Everywhere we looked were closed doors. We sought God’s face on what ministry He wanted us to do in between children’s camps and our first debrief. We had 3 solid ministry leads for this 10-day period. Yet God shut all those doors, directly answering our prayers for clear direction. Problem? No! God’s Sovereign and in control.
We felt God’s leading to stay at Alabanza for the 10-days to do ministry in the hospitals and nearby squatter’s camps. Our first day at the hospital, God shut another door. There’s an amazing women at the hospital who helps escort prayer warriors to the most needy patients… So we hear. But apparently ‘the right person’ wasn’t at the hospital when we were there. So red tape kept us from going into the hospital rooms. Is God still in control? Yes!
We prayed outside the hospital building, asking the Lord to bring peace to the patients, give them hope, and direct us. Then we saw a patient sitting on the bench outside and asked if we could pray with her; she said no. (We prayed for her in out hearts.) Sitting next to her, we saw a man waiting to be picked up from the hospital and asked if we could pray with him; he said yes. We prayed with him and gave him a note of encouragement that we had made the night before filled with Scripture. God touched this man—even after we left, I saw the man re-reading the card, eyes spilling over with tears.
Then the Lord led us to Christina. We were able to pray over her. She said she knew Christ. We were able to pray for her family to know God personally. Christina was waiting to go back to her new home—the local nursing home. She felt all alone, and asked that we would come visit her sometime. Yesterday (Thursday July 19, 2007) we were able to visit Christina. Some teammates were able to pray for other ladies. (Consider reading Sarah’s & Lauren’s blogs.) The Lord directed me to stick with Christina. Since her Bible was still at her other apartment, our South African friend Hugo and I were able to read passages from Genesis (her favorite). Then God lead me to encourage her that she never is alone, that the Lord is always with her. Also I was able to read some verses from Psalms to her (through Hugo, as Afrikaans is her native tongue). Christina thanked us for visiting and looked at peace when we left.
As we stay at Alabanza, we are also doing other ministries. Today we did make it to the hospital, praying with patients! So God opened that door for us to pray and share His Truth afterall! Also we are ministering through purchasing blankets and shoes (I will blog about this soon when it is complete!). We also have been able to help our friends at Alabanza with construction of a more suitable kitchen. Next week, we plan to share the Lord’s love and truth at nearby squatter’s camps.
As God closed many doors, He opened other doors that He wanted us to take. Please
pray that He continues to open and close doors, ministering for His glory. Yes, God is Sovereign. We trust His ways and timing.
