My month in Estonia was one filled with prayer and spiritual warfare, but not in the way I expected.
If traveling has taught me anything, it is to be aware of the spiritual atmosphere everywhere I go. When we got to Estonia, there didn’t seem to be demonic forces to fight, or lots of witchcraft like there was in Africa. Actually, there didn’t seem to be much going on at all.
It felt….lifeless.
I thought, “Where is the hope and joy? Where is the laughter here? Why do people turn away in shock when I smile at them and say “tere” (hello) on the street?”
After being in Estonia for a few days feeling exhausted ALL the time, no matter HOW much the team slept, and not having the energy or enthusiasm to do much of anything, it hit me. The enemy wasn’t attacking people here in blatantly obvious ways; he was lulling people to sleep! It seemed as if a spell had been cast over Võru, Räpina, and basically everywhere we went in Estonia.
My first day in Võru, I got involved in the prayer ministry with the pastor of Elupuu Methodist Church. One person we prayed for was an elderly woman who lived by herself. Through tears, she shared with us how she was afraid to go near her bathtub, because every time she saw it, she thought about drowning herself in it. She was in so much pain; she thought she would be better off dead. My heart broke for this beautiful daughter of God, who didn’t know her own value. What an honor it was to pray for her, and see God free her from the Spirit of death and fill her with joy! Little did I know, this was just the beginning of the ministry I would be doing with people who were depressed or struggling with suicide in Estonia.
A few days later I shared my testimony at a youth group in a nearby town. One of the teenagers related to my past struggles with depression, cutting and suicide. This teen opened up and shared their personal struggles with the same things. I was privileged to share the hope of Christ with this teen, and the healing and joy I have received from Him in my own life, and we even prayed together!
As the month progressed, God brought more and more people into my path who were struggling with suicide. These men and women ranged from teenagers to adults, to the elderly. I got to share the love of God, encourage them, and speak life and truth into their lives, and see many set free!
I have never been more thankful for the struggles I have faced in my life. God is showing me that my testimony is powerful. He has brought me from death to life, and has given me the keys and authority to speak life into others, so the devil better pack up and leave because that is exactly what I’m going to do!
Let’s set people free!!
