God works from two ends...

In SOS we often talk about the fact that when God wants to get things done, he works from both ends. When God spoke to Moses in the burning bush he already knew what Moses' response would be so he had already nudged his brother Aaron to go meet with him. So when Moses began with his excuses God was not taken by surprise and neither did he have to think on the fly to put a new plan together.

No, he was working both ends at the same time.

As I have been travelling on my recon trips I have seen this to be true time and time again. And here is the most recent example...

Some time ago we asked out East Africa Director Bishop Glorious Shoo to recommend places for future festivals. When we received a list and began to prayerfully review it, one place in particular stood out - Antananarivo, Madagascar. In the fall of 2012 Glorious and I began to plan for a recon trip to this nation. It just happened that the best time for both of our schedules was this current week in Feb 2013.

Steep steps in "Tana"

 What we did not know then was that the Assemblies of God in Madagascar was planning for a seminar in early February. During this conference  God began to really challenge and push them to get back to evangelism in their nation. They all left the conference with a sense of urgency in this matter. At about the same time they get confirmation that a couple of representatives from Mission SOS, an evangelistic ministry, want to come and share about a possible festival in their nation. Can you imagine the joy that erupted after the conference and that our current visit came at the exact right time and became a confirmation of the challenge that God gave them just weeks prior to our arrival.

God is awesome.

Tomorrow Glorious and I will meet leaders from other denominations as well to share the vision with them. They have already been prepped by the AoG leadership and the federation of pastors in Antananarivo seem to all be onboard even before we have met with them.
It is time for Madagascar...

Northern part of Antananarivo "Tana"

Check back for more... Published: By: Anonymous - 12:57 PM

On my way to Madagascar ...

Sunday I left for an exciting recon trip - Madagascar. I am now sitting in a hotel lobby in Jo-burg, South Africa. There was a forced overnight. My flight leaves in the morning. As I have mentioned to people the destination of my trip I have for the most part seen the same reaction - almost each person has thought of a cartoon with the same name produced by Dream Works and then they have all begun to sing a certain song that was featured in the first installment of this cartoon.

I find it interesting how the world around us comes to influence the way we think and process information. Each one of us has a slightly different world view and at least part of it has been influenced by the community in which we have grown up. Stay with me...

If Dream Works had not made a movie called Madagascar then many people in the western hemisphere had not had a clue that this island nation exists. This is not just any island in the world. Madagascar is the forth largest island on planet earth after Greenland, Papua (or New Guinea), and Borneo and is the second largest island nation in the world after Indonesia. The first inhabitants came all the way from Borneo, in dug out logs. They then blended with people from mainland Africa and when the European colonial powers "took over" Africa, Madagascar was claimed by the French.

Because of its isolation as an island off the east coast of Africa, the animal and plant life is both unique and diverse. There are species here that can not be found elsewhere on the planet.
Since their independence from France in 1960, there has been little peace on the island. The last event was a coup d'etat in 2009 and since then the nation has been in utter and complete disarray and instability.

About half of the population are animists and ancestral worship is an important part of every day life. They even exhume their dead to honor them and carry them in processions through town before rewrapping them for a new burial. Muslims are trying to gain presence on the island. The church has in many places become syncretistic, ie they have blended their Biblical beliefs with old traditions.

This week I will be meeting with pastors, bishops and other church leaders in the capital Antananarivo to share about Mission SOS. Praying for devine connections to take place these coming days. Our East Africa Director Glorious Shoo will be with me as we plan for the future.

Pray for us this week!

C u soon! Published: By: Anonymous - 3:31 PM

Video fix

Sorry guys... just realized that the videos that I posted yesterday did not work. They are now fixed, so enjoy...

/Peter Published: By: The Almqvists - 2:20 AM

Highlights

Through all my travels, and I do travel a lot, I have come to realize the importance of enjoying life. This morning before lunch I had some time to stroll through down town Dar, even though it is 35C (95F) today. I came by this new cafe and stepped inside and bought myself a cappuccino and savored the moment...




This past Sunday I was asked to preach at a church in the so called slums of Mwanza. Bishop Lameck Nkumba has become a good friend. He asked me to preach twice, once at 9am and then a second time at 4pm. After preaching the first service where 4 people gave their lives to Jesus an evangelist took stage and preached for well over an hour. We left for lunch around 2pm. When we returned around 5 the church was still semi packed. This service 6 responded and received salvation. Highlights indeed!

Another highlights when I receive a short video with one of the kids from home. I love it. Enjoy life with me for a couple of minutes...

This trip has been highly productive. I have worked o no reparations for three festivals for next year. Meet with central committees, entire organizing committees, shared words of encouragement and been in budget crunching meetings for hours on end.

I love my job! Preparing to reach the unreached around the globe with the best message their is. Could it be any better. Soon we will again be on the harvest field!

You want to join forces and be an SOS Ally? Let me know and we can talk. Would love to connect.

C u soon again!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Dar-es-Salaam, TZ

Published: By: The Almqvists - 6:06 AM

Happy Fathers Day Sam and Kenneth!

It’s Father’s Day in Sweden today and Peter and I want to say a couple of things about our dads. Our dads really deserve to be honored today. They have lived and live their lives solely to honor God and to build the best life possible for their families.

My dad, Kenneth, is a very practical, hands-on man. He’s strong and I don’t know if there’s anything really that he couldn't master if he put his mind to it J. Dad was called to the mission field when he was little; he’s a missionary, a pioneer and an apostle. He combines building churches, schools and clinics with preaching the gospel and winning the lost. He does what no-one else dares or wants to do. During the civil war in Liberia he still went back to finish the project he started before. The locals called him “Chuck Norris” because he did what nobody else dared… Despite all his sometimes “dangerous adventures” he still found time for us as kids and now as we are adults I can look back and say that dad, you have taught me so much, you are a role model to me and I love you so much!!! /Martina

My dad, Sam has always had a great big heart for people. He has taught me how to simply love people for who they are. It seems to not matter where in the world he is, he finds people to connect with and to love. This passion for people combined with his deep love for Jesus has taken him around the world. As a result I grew up in Pakistan. Yet with all his travels we always did things together as a family. Dad I love you and I'm proud to be your son. You have impacted and touched so many lives by simply being who you are. Thanks for teaching us to love Jesus and walk with Him daily. Dad may you continue endlessly to love people till the day Jesus takes you home and you finish your race strong! /Peter

We love you dad!

Published: By: The Almqvists - 8:11 AM

In Tanga

This is what I woke up this morning. Great view in between the rain showers.


Yesterday we invited all the bishops of Tanga to a meeting so I could share the vision first with the key leaders in the city.


We met for two hours an they were all so excited over what God wants to do in their city. It has now been over ten years since the last major citywide event took place.


Bishop Dedu was chosen as the committee chairman.

We all agreed that Usagara ground is the best place for the Signs & Wonders Festival in 2013.


Today we have a vision casting meeting with all the pastors in the city. And last night our East Africa Coordinator Bishop Glorious Shoo arrived and Pastor Huruma Nkone from Dar is on his way.

God is on the move all over Tanzania. I am sensing that god has chosen SOS as his tool to bring unity among church leaders in this nation.

Let us continue to follow the Holy Spirit in His endeavors for the Kingdom.

Stay tuned for more. C u soon again!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Published: By: The Almqvists - 2:45 AM

14 saved in Tanga

This morning I was asked to preached for Pastor Putaputa in TAG City Centre Church. What a wonderful church this is. I preached on knowing your identity and 14 precious souls accepted Jesus along with about 10 kids. God is on the move in Tanga.



After lunch Pastor Putaputa took me around to see some of the key leaders that we will meet tomorrow. Before heading back to my hotel we stopped by our potential festival site. Check it out:





God is on the move in Tanzania


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Published: By: The Almqvists - 9:40 AM