Greetings from Okeechobee, FL

27 November 2014

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since I wrote and updated my website. Actually it is only 19 days since I wrote and then we were in Galveston, Texas and we had the first day for the Music for the Soul stage at the Lone Star Rally. It sure was a blessing as it brought several ministries together and the word that was spoken out over all ministries was UNITY and it sure hit the head of the nail. I am actually quite amazed over how the whole stage came through, it was totally one of these "God things" that God was orchestrating. Still there were lots of tension in the air as one of the biggest christian motorcycle organisations did what they could to stop us from serving christian music to the bikers. It breaks my heart every time I see things like this when christians are not united and one in our Lord Jesus Christ. To be honest it does not matter what it says on the backs of our vests, how big our organisation is or how many members we have. All that matters is that we are right with God in our heart and open minded and willing to serve side by side. No matter what it says on our back we are ALL Ambassadors For Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:20). We had a great time at the rally and me and Garry did play for thousands of people who walked by the Ambassadors For Jesus Christ stand for four days. I don't know how many sets per day we did but we sure got to play and sing and it was a great blessing. People stopped to listen to the music and as we are singing the word of God we can count on that seeds were planted.

After the Lone Star Rally we had two alcohol- & drug rehab places where we ministered and people were touched and we saw people give their lives to the Lord, Jesus Christ. We had an awesome time in these places and I pray that God will open more doors so we can minister to more people in need.

The last night in Texas we all went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. This is a little bit of a tradition and we all had a great time. The following day my daughter Jennifer and her boyfriend Samu flew home and me and Garry started our journey in our van towards Florida. We drove through Louisiana and slept one night in Mississippi. From Mississippi we entered Alabama and finally Florida where we had our first meeting at Heaven´s Way Biker Church, Saturday, November 15th and it sure was a blessed night.

From Cottondale we drove to Jacksonville, FL where we spent two nights. There we hooked up with our old friend Dave Hlubek, the founder and guitar player of Molly Hatchet. We entered a studio that his brother Paul Axtell had hooked us up with and it sure was a blessing to meet Mike, his family and Dave played a solo on the song "How Great Thou Art" that is going to be on my next album.

From Jacksonville we drove south to Ormond Beach where we checked in at another Scottish Inn's, a cheap way to get a room while on the road, not the best but still a roof over our heads. The following day we had a meeting at Set Free Church in Daytona Beach and we had a blessed night. We also made connections with new friends and now the Ambassadors For Jesus Christ Hot Rod & Racing Team have new members and our US head quarters are in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. This is very exciting but I will come back to all this later.

From Daytona Beach, we drove to Okeechobee, Florida and Fountain of Life Church. Friday night we rehearsed with the different musicians and on Saturday, November 22nd it was time for the second annual Car & Bike show at Fountain of Life Church. It was a wonderful day and it did not rain. Many nice cars and bikes and many more wonderful people. We played at the stage during the day and at night we had the rock and blues concert inside the church. We played some of my songs together with Skip Frye on guitar and Scott Hazen on drums before Jimmie Bratcher did a fantastic concert. Bratcher was backed up by Skip Frye (guitar), Garry Nutt (Bass) and Scott Hazen on drums. The night ended in an explosion when Dave Hlubek, founder and guitarist of Molly Hatchet joined us on stage together with his brother Paul Axtell from the Second Shot band from Jacksonville. It was a wonderful day and night and many people who does not come to church came this day and they got to hear the word of God from people who necessary did not look like the ordinary "Sunday christians".

On Sunday morning we did some praise and worship and Jimmie Bratcher gave a fantastic sermon and message.

Monday we visited the Real Life Childrens Ranch here in Okeechobee and we spoke to many children in need. They promised to never ever have bad thoughts about themselves and never ever try drugs or alcohol. It is important to tell the young ones about the dangers and point the way towards the cross. It was a great night in great company.

Yesterday me and Garry did three songs live and a short interview as we were recording for a program for TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network). Felt great to be there and we also made new connections.

Today I have been off and I kinda understand one of the reasons why God has called me to USA during November and parts of December and again in March. It makes the dark winter shorter for me and to be honest with you all I used to get depressed every year when it got dark. Now without me planning it I see the pattern and how much God cares about all of us. Not only that I get to have more of the sun, I also get to serve the Son over here and there is a huge difference in what takes place while I am over here than for example in my home country Finland. I believe people have so much different thoughts about my past back in Finland while people elsewhere are more open minded and receiving the message that has absolutely nothing to do with me. It is all a message about God's amazing grace and how Jesus dragged me up from the horrible pit of destruction.

I have now been away from home for 26 days and again I want to be honest and say that I miss my family very much. At the same time I can see the same pattern that God blessed me with a understanding and loving wife WAY before I even believed in anything. He knew already then that I needed just her and nobody else. As I am writing this I am thousands of miles apart from my wife and my family but still they are as involved in this ministry as I am as they not only allow me to do what I am doing, they also stand behind me. I am not sure where the dogs are in this case but I know they will be happy when I come home December 10th.

As every trip over here this has been a wonderful trip so far and I am just amazed over how God is opening doors and bringing this ministry from a level to another. Today I have a day off and I am sure going to take it easy and relax. I might not be physically in the best shape of my life but if you ask me if I ever felt this good in my entire life the answer will be NO! It is all about Jesus and to be able to serve Him is still something that blows my mind away and that is a good thing as He lives in our heart and that is the voice we should listen to more than our old mind. He will renew our mindset daily and give us wisdom in ALL situations. I just feel so blessed right now for having a wonderful family at home, a wonderful church at home and a wonderful church over here. All this something I could never ever have believed could happen. Again it is all about Jesus!

Fundraising & Needs

Before this trip we set up a fundrasing page at Indiegogo and our goal was to raise 6000 US dollars before this trip to cover the six week long missions trip. We managed to raise 75 US dollars during the fundraising campaigna and God has been faithful so we have survived. Thank you all who have partnered and supported us. Where ever we go, we do not ask for money. What we do we do for the Lord and for His Kingdom. We are still in need of donations so if YOU feel led to give a donation to Mission America 2014 check the donation details on the right side navigation bar on this page. As always God loves a cheerful giver but most important of all is if you all could remember us in your prayers as they are needed. I am excited and I know this will be a blessed trip.

Of course we have done a daily video blog as usual and you can check us out day by day HERE!

Love you all!

God Bless!

Pontus