TODISTAJASPECIAL EDITION

A joint publication of the Finnish Pentecostal Churches in

Canada and in the United States of America.

Published 10 times a year.Publisher

MISSION PRESS SOCIETY1920 Argyle Drive,

Vancouver, BC V5P 2A8604 3210555 Fax.604 321 0555

E-mail: editor@todistaja.comEditor: Outi AlopaeusLayout: Keijo Sakara

Copyreading: Helena Rantanen,Terttu Karhinen

Anita Kuparinen

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y I S S U E

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todistaja

On my trip to Finland, I visited the home of my childhood friend, and had the pleasure of meeting his son and daughter-in-law, Juha and Roosa Kovistoinen. As we sat at the coffee table, I felt the prompting to interview them.

I first asked them to tell us a little about themselves.

Roosa: “I was born in Kihniö. My fa-mily consists of my father, mother and three big brothers. I studied to be a hai-rdresser in Seinäjoki, where I lived for three years, and then I moved back to Kihniö.”

Juha: “I have lived all my life in Kih-niö. I studied at a vocational school in Seinäjoki. Then, I went to the army and, while there, trained as a truck dri-ver. I got a job after the army and have worked 3 ½ years as a plumber.“

Juha and Roosa have attended the same church since childhood. It was during their years in the youth group that they got to know each other bet-ter. In the beginning of their unofficial courtship, they met secretly and dis-cussed whether or not they should con-tinue their relationship, while praying for God’s will to happen in their lives. Juha was confident right from the be-ginning, but Roosa went through a rol-ler coaster ride. They came to the point where they knew they had to make a decision, to either continue the rela-tionship, or end it. To make a long sto-ry short, their official courtship began in August 2010. They were engaged in June 2011 and married in February 2012.

I asked both of them how they came to faith in Christ?

Roosa: “I’ve been in a childlike faith

all my life. At the age of 12, I was at home, when suddenly I started to won-der if I would go to hell should I die; I wanted to go to heaven. I was not sure where I was going. I then asked my ol-der brother to pray for me. My brother

prayed for me and I knew my sins were forgiven. After that came the assurance that I am a child of God. Since then I have known that I am a Christian, alt-hough, sometimes stronger and someti-mes weaker. I am so grateful that I can

be a Christian today. I have seen how God has led me and taken good care of me. I will never give up the faith that I found.”

Juha: ”I do not remember any clear moment or a particular day when I would have made that decision. I have gone to church all my life, thanks to my parents. I believe that gave me a good grounding. At times I went wil-lingly and other times, not so willingly. I remember, during my teen years, my behaviour and my bad language was nothing to be proud of. I was still going to church, living a compromised life. It was later on that I made a more serious decision. I do know that I am a Christi-an and don’t ever want to give that up.”

Juha and Roosa are both very active-ly involved in the music ministry in their church. Juha also helps with a ministry for children, which takes place 6-8 ti-mes a year. It reaches out to the kids in the community, which Juha sees as being important. His passion comes through in his voice as he talks about this special mi-nistry. Both Juha and Roosa are also ex-cited about a coffee house for youth that is open every other Friday night. The eve-ning consists of singing, prayer and also sharing the gospel. Roosa mentions how they both feel an attack of the enemy, on their relationship, at times when they pre-pare to leave for the coffee house. “This is a clear indication that we are doing so-mething worthwhile”, Roosa says with a smile.

Juha declares he has seen God’s bles-sings and leading in his life. “Things have just fallen into place”, he says. His one regret is not being more open about his faith during his school years, although most of his friends knew that he was a Christian. Sometimes he has

Two Young “Evangelists”

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“And they lived happily ever af-ter.” Many fairy tales end with those words, and most little girls dream of living happily ever af-ter with their “Prince Charming” when they grow up. For me, that happily ever after included ha-

ving children one day. Then, when I was 14 years old, I found out that I couldn’t have kids of my own naturally and that dream was shattered. After a painful di-vorce, the prince charming part was shattered too.

Over time, God used the words of Isaiah 54 to begin putting the broken up pieces of those dreams back toget-her again. When I read “Sing, barren woman, you who have never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband” and “ for Your Maker is your husband – the Lord Al-mighty is his name”, I began to see that God wanted me to have those things that I had dreamed about since I was a little girl after all. In the years that have passed since, God has truly filled that place in my heart that was empty for a long time after my marriage broke up. The pla-ce that was meant to be filled by my “Prince” has been filled by the Prince of Peace himself! God has also filled that longing for a child. He has shown me that I could still be a “mother figure”, whether I am actually a mother or not. That’s

what that verse in Isaiah was talking about. God did not fill that longing for children in the way that I thought he would, but He did fill it. He has put a number of children and youth into my life that I have been able to pour love into, through different means at different times. I am especially thank-ful that he has given me a nephew and young cousin who I can love just as much as if they were my own. We of-ten have weekend visits, and I think I have just as much fun (or more!) than they do when we are together! God may not have made my little girl dreams a reality in the way I ex-pected, but He knew the deepest de-sires of my heart and out of His great love and grace, He fulfilled them…and they lived happily ever after. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13.

Anita Kuparinen

thought, if he could go back and do it differently, he would be bold and stand firm in his faith. “It should come so natu-rally if we are Christians”, says Juha. “I now have a job where I meet all kinds of people and have had opportunities to sha-re, which is definitely God’s leading.” Roosa’s prayer also is to be a light in her work pla-ce with her co-workers and the children with which she

works. She wants to bring the love of Jesus to them and to talk openly about what God has done in her own life. One of the children Roosa works with is very resistant to spiritu-al things. Roosa says: “I have almost laughed, that God has such a sense of humour, in gi-ving me the opportunity to speak into this child’s life.” During the interview it was very apparent that evangelism is a passion for both of them. Juha states humbly, that he doesn’t know how this has come about because he doesn’t

feel like an evangelist. But he does acknowledge that it has come from the Lord. Roosa admits that she doesn’t always have the strength to go to the coffee house on Friday nights, but after the evening is over, she is delighted, knowing she has had the opportunity to tell young people about Jesus.

Outi

Happily ever after

Continued From page 1

Two Young “Evangelists”

Anita with her nephew Nikolas.

Juha and Roosa Kovistoinen

The picture was taken on their trip to Vancouver last year.

A Note from the EditorSummer has finally arrived after an incre-dibly harsh winter for so many. It is also ”Father’s Day” this month so we want to wish all Fathers a very blessed day!!

This spring I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Finland, the country of my birth. I was so blessed to meet many wonderful people, young and old. I had an awesome opportunity to interview some of

them. One of the interviews is on the front page. I know you will be blessed as you get to know this young couple, Juha and Roosa Koivistoinen, who are so passionate about the Lord. Anita Kuparinen, one of our prolific writers, shares about her life in such a beautiful way. You will be touched by her transparency. Ann Laidlaw is a familiar face in our “Special Edition” and she has some profound advi-ce for all of us! Sam and Saara Leppänen tell about the exciting things happening in Tanzania. On the back page you will read about a wonderful project

called “Action Love”, written by Liisa Karjanlahti. The next Special Edition is coming in October. We would love for you to share your story with us, be it your personal testimony, a miracle in your life or a mission’s trip. If you would like to receive this FREE Special Edition through e-mail, please let us know. Have a wonderful summer and see you in October!

Outi Alopaeus editor@todistaja.com

Todistaja SPECIAL EDITION SE3

Life here in Bulamba, Tanzania is moving forward. The village itself is seeing quite a few exci-ting changes. We have seen the electric company come and start putting up poles, and unrolling spools of wire. Down close to Lake Victoria we can see another project that is in process. It looks like a large pump house and pi-ping. Water is coming to Bulam-ba. Just these two basic ameni-ties, that we in North America take for granted, will change the lives of many here.

Our Mwiseni church building project is also going very well. The trusses are up and the roof metal is almost finis-hed. The roofing will be in place for the weekend of April 6th. At least that is the plan as it is Nicholas’ last Sunday here, and the congregation is planning a goodbye party for him. Along with the farewell, there will also be an open-ing ceremony for the church building. Now that this church is almost finis-hed, we will begin the next church roo-fing project in a village called Kisorya. For many small village churches, there is usually enough funding for the walls,

but when it comes time for the roof, the funds run dry. The Kisorya church has been waiting for a roof for seven years. We are so blessed to be able to help in this way. After Kisorya, there are two more waiting. There are still unreached villages here on our peninsula. We are working with our pastors here to spread the Word of

God, and to be able to plant new chur-ches into these areas. Our own family has been seeing a bit of change as well. Nicholas, after being here for 18 months, is now mo-ving to Finland. He has been a real help in teaching the locals English, as well as providing training to a local worship leader. He will be missed, but we are excited to see how God will use him next!

Sam ja Saara Leppänen

Summer is often a time of renovation - a time when we take stock of the wear and tear on our home over the last year. But how often do we address the wear and tear on our spiritu-al ‘home’ – our heart?

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temp-le and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1 Co-rinthians 3:16 “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offe-ring spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). We know that first impressions matter. In fact, the real estate industry coined the term ‘Curb Appeal’ for houses on the market referring to what people see be-fore they ever go inside. The same can be said about our ‘spiritual house’. Even in the briefest encounter with us, others can see an image of tranquility and peace or a bitter and marred exterior.

Why Do Problems Develop?

Inattention: Our spiritual radar isn’t on. We don’t notice a problem. We get too busy. We are not alert to potential problems.

Complacency: We tolerate the first signs of sin or spiritual laziness by excusing it. We ignore the first sign of deterioration.

Inadequate Repairs: We don’t fix problems pro-

perly. We don’t give them the attention they need.

Break and Enter: We have an enemy who wants to ‘steal, kill and destroy’. Sometimes, Satan sneaks in and steals the Word of God from our hearts. He enters undetected and secures power over us by an unforgiving spirit or bitterness.

Renovation

Check Your Foundation The foundation/basement holds the resources of the entire workings of the house. If something goes wrong in the basement or the foundation is deteriorating, it affects everything upstairs as well. Our foundation is our relationship with God. If it isn’t built on Christ, nothing in our lives will have strength or stability. ”Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and mem-bers of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Improve security “Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world

and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11-12). Mistakenly, we sometimes direct our conflict to-wards ‘man’ instead of Satan. Forgive others. Don’t hold grudges. Love others as Christ loved you. This summer when you are making repairs to your home, make it a time to renovate your heart as well.

Ann Laidlaw

Extreme Makeover: “Home” Edition

Update from Bulamba

Saara and Sam

Todistaja SPECIAL EDITIONSE4

When Jarno Karjanlah-ti started working at 19Twenty Church four years ago, he wanted to know how he could get the church more in-volved in the commu-nity. ”We need to im-pact people around the church with the same compassion and love that Christ compels us with,” he stated. As he took walks around the

neighbourhood, he noti-ced that a number of schools were located near the church.

He remembered that seve-ral years before, an intern at the church made Christmas hampers for some families at David Thompson Secondary School. The names of these families were provided by a counsellor from the school. From there, he began to make connections with the counsellors and restarted the ’Christmas Hamper Pro-ject’. The first year was a suc-cess. Six hampers were pro-vided for families that nee-ded dry goods, turkeys and

fresh food. This first hamper project inspired three other volunteers to join him and form a group that they na-med “Action Love”. Their mission is to show love to the community and meet the needs of the people who need it the most, like Jesus did. Last year, the need for these hampers quadrupled in size, with 27 families re-questing help. The hamper

contents also quadrupled. They not only needed food, but clothes and toys as well. A very successful commu-nity Christmas dinner was also provided for the fami-lies with the help of church members, donors and volun-teers. The giving does not stop with Christmas hampers alone. “Action Love” also serves four families, as their ’sponsor families’, with rea-dy cooked meals and fresh groceries once a month. The volunteer group also has new hopes to be able to rai-se enough funds to sponsor some children to come to the church’s summer camp

this August, at UBC’s Loon Lake Forestry Research Centre. Vancouver living is ex-pensive. A new study from the Living Wage for Families Campaign shows that the minimum wage should be around $20.10 an hour. In reality the minimum wage is half of that. Many are living paycheque to paycheque, having difficulty getting by or starting new lives in this new country. Action Love wants to ’pay it forward’ to those peop-le who need it the most in the community and to be an active part in the legacy of South Vancouver. ”We have

a call to action, to impact the communities around us in the way that Christ did”, Jarno says. To do this, Acti-on Love needs help in pro-viding basic necessities for some of those in the com-munity. Things like cooking and delivering meals, and volunteers for other practical tasks. On Saturday, June 14th you’ll have an opportuni-ty to participate in Action Love’s “Family Fun Day”. This event will have a boun-cy castle, games and acti-vities for the children (and adults!), hot dogs and cotton candy and a yard sale. All proceeds will be forwarded to Action Love and its efforts to make a difference to our neighbours and friends here in South Vancouver. To contact Jarno Karjan-lahti or for more informati-on about 19Twenty Action Love, please check out the church’s website: 19twenty.org or come by and visit the church at 1920 Argyle Dri-ve.

Liisa Karjanlahtilkarjanlahti@gmail.com

Take Hold of Eternal Life

This column provides a brief overview

of God’s plan of salvation, and tells

you how to be a child of God.

1. Every human being is a sinner.

”For all have sinned, and the glory

of God” (Romans 3:23).

Sin condemns a person to eternal

punishment.

2. God loves you.

”For God so loved the world that He

gave His only begotten Son, that

whoever believes in him shall not perish

but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

3. Jesus is the only savior. ”Neither is

there salvation in any other, it has no

other name under heaven by which we

must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

4. You need to repent of your sins,

ask forgiveness and believe in Jesus’

atoning work on the cross, and personal-

ly accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and

Saviour. When you receive Jesus, you

become a child of God. ”But as many as

received him, to them gave he power to

become children of God, to those who

believe in His name” (John 1:12). This is

called new birth ”... Who is born again

from above, it can not see the kingdom

of God” (John 3:3).

5. Pray like this:

The Lord Jesus, I understand that I am

a sinner, and I believe that You died on

the cross for me. I would now like to

open the door to my heart and accept

you as my Savior and Lord. You control

everything ffrom now on and help me to

live according to Thy will.

If you prayed that prayer with a since-

re heart, you are now a child of God,

saved, and on your way to eternal life.

Paying it For ward

Liisa and Jarno Karjanlahti