To our disapointment we did not get any coffee on the plane between Vasa and Helsinki but we managed to stay in a good mood anyway. They told us that they had some problems with the water on board. At the airport in Helsinki we were told that our next flight to Gothenburg was late and we were already in a tight time schedule as our meeting in Borås started at 8pm. The flights went good and we got picked up at the airport and taken safetly to Borås to the Salvation Army café in the middle of the town where I ones again got an opportunity to speak about the great things JESUS have done in my life. As there were many young people I was excited as GOD has putted the youth on my heart. I met some new really cool brothers and sisters in the Lord and we had an awesome night.
After the meeting we were taken to Gothenburg to a ship where we were going to stay. I had only heard about "Betelskeppet" before and about the man behind it, Jukka Mäkikangas. The ship is an old ship from the 60:s that was dragged all the way from Finland to Gothenburg in 2005 to be a home for alcoholics, drug addicts and homeless people. All people working on the ship are Christian and I got to experience the presence and love of GOD onboard during our stay.
Captain Jukka Mäkikangas, a completely new connection to be gave me much this weekend. I could see JESUS in his eyes and feel the love of GOD in his heart. I wish there would be more Christians like this brother around. His heart for the Lost is big and I guess it is because of that HE has the heart of GOD. He used to be on the streets himself 17 years ago and also he has an awesome testimony about GODS amazing grace.
It was a great priviledge to stay in the captains cabin on board and hang out with the interns. So many people in desperate need of help and here they really get everything they need for a new start in their lifes. I was lucky as I got to pray the sinners prayer one day with a man on board and being able to take someone to the cross is just GODS grace. It felt good and I know why GOD sent us there. It was party in heaven and I am still so amazed that GOD wants to use someone like me. It is all about HIM and not about us.
On saturday night I was speaking at a meeting in the finnish pentecostal chruch in Gothenburg and I was glad to hook up with my brother Henrik Börjeson who played the harp on a few of my songs. A wonderful brother in the Lord that I met last year during the summer retreat with Church on Wheels at the castle in Bjärka-Säby, Sweden.
Sunday morning we held one more meeting before we were scheduled to fly home to Finland. Meanwhile a summercamp for youth from Stockholm, Borås, Trollhättan and Gothenburg started outside town and I thank GOD for those people who listened to GOD and blessed us with new tickets home to Vasa two days later than scheduled. Ones again I got to tell the young people about JESUS and what HE have done in my life and tell them about all the dangers I have been through. I am really blessed! I love the young people and I do not want them to do the same mistakes that I did when I was young. It is wonderful to see so many young people open they hearts for JESUS.
During this camp I ones again got to serve the Lord with probably the best youth pastor in the world, Reijo Tiainen. The youth loves him even if he is 57 years old. I am looking forward to serve the Lord together with him in the future as well as returning to the Betelship later this year. GOD is opening new doors and showing me new things in HIS Kingdom. I am thankful for another great weekend on the road for JESUS together with my son.
Upcoming stuff
Today me and my youngest daughter are heading to Sideby, around 100 km south of Vasa. Again GOD have opened a door for me to speak at a summer camp for the youth.
On sunday I will give my testimony at a meeting with Vaasan Kansanlähetys in Huutoniemen Kirkko in Vasa before I take one week off together with my family. After the midsummer holliday I have one more meeting together with Vaasan Kansanlähetys during their summer conference in Rewell Center june 28th.
June 29th me and Sebastian are going out on the roads with our Harley Davidson for three weeks. We are heading south again and we are going to the Church on Wheels summer retreat at Bjärka-Säby. During the road we will stop here and there and tell people we meet about Jesus. More meetings are coming up in Finland during this trip. In july we will be in Kiikoinen for one night before we hook up with our brothers and sisters in Gospel Riders and Preacher MC for their summer meet in Posio, northern Finland.
Being on the road is not like being in a church. We are financially strugglig and YOU can help us out during these three weeks on the roads. I pray you all will have a blessed summer.
Love and respect!
Pontus J. Back
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