Love this Time of Year!!!

I absolutely love this time of year!!! All the preparations before Christmas, decorating our home, buying gifts, planning for the "perfect" Christmas Eve (that's when we do most of the celebrating, we just eat and rest on the 25th...) and the kids anxioulsy waiting for what's behind the all that wrapping paper??? It's almost sad when it's all over...

But then when you look up and ahead we have an entire new year ahead of us!!! 2010 hasn't yet begun and we don't know what those 365 days will hold, exciting exciting!!! What we do know is that the Holy Spirit has adventures that He wants to take us to, miracles that are waiting for us in this new year and that He has promised to be with us even the days that are tough and when unexpected things happen. We have such an awesome God! He is with us every step of the way, He promised never to leave, He is the God of joy, love, peace and miracles. He is faithful, He's our deliverer and Savior! He is Jesus, the Risen One, the Mighty One, the Beautiful One! Wow, how great to enter a new year with Him!!!

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Published: By: The Almqvists - 10:13 AM

A Friend For Life...

I just spent over 1,5 hour talking to one of my very best friends over skype... Marielle lives in Thailand and runs Mission SOS' base there together with her husband Per since 3 years back. Marielle is one of the sweetest, funniest, strongest and passionate women I know... She totally lives her life for Jesus, her family and the unreached in South East Asia. She planted a church inside the womens prison about 1,5 years ago and they have baptized so many women there. She constantly has stories to share how she stayed by a little sick baby boy's bed at the hospital all night since his mom couldn't be there because she was in prison, or how she took care of the abused woman that came to her door in the evening bleeding because her husband was beating her... Marielle has such passion and Christ-like love for people, she teaches me so much all the time. I haven't met her for 2 years now... oh I miss her...

My beautiful friend Marielle and her oldest son Noel

Years back we used to spend almost every waken hour together, we shared apartment, worked at the SOS office and travelled all over Sweden speaking on mission and preaching some as well. I love to listen to her! We've had so many crazy funny moment together while driving home at 2 am from a conference... Or watching our kids grow up. I love her so much and I am so blessed to have her in my life. While we were talking she had to run to get her youngest kid Melvin, a long snake had crawled into their yard so we had to end our conversation very fast!!!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 10:42 PM

Imagine Something Worse Than Having No Water...

On this trip I have been thinking a whole lot on the situation in Same. There is such a great need of the Gospel among the Pare People. I have met with several pastors but they represent very few believers. The churches among the Pare People are very small in size. The greater part of this people adhere either to Islam, or they belong to the SDA (that is the Seventh Day Adventists, I know very little about them, think I have to do some reading up on them when I get home) or they have animistic beliefs. Statistically they are just over 600,000 in number and that just confirms the need of the Gospel to break through in their region.


That I know will happen and I also know that we, Mission SOS will be a part of that equation. God has planned something great for the Pare People and their time for salvation has come. On this I have sensed the favor of God on everything that we have worked with. Every meeting with pastors and church leaders has gone so smoothly and God has united people who have chosen to not work together in the past.

I sense history in the making as we begin to write HIS story among the Pare People.


Now back to my title for this entry. We all know that we as human beings need water to survive. We can go along time with out food but not so concerning water. Driving around Same I think I found something that in a way must be worse than not having water. In one of the suburbs, if you can even call it that, Masandare, there are three taps spread out for the public but they are only open twice a week for five hours each time. In the mean time, the tap has a pad lock. So, these people are in dire need of water and they can see the tap but is for the most part locked. That to me must be even harder than not having water at all...


Yesterday started early... We left for Same at 0600. We were scheduled to meet with a representative for the District Commissioner (DC). We arrived in Same early and were invited for tea at the house of a pastor that we had not yet met. It turned out that he is the Bishop over the region for one of the denominations. There had been some church politics in the past that had led to him not wanting to be a part of the fellowship. But after tea at his home, he gladly welcomed us to Same and vowed to be a part of the festival committee and work for the event. God just performed another miracle in front of our eyes.

Then it happened. As we arrive at the place for our meeting with the government official, Pastor Shoo's phone rings and a man at the other end asks where we are. Why are you not here at the DC's office? He has been waiting since this morning for you. (We had the evening before been told that the DC would not be available since he was out of town...)

We quickly drove up to his office and waited for the meeting he was in to end. When it did we were welcomed in. There was the DC himself along with the DED - the District Executive Director, the Administrative Director, the Intelligence Officer and a technical water engineer. Until the day before these people had all been unavailable. But again, God turned things in our favor.

The DC welcomed us and said that they would support us in any way possible and that we should just let his office know and he would take of business for us. WOW! It was an intense morning but it is always interesting to walk with God!

C U soon! Published: By: The Almqvists - 7:09 AM

An African Experience and Jesus as the Healer...

Yes, this weekend I had a great African experience. I was invited to attend a wedding. It was two of Pastor Glorious co-workers, one pastor and one accountant, that were to be wedded. When we got to the church there was another wedding taking place and then before the one we were to attend, there was one more scheduled... so I got to see three ceremonies in one afternoon. It turned out to be a loooonnnnggg afternoon that ended sometime at night after a great reception dinner.


Then on Sunday I was invited first to preach at Pastor Glorious church International Christian Community (ICC) Church. Their first service is at 7am and usually has the highest attendance. This Sunday morning they suffered badly due to the wedding the previous evening. But God had given me a word for the church and His Spirit ministered to the people that had gathered.

After a cup of morning tea, I was taken to El-Shaddai church where I was to preach for the second time this morning (keep in mind that it is not 10am yet). There were no non-believers present and when I made my second invitation an elderly man, probably in his seventies came to the front. I asked him what his need was and he said that he had suffered from very bad eyesight for almost a year. I laid my hands on him and command life to return and a healing to take place. He then said that something happened and that he now could see some light. I continued with my translator to pray a second time and when asked, he was shining like a sun because now he could see. HALLELUJAH!


King Jesus still has one more move left. It doesn't matter what life throughs at you or where you may find yourself, it may even seem like you are at check mate and that the devil has you squared away in a corner. But please remember that the King still has one more move...

This morning me and Pastor Glorious met with the regional church leaders here in Moshi and shared the vision collectively with them. After talking for about an hour and a half the chairman for the Pentecostal pastors in Kilimanjaro Region turns to me and says that we will now make this our mission and in whatever way that they can be of assistance that we should let them know through Pastor Glorious.

I tell you my friend that God is up to something great here in Tanzania and specifically in Same next year. I can sense it in everything that we do. The favor of God is here is such an awesome way.

Thanks for praying for me...

God is so GOOD!

C U soon again! Published: By: The Almqvists - 10:22 AM

Writing Church History...

Back in Moshi, I now have access to the Internet again. The past couple of days have been so interesting. Just sitting back in the midst of activity, to watch God at work is phenomenal. On Wednesday we, Pastor Glorious Shoo and myself drove down to Same to meet some pastors to simply share the vision of what we want to achieve in Same next year.

One of the local pastors in Same, Pastor Charles Hangi had invited pastors from all the denominations and gathered were 18 pastors. Pastor Shoo and myself shared how God had connected us and how He had spoken about Same. They were all excited to hear our plans and invited us to their region.

We also had time to drive around in Same to get acquainted with the town and the surrounding areas. We found a football (soccer) pitch that will be a great site for the festival. It is located next to a market place and close to the main road that passes through Same. This will make it easily accessible and a well known place that people will find with ease.




When then had to return to Moshi for the night since we had an early morning meeting with the Regional Commissioner (read Governor). She is a Member of Parliament and appointed to this position by the President. Madame Mbega was very happy to hear our plans of both bringing the Gospel to Same as well as bring water to the people. She confirmed that there is a great need of water in the Same region. Again we saw the favor of God ahead of us.

More than once on this trip, Pastor Shoo and myself have looked at each other in amazement if how God's favor is working on our behalf. After lunch we headed back to Same for a meeting with the Lutheran Bishop in the region. We meet him over dinner and he was at first a bit hesitant and wanted to meet again to discuss this and try to create unity among the leaders before making this public. But then it happened... the Holy Spirit took over and worked in his heart. All of a sudden he says several times: "I am convinced that this is a good thing" and in doing so welcomed us to the region and opened up his churches to be a part of the event. God is so faithful...

This morning we drove out to one of the wards outside the town, where the need of water is very real. They have taps on a government pipe line but they are pad locked and only opened for five hours twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays from 7am - 1pm. We saw people come with their buckets to buy water at the tap. This morning however there were less people than usual because it had rained some the past few days. The people gather the rain water so that they do not have to buy water. Even if the water is cheap, for someone that has no money, they choose to drink the not so clean rain water.

We then returned to Same to meet with the District Executive Director (DED). We managed to set up a meeting with the District Commissioner, DED, and the Water Engineer for Tuesday next week. God is really using this water well project to open up doors. Everyone that we have talked to so far all confirm that water is the greatest need in the Same district.

We will bring in water but then like Jesus we will offer them the water of Life that will be like a fountain of life, rushing forth on the inside and they will thirst no more. Jesus meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well speaks to strongly into this region. THE WATER OF LIFE THAT QUENCHES ALL THIRST IS ABOUT TO BE POURED OUT IN A DRY LAND.

Before returning to Moshi, we again met with the pastors and formed an organizing committee that will work with the preparations for the festival. They have never been part of a project of this size and magnitude so please PRAY FOR THEM. We will also make sure that we bring in some leaders that Pastor Shoo recommends. They will bring in wisdom and well needed guidance.



WOW what a week so far... Tomorrow I get to attend a Tanzania wedding, perhaps three...

Check back soon for more from the Field General...

C U soon! Published: By: The Almqvists - 1:59 PM

Spectacular morning view...

I arrived in Tanzania late last night and it was pitch black, just the way Africa is after sunset. My friend Pastor Glorious Shoo and his wife Josephine met me at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drove me to my hotel in Moshi. So I knew where I was, but when driving in pitch black darkness it is hard to keep your directions straight all the time. So when I went to bed after traveling for over 24 hours, I crash quickly. Then this morning it happened. I woke up with sun rays filling my room through the gaps in the drapes. As I pull the drapes apart I am met by this spectacular view. I see Mt Kilimanjaro in all is splendor and stand in awe of God's creation. (Yes, I took this photo myself...)


God had given me a word this morning for Pastor Glorious staff: depend on the Anointing! Be like the wise virgins in Matt 25 who brought extra oil. Carry the anointing into every situation!

Today has been full of miracles and Divine encounters. I have today had the privilege to sit down with regional leaders from the main denominations in Tanzania and after briefly sharing God's vision for Same, they all welcomed us with open hands and wished us peace in our preparations. They all echoed the fact that Same is a dry place - both spiritually and physically. So when I mentioned that we are not only bring the Gospel of Jesus to the Pare people but that we are planning to dig water wells, they all got excited.

I strongly believe that God is up to something great in this region! I sense his favor in a strong way over the preparations, that have barely begun...

Tomorrow morning I will get up early and together with Pastor Glorious drive down to Same... I can not wait!

C U soon again! Published: By: The Almqvists - 2:14 PM

Open Your Eyes

Last week was a busy week, but oh so great! I met so many new, wonderful people, moms at Josefina's friends birthday party, people at the outreach down at Southside here in Pittsburgh etc... have you noticed that if we just take a moment and open our eyes there are so many great people all around us!!! I absolutely fell in love with a very special group of people last week... Our students at MCM Ministry School - oh they are so wonderful, fun, eager to learn, passionate, so in love with Jesus and the list could go on... When I was teaching them on Friday I just felt that they entered into my heart like never before. I just know that so many of them will do great things for Jesus!

So, Peter left for Tanzania yesterday and should be landing at Kilmajaro Airport anytime now. He will be in the town of Same for 10 days to koordinate our Signs & Wonders Festival that Mission SOS is arranging there in May next year. I am so proud of him!!! Michael and Josefina asked me yesterday; "is he gonna be there all alone? No one there to help him?" And I said, "Yes, isn't your daddy the best, that he can do that all alone???" (Well, he's not alone, the Holy Spirit is with him, but not any human being...) And they were very proud of their dad. They can't wait to go there in May!

I have to run now, have to wake Lucas up and go pick up Josefina at school. Remember; open your eyes today and see all the incredible people around you!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 9:27 PM

Walking in Authority

Thought that is was about time to blog again. My beautiful wife Martina is so much better at this than I am...

Yesterday I read Kenneth E Hagin's book The Believer's Authority. WOW what a great book, filled with revelation from the Word.

Imagine that we can walk in the same Authority that Jesus did when he walked the earth 2000 years ago. When Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus, he tells them that we are seated with Christ (the Anointed One and His anointing) in the heavenly realms and that Christ himself is seated on the right hand of the Father in heaven.


When studying history, we see that the right hand of the throne was the position of delegated authority in a Kingdom. God the Father has delegated his Authority to Jesus and by seating us with him in the heavenly realms, he has delegated that same Authority to us as believers.

If we would simply grasp this simple, yet profound fact, our lives would change for all eternity. I can influence my situation and people within my reach by acting on the Authority delegated to me through Jesus. I can take command of a situation in the spirit and know that the situation will change accordingly because the devil trembles when he hears the Name of Jesus used in Authority.

We are supposed to influence our society, community and surroundings by walking in the Authority given to us.

Read the Word, meditate on the Word, eat the Word, digest the Word, get intimate with the Word - then the Word becomes like an nondetachable part of your body. That is when the revelation comes alive in you and you will then walk in that God given Authority and begin changing the world. Published: By: The Almqvists - 11:20 AM

Day Off and Do Your Best!

Yesterday we had a great day off, got some work done around the house, ran in our neighborhood and then went to the Mall with Nina! The evening was spent with Nina, Rebecca, Peter and Johannes at our house, pizza, Austrian cards and a movie... Wonderful!

Today as I'm back here at the office I'm thinking and meditating on "doing your best" a little bit. You know, there's such a joy in doing your very best and laying down that extra little effort into every day work. Then the every day work suddenly becomes something special and not so "every day"... Does this make sense? The Bible says: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men... Col 3:23. Whether you are working at a department store, a bank, a hospital, a church or are out as a missionary, always work at it with all your heart. You are working for the Lord, not men.

A couple of weeks ago I was getting ready to start a bigger project and I just didn't feel like it at all... A good friend that was here visiting then said: Martina; think about the thousands of dollars that this might generate for the unreached people groups! And when I did that, it suddenly wasn't boring anymore... Whatever you do, do it with excellence as you are serving the Lord. Everything we do in Mission SOS all comes down to this:

This is why we keep on going, there's a world dying without Jesus and the love for Jesus and these people is what keeps me going; and guess what? It's a fabulous life!!!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 9:47 AM

Laughing is Good for You!

This afternoon I just had to watch some Brian Regan clips on Youtube... Enjoy!



/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 3:29 PM

New Video!

Mission SOS in 150 sec from Mission SOS on Vimeo.

Published: By: The Almqvists - 10:40 AM

Cowboy, Cowgirl and Froggy

Today the kid's school celebrated Halloween and Michael and Josefina decided to be cowboy and cowgirl. So here they are...



And then we have little froggy as well :).

Published: By: The Almqvists - 4:19 PM

What we Live for

This is what we live for, this is why Mission SOS exist, to help reach these 2 billion people that have never heard the wonderful gospel of Jesus... This is why we have SOS Mission Bible College and MCM Ministry School, to train, equip and send out missionaries to these people groups. That's why we have mission bases, mission offices and the church in Stockholm - so that we can do everything we can to reach and see these precious people saved from an eternal hell... I am so grateful to be part of such a wonderful comission - wow, Jesus is soon to return!

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:49 PM

My Weird "Passions"

I have two weird, yeah, I guess you can call them passions in life... (I have more, but these are the REALLY weird ones!!!) One is doing laundry - this gives me many mommy pionts - and the other is mowing our lawn... And today was a big day for me, we bought a brand new lawn mower :)!!! So, as Peter was making dinner, I was out enjoying the sound and the works of my new little toy!

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 9:28 PM

Awesome People!

This afternoon we had some awesome people over for coffee and "fika" (that's coffee with something, in this case the traditional Swedish "kladdkaka": goey chocolate cake!). Some of the students from last year's class at MCM Ministry School, Colby Harris, Paul Pindroh, Sarah Graefe, Joy Lemmer and Melanie Morrow, it was so good to re-connect, catch up and talk missions and the future. Some of them are getting ready to out as missionaries to Thailand and Ethiopia and some will help us here at the US office. All of them are so dedicated and on fire to serve God, wherever He leads them. Peter and I are so proud of them and just know that they will be greatly used by the Holy Spirit. I am excited to see what the Lord will do through them!!!

Joy helped us all summer by looking after our house and feeding our 6th family member, Buddy. We got her a hammock so she'll get some rest now:).

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 8:30 PM

Happy in Your Calling!

Yesterday as I was driving home from the gym I was thinking a little bit on God's calling on a person's life and what a joy it is to find that you are right in the middle of what He has called you to do. Sometimes we make this such a complicated thing, what has God called me to do? I must say that Peter and I feel that we are right in bulls eye with what God has called us to do - and we couldn't be more content or happy. God has not called us to be any of the ministry gifts, He has called us to be ministers of help, and in our case this is to help and serve our leaders, Johannes and Maria Amritzer. We feel such a joy and completeness (is that even a word???) in serving them, they are our leaders, we are submitted to them and are under their authority and also under their anointing.

Johannes and Maria - we love you!!!

It is such an honor to be under such wonderful leaders, Johannes and Maria have taught me everything I know about living as a disciple to Jesus... I am so thankful for all the early prayer hours in their kitchen, all the times they have counseled me and given me advice on different stuff. All the crazy and good times we have had together and the way that they live close to their coworkers!!!

I couldn't be happier with my life really, I know what I am called to do... Maybe you are not called to be one of the ministry gifts, maybe you are called to be an accountant, a nurse, a carpenter or have your own company, then do that 110%, serve Jesus in that particular place and feel the joy of the Lord come over you in knowing that you are in the right place, doing what God wants you to.

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 2:14 PM

Home Sweet Home...

So, we finally got our visa and could return to the US!!! After 5 months of moving 13 times and living out of our suitcases it was sooooooooooo good to unpack yesterday! Everything happened very fast, we got our passports in the mail on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning we left Stockholm after spending the night (2 hours of sleep :)) at Ylva and Tommy's house since they live so close to the airport. We were picked up at Newark and then drove to Gettysburg and spent the night there before continuing on to Pittsburgh on Thursday. It was almost surreal when we came to our house. It was so long since we were here, but at the same time it felt like we never left...

Nina had decorated our living room so that we would feel very welcome!!!

The past months have been challenging, but oh so good in many ways and it has been so great to have spent so much time with our SOS family. And yes - it really functions as a family - we have never lacked anything. We have always had some place to stay, someones car to drive, car seat for Lucas (thanks Hilda :)) and so many people to hang out with!!! A great big thank you to everyone that we have stayed with and everyone that have lended us stuff that we needed - you are the best family in the world!!!

This morning we realized that our house wasn't that baby proof that we thought - in an instanse Lucas had fallen all the way down the basement stairs and now has a bright blue bruise on his forehead... Tomorrow I'm heading to IKEA to buy baby gates!!!

I met the MCM students for the first time today at prayer school - such great people! I am excited to get to know each and every one and it will be so wonderful to see what the God has in store for them this year! This life we live is tremendous, faboulus and exciting!!! Thank you Jesus!

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:35 PM

Thankful for my Family and the Life we Live...

Josefina, Lucas and I have had wonderful days with my mom and dad, but tomorrow we head up to Stockholm again. Our visa papers should arrive in the mail tomorrow so hopefully we can schedule and interview at the US Embassy on Monday. Never know... I am really longing to come home now, looking forward to putting all our clothes back in their drawers again, looking forward to cleaning my house again etc :). Anyway, tonight I just wanted to say that I am so thankful for my family, Peter, Michael, Josefina, Lucas, mom, dad, my sister Helén, my brother Marcus, my SOS family... I feel so rich to have all these people around me that I love so much and that love me back. Wow, and just to think about the life God has given us. To be able to serve Him, love Him and see His kingdom grow! Wow, and wow again. God gives and gives again!

Here's to this day:



/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:49 PM

My Mom's House

Fotö IS beautiful!!!

Yesterday Josefina, Lucas and I took the train to my mom's house on the little island Fotö... Figured that since our visa papers are on their way now we will be leaving Sweden pretty soon and won't see my family for another year. On our way to the subway yesterday morning, Josefina and I were taking our sweet little time just to realize (when we were almost to pass the gates down to the tube) that I forgot our backpack in the apartment!!! (How absentminded can you become uh? Ha ha...) So we had to RUN back with stroller, baby Lucas, car seat and everything to get the bag, but we made it! Now we're here and Josefina is enjoying playing with all my little stuffed dogs that I had when I was little :).



We moved into Anna and Jonatan's new apartment last week, they just got the keys and were ready to move in after 9 months in suitcases, but let us stay there instead. What generous people! Anna and Jonatan; you guys are amazing in so many ways, we love you so much! BTW, their apartment is just a two minute walk from Stockholm's largest mall!!!



Oh oh. Lucas just woke up, have to go now!



/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 4:42 AM

Visa Papers Approved!!!

Today we got the fabulous news!!! Our visa papers are approved and we can return home in a couple of weeks!!! Thank you Jesus! It's been an interesting and really good summer for us here in Sweden. Helping out building SOS Church, getting to know alot of "new" SOS people (that have been in the organization for awhile, but that we didn't know), spending time with family and friends, being here for the church launch and much more. But, these last couple of weeks we've been homesick, I guess that's what you should feel when God has called you to be someplace else, so it's good. I have learned alot during this time (it's late so I'll post that some other time :)). But over all: God is faithful, He never gives up, He's the conqueror and ruler, He's the Great One, the One above all!!! Thank you God, and also...

Thank you Bruce Edwards at APC for working so hard helping us in this process. You're great and we love you!

So... America - here we come - again!!!

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:50 PM

Michael in Swedish School

So, today was the big day for Michael to start second grade in Sweden! He will be in the same class as Adam (Johannes and Maria's son) and he was so EXCITED this morning!!! Peter or I have to be there with though since he doesn't have insurance to be in a Swedish school, but they get off at 1 or 1.30 PM every day so it will work. It will be good for him to be in a regular school setting again, he needs that ;)!!! Here's a picture of his "new" school, hopefully we'll be back to his old school soon.


/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 4:59 AM

Homeschooling...

I never thought that I would be happy to look at homeschooling stuff online, but hey - you never know what happens in life! This said, as you know school started over a week ago in Pittsburgh and we are still here in Sweden, so I was beginning to start worrying about their learing and don't want them to fall way behind. So Shelley, (a great friend!!!) found this website www.edhelper.com and it was great! This afternoon Michael has been doing Math and reading (not done yet... but still...) and Josefina's been writing numbers. Thanks Shell - you're the best!!! We will be doing more stuff and Michael might be able to jump into Adam's class while we're here, but this is a start. I am gonna welcome that yellow school bus with a great big smile though when we get home :).

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 10:53 AM

Wha wha what a Weekend!!!

Today my thoughts have been mostly on what really took place this past weekend! It has been a historical weekend for Mission SOS in many ways. Saturday was THE DAY that we all had been working, sweating, crying, laughing and praying for, for so long. It was the day of the official Launch of SOS Church in Stockholm! The inauguration ceremony was wonderful, so many greetings from all over the world, Julia and her team sang, Linnea had written a new song specially for this special day, all the pastors held great speeches, everything covered in a thick anointing from the Holy Spirit. To be part of planting a new church is really something very huge, a new part of the body of Christ here on earth... I feel so blessed that we could be here in Stockholm and be part of this - it is huge - imagine that we are actually impacting the very capital city in our nation!!!

The release concert for Mission SOS festival CD yesterday was incredible!!! I cried through 95% of the songs, so many memories came up from where these songs were sung for the first time among unreached people groups in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Julia and Linnea and the rest of the musicians were excellent and the Holy Spirit spoke through each song. The joy almost lifted the roof off of "Nalen" where we were at! Wow I feel so proud to be a SOS soldier for Jesus - this is my family - this is my people - I love you to death!

So... We have been in Sweden all summer, we were able to help out build the church and be part of both the launch and the concert - one thing remains now - our VISAS back to the US!!! We believe that it is prime time for us to return to the States now - help us pray this visa in this week now. You can be sure to know when the answer of prayer comes - it will be posted very quickly right here!!! It's late and we have an early morning, so I'll see ya later.

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:55 PM

A Good Laugh goes a long way...

One of the biggest "gains" for me this summer is that I have gotten to know an amazing woman, we've been friends for a long time, but haven't really known each other that well, really... This summer we have stayed in their home three weeks, prayed, laughed, cried, painted the church, put in floors at the church and much more together!!!

She is amazing in many ways. She's one of the most generous people I know, she's always close to laughter, has the most open home I know and the biggest heart for people. She prays with people to salvation, healing, deliverance and baptism in the Holy Spirit in her house, and she has about 200 different coats :). I love her so much and I learn so much from her. Her name is Ylva Hamrén, and I am honored to know her!

Yesterday Ylva and I were making our way back to the church after running some errends... We were so tired and giggely (like only girls that are exhausted can be...) that we didn't really pay attention to where we were going. (Or I wasn't, since I was driving, ha ha) so... I just followed the car in front of me and after a couple of minutes we were in a little ally with only Police officers and Military people... It was such a little ally that it was hard to turn around quickly and the soldiers started looking at us strangely :). We laughed so hard, we were so misplaced, two moms in a purple minivan surrounded by soldiers and Police officers... A good laugh goes a long way!

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:48 AM

His Name is Jesus!!!

We came home late last night from the church and glory - the entire floor is done! Just a few small pieces at the end remains... As we were laying down the last pieces I was thinking of all the precious people that will walk on that floor, people that don't know Jesus, lonely, hurt people, people that have been trampled on that need to hear the Gospel about a loving and forgiving God. It's all about Jesus, it's all about giving what you once received. It's all about Jesus! He is the King of Glory, He deserves that we give our all, He gave His all, He deserves to be worshipped, honored and loved, He loved us when we were not lovable, He saved us, lifted us and gave us everything we need and more...



Jesus, You are the King of Glory and I love you!!!

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 2:29 AM

Vacation and Building the Church!

Last week we had vacation and decided to stay here in Stockholm to enjoy our beautiful capitol city and what it has to offer. So... We started off at "Skansen" (zoo with animals from Scandinavia). It was great and especially Josefina had a blast with all the animals (she loves anything on four legs!!!) Day number three we went to "Gröna Lund," (amusement park) and I had (I think) my first "close to death" experience. Peter lured me into trying the new ride Insane, and I'm telling you - that's exactly what it was!!! INSANE!!! Emma and I went up (two nervous wrecks) and Emma came down happy and I... Well, I am still here... Love "regular" rollercoasters, but this one? I don't know. We ended the week by going into the archipelago of Stockholm for a day - beautiful, peaceful and wonderful!

I'm telling you - insane!!!

Josefina and Klara in "free fall"

This week we've been at our new church almost every day building, painting, cleaning and today I learned to put in hardwood floors! Work work work but so fun fun fun! Ylva and I had a blast today as every piece of floor went down. There's still lots to do, but we're getting there!

Sarah wins prize for best shoes while painting!!!

We are still waiting on our visa papers to come through, but in the meantime life is full of great things to give your time to... A friend once said when someone asked him about what plan God had for his life; "I'll be somewhere in the world serving my God!" You gotta give your all nomatter where you are or what your circumstances are, you can always serve the Lord!

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:14 PM

Lucas is growing fast and learning new things everyday...

Published: By: The Almqvists - 4:55 PM

Kids Love Adventures!

Right now we have four popcorn eating kids in our living room (actually Daniel and Stephanie's living room...) watching Garfield. Johannes and Maria's kids, Adam and Alicia are spending the night and our kids have been waiting for them all day. These four kids have been almost everywhere together... They have been on 30 hour busrides in Ghana, been in the jungles of Uganda together, watched their dad's feed hyenas in Ethiopia and many more adventures. These kids love Jesus festivals and know the dramas and dances by heart, they love standing below the platform asking what miracles Jesus has performed tonight... I feel so priviledged to live the life God has given us in Mission SOS... I feel so rich and happy to be able to give our kids all these Jesus-adventures.

After a "mud-battle" in Namalu, Uganda

I grew up in Liberia, West Africa. My parents were missionaries, we lived way up in the jungle with no electricity and no running water... It was great, every day was an adventure! I didn't have all the toys that kids had at home, but I had everything I needed and could wish for. Life a s a missionary is the best you could wish for, and kids love adventures! Don't hesitate to come along with us on a missions adventure some time - if you have kids - they will love it!!!

Alicia and Josefina in a village in Thailand

Our Bible schools will start soon, if you want a life of adventures together with the Holy Spirit, learn to pray and live a life close to Jesus, learn to pray for the sick, preach and drive out demons - apply today! MCM Ministry School in Pittsburgh PA, USA or SOS Mission Bible College in Stockholm, Sweden. We are waiting, longing and praying for you! Published: By: The Almqvists - 2:26 PM

Church BBQ!

We just came home from a great Church BBQ by the water in Tullinge. Andreas and Emma Gustafsson had arranged everything and we had such a good time, everyone ate from everyone's basket (almost), it was great! In the middle of the bbq we all went down to the little beach and baptized our new found friend Bashar! This was the best moment tonight! Bashar buried his old life while curious Swedes (who had just come down to swim before bedtime) were watching wondering what this was all about... It was such a wonderful church-moment, we all love Bashar so much already!

Before we went home Lucas was given a cell phone to play with and it took him about 2 seconds before it entered his mouth, when it did it started palying this little tune...



We all though it was kinda funny since he was the only one there that this applied to...

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 4:58 PM

An Ordinary Day...

This is what you can call an extremely ordinary day (for me as a mom). Started off working a little bit by my computer, made lunch, did the dishes, some more work... Someone recognize the procedure??? I could just think of this as an ordinary, boring day, but then I would miss the fact that Lucas and I just shared an apple together and he was laughing his head off afterwards when mommy was goofing around with him... Or miss the fact the we all enjoyed ice cream with blueberries that Michael and Josefina picked yesterday down by the tennis court... You can miss so much if you don't pay attention to the details in "every day life". Is this an ordinary day? Yes! But it's still a great day with many great moments!!!



Have to go, have a diaper to change, laundry to fold and a house to clean :) life's great!

/Martina Published: By: The Almqvists - 10:42 AM

Greece!!!

Velingrad Signs & Wonders Festvival finished with a crescendo of salvation and healing miracles! Jesus has done so much this past week and I am so thankful that I got to go to Bulgaria. Read more about the last day at Johannes Amritzer's blog.

Yesterday was our day off and Linda, Annelie, Helena, the Johnsen and Edlund family took us to Greece and the Mediterranean!!! Wow - just the drive over the mountains was fabulous and well, I'll let these pics speak for themselves.

On our way, Lisa, Linda and Emma.

Quite a view...

Kavala

Lucas loved the beach!!!

We ended the day with seafood at the resautant just above the beach - wow wow wow!!!

Thank you so much for having me as your guest this week, wonderful Bulgaria base!!! I have learned so much from everyone of you guys, you are truly amazing, I have been so spoiled by everyone! I love you guys so much and am so happy and priviledged to be family with you!!!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:36 AM