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This is the last part, until the end of March, when the next issue of the Church magazine is published.
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Our destination was Frioskberget where a few years ago a group of Christians made and erected a large cross which was placed on the highest point, about 624 metres high in the Malä area. On mid-summer's day an open air service takes place that we were invited to attend. As we neared our destination the terrain became very rough and steep and at one point we had to get out and push the car out of a pothole. We carried on by foot until we reached the final hill, adorned by the cross. It was a most beautiful place, so peacful with a grand view all round of lakes and forests stretching to the horizon without a trace of pollution of any sort. About sixty people took part in the service, all seated around the hill on the grass. A keyboard had been set up so we could have music. It was a joyous spiritual experience in the open air and one we shall always remember. Afterwards we enjoyed our picnics carried up in rucksacks, surrounded by wild flowers.
We continued on by car to the site of an old Sami settlement that had been preserved. There Carl Olaf Sjolund, who spoke perfect English, translated the information which told the story of the Sami group, one of whom was affected by a disease of the pituitary gland causing her to grow abnormally tall. Carl and his wife hosted two of our party in their house a few miles outside Malä town. By profession, he had taught English, but like most men in that part of Sweden was a keen huntsman, sailor and fisherman and learnt to ski at the age of three. We then visited some present-day Sami people whom we had met previously on our winter visit. They welcomed us and we were able to see their reindeer at close quarters. Their coats are a variety of colours and one male in particular had new grown antlers which still retained their velvety coating. Their little girl of two handed round a bowl containing scraps of lean reindeer meat and we were offered strong coffee prepared on an outside fire. It was a great privilege to share a little in their way of life. That evening we all joined together in the Church house for another communal meal, beautifully prepared by volunteers.
To be continued ........ in a few weeks
Quote
Our destination was Frioskberget where a few years ago a group of Christians made and erected a large cross which was placed on the highest point, about 624 metres high in the Malä area. On mid-summer's day an open air service takes place that we were invited to attend. As we neared our destination the terrain became very rough and steep and at one point we had to get out and push the car out of a pothole. We carried on by foot until we reached the final hill, adorned by the cross. It was a most beautiful place, so peacful with a grand view all round of lakes and forests stretching to the horizon without a trace of pollution of any sort. About sixty people took part in the service, all seated around the hill on the grass. A keyboard had been set up so we could have music. It was a joyous spiritual experience in the open air and one we shall always remember. Afterwards we enjoyed our picnics carried up in rucksacks, surrounded by wild flowers.
We continued on by car to the site of an old Sami settlement that had been preserved. There Carl Olaf Sjolund, who spoke perfect English, translated the information which told the story of the Sami group, one of whom was affected by a disease of the pituitary gland causing her to grow abnormally tall. Carl and his wife hosted two of our party in their house a few miles outside Malä town. By profession, he had taught English, but like most men in that part of Sweden was a keen huntsman, sailor and fisherman and learnt to ski at the age of three. We then visited some present-day Sami people whom we had met previously on our winter visit. They welcomed us and we were able to see their reindeer at close quarters. Their coats are a variety of colours and one male in particular had new grown antlers which still retained their velvety coating. Their little girl of two handed round a bowl containing scraps of lean reindeer meat and we were offered strong coffee prepared on an outside fire. It was a great privilege to share a little in their way of life. That evening we all joined together in the Church house for another communal meal, beautifully prepared by volunteers.
To be continued ........ in a few weeks