Upstream Ganges

I am now travelling upstream Ganges from Kolkata, Varanasi, Gorakhpur to Delhi. During my travelling I enjoy having more than full program. Over the year I have got use to how to travel, but …. also to plan ahead. Just to “fall down” from the sky without planning gives much confusion. I like:

a) To do planning. From last visit, this visit and to next visit.

b) To be partakers in each projects a few days. I am not a visitor that just is happy to visit the office and sit at a board meeting.

c) To make space in the program for unplanned Divine appointments.

d) To be up-dated on my E-Mails. And these days, I can sit in the train in India and send E-Mails.

e) To experience … that I am travelling with Jesus. I like it.

I love to be part of the grassroots people and the grassroots projects.

Now I and Jonas F are in Gorakhpur. And ….. Emmanuel, Jesus is with us on this journey. Ingvar

To be Content and "hungry" for change... at the same time

Yesterday my brother LarsEvert put out on Facebook some very nice autumn photos from Sweden. I started to miss the Swedish autumn. But, at the same time, I looked out the window here in Chiang Mai and began to see everything beautiful..... also right here where we live.

It is really an art of living to be content, but at the same time have dreams and visions for change and development for something better.

After two days I will go to Kolkata. For 20 days I will be in projects in India and in Pakistan. To be able to live in this paradox, I need 3 things, even in places like Kolkata:

a) Be present and thankful.

b) Work with (and under) the national.

c) Invite the presence of God, let Him speak and act in everything and everywhere.

This is indeed a challenge and gives life maaaany blessings. Ingvar

Today would have been Dad's 91 birthday.

When my father, Sven left us for Heaven in Nov. 1967, he was only 46 years old. We children were aged 18, 15 and 11.

I have cared for many 90 year olds and I have often thought that he could still have been among us. He was snatched away from us in the middle of his life. Away from his wife and children and the grandchildren he never had the joy to welcome. He had dreams for his daughters, for what they would be in life. He enjoyed life in full and was a very positive person. We daughters always looked forward to when dad would come back from the sea.

This time he didn't come. But for me it became like the second encounter with God, that has greatly come to influence my life.

I remember when the news reached us.  In the middle of the chaos, I went up to my room and shut the door behind me and knelt by my bed. Suddenly I feel as if I was surrounded by safe warm arms and I heard as clearly as if God had stood by my bed:'' You need not be afraid my child, I am your Father, I am with you and will never leave you. Do not be afraid. ''

I've been through many storms since then. But this truth is as a foundation and a stronghold in my life. We meet our losses in life, but this truth is a fundamental security that no one can take away from us. That God is our Father and that He will never leave us. He whispers to us deep inside the heart by his Holy Spirit: DO NOT BE AFRAID! I AM WITH YOU!

"I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you".

Love Anna

Into the midst of the society

Along with 375 pastors and leaders from all over Thailand, I participated this week in meetings in Bangkok. The Motto is:

I really enjoyed getting to know many dedicated and good Christian leaders. At the same time, I see more and more two types of goals for church growth, also here in Asia:

a) We need more good members and more good activities in the Church building, so people will come to us. Good Institutions.

b) We are a Church Planting Movement (CPM) in the society. We reach out to others, who reach out to others, who reach out to others etc. In the midst of the society.

I enjoy good meetings in a large "perfect" Church buildings, but in terms of a more rapid Church planting, I believe 100% that the best way to see the Kingdom of God grow is working with National Pioneer Workers who go out and ... become part of the community.

I was glad that I took part in these meetings, although the pioneer spirit was not as prominent as I hoped. Even thought, I returned home to Chiang Mai more "on fire" on CPM than when I went.

And by the way, a) and b) do not have to (in proper proportions) exclude each other. Ingvar

‘’This is My target group.’’

While worshipping alone in the TOL meeting room in preparation for the initial and special Cross Current Program,  the Lord was coming through with His gentle voice: ‘‘This is My target group’’.

I started to ponder upon this. The assignment of Jesus was first to the Jews. The commissioning of the disciples was Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.The Gentiles were Pauls assignment. Another target group for Paul was the Macedonians....and so on.

For God so loved the world that he sent His only begotten son...... God targets mankind.

He loves and targets us all. But for us human beings we are only able to focus on a small area even for the best person we are limited. The Lord is limitless. 

Many years ago while working in Bangladesh at the time when the nation was one of the poorest in the world, we were frequently asked:’‘ How can you cope seeing the starving masses and still being limited to people and resources?  The answer at that time was simply: I focus on the individual.  If I focus on the masses, my mind says: it is in vain, our help is a drop in the ocean. 

Another lesson the Lord taught me was: Seeing Jesus in the ones we targetted... ‘‘whatever you do to one of these little ones, you do unto Me’’. Maybe we can call that a double vision:-). 

It was so good to hear the confirming words yesterday: ''This is My target group'', so I quickly responded: Lord if this is Your target group, then it is mine too.’’ And so we had a heavenly agreement! Agreements are powerful and binding. Jesus is committed to this work and I am committed to it and to Him! 

Love Anna

Do I dare?

The last week we started to plan and pray over the work of INTERACT 2013. At the same time God has been speaking about reaching the most unreached parts of Thailand with the Gospel of Jesus. One area to work with National Pioneer Workers has been becoming more and more urgent for us: Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี).

The challang is that among 21 million people in Issan (Eastern Thailand), there are only 0.15% Christian. And in the province of Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี) among 1.6 million there are only 0,115% Christians.

As we work on the plan for 2013 we ask ourselves; Do we dare to go for it?

I am recalling the motto of William Carey 1790:

One thing is certain: We need both God and ... many many people's participation to do this. We have a big and important calling on our table. Do we/I dare to move forward? Ingvar

This weekend in Omkoi

This weekend we have been in Omkoi. We really felt 100% welcomed to be in Omkoi 180 km southwest of Chiang Mai. Here is a Bible school, Hostel and Church with about 400 members.

I preached today in English, Anna translated into Thai and ..... a man translated into Pow Karen. So we were three speakers. What the pastor finally said I do not know, but the people were blessed. They are used having one speaker and two interpreters. And .... God's Word spoke their heart language. That was clear.

We were encouraged by their devotion and hunger. Our prayer is that the whole of Thailand will be blessed by what is happening among the Karen people in and around Omkoi.

After this weekend, I cannot help to be even more called to minister more among the youth and leaders of Asia. They are eager and looking for help to "bloom". To pray for and bless leaders who are in key positions ..... I am most happy. Anna and I drove tonight the 180 kilometers down the mountain, back to Chiang Mai, full of hope and joy. Ingvar