Hei, du alle! - Hi everyone-
     I send you greetings from Norway! So much has happened and I have learned so very much about the people and how God creates different cultures and loves them just as much as my culture. It has definitely been an eye opening journey so far and I am only about half way through!

 
     Here is a little taste of Norwegian culture:  At breakfast and lunch their main food is bread! One of the teachers from the states stated "They eat so much bread that it could choke a horse!" In the evening they have a warm meal. It is also tradition on Saturday afternoon to have rice pudding. The Norwegians call it rice porridge.

     During the teaching weeks the students have a coffee break what the Swedish people call "Fika" where we either eat cake or fruit. Oh yes, Cake! Cake is a very important dish in Norway. After every Sunday service or meeting of any kind they have cake and coffee. For the coffee lovers you might want to stick to the States because coffee is very expensive here.

 
     Norway is a very beautiful and majestic country. I live very close to the Norwegian Sea. In fact if I stand at the front door of the base I could throw a stone and come within a couple hundred feet from the shore.  Each morning I wake up and am greeted with a spectacular view that makes me thank God that I am alive and how amazing He is to bring me to this place.

     The people who live at the base consume a massive amount of fish as well. On the last outdoor trip that the base took, the groups had to catch their own fish and prepare it for the evening meal. Living in Kentucky I have not been used to eating fish straight from the Ocean or a lake. So I watched the pros. Indeed fish is a very big part of their culture.

     Lately my fellow students and I have been rotating from weeks at the base and teaching to going out door trips around the area. At the base we have been learning of the importance of God's Word, and a focus on “Who is Jesus”. These teachings have been very enlightening and fun to participate in.

     Other than teaching, the groups have been participating in putting on youth clubs and preparing for main outreach and our mini outreach in the next couple weeks. I have been especially enjoying my youth club called 7-Eleven. About thirty students come and are able to hear the Gospel as well as hanging around people who love the Lord! It is an amazing opportunity and there are some pictures on my Facebook if you would like to see some of the students.

     I am also in the midst of preparing my own mission trip that will last a week. The students will be totally in charge of planning and making contacts. I will be going to Nesna which is a community based around a secondary school-sort of like our high schools. My team is planning the whole event which will last for five days. There will be no staff accompanying myself and two other students. I am grateful for this opportunity; for I am learning how to plan my very own mission trip! I will be able to use this experience in the future!

      What is coming next on the schedule?  Christmas break! I will be staying at the base over Christmas break for two weeks.  After break, I will be traveling by train to the south of Norway for a YWAM gathering to kick off the main Outreach. Outreach will take me to the far reaches of Greenland. I will be staying there for up to two and a half months. This is from January to the middle of March.

     Now I have something to ask.  This is the hardest thing that I have to learn as a missionary is to trust God for my finances.  I must learn to ask and let you know of my needs.  This is one of the greatest parts of growing my faith.   December 1^st is the deadline for my last bill.  I need about $2,000. I know God will provide for me. I am just letting you know as my family. I am so thankful to all of you, my family, for your loving support and letters while I am here. I am growing more in Love with my fellow students and the people of Norway. God definitely is working and molding our hearts to become one in His Son because of His awesome love. I know this is only happening through your Prayers. I cannot do this without you. I love you all.

     If you are interested in financially helping me, please send your gift made out to “Shalisha Brace” to my parents address:

Nate and Mary Beth Brace

10946 Ky Hwy 476

Hazard, KY 41701

     My mom will put this in my personal account in Kentucky and then wire the money to me in Norway.  I can use my debit card for any small expenses that I need next year. 

Thank you all,

For Jesus!

Shalisha