The Amritzer's yard is full of picnic baskets, blankets, grills, children and some dogs... SOS Church is gathered for a Bar-B-Q party... Roughly 80 people roamed through the house and yard during the course of the evening... Food & fellowship to the music and rhythm of the Gypsy Kings, streaming out from the loudspeakers and the summer party feel is at its best... The kids run around in wild games and parents, singles, middle aged, all of different nationalities laugh and talk. Many have come to join our fellowship for the first time. Bashar from Irak, Terry from Great Britain, Finnish Swedes on vacation in Stockholm, all arrived through an invitation on Facebook, etc... Newly saved, seekers, Muslims, and self proclaimed atheists in a wonderful blend. We shout hooray for the newly weds Linda and Thomas Axelsson, who were married last Friday and my daughter Alicia (10 years) brought them a bouquet of summer flowers... We are happy for Emma and Stefan who are getting married on Friday as well as for one more that has decided to be baptized...
Maryam gets baptized...We read the Bible together in both Swedish and English about the fellowship of the first church. I then read a poem that newly saved Maryam wrote to God and then I baptize her (Maryam has only been saved for 3 weeks and is already writing poems to God!) In the sunset we share the Lord's communion in seven groups spread out across the yard and then we pray for each other – the presence of the Spirit is dense and His favor is tangible, it fills all and all... Bashar (with a Catholic background) decides to be baptized as an adult the next time we meet and another person finds the faith of their youth...
Communion...Many remain around the grills in the yard till past 11 pm, even though many have work the following day... Summer vacation can still be felt in both body and soul... Johannes, are you happy? That is just the beginning, my friend. I am thrilled! The summer of 09 is spelled harmony, new courage, and new work joy. The summer of 09 will always be the summer when we barley awake and stumbling gave birth to a new church in Stockholm. A church for all nations. The early church and the pulse from the Book of Acts. True family fellowship and quality of life... Thank you Jesus!
See Ya!
