Trip to Norway/Scandinavia – Autumn 2023

Beautiful Landscapes of Norway in Autumn

It felt great being back in Norway in Autumn, with stunning greenery almost everywhere – really beautiful! Norway, formally known as the Kingdom of Norway, is a country of northern Europe that occupies the western half of the Scandinavian peninsula. Norway didn’t achieve full independence until 1905 when Haakon VII was crowned the King of Norway. Before then, the country was a dependency under Denmark until 1814, then it entered into a new union with Sweden until 1905.

Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg

Fredrikstad (my host city) is located approximately 100 kms south of Oslo, on the eastern side of the Oslofjord. It is close to Sarpsborg, Halden and the Swedish border. Sarpsborg is part of the fifth largest urban area in Norway when paired with neighbouring Fredrikstad.

A Day Trip to Oslo

While visiting Oslo (again, but with a bit more time), in addition to seeing some particular places in the city (like the Oslo Opera House, the Oslo Public Library, the Royal Palace, and the Nobel Peace Center) I also did some hiking (in good company!) in the Østmarka forest and walked around lake Nøklevann near Bøler (a south-eastern suburb of Oslo). Oslo is the largest city in Norway, and it has been the country’s capital since 1814 following the dissolution of the union with Denmark.

Meeting some Christian Communities and Families
in Sarpsborg, Fredrikstad, and Drammen

I had opportunities to visit and speak at Bless church (Bless Kristent Fellesskap) in Sarpsborg. I also visited Philadelphia church (Filadelfia) in Fredrikstad. Visited as well a Christian family from back home in Drammen. These visits offered me opportunities to share about my book “Thank You! But Why, Lord? _Understanding God’s Sovereignty“, as well as about the work of Harvest Hope Africa through projects supporting disadvantaged children and teenage girls in Tanzania and the DR Congo.

Night Visit to Fredrikstad’s Old Town

The old town is southeast of the modern city centre. Founded in 1567 by Frederik II, King of Denmark-Norway, the city served as a trading post between the European mainland and western Scandinavia. Fredrikstad was fortified to protect itself from the risk of Swedish invasion. That’s because the city’s foundation was due to Sweden’s destruction of Sarpsborg, upstream from Fredrikstad. Burned to the ground twice, the fortifications of Fredrikstad were strengthened with a distinctive jagged moat. At the time, Fredrikstad became the best protected city in Norway.

Stop-over in Amsterdam

During my trip back home I stopped over in Amsterdam/The Netherlands and had an opportunity to walk some of its downtown streets at night for the first time. Amsterdam is the capital and the principal commercial and financial centre of the Netherlands.