New Calling to the Church with it`s Mission

Being invited to a fresh meal is always a blessing. Also to a good spiritual meal. This Sunday in Ed, (where I was born) this word came to me as new fresh food from God himself. I heard again the calling: 2 Cor 10: 15-18 

Wonderful Calling to the Church with its Mission
15…we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere,	Growing here
16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you,	So.. beyond with Pioneer preaching
and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment.	Not stealing others success
17 But "he who glories, let him glory in the Lord."	Glory to God
18 For not he who commends himself is approved, . but whom the Lordcommends.	The Lord is my leader

These days, you can lock yourself up because of fear of others and become more-than-usual selfish. Lose your joy, more-than-usual. And become more lonely than-ever.

Now is the time for the CHURCH with it`s MISSION to be more shining God`s Glory than-usual.

I met a Christian businessman the other day. He really “infected” me with a big dose of hope and enthusiasm. I also saw that the other business-people around him were also filled with GOING now. They did not say: After Corona all will be good.  

Several CHURCHES and MISSIONS are now looking for a new way of working. Karin in Kvarnsveden now 90 years old is still a great blessing for us and many. She said last weekend when we talked about Church with it`s Mission: We must be one step ahead.

So dear friends, even these days of Corona pandemic let not the circumstances rule over you. And when next crisis comes we can be prepared even better by: Be steps ahead. Right? God's Holy Spirit wants to lead us before, during and after all crises.

Ingvar(Fred)

                                 My brother Rune and I in Ed 20 Sept 2020.

Be Blessed ---- and bless others

We can all feel we have differant kind of problems, but I feel very blessed comparison to many people that are constantly struggling .... down there, feeling they have hit the bottom. 

Outside they look OK, they do their job, but inside they have given up. 

Remember dear friend, JESUS is down there with you on the bottom.               

This truth has blessed me after a very good weekend in 3 churches and 2 homes. I am now on my way home to Bleket.

Ingvar(Fred) 

One-place-pioneer-missionary

I am now in Sweden 2 months. Anna is in Ubon-Pakse. After much prayer we felt this was God`s will for us these two months. Missing Anna and the friends in Ubon-Pakse, but happy to meet our children with families and churches, organisations and friends. Many are longing for fellowship and encouragment.   

We were happy to be Travelling Missionaries for many years serve God and people in 9 Asian countries, but October 2013 God led us to be one-place-pioneer missionaries living and working in the unreached area of Isaan (Thailand) and southern Laos. This area is indeed a pioneer area:                                       

I see these Corona days that people in Churches, missions and organisations have different ways of dealings.   

Some people STOP ..... and give up.

Some People WAIT .... to see what will happen.

Some people GO .... but still respect regulations. They find ways 

to continue, to develope and to become even more equipped. 

Yes, Jesus is there (Emmanuel) also in times of problem. When we hit the bottom... JESUS is there. 

The 3 men in Daniel 3:21 were bound and thrown into the fire. The Counselors of the King said (v 25): I see four men unbound walking in the midst of the fire. They walked around not bound, together with JESUS.  

                                 

                   1. God is working. Doing mighty things.

                   2. We are His witness. Telling what He is doing.

                   3. With Gods gift and tools we can also work.  

A very good song is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsypFJ5mNw0

Church and Mission workers, welcome to the Pioneer area of Ubon-Pakse which has 3,2 million people. The bigger area is Isaan-Laos with 30 million people.  

                       

 Ingvar (Fred)

Sweden 2 months

Yearly we have the plan to spend 2 months in Sweden to meet relatives, Churches and differant organisations. This year was hard to know how to to this. After much prayer we decided that I will go to Sweden and Anna will stay in Ubon and go later. The reason was that it is now expensive and complicated to return to Thailand.

I came 5 aug to Sweden and will stay to 7th Oct.     

                                              

I felt strongly God calling me to share HOPE and not to give up. Many are full of fear these days. 

                                                              

                                        

But God is greater and He can make us stronger throught this time of testing.

God Bless you.

Ingvar (Fred)

On the way to give up or???

Some people have during these Corona Days given up. Some are continuing but inside ...... they are on the way to give up.

Remember that even these Corona Days the day of Salvation, the days of Mercy and ... yes The Day of Victory is muuuuch greater.

Testings have 2 results. Passed or not passed. Whether we like it or not, the truth is that we become stronger when we go through trials and tests. And weaker when we flee or give up. If we start fleeing, we must flee or lock ourselves up, our whole lives.

The words "... the Repairer of the Breach..." Isaiah 58:12 has spoken to us stongly: 
                    Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; 
                    You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; 
                        And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, 
                                     The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. 

                

Regarding our visit to Sweden in 2020. We have prayed a lot about our trip to Sweden 2020. Since it is still very difficult for foreigners to return to Thailand, we have decided that                                       Ingvar is in Sweden 5 Aug - 7 Oct 2020.                                Anna remains here in Ubon-Pakse for time beeing. When it becomes easier to travel into Thailand again, Anna will also come to Sweden for 2 months, later this autumn or at Christmas-New Year.

I (Ingvar) am praying I will be a blessing for all I meet in Sweden these coming 2 month.

                                                    You will come through stronger.

Be encouraged

We all need much encouragement. And these days the spirit of fear and “give-up” wants to take over. But remember that the the Grace of God and the Power of God is much greater.

Last Sunday I preached in Streams of Grace Church Ubon about God of all comfort.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil. For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Ps 23:4

Who comforts us in all our tribulation,  that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble,   with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.   2 Cor 1:4

Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 2 Cor 1:6

Anna and I have moved from House 7, Soi 12 Chayangkun Road to a cheaper house with a big garden next to the Church. This will be open for people who wants to do Kitchen Gardening.

We are encouraged to see the growth in both Child Safe Community Foundation and Streams of Grace Church.

Last weekend we had good meetings but the camera where missing a spare part, so we could not broadcast Facebook Live. Hope we can be up and running with this coming weekend.

Be encouraged this week by:

                       we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble,

             with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.   

This is amasing. I am comforted by God and can give the samd to others .. in any trouble. 

We must say that we are missing visitors to Ubon-Pakse these days. Many use to come around and ..... want to see the work. This is always encouraging. Pray that many will start coming again. 

Ingvar(Fred)

Have a blessed growing week

The CHILD SAFE is indeed busy these days with helping teenagers to start school. Maaaany 13-15 years old teens here in Isaan and Laos wants to continue to study, but are told by relatives to stop school and start to work in order to earn money for the family. Like this girl. 

Last Sunday we were blessed here in Streams of Grace Church Ubon with good worship, good spititual food and good fellowship. 

After 48 minutes it was a brief power cut, so the service has 2 wideo parts.
Check (48min) https://www.facebook.com/105962137720294/videos/2370909006535130
Check (41min) https://www.facebook.com/105962137720294/videos/280565516617074

Let the small seed be planted - grow - bear much fruit.

I am happy for God`s presence in the Church but also ouyt there.... on the motorcycle or wherever we go. The other day the Lord spoke to me clearly on the MC: Love the sheep. 

Over the years, it is so easy to start prioritizing the "tools" such as buildings, offices, titles, activities, programs, methods ... etc more than Jesus and the people.

“Tools” are good and needed, but they should never become No. 1. Let us learn that when we have right priorities we can Grow at the right pace and in the right direction. 

Let us in Life's Tough School, 
1. not skip elementary school and think that when I am 20 years old I can take a quick course and… make big money.

2. not skip working on the grass roots, on the "floor" and think that I quickly can become a leader. Too many new missionaries think they can be leaders without first working "down there" in the mud, with the little seeds. 

As a missionary, I cannot come with a ready-made mission model that will quickly give revival. From time to time we must be prepared for RESET. A local indian leader said to us many years ago: Come down to us and together we go up.

My Learning Experience is that only when we prioritize Jesus and loving the Sheep (=stay with them) the Kingdom of God will grow fastest. The small local seeds will be big local plants.
        And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; 
       and the sheep follows him, for they know his voice.

       The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

       And being found in appearance as a man, He humble Himself and become obedient to         the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Have a blessed week together with many local small seeds.

Ingvar (Fred)