Plaque to Vats Church

Yes we are home... so we actually have online access and can blog about some more of the great experiences of the trip to Norway. On Saturday, June 13 we drove up from Stavanger, past Knapphus,

and onto Vats to the Lutheran church Torleif attended when he was in Norway


Allen had coordinated a gift for the church and community of Vats of one of Torleif's works (Jesus Christ, Fountainhead of the Church). We met with pastor Martin Ivar Arnesen, the committee leader, a local historian, and a gentleman from the paper and his wife.

We were granted a short tour of the church, including some history of the painting of the Stokka family (of whom we are related).



In his journal, Torleif recalls passing by the lake on the way to church.


After the tour we presented them with the informational plaque that accompanied the relief that had already been delivered. It was a smaller version of "Jesus Christ, Fountainhead of the Church"


They were all so gracious and friendly. We really had a great time getting to know them and making that connection with the church where Torleif grew up. Torleif reported being influenced positively by the leaders of the Vats church.



We were invited to a meeting room for some conversation and light refreshments. It was a very enjoyable afternoon indeed.


After the refreshments we took a moment to find the grave site for Torlef's mother, Liva.



The pastor recommended we go back up to Knapphus to see the plaque and get some pictures.


This was really one of the highlights of the trip. The people and culture of Norway were so friendly and inviting to us. They really define hospitality.