Our team stood in the narrow dirt streets of the refugee camp where about 3,000 families live who lost practically everything they had in the storm. It was our first day of ministry. We gathered in prayer and time of silence to listen to where God wanted us to go. I felt God saying to me GREEN. Well…that’s kinda weird, maybe it’s me, maybe it’s Him. I shared it with the group and we just went with it. Immediately we saw a lady in a bright lime green shirt. That’s her! Let’s go!
Her name is Elena. We talked with her and her daughters. They told us their story. Her oldest daughter, Maria Isabel seemed sad when we first started talking. I occasionally looked over and smiled at her and she smiled back. We heard their story of the earthquake and began to build a relationship with them. Soon, we prayed and continued on our way. As we turned the corner away from their home Maria Isabel and her sister came running after us filled with joy and laughter. They invited us over to have dinner with them the next day! How exciting.
As we continued, Caroline started talking with a little girl named Rosario who told us about her Grandma who lived in a GREEN house. We had to go! So she took us and introduced us to Natividad, her Grandma who has poor vision, little hearing and is hunched over. What a sweet Spanish lady. We didn’t talk with her much at first because she could barely hear. Our translator literally had to yell in her ear for her to understand. We laid our hands on her and began to pray for healing. My body felt tingly God was totally there in that room with us. After praying we said our goodbyes and continued…
As we roamed the streets of this little town a lady came running up to us and asked if we pray for sick people. Of course we do. Let’s go! Half of us went with her but only for a few steps until their was screaming, panic, tears, and pain. She ran into someone who had told her her sister had just died! All of us went running down the street to Lordes’ home, who had just died. How do we pray in a situation like this? Do we pray for her to come back to life, for peace for the family…I don’t know. My heart broke. We gathered together and prayed, prayed, prayed. We praised God in this storm. His love is beyond amazing. That day we were God’s angels surrounding their home with His peace and love!
This is only day 1. (This is from Jan 8, 08 I was waiting on pics…didn’t make it but soon on their way!) Just a taste of what we will experience this year. Praise God for great opportunities for ministry like these! Obviously, it is no coincidence, he is preparing us to be used, to heal the sick, and simply reign down His love this entire year. Praise God.
Stay tuned…
LOVE!
