Barfota Rop

Sweden in 1840

When Sweden was in the darkest hours, Messengers of hope began to cry out.

When I was a child it was a difficult time in many ways.

It was forbidden to gather to pray and read the Bible

unless a clergyman was present.

I could not imagine then what our prayers would lead to.

It's the Constable and the Parish Clerk! We have to hide!

Oh no! We have to hide!

Here maybe.

Did you hear?

Oh no, not the Bible! I have to do something.

After her!

The Barefoot Messengers

Three months earlier

Ophelia

Here is the way!

A film by Barfota Productions Maria Viklund, Simon Frisk, Tomas Andersson

After an idea by Maria, Lova and Elivia Viklund

Script - A group of children under the direction of Maria Viklund

Good morning Ophelia!

Good morning!

Mother, I had such a peculiar dream last night.

The people in our parish are turning away from God's good way.

Those who drink brandy turn it into an idol.

The vicars just want us to learn the catechism by heart

...but I'm sure that...

God much rather wants us to understand the love Jesus showed

when he sacrificed himself for us on the cross.

Mother, they don't just drink. They lie, steal and beat each other.

Look at your own hand, so many bruises you have!

Shame on you girl! Do not speak like that...

neither about the vicar nor your Father.

They are doing the best they can.

But mother, it would be good for us if we were doing God's will.

Yes that's true.

I had a dream about grandma last night.

Where is her Bible?

I think it's in the cupboard over there. You can look for yourself.

Mother, can I read in Grandma's Bible?

If you are careful about it, it will be fine.

It warms my heart when I think about grandma.

Ophelia, this is the Word of God.

You have to learn to read God's word. It gives you strength and help.

I believe God has a special plan for your life.

Always stay close to him!

He will give you strength to be able to perform mighty things.

Here is a word of God.

This memory verse you must save and keep carefully.

You will need it in the future.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left,

let your ears hear this word behind you:

Here is the way, walk on it!"

Mother, God has spoken to me in a dream and now through the Bible.

You remind me so much of grandma.

Where are the money?

You got paid by Lindqvist yesterday. Bring the money!

I must have them to buy potatoes and oats.

I have a debt to pay! Give me the money!

You know how the drought has hit hard. We barely have any food on the table

You have to pay for your own drinking.

Shut up woman!

Hi Ophelia!

Hello Marta!

I had a peculiar dream last night.

I think it was God who gave me the dream.

Tell me more!

The people were lost, they didn't find the right way.

But then they began to follow a great light.

We all followed that light.

I think it was God's light!

I think God is calling me. He calls us

to show the people the right way.

Ophelia, when I prayed last night God spoke to my heart

that he wants to use us young people to do something great.

How amazing, it must be God!

Where did Elsa go?

It's dangerous here by the water. We have to look for her!

Elsa! Elsa! Elsa!

Maybe she's in the barn?

Elsa! Elsa!

Here you are! You have no idea how worried we have been for you.

What has happened?

Oh, how cute they are!

Marta, Ingrid, Selma! I have found Elsa!

They are absolutely fantastic!

Hello, little friend!

Ophelia, this could be a good meeting place.

What do you mean?

If you borrow your grandmother's Bible, we can meet here after school tomorrow.

Yes, what a great idea!

It is dangerous

if people gather illegally

to read the Bible and talk about holy things.

It is forbidden to do so without a clergyman leading the gathering.

If common people take such initiatives, we don't know how it ends.

The Church is united and must be united.

There is something called "the Conventicle Act".

It is a law from the King which prohibits such gatherings.

I want Mr. Grundström to be alert to this danger.

Swing the rope! Get started then!

Welcome to a new day in school!

Today the sun is shining so beautifully.

In the same way God wants to shine with his light upon you.

Let's sing "Again, Thy glorious sun doth rise"

"Again, Thy glorious sun doth rise

I praise Thee my Lord

With courage, strength and hope renewed

I touch the joyful chord"

Have a seat!

We start with the Swedish lesson!

See you in the barn this afternoon!

How exciting, can you bring the Bible then?

Sure!

Why do you look so secretive?

We will gather in Lindqvist's barn, do you want to join?

God has spoken to me that he wants to use us young people to do something great.

That sounds exciting! I'll come along.

Isn't great that you can make your own spirits.

Here Constable, taste it, go ahead!

Maybe, you should add some cumin?

Well, I think it is better to use anise.

Listen! The vicar has reminded me of the Conventicle Act.

We must keep a watchful eye on the risk of illegal gatherings.

Such gatherings can lead to division here in our parish.

Is that clear?

I had a peculiar dream last night. God spoke to me through the dream.

People in our parish are going astray. They have left God's good way.

See how they get drunk. God wants to intervene and help us.

We must pray!

What if someone finds us, then we will be beaten.

Dad, says it's forbidden to read the Bible and sing praises.

Why?

There is a law that says that only the Vicar can explain the Bible.

Folke, will you keep watch out of the window, please?

Sure, there may be a law, but we must obey God.

He will help us and be with us.

Let me read to you from the Bible.

"Whether you turn to the right or left,

let your ears hear this behind you:

Here is the way. Walk on it"

I feel like a fire is burning inside me. I want to cry out to the people

that they should repent and walk on the right path!

I feel the same, it's like a fire which is lit in me.

We must pray together!

God, come and break in. Help the people!

God, you must help the people. Let them meet you!

Help them to follow your path!

"The Lord is faithful in everything he says

and loving in all his deeds."

You have all worked well today. I am so happy to be your teacher.

For tomorrow, you have to learn the four types of grain. Does anyone know them?

Tage

Rye...

Oats...

Wheat...

Semolina

Beatrice

Barley

By tomorrow, you need to know the four grains, thank you for today!

Thank you for today!

Let's play a game! Yes!

How fun it was to gather in our barn!

What if we could do it tonight again?

Then I will come.

What if someone exposes us?

We have to pray that God protects us.

Ophelia do you bring the Bible with you?

I hope that no one will see it.

You need to hide it somehow.

I'll try.

Oh, how fun to meet together in the barn.

Did anyone see you? No I do not think so.

Did you bring the Bible?

I hid it in the laundry basket.

I love listening to the Bible!

"The hope does not fail, for the love of God has been poured out in our hearts

by the Holy Spirit"

What does it mean?

It means that God has put something in our hearts,

that no one can take away from us.

That is our Hope.

Can we sing a song?

"We know that God in every way, helps those who love him

to reach the good, those whom he has called according to his plan..."

Cheers to that! Yes, cheers to that!

Ophelia and the children have gathered. They pray and sing praises together.

What do you say child? Come here!

They pray and read from the Bible.

Without a Vicar? That's against the law! It is against the Conventicle Act.

It's terrible! When did this happen?

Now! Now?

It is unbelievable!

Mr. Grundström, now we have to calm down a bit.

We will deal with this. We need to go to the Vicar.

Let's go! Yes we do!

It's the Constable and the Parish Clerk, we have to hide!

Oh no!

We have to hide!

Did you hear?

Oh, no, not the Bible! I have to do something.