Go(o)dSeed

From the Sun to the Snow: Unique Things About Sweden Through Egyptian Eyes If you had told me a few years ago that I’d trade the bustling, sun-soaked streets of Ismailia for the snowy, freezing landscapes of northern Sweden, I probably wouldn't have believed you. Moving to a place like Luleå is a massive culture shock, but it’s also an incredible adventure. Sweden is famous for IKEA , ABBA , and meatballs, but when you actually live here especially coming from an Egyptian background you start noticing the little, unique quirks of everyday life that truly define the country. Here are the most unique things about Sweden that caught me completely off guard. 1. The Art of Fika (The Swedish "Ahwa") In Egypt, sitting at an ahwa with a tea and shisha(Hookah), talking over each other late into the night, is a staple of life. Swedes have their own version of this, and it’s called fika. But fika isn't just a quick coffee break; it’s an institution. It’s a dedicated time to s...

 By  Josh Armfield (project coordinator) " Build houses and settle down; cultivate gardens and eat what they produce..." (Jeremiah 29:5)  God spoke to his people through the prophet Jeremiah while they were living as prisoners in Babylon. " Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on it´s welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7) What is it like to live as a people in exile? Who among us can say they have this experience? Maybe not so many of us privileged Europeans or "westerners" can say we have much exile experience. But surely our many refugee sisters and brothers living in Luleå can enlighten us on the subject. Nonetheless, immigration, exile, home and hospitality are recurring themes in the Bible. Where is our home? Even the Son of God himself lived as a refugee and " had nowhere to rest his head" (Matt. 8:20). The apostle Peter addressed the readers of his first letter as "...