11:47 AM
S squad has been hit with several illness since hitting the ground in India and Nepal. Some sinus infections, some tummy issues. People have been dodging in and out of pharmacies and clinics at much higher rates than my previous squads’ experiences.
With a background in nursing, I’ve been recommending antibiotics when necessary and promoting some of the visits to clinics and hospitals. With my understanding of God and then authority we carry, I’m also sick of it.
Along with seeing S squad battling our own sicknesses, I have also seen my squad mates stepping into authority that comes from walking with the Holy Spirit. I’m not at all sick about this.
With so many new experiences (some dark, some powerful, and some humbling) in month one of the race, I felt led to speak on spiritual gifts at our first squad debrief in a breakout session. There was no time to help the squad individually dive into their gifts, but rather our squad coach, Toni, and I led a discussion on what it looks like to encourage the Church to boldly walk in those gifts in which the Holy Spirit so freely gives us access.
Even when I myself don’t fully understand it all.
And even when I, myself, forget to trust what God can do.
But this is always going to be bigger than me.
Halfway into month two, S squad, overall, has already experienced so much of the Holy Spirit’s giftings. It is far beyond my comprehension and humbling to say the least. It is further confirmation that it will never be related to me. It is further confirmation that God is sovereign and true.
In India, we battled not against flesh and blood but with spirits of darkness. Squad mates experienced spiritual attacks of various kinds.
Nightmares were prayed over and the attacks of dreams stopped.
A squad mate experienced a heavy pressure on her chest at night preventing her from breathing well and silencing her. She was prayed over and it didn’t happen again.
Deliverances happened in the villages, as victory already claimed but the cross was declared.
Visions were given to teammates. Prophecies spoken out. Words of wisdom confirmed.
The gift of healing was seen as people boldly prayed in faith that God is able.
I watched a woman, bedridden for three days with IV fluids hanging from the window ledge, sit up with ease, to clasp the hands of two teammates who prayed healing over her. Unable to lift her head off of her pillow when we arrived, she sat up, turned and had tears in her eyes when the translator confirmed that she said the pain was gone from her abdomen. God is able.
And there are several other testimonies of God healing hurt backs, knees, and legs from our time in India.
Squad mates discovered their spiritual giftings of discernment, prophecy, healing, among many others and it all started with the gift of faith.
In those breakout sessions at debrief, Toni said something that echoes in my heart today.
It’s not about my faith. It’s not about my prayers. It’s not about my boldness.
I can move mountains with faith the size of a mustard seed. But it’s His faith.
It’s about the faith that comes from God. It’s a gift.
I’m seeing my Church step out in his faith. We’re following the Spirit and seeking out what the Father is doing. We’re looking at Christ as the example.
Last night, with four squad mates in a local hospital for some tummy issues, one of our mighty men went to the hospital to pray over our women. Leaving, he boldly proclaimed that they would be discharged by 11:47 AM.
I arrived to relieve my co-leader, Tammy from hospital duty around 10 am today to find that one was already set to leave. Three women left with IV fluids hanging.
At 11:47 AM exactly, a nurse was going over discharge paperwork for a second squad mate.
Some might say that’s coincidence.
But I never will.
That number wasn’t random last night. Not to God.
And it wasn’t a random choice by Jacob when he spoke that time out loud.
And today, it serves as confirmation of God’s goodness. And his promises. And that we, in all things, can walk in authority of the gifts He so freely gives.
11:47 AM
There are still two here, but we’re claiming their healing and arrival home today.
