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