa, Asia, Australia and America…

An important appeal… Tomorrow, Tuesday, Håkan will be operated on. The surgeon will come in the morning and decide what they will operate on. It will be a tough day for Håkan. He’ll be under anesthesia, of course, but it’ll be very taxing for him anyway.

The areas that need surgery are his hands, feet, back and the crown of his head. Tomorrow they will decide where they will start and what is the most important. This will most likely be the largest operation for Håkan – they will operate as much as they can.

Jakob, our 20-year-old son, is with Håkan today and overnight. They’ve had a nice day together, and Håkan has had several clear moments.

After the operation, it’ll take time for Håkan to wake up.

On Friday, Mohammed, our 21-year-old son, will travel up to Håkan and be there a few days. Our 23-year-old daughter, Josefina, will go there on Saturday, and stay until Sunday. Pray also for all of our children, who are each, in their own way, present and giving their support in this situation.

”…Everything rests in my Father’s hands. Should I then, as a child, be alarmed, he who bears for me the heart of a father gives for each new day its due share of joy and pain, toil, rest and pleasure.”

We are so thankful for all who are with us, think about us, pray for us and are taking care of us. Thank you all old and new friends.

God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla

Perseverance!!!

2009-04-19T23:00:00.001+02:00

A word which we understand the meaning of in a deeper way now… We prefer to see quick results… Now we see small miracles, which lay a foundation for the next one…and then we need perseverance!

Håkan must be filled with perseverance in order to have the strength to carry on… One of the staff said, ”Håkan is a calm and secure person, and that helps him in this situation…” Thank you, God, for the security Håkan has in you…give him more of your perseverance.

Today, Sunday, they have changed Håkan’s bandages and looked at his wounds. Tomorrow, on rounds, they will decide what will be done this week – when the next operation will be. Pray for the right decision.

When our girls were there, Håkan mouthed, ”That my wounds will heal quickly…” He wants us to pray that his wounds will heal quickly. Thank you that you’re praying with perseverance…

Håkan’s eyes have become very dry, since he’s had them open the whole time, so last week they said they might need to sew them shut… We prayed, and now they say that Håkan shuts his eyes on his own, so they won’t need to sew them shut…nice. Thank you, Lord, for every little answer to prayer!

Dan and Lotta visited Håkan. They talked about when Peter healed the lame man, in the name of Jesus, and that Håkan will get his health back, but that it will take time, and every little step forward is a little miracle that, in the end…then we pray for perseverance!

”Lord, give me your perseverance, and let Håkan have some of it, so his soul and body can handle the perseverance his spirit has…”

Today the blessed report came again: ”It is calm and stable.” Every day I hear those words, my whole being relaxes, more and more. In those words, I gather strength for the next day, and then the same words come again…and again…then it is easier to live in perseverance!

Now the lists are finished, of everything in the attic and on the second floor, when we bought them, what they cost... It has taken time, but at the same time, it’s been part of the grieving process. Already the first night, as therapy, I started the lists. We have, of course, found quite a few things, which are now being cleaned up, but everything we had to throw away had to be listed, and I have been careful to be honest, so that I can live with a good conscience.

Last Thursday, when Janne and Ulla-Mi were with Håkan, they prayed together and Håkan followed along with a mouthed ”Amen” several times. At the end, he mouthed again, “Greetings”…so we send that greeting on to you all, from Håkan, a mouthed “GREETINGS”.

Thank you for caring, looking at the blog, thinking and praying for us, and that you stand with me in perseverance, so we can see that Håkan’s wounds will heal quickly…

God bless you all!
Many hugs
Gunilla