Springtime!

Don't you just love this time of year??? After a long winter the sun shows its pretty warm face again and we all want to be outside all day. Today was such a day... The only thing was that I had alot of work to do on my computer, so I took my laptop and went to our little sunroom at the back of the house, sat there, in the sun, laptop in my lap and could actually get alot of work done!!!

It was actually Maria Amritzer's idea that we should fix the porch, paint and clean it so we could use it the months before and after summer when it's a little too cold to sit outside. THANK YOU MARIA FOR HELPING ME GET THIS DONE!!! We took one afternoon when she was here a couple of weeks ago and painted, cleaned and put some patio furniture in there. Last time she was here we had some landscaping done in the yard - she's amazing! I learn so much from her all the time, her patience, love and down to earth mentality is so wonderful. Maria - I love you and I'm so thankful for the days we had together!!!

Spring - I love you too :)!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 3:50 PM

Haiti

I am now in Haiti scouting for a festival we want to conduct here later in the fall of 2010. We were talking and praying about this before the earthquake shook on January 12th. Being here I sense the heart of God for this nation. Reading statistics this nation seems Christian but after spending a few days here and talking to a local pastor I quickly realize that this people needs the light of Jesus to shine in their lives. It is unfortunate to see how the Catholic church has embraced the voodoo practices and how it is now one and the same.
Talking to my new friend Pastor Hudson, I have come to know that evangelistic events used to be come in Haiti but now they are rare. He caught the vision for a signs & wonders festival straight away. He believes that now is the time for Haiti. So do I. The people here are hungry for hope and meaning and only our wonderful Jesus can give them that.
It is very possible that this will turn into one of our larger events. The hunger for God is so real in this place and after the earthquake people are beginning to question voodoo like never before. People are already coming to Jesus in great numbers and the churches are increasing in size.
Cap Haitien is situated on the northern coast and was not affected by the earthquake. However, the days following the disaster, thousands came daily to find shelter in this city. The greater Cap Haitien area has a population of 1 million people and there are people everywhere.


We have driven around the city in search of good potential locations for the event and we have found several. The best, is a national soccer stadium dead center of down town. However since the earthquake, the sports administration have had to rearrange their schedules and are not sure that this venue will be available. We are going to apply for it and pray that God clears a week in October on the schedule, so that we can have the festival right there.


Otherwise there are several other options that we are looking into. Please join me in prayer that the stadium will be available. God many times in His word says for us to ASK OF HIM and that is what we are doing now. God give us the stadium in October!

See You soon! Published: By: The Almqvists - 2:40 PM

Motherhood

Watched such a great movie tonight; Motherhood!!! I recognized so many of the scenes and it was just hillarious and thought-worthy. A great movie for mothers of preschoolers!!!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 10:11 PM

The Power of Love

Love ya! Love u... I love you... How many times do we say, e-mail and text this every day? Love is a powerful thing, real love that comes from the heart can accomplish anything. Unselfish, sacrificing, deep and true... Love...

This morning I read this passage in the Bible;

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Cor 13:1-8

If I have and can do all these great things mentioned above, but don't have love for the people around me or God, it's worth nothing. Love is a powerful thing!

Love on the people you meet today, go that extra mile for someone, give that extra smile or hug, give someone a gift. Everyone needs love!

The greatest example we have in doing this is our Master Jesus! He went all the way and spared nothing, and because of Him and His love for us, we too can love others...

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 12:07 PM