Why .... more than how and what

On Monday I went to the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok to apply for a new passport. It is many practical matters to settle when we go out with a gospel. Especially when we want to reach the un-reached People.

I have been thinking on the statement by Simon Sinek:

How does this fit into my mission world here in Ubon-Pakse?

 It is  clear that people have different reasons and motives to do Missions. 3 of them are:

1. I want to do something new, something more inspiring. The mission's commitment becomes an exciting own value. I also can be "Hands On" and have valuable experience from a developing country.

2. I have found a good method/model that will fix the world. This will be the best, quick and efficient. The world's best Projects and Programs will give transformation.

Although these motives are good, I see more and more Motive 3.

3. I am God's ambassador. Because people are praying and crying for salvation, God is sending you and me there. Next trip you make, see this reality:

                     A) People out there are crying: God help me

                     B) God sends you and me there as His Ambassador.

                     C) And God can do far more than your or mine capacity.

And the locals also becomes ambassadors for others .... locally. In the Swedish embassy in Bangkok not everyone are Swedish. Thais are also working there.

On the mission field, we are God's Ambassadors to people crying for help ... and this multiplies wherever the gospel goes.

I did not meet the Swedish Ambassador in Bangkok on Monday, but he was surely there. I met others who in the same ”Sweden Spirit” did the job. I will get my passport in 2 weeks. 

Ingvar (Fred)

                                                                  

                                 

                                                       

Outcome Mapping +++

Last week our daughter Mariam came and helped:

with Outcome Mapping plus plus plus. She is really not a method-focused-person, but she comes down to the people, listens to them and encourages everyone to start blooming from where they are. Her love for God and people in combination with reality, is very clear. Check    https://www.outcomemapping.ca        http://www.learningloop.co

Seeing Mariam in Action gives me organizational creativity, eagerness to be creative on my own journey, but most of all: happy to see other blooming in their giftings and capacity.

I love sketches and pictures. I made 2, not Mariam:

                         

                                  

A good text is 2 Corinthians 5:17

               If anybody is in Christ, then he is a new creation.

                       The old is over, something new has come.

This help us to see: 

              a) that there is no hopeless place or hopeless person.

              b) that I will not give up ... with myself either.

Have a good week. Ingvar (Fred)

Some pictures from the week:

                         

The talk on the road.... speaks to me.

                              
These days, between Easter and Pentecost, the passage in Luke 24:13-49 about the 2 walking to Emmaus has been speaking to me.

1. To have an open mind so I understand the Word.
2. To share my living own story.
3. To be equipped with the power of God

Yes, I need an open mind, burning by the Word of God in my everyday life here in Ubon Pakse. But I can burn strong without effecting others.

Yes, I can also tell you all my great experience in life. But it might not create the eagerness of others to tell about their encounter with Jesus, unless No. 3 exists.

To make a difference.I need to be cloth with power from on the height. Otherwise, everything I do is just a new and better religion. A nice and entertaining program. Without No 3, there will be only more captivities and more disappointments long the way. The Emmaus walkers stood still and looking sad.

Only when we are clothed with Power .... something happens. Jesus-Life will be visible.

Many years ago, I read the book Along the Indian Road by Stanley Jones with great encouragement. I should read it again, with new Ubon-Pakse glasses on. Ingvar

Be a Teacher in Pakse, Laos.

                                                  

We are now in Laos and happy to see the work is blessing and encouraging the Lao people. On different levels.

Be a teacher in Pakse Laos. One registered Language Centre in Pakse are looking for more English teachers. They have now students they have to refuse due to lack of teachers. For information contact us and we will you their contact information.

The work in Laos is very interesting. Be part of it.

Greetings from Pakse

                                   
                                                   

Who is a sparrow?

Most recently I am working with a few who have a history of not being seen. Or believe they are insignificant and almost invisible. Who have been abandoned at a young age. They are marked in their soul almost like with a seal:

-No one is interested in me.

-I am not valuable enough to be loved

-I have no value

And they often question:
-Why do I live anyway?
-What’s the meaning of life?

This takes me quickly to the HUGH abandonment problem in Isaan. HUGH, is a too weak word. What has been imprinted on the soul of the children for generations is:

-I am not valuable enough to be loved

-I have no value

-I have no hope-and how can I trust you anyway?

SO……the conclusion might be: I just kill myself or disappear into a fantasy world of media. My cry to you who have been loved, who have hope and can love and give hope: 
       Please look around you. I am sure you have some people around you, who are just trying to hide behind a screen because they believe the lie: - I have no value.

Your eyes, your words, your interest beyond YOURSELF, might change a life today.

Anna

LIFE is alive because of JESUS

 

Yes, the Good News this morning of Easter Sunday 2018 is that LIFE wins over death because of JESUS. Light always wins over darkness. Have a good Resurrection LIFE.

Let`s be more and more bold to share this very Good News as still too many are struggling in their captivity. Religion cannot fix our death and darkness. LIFE is alive because of JESUS.      Ingvar (Fred)

Easter Prayer 2018

 

Easter week , from today Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday is the most unique week we have in history. Ever since I was 14-15 years old, Easter week has meant a lot to me.

God's fantastic action how death becomes life in our everyday life .... is the most exciting we can experience during our life journey. My Easter Prayer 2018 is:

Ingvar (Fred)