Just Another "Magic" Monday...

When I came downstairs this morning I was met by a wonderful smell of coffee and breakfast was already on the table... Did Peter come home early? No, Josefina got up early and made me breakfast!!! So sweet. Later the same morning Michael looked up from reading and said "mom, I just love reading the Bible!" Wow, what great words to hear as a mom!!!

Later this afternoon as we were all in the car running errands and getting groceries, right between Aldis and Walmart, singing at the top of our voices to Jimmy Braxton's Bad Religion, I just realized that I am so rich, wow, what a life to live! Having the best husband in the world, the best kids, the best job, the best boss, yeah... And being a daughter to The King of Kings!!! Truly the best of everything!!!

I am very rich!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 4:35 PM

Back in Doha...

Just arrived in Doha, Qatar for an overnight stay, courtesy of Qatar Airways.

Friday turned out to be another interesting day full of adventure. Asokan and I woke up at 530. After showers, Bible reading and prayer, quick pack and breakfast, we headed for the airport. We arrived at 800. The place was deserted, let alone for the security personnel. But as we walked out from the hotel we walked into a wall - a wall of fog. Visibility was at less than 100 ft.

The weather did not clear up and we began to search for options... A SUV jeep parked outside seemed like a good options, so we talked to the check-in agent but were told that they would not cancel any tickets for complete refund until 1pm... in the mean time another passenger gave the SUV driver a higher bid and off they went...
Finally at 130pm we managed to get another vehicle, new but much smaller. A business man wanted to share the cost, so we agreed. By the time all three of us had received our refunds, the time was close to 3pm and we headed towards Kathmandu... We were held back by several roadside accidents and a major Hindu festival at a temple next the road, about midway... To cut the story short, we checked in at a hotel in Kathmandu at 130am...

But as Asokan and I look back at this trip we see God's hand all over this. How we were able to meet with pastors in each city we arrived in and how they cared for us was like we were traveling with Paul... This is the opportune time for Nepal. In the midst of political upset and instability, the Christians are at peace and they can work unhindered. Elections are scheduled for May this year, so this might be the last time for this nation. God is up to something big.

Butwal will never be the same again. They have never had an outdoor evangelistic event in the city and the churches are excited. The churches had planned for an event this past Christmas but had to postpone indefinitely due to a three day banda (strike) that took place on the planned date. The pastors now see this as the event and are so eager to work for its success.

Pray with me and believe God for a breakthrough in this dark place so bound by Hinduism and Buddhism. The light of Jesus needs to shine forth in this region of the world. Believe with me that we will see key miracles take place that will turn people to Jesus.

Again... pictures will come...

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

God is on the move...

Have had a couple of very interesting days here in Nepal. Last night we formed an organizing committe for Butwal Signs & Wonders Festival 2010. There has never been an evangelistic festival in the city of Butwal, with a population of 400,000. The pastors are very excited...

Today we continued with a meeting with the Chairman, coordinator and the treasurer. We crunched through financial matters and policies...

Today the city was closed due to a region wide strike, called a Banda. The entire city was shut down and people were just out walking the streets... Strande experience..

I will upload some pictures later on...

C U soon!

Published: By: The Almqvists - 7:30 AM

In Nepal - the land of the Himalayan Mountains

I left the US on Thursday for Nepal. I arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday afternoon and found out at the airport that there was to be a strike the following day. So when my friend and co-worker Asokan PK from India arrive 2.5 hours later we decided to make the 6 hour drive to Pokhara that evening. We met with a pastor that got us a taxi after we had chai at his home. We left Kathmandu just before 8 pm and did not arrive in Pokhara until 4am. It was an adventurous trip. The driver did a phenomenal job keeping us on the road and getting us to Pokhara safely.

In Pokhara we meet with key pastors on Sunday morning to share our plans and vision. They were thrilled and wanted to hear when we planned to come. When we shared our dates with them, they said that they had already committed to another event that same week and that they were very busy during the time from now until April and would not be able to do a good job. I like that kind of integrity - both keeping your word and being excellent in what you do...

So we siad that we would check our calendars and see when we could come back to Pokhara. Back at our guest hoiuse hotel we made plans to go south the following day to Butwal. So this morning we got on a bus and made our way south on yet another adventurous trip. A pastor meet us as we got of the bus and took us to a guest house. We will meet him in the morning and again share our vision... God is on the move...

I have heard about some exciting opeinings in the countries in this part of the world. Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar are on the verge to opening up. Help me pray for these nations as we scout out Nepal for another hit and run expedition this April!

C U Soon! Published: By: The Almqvists - 5:05 AM

Big Day for SOS USA!

Today was a big day for Mission SOS USA! As many of you now we have a Ministry School here in Pittsburgh that trains people for the mission field, either here in America or abroad among the unreached people groups. Each student have, after completed the one year training, opportunity to go our as a SOS missionary to one of our mission bases for at least 6 months. And so, today we prayed for, and "sent off" Paul Pindroh from the church here to our base in Thailand. Paul will be leaving on Friday and spend his next 6 months in the city of Khon Kaen, north eastern Thailand to be a a part of the SOS team there and work to reach Buddhists with the delivering Gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter and I are so proud of you Paul, we love you and will be praying for you like crazy!!!

Cullen Allen and Chris Griffin praying for Paul

We believe that this is just the beginning, many many more will go through the MCM Ministry School and later go off to the unreached peoples on a faith journey and adventure together with the Holy Spirit! Paul is the first one to go, but not the last... Peter and I are so thankful to the Lord to be able to be a part of this, this was a big day!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 8:43 PM

Just Love This One!!!

Published: By: The Almqvists - 8:53 PM

1st Birthday and a New Decade

Yesterday was quite a full day at our house. Lucas turned 1, so we celebrated him in the afternoon and then had some friends over for "New Years Eve Dinner." Here are some pics from Lucas' first birthday and the three giant snowmen that Michael and Josefina made in our backyard!!!

Happy New Year everyone!

/Martina

Published: By: The Almqvists - 10:51 AM