We keep planting seeds!

We have some requests for the fall to return to Germany but in order to make it possible we need more bookings as it cost quite much just to get there and back. I would love to return and continue serving Jesus in that wonderful country. The period would be the later part of September and the first two weeks of October. If there are interests in bookings please contact our German office at contact@rockpastor.de

It felt good to come home and sleep in my own bed. It is always such a wonderful feeling to return home and know you are going to be home for some time. Happy to see my wife and the rest of the family, I continued with my walking and some of the days, when my wife was not working we walked together.

During the tour I decided to change boat and I made the deal while we were on the road, Not a good deal for me but I got rid of the big boat with all the extras I never used. I traded it to a smaller boat that is easier to handle and put in the water and take up when we leave for our tours. Also the fuel consumption is lower with this lighter boat.

First we had to mount off the engine on the old boat, before anything else. With Sebastians help we got everything done pretty smooth and now the boat is at the dock. I have not been out so much as I wanted as the fuel price is what it is right now and then it has been pretty windy. With the fuel prices and our finances I have to plan my trips and I have planned to days in our beautiful archipelago before we leave for our summer tour in Sweden.

We also did the yearly inspection on the bus and with a big vehicle it always means that it first has to visit the truck and trailer service for the brake adjustment and the legal documents for the inspection including emission control.

The bus passed the inspection without any issues and I asked the inspector what he thinks about the bus over all since I wanted to know as I plan to have our bus for some more years. He said that the bus is in good condition and we just keep taking good care of it we will be able to use this for a long time. I hope we can have it for many more years. The bus is such a blessing and it saves us money as well as lots of hassle while we are on the road.

Last Tuesday I had my first performance here in my home town Vasa in a long time. I don’t even remember when I had something around here. You don’t become a prophet in your hometown and there are many reasons why I don’t do much around here. One sad reason is jealousy amongst church leaders in the region and they feel competition. This is something I have a hard time to understand. Peoples salvation should be something we all put first before our own agendas. Well, anyway I have started to co-operate with the local Lutheran church where I am a member and this was our first step.

During the summer they organize ”Coffee in the park” outside the big church in the heart of the city. The very same church where me and my wife got married 33 years ago. It was pretty windy and chilly out but the sun was shining. We set up our mobile sound system in the park and I did a 45 minute set of music and testimony.

It actually felt good to do this and what made it more special to me was that my sister together with her kids took my mother there to listen. My daughter also came with her boyfriend. To me it was a good first start in our new relationship with the church and this fall we are taking next step. January 2:nd 2027 I have reserved the big church for my 20th anniversary concert. That is the time when I celebrate 20 years of sobriety with God’s help. Without God it would not have been possible and without Jesus stepping into my life I would not be here.

Last Sunday Sebastian asked me if we should try to get out on our bicycles. I was sceptic as I have found it very hard to ride a bicycle and the reasons are many. First of all I have a balance problem and it has felt awkward in the saddle. The other thing is that I have COPD from smoking for a long time of my life. Going uphills is too hard on my lungs. I decided to give it a try and we did 3,5 kilometers the first evening.

I decided to continue and last week we have done two rides per day and until now we are already up in 72 kilometers in less than one week. It actually feels very good as I have done so much walking so it got boring. I want to keep my body in shape and build up my condition. Bicycling is actually wonderful but I really need an electric bike to help with going uphills. I have written to some companies and suggested a deal where we would get two e-bikes and we would share our experience and fly their brand on the bus and of course on social media. Now I pray that it will become reality as for next tour I really need an e-bike as I want to do a ride every day but the places in Sweden has lots of hills and I can not see myself going up these hills with the old bike I have.

I have also been working in the studio with a couple of new songs for the coming album as well as the coming tour in Sweden. Drummer Lelle Törnqvist has done a great job behind the drums and Janne Hyöty has done the magic so I have a couple of new songs for the upcoming tour. Always nice to renew the setlist.

Eleven days from now we are leaving for Sweden. For at least 15 years now we have done a tour there every summer. I am looking forward to return to places like Mat & Nostalgi in Viksjö where we actually will spent quite much time. I am also going to be in the guitar store and that is such a great place to meet people and somehow most of the time it ends with a good discussion about Jesus and seeds are being planted. As previous summers we are also goingt to visit Arvika, Säffle and Hagfors. We have some new places and some new events as well as some open dates.

At the moment our financial situation is not what it should be. Everything is so much more expensive than a year ago. Diesel is more expensive than gasoline when it should be the other way around. Here we pay a tax on diesel vehicles because of diesel being cheaper than gasoline but even if it is the other way around now we still pay this tax. We need help to kick off this tour. We need to fill the tank and we need to book our ferry tickets to Sweden. I hate asking for money but my mentors have told me that I have to put it out and share the needs with you all. The details how you can help are down at this page under the tour dates.

I am looking forward to get back on the road as I want to encourage people who struggle in life to believe in Jesus. If Jesus could change my life He can do it in other people lives. I want to continue to see people surrender their lives to Jesus and I want to continue to hear stories about how Jesus is transforming lives. That what it is all about. Someone once told me about Jesus. First I rejected it but still those words were seeds planted in me. Most of the time we don’t see big harvests but we can always trust that seeds are planted and the Lord will water them so there can be a harvest.Sometimes it feels hard but after 18 years in full time ministry now I know that we have to plant seeds. One of the most important things we can do.

Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for our summer tour in Sweden.

God Bless You All!