World Impact Ministries / Peter Youngren

Air travel can be stressful. Today was a day when everything had to work just right. First this morning at 6AM I had to convince British Airways in Helsinki, Finland [see yesterday’s blog] to check my luggage through to Karachi, Pakistan. This was quite a task since I am using three different airlines to get there and without being checked through I would never make my connection in London. The lady at the check-in counter assured me that this was ‘impossible’. Well, I kept firm and sure enough after some discussions my bag was checked all the way. That’s often how it is, with a little determination the “impossible” is possible after all.

I left Canada three days ago on my way to Pakistan. News of another bombing that killed 33 people dominated the news two days before I left. What drives this mission is to give everyone an opportunity for the Gospel. Yes, there are terrorists in Pakistan, but also millions of precious people hungry for Jesus.

On my way to Pakistan I took a detour, to visit Oulu in Finland, close to the Arctic circle. This is a thriving university city with a growing population. The Evangelical Free Church was celebrating its 125th anniversary, and had asked me to speak in four outreach services. The people were not focused on reminiscing about long ago “when God moved”, but keen on presenting Jesus to new people. The Saturday services were held in a concert hall to accommodate more people. I was amazed when I gave the invitation to receive Christ in the first service, it looked like about 25% of the people responded, and it continued like that meeting after meeting. When I gave the people opportunity to come to the microphone and honor Jesus for healings that had happened, many gave praise to God. It was quite a display of joy in conservative Finland, The second day he services were held in the church, and I’m happy the fire department didn’t check on us, because we were filled to way beyond the allowable capacity, including the church foyer.

The Maritime Provinces of Canada have always held a special place for me. It was there that I spent much of first five years in ministry going from town to town holding “revival meetings”, mostly in church auditoriums, but also in hockey arenas, tents and community halls. It has been a number of years since I was back there for any length of time, but last week we held series of rallies in most of the major cities. . .

My fall happened in a split second. In my last blog I commented on how spectacular the third night of our Kisumu Gospel Festival was. I couldn’t possibly describe all the glorious details of the testimonies of healings, salvation and freedom. There is one other small detail that I didn’t mention. At the end of the night I was engaged in a conversation with the Mayor of Kisumu, when Megen Thurber, head of our Media department, waved to let me know some people wanted to take our picture.

March 27, 2009
My last blog ended with my meeting at the home of Kenya’s Prime Minister, Raila Odinga. A lot has happened since.

March 24, 2009
The days go by quickly, and much happens in a short time. Here is a 20 hour segment that I just got to enjoy.

March 22, 2009
Good morning! I’m writing from the backseat of a car en route to western Kenya. Our Gospel Revolution Seminar has really brought a revelation of God’s grace to pastors. Last night’s closing session was attended by Kenya’s Vice President, Mysukha Kalonzo. Pastors from every district of Kenya, as well as Rwanda and Tanzania are reporting that their lives have been radically changed.

March 18, 2009
I’m in my room now recuperating from the morning sessions and getting ready for the evening at our Pastors’ Gospel Revolution Seminar in Nairobi. We have delegates from every district in Kenya, as well as Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Scott McIntyre from Celebration Bible College and Mary Felde from Oslo Christian Center are sharing in the teaching with me. When I say “recuperating” I don’t want you to think I’m sick. I inherited open pores genetically from my mom and grandfather, which means I perspire very easily; it really “pores” from me. When I preach in hot climates I get myself near dehydration after every session. So to recuperate is to fill up on H2O and get my electrolytes back; we have a lot do yet today.

March 16, 2009
After three wonderful services at the Celebration Church yesterday, I left for Africa at midnight. Now I have a seven hour layover in London, and, I must admit, I don’t think I will ever get fully adjusted to air-travel, security checks, lineups and your biological time-clock being turned upside down. I’ve found a quiet spot in a corner of Heathrow airport to try to sleep sitting in a chair: it’s not working very well. You can see the effect of the financial situation—-a lot less travelers than normal.