by Leona Bergstrom, Director, Re-Ignite
Birgit called me to the picture window. “Come look, Leona. PerInge has a surprise for you!”
During our recent sabbatical, Richard and I visited my relatives in Västervik, Sweden. We had never met Birgit and PerInge prior to this trip. In fact, we had only recently discovered our living relatives in Sweden! The extraordinary encounter began with my “surprise.”
In the center of their apartment complex courtyard stood a flagpole. I looked out and PerInge was hoisting the American flag to fly in our honor! Everyone in the complex, and the town, for that matter, knew Americans were in residence.
How beautiful Old Glory looked as it waved a familiar welcome to me. I shed tears of pride and homesickness. I was in Sweden, the land of my forefathers. My great-grandfather, like thousands of other Swedes, left his homeland in the late 1800′s and emigrated to the U.S. His descendants, including me, are United States citizens. We are Americans with a touch of Sweden lingering in our hearts.
On the Fourth of July I will stand on U.S. soil and celebrate life and liberty for all. And the memory of the red, white and blue flag blowing in the Swedish breeze will call my heart to pray for my country.
I will also pray for Sweden and the wonderful people we recently met and ministered with at our Re-Ignite retreat in Kåfalla!
*This blog was first published in the Converge 2nd 1/2 Ministries Boomer and Beyond newsletter at http://2ndhalf.convergeworldwide.org
