Let Us Be a Light Into the Darkness

 

God is daily bending me and teaching me. There was one weekend where I just felt numb and useless to the squad and useless to God. Then, one night some of the guys prayed over me. They started declaring in Jesus’ name that Satan’s lies would have no more effect on me.  Robert prayed and then told me the men weren’t leaving until we could tangibly feel God’s presence. We were going to sit on that rock and pray until I just felt completely filled with the Spirit… AND HE SHOWED UP. The Spirit just began consuming my thoughts and I physically felt him in my heart and in my bones. I have started walking in God’s truths and promises for me! 

 

God wants to use me because he is pleased with me. He is pleased with me because of Jesus. Nothing will ever change that. I am his beloved child! He desires to use me. I just need to be willing. 

 

Now there was so much spiritual warfare that month. It was not just in my life. There were bad dreams, poor attitudes, empty feelings, pains, sickness, doubts, and lies… BUT God is bigger than all of those. The devil may have some power but he has no authority. The authority lies with us. This past month we broke chains and sent the devil running all in the mighty name of JESUS. Many of you may feel like spiritual warfare isn’t real or it isn’t something that you deal with, but I tell you it is more real than face to face conversations you have with loved ones. Satan wants nothing more than to have you doubt and to weaken you. He wants to ruin you, but we don’t need to be afraid. Satan has no stronghold or foothold if you don’t give it to him.

 

Start reclaiming areas of your life today. You reading this, I declare in the name of Jesus that chains are broken, that truth is being restored, that you are feeling loved again. Cling to Jesus. Press in to him deeper than you ever have before.  He is waiting for you with open arms. He is pursuing you. There is always more. He is always more. He is more than enough. 

 

WHAT WE DID THERE…  

We were all paired with a child. I was paired with a boy named Phiwa. He was in third grade and loved playing soccer. We spent from about 4-5:30 pm with them. We either helped them with homework; or we just hung out with them and got to know them better. I loved just hanging out and playing soccer with him. That is how we built a connection. We were also doing various projects throughout the property. Some of those included digging a 12ft-12ft-10ft hole for a septic tank, painting walls and roofs of buildings, feeding pigs, cleaning up the property, putting up fence, and painting murals in the “baby house,” which is preschool and younger. 

 

WHERE MY FOCUS AND HEART WERE…

I spent a majority of my time in the baby house. While in there I became very attached to several children. The main child I became attached to was a little boy (the child in my FB profile picture). I have been asked not to include his name. On our first day there I noticed a little boy that never spoke or smiled. He appeared to be about 3 years old. He crawled into my lap and fell asleep. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. The next day I came back and he approached me again. Our contact said it was very good for him to experience a good and healthy touch from an adult male. She told me that he was actually 5 years old and just underdeveloped due to his past. She then continued to tell me his story of his past and how he ended up there. 

 

Just thinking about typing this my heart  breaks…

 

This child Musi and his 7 year old brother, Sakile,  were found just over 3 months ago. They were found hanging by their feet in a tree. They had been often sodomized, repeatedly beaten, and were covered in bite marks. All of this had been done by their father (yes even the bite marks) who was now on the run and hiding from the village and the police. This just completely broke my heart. How could anyone do this to poor innocent children? After hearing all of this and having Musi cling to me, I knew this was where I wanted to put my focus this month. I spent as much time as I possibly could in that house with him in my arms. I even skipped out on some of the service projects in order to be with him. Musi became my buddy and both my squadmates and other children knew that. I mean, it saddens me to think that I may really be the first man who has ever actually shown him love. I may be the first man to ever interact appropriately. I never yelled at him, touched him inappropriately, or hit him. Musi probably had no clue how to handle all of this. I often tried to tell him he was loved and that he was a good boy. I still don’t think I have completely processed his story or how he has impacted my life. It took a week before he would even smile, and another week before any of my squadmates could hold him. There was so much progress made. I do not know what memories this race has for me, but I do know that I will never forget him! Musi and his love help fuel me to carry the name of Jesus into the darkness. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like they are alone. Everyone should feel loved and appreciated.  

 

To the church…

We have no excuse. This injustice takes place every day and often closer to home than we may want to believe. We cannot sit and be silent. We are commanded to carry HOPE TO THE BROKEN, GRACE AND MERCY TO THE SHAMED, LOVE TO THE HURT, PEACE TO THE WEARY, and COMFORT TO THE LONELY!!! We are children of the light. Can we start living like it? We are to shine our light from our living rooms to the ends of the earth! Now, how will you begin? Prayer? Action? Support? WE cannot be silent. We have the authority over all schemes of the enemy. WE will never be separated from the love of our savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ! 

 

Please be praying for the spiritual, mental, and physical strength of my squad family. Scripture says that when we are weak then are we strong. God’s strength is enough so also pray that we just cling to Jesus. May we desire him more each day then we did the day before. 

 

Thank you for taking time to read this! May God bless you and guide you until next time!

 

– David