Week in review..

Last FRIDAY here on Africa’s Horn… as the sun began to set for the evening, disciples rolled into our compound to the smell of fire and sizzling goat and ox. Church of Joy had a barbeque! Samuel and Philip built the pit and cooked 7 kilos of meat for a traditional dish of Ethiopia “tibs” eaten with injera and dabo (flat, sour, spongy-ish pancakes and bread). Kati made popcorn.. I made the aninas juice.. the big red carpet, mats and pillows were laid out under the stars.. and then we ate to our stomach’s delight while enjoying the sweetest fellowship under heaven.

When our plates were empty once again, Samuel gave a short salvation message and Mohammed shared some scriptures about the promises of God. The night we had been praying and preparing for was a HUGE success! Thanks Jesus!

After our church family returned to their homes, our own family laid out on the popcorn-infested mats and starred at the diamond stars with smiles on our lips, until our eyelids could no longer keep themselves opened. What a night!

Swedes, Ethiopians, Norwegians, American... my family :)

SATURDAY in Shewaber… was remarkable. Maja and I planted a women’s house church last week among our new-saved and not-so-new-saved disciples. We gather in one woman’s house that sits in the heart of the city, feed each other rice and bread with our fingers, sing mesmor to Jesus, read the word, pray.. it’s phenomenal. This week Maja shared an incredible word about being chosen by God. God has created this house church to be such a safe pl

ace for these women. Many are coming from muslim families, are poor, alone, young mothers… but when we gather together as sisters in Christ, there is a strength that manifests in ways we never could have arranged on our own. The freedom of God broke out this week too! We were dancing, jumping, shouting and singing at the top of our lungs… loving on our Jesus together. Wow..

At the same time our church was gathered, the boys were mee

ting on the other side of the city with a men’s house church. It’s amazing to know that Jesus is being preached in many places all at once… Harar is sandwiched with Holy Spirit on Saturday nights!

When we returned home again, Samuel led the team in a time of prayer, blessing and communion together. What a special kiss from God this night turned out to be for us all. I’m madly in love with my Harar family. Thank you Jesus for putting me here. We are pioneers, warriors, brothers and sisters… sharing life together with Holy Spirit as we usher the Kingdom of God to Africa, “experience” fikas, play soccer, lay under stars, study Amheric.. wow wow..

SUNDAY morning in Church of Joy… was indescribable! There was such a spirit of excitement and anticipation before the service started. We are an international church-- which proved itself true this week as we gathered Ethiopians, Somalis, Swedish, Dutch, Indian and an American(ME)! Kati and Maja opened the morning with a dance, then we worshiped.. Kati also created a new drama about the battle for our souls between satan and God. Every arm was filled with goose bumps when the music ended… Holy Spirit was speaking strongly to our hearts… the stage was set for Samuel to share a salvation message. One man responded with the most genuine of hearts.. receiving the gift of Jesus for the first time!!! Then Ashagre preached about Holy Spirit!

POWERFUL! At the end we received the third offering toward our first keyboard in Church of Joy! The spirit of poverty is being broken in this region!!! We are proclaiming the standard of God’s kingdom over our Ethiopian kingdom.. one of blessing and abundance!! Hallelujah!

MONDAY… was our free day. Free days are simply adventure days in disguise. During breakfast, the guys and I decided that we would go to Jijiga. Within the hour we were packed into a minibus and on our way through the mountains and dusty streets.. headed toward Somali’s border.

Erik and Philip.. by minibus..

Somali hut

What a special land I’m living in.. here in the Eastern part of Africa. The people are stunning, the strongholds are thick, but the breakthrough anointing of the cross is invincible. We ALWAYS have the VICTORY!

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY morning this week all began with team prayer and strategic vision planning… we are getting ready for a big reveal this Sunday in Church of Joy! Log on soon to hear more…

Me and Samuel in Jijiga

Baptism!

It's been another fantastic week in Ethiopia! Many have received Jesus for the first time.. and we even planted a new women's house church! Holy Spirit is up to some big things here on Africa's Horn.

Me and Philip at Diana's baptism!

I'm melting

The sky was a deep, dramatic gray yesterday afternoon. Actually, it’s been deep, dramatic grays at some point every day this week. I’m enjoying the rain. It’s soothing and refreshing… the air is cooler, the sandy streets are muddier and the dripping on our metal roof is like music at night. Two days ago, Samuel and I were taking a Bajaj (tiny cart/taxis that are opened on the sides) through the city and a fellow Bajaj passing on the left side splashed a muddy title wave all over Samuel’s body! (Just 10 seconds earlier he was bragging about how dry he was sitting between me and another girl.. haha) We felt like we were on a rollercoaster, knowing the water is about to drench us, but the slow motion of it all made it feel surreal. Mmm.. rainy days..

Sunday morning in Church of Joy was spectacular! Samuel preached about Holy Spirit, our Best Friend and Helper. Men gathered at the stage for the alter call with tears sneaking down their cheeks, experiencing the peaceful yet powerful presence of God. I cried too. There’s no greater gift than to witness someone having an encounter with the Savior.

After the service, Samuel surprised me with a trip to Dire Dawa for two nights. We stayed at a nice hotel, soaked up a little African sun by the pool, ate yummy food, watched “Remember the Titans” and “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” (strange combination I know.. but entertaining nonetheless) and then came home to Harar early yesterday morning. The team had already begun prayer together when we arrived… the perfect sound to come home to… shouts and cries in Holy Spirit! I’m excited for this new week!

The greatest people on the planet are living here at the base.. Maja, Kati, Phillip, Erik, Mohammed, Ashagre… Life’s Heroes!!!!!!

Maja in the walled city

Gorgeous Kati and the most precious boy

Erik and Phillip.. such big brothers to the nation of Ethiopia

My one and only…

Due to the lovely combination of gray clouds and water droplets, I’ve found myself obliged to study my Amheric as often as possible. The team has begun 3-4 months of language classes.. which upon completion.. will enable us to preach a basic salvation/baptism message and talk with people more sufficiently on the streets. I can’t wait! Pray for grace..

Feels more and more like I’m melting into this land and culture. Who knows.. maybe I’ll have a nice Ethiopian glow when I get back to America. That’s my prayer. To think, speak, walk and smell like the people groups we’re reaching out to here on Africa’s Horn.. while of course mirroring all I’ve seen in my Jesus.

Last night the Bibleschool students learned about evangelism with Mohammed while Ashagre taught a followup class of about 10 new believers down in the city. There is nothing like spending all your life on the work of the Kingdom! Maja and I will also be starting a new women's house church Saturday night!!!

This morning after Samuel led the team in an incredible time of prayer, we went out for a game of soccer.. despite Ashagre's viscious attempt to knock me out.. my team won!!! Woohoo! Life on Africa's Horn is the beeeest!

So.. as my body, speech and mind continues to melt into the Ethiopian way of life... my heart is melting as well. I'm utterly in love.

Miss you all in America and Sweden! Thank you for your prayers... you are treasures! Samuel and I love you with all our hearts!!!

Through my lense..

Strandbergs!


Precious kids in the walled city of Harar

Yesterday I met a new disciple in the city with one of our Biblestudents.. she was saved almost 2 weeks ago, baptized in water and is now just hungry for the things of God! We brought her to our compound and shared the gift of Holy Spirit with her! Hallelujah!

The weekend has begun here in Harar.. time for house churches, hanging out with the team, climbing mountains and gathering people for Church of Joy on Sunday!!

Two photos for now.. Ciao!

Greatest City on the Planet

Me and Samuel "In the beginning"... last year in Ethiopia :)

Harar, Ethiopia is the greatest city on the planet.. Im in love. The team here is breathtaking, the disciples priceless, the people groups stunning, the presence of Jesus is thick, Holy Spirit's sweet voice is constant and my husband is truly a prince..

Nothing compares to the life we get to live when we become consumed with chasing the Kingdom of Heaven on this earth. Nothing compares to the unconditional love we find in Jesus. Im madly in love with Him..

Sorry I haven't had any photos posted, it's hard to upload things on this African internet :) But believe me... my camera has hardly left my face! Coming soon...

I had an incredible week here on Africa's Horn. On Friday night we had a house church like none other I've ever experienced! 13 of us were squeezed together in a house the size of my closet in America! It was amazing!! We sang worship together, prayed in the Spirit and received an amazing word from Erik about the Word of God and the power it has to break condemnation over our lives. What an honor it is to live in the greatest city on the planet..

What a life!

Last night was amaaaaaazing!! I got to baptize my first Ethiopian disciple who was saved last weekend at the festival with Johannes. We built a baptismal tank inside our “Church of Joy” out of benches, a tarp and bricks. (Five people were baptized!)

Afterwards, I followed her home to meet her husband. As I walked the dusty red path, ducking beneath laundry that hung drying in the cool night air, to their one-room home.. I sensed the heavy spirits of violence, rage, addiction and fear. Her husband, who is muslim, sat on the floor drinking alcohol and chewing kat(the drug of Ethiopia). I was praying all night long for her protection. It’s such a challenge sometimes when women make the decision to follow Jesus and then have to face the possible abuse of their husbands.

The power of the cross breaks the darkness of the world every time we call upon the name of Jesus. What a promise!

After the baptism I left the team to go sit on the dusty road with two girls in the market. They were roasting corn over a little fire for 2 birr each(only a few cents)… we laughed, taught each other English/amheric, I invited them to church, told them stories… I left there late in the night smelling like sweat and smoke, completely eaten by flies with my clothes full of fire ants from sitting on the ground.. but I had the biggest smile on my face! I love being with the people and learning the culture.. hope I start looking a little bit more Ethiopian soon!

This morning the team gathered with our friend Jonatan Kvist for a time of sweet worship and refreshing from Holy Spirit. I am living together with the greatest people on the planet!!

Tonight Samuel will complete his teaching on Faith for the Bibleschool students. He is the greatest teacher in the world!!! (Puss Älskling!) There is such an electric anticipation in the air... for the Kingdom of Heaven to utterly invade this stunning land!