In the previous blog I mentioned how God interrupts in the inopportune times. Now I want to share with you all one of those times which happen to be about 3 weeks ago. It was our “adventure week” which in terms is a week that we have the chance to rest and participate in various activities in Banos, Ecuador.
Upon our second day of arrival in Banos our team had adventure out into the city to explore. Through mid-day around 1:00 p.m. the Lord interrupted our day when we encounter Joseph in the Catholic church. After hearing his story he asked if we could pray for his back which had been causing him pain. He showed us his medication that he had been taking for the past month. So we laid hands on Joseph praying that God would heal his back. He gazed at us and said that he felt a little better but not much. We prayed one more time and received the same statement that it felt better but not fully healed. We told Joseph that no matter healed or not that God still loved him.
The next day we headed into the city for coffee but before reaching our destination Joseph approached us with a huge smile on his face. At first we were shocked as to why he had such a thriving spirit that day. He says “friends thank you for your prayers because this morning I woke up and my back wasn’t hurting.” He showed us his backpack where he had the medication stashed and said I don’t need it no more so I threw it away. To even take it a step further he began bending up and down to exemplify that he was healed. As we rejoiced with Joseph that day our faith even grew bolder for him and within ourselves. But that was not going to be the last time that we saw Joseph.
From that day forward we encounter Joseph several times through out our stay in Ecuador. However, God interrupted our day with even a bigger challenge. One day Joseph came to the city garden to worship with us and through our conversation he mentioned how he was moving into the mountains because the guy that he was staying with kicked him out. Our team decided to buy him supplies such as a hammer, machete, nails, etc. But God didn’t stop there, see the next day was a big adventure day for several us. We had plan to go white water rafting and repelling but God began to work on my heart asking me to sacrifice my day for Joseph.
And being vulnerable I didn’t want to… I had already made plans with my squad to be adventurous with them that day and have a good time. Though God was saying “Fabian will you go an extra mile for the kingdom.” As my flesh was rejecting the truth, my spirit was aching at my heart. After wrestling with my flesh I decided to be obedient to what God was asking. That next day I left Banos to help Joseph establish his new home in the mountains. It was one of the best decisions that I had ever made because God showed me what the kingdom of God is about. Many times it takes Him interrupting our lives so that he can show us greater things that we wouldn’t see in the ordinary day of our lives. What are you allowing God to interrupt in your life?
(Praying for Joseph at the church)
(Purchasing supplies for his new home)
