Our first Sunday in Sweden.  Following the  suggestion of a friend's friend's friend, we chose a church to attend in Malmo.  We had tried to connect with a couple who had been referred to us via email, but there was a mix-up along the way so we hadn't heard back from them.  As God would have it, we sat directly in front of them, and when they saw our English Bibles, they suspected that we were the American couple who was moving to the area.  We couldn't understand any of the service at the start because we got there a little late (just getting to know the bus system) and we did not realize that they had headphones with English translation.  But that was taken care of when our soon to be friends figured out that we didn't understand Swedish and quickly retrieved two sets of earphones. 

After church we enjoyed Fika with the other congregants:

Fika

Afterwards, there were some visiting artists who, for those interested, shared a little about their work.  Once is from Greece and the other is from Macedonia.  They both restore and create Icon's.  They shared that one needs permission from the church to create Icons, and then before one starts a work, he or she receive a blessing from a Priest (or Bishop...).  The materials they use are all natural, using crushed stones for color, mixed with egg yolk (making tempera paint) and utilizing shellac, lime and resin.  In the picture, you might be able to see their demonstration of the work progressing from right to left.  It is done in layers to get depth in the colors.  Very interesting. 

Then afterwards our new friends asked us to their lovely home for lunch!!   So gracious!   Thanks to all who have been praying that we make friends!!