Aubry Tyler

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First Iceland SOC

by Aubry Tyler   SOC Director

On June 2nd we began the first School of Christ in the nation of Iceland, but not without much work and preparation. After arriving on May 24th, we began working quickly and diligently. My wife, my son, and I were in for a new experience. We were used to working from daylight to dark, but we found out quickly that the sun never goes down in Iceland at this time of year. It was a group effort to ready the building to house and accommodate the arriving students.

Our preparation consisted of assembling tables, making bunk beds, installing mirrors, installing clothes racks, lots of cleaning, and shopping for supplies (which included groceries, appliances, etc.). Our work schedule consisted of 14-16 hour days leaving very little time for rest. The third day there, we had a 6.2 earthquake hit with the epicenter about 12 miles away. There was much damage to the city of Sellfoss, but we were structurally sound and had no lasting damage. The only damages we acquired were a few broken pictures and fixtures.

There were originally fifty students who were signed up to make the first session. However, only forty-two students arrived. Some were unable to attend due to trouble obtaining their visas to enter Iceland. As we started the first day of school, some began to count the cost and started falling away. Within three days, we had twelve students walk away due to the lack of discipline and dedication that is prevalent in this nation. We lost our last student right before we began the three day fast. With twenty-nine students remaining, we pressed-on and were able to establish the first school of such caliber in this part of the world.

The students came by way of Iceland, Norway, Wales, England, Ireland, and Isle of Man. Though all of our students came from Western Europe, some were in fact natives of various nations in both Eastern and Western Africa. There were a total of twelve nations represented in this school.

It was amazing to watch as God began to deal with the hearts of those students that came and were truly hungry to hear from God. I watched as the Word began to cut into their hearts. At times, there were outbursts of crying and running out of the class to pray. It appeared that even those that came from Wales (the nest of revival in years past) were in awe of the word. They could only cry and repent for the condition of the church.

Miracles took place as the class progressed through the series on faith and prayer. One lady came with AIDS, and her eyesight was impaired by blood in her eyes. On the 13th of June, while sitting at her seat, the LORD healed her. Immediately she could see clear; she said she never felt healthier. She threw away the bag full of medicine that was keeping her alive, and she went home whole! Praise God!

On June 20th, we graduated a total of twenty-nine students. We are now currently preparing for the next school. It will begin on the 14th of July. We are in the process of reviewing applications, holding interviews, and helping students obtain their visas. Please continue to pray for us and this work.