We need to be really careful about what we pray for – because God’s going to deliver on our requests, especially when we ask Him to show us His heart. When we press and plead on our faces to know His heartbeat – to know it intimately – He’s going to deliver on it. God wants us to know His heart! He wants us to beat passionately with the same people His heart beats passionately and recklessly for!
I asked God to show me His heart.
It’s been one of those things that I’ve been asking for daily, just on occasion stopping for a minute and saying a quick prayer, “just show me Your heart, Lord.” The other day I got on my face and just pleaded. I want to know His heart!
I just read this from Stephanie Pridgen who’s been serving down in Haiti for the last few months. I watched the short video clip and the end and crumpled in my chair. It’s a joyous thing! It’s a beautiful story of redemption! But my heart shattered. Boy did it shatter.
The only thing I kept hearing was: there are more like Evansbord in the world.
I wish I could put into words how I feel like my heart’s going to beat out of my chest. God will stop at nothing to give us a piece of Him, a piece of His passion… which is always His children (that includes us).
I don’t know exactly what we expected walking into his home, but I know that it wasn’t what we found. The tent seemed to exhale as we opened its door, and it expelled a torrent of heat as we entered. I could not begin to imagine staying inside these tarpaulin walls all day as sweat instantly formed against my skin; yet, this is Evansbord’s life everyday.
Evansbord was taken to a witch doctor at two months old. Before me was the result of this choice by his parents. He was lying on the tent floor, knees to his chest, feet crossed flat against himself; he has spent 15 years in this same position.
Aside from moving his arms, his head and a few grunts, Evansbord was immobile and mute. Little did he know how his life was about to change. Little did we know how our lives were about to change.
Evansbord’s home was destroyed in the earthquake; yet, he survived. He was discovered 24 hours later, surrounded by rubble but virtually unharmed.
This week, as we visited him and his family in the tent community, our hearts were burdened to see God move in his life. So the team prayed.
Daily, team members visited and spent time interceding for Evansbord. One participant, a physical therapist, examined him and said that physically there was no reason for him to be in such a condition. Diagnosis: It had to be spiritual.
Thursday, the team gathered and prayed… and prayed… and prayed. After hours of seeking God on behalf of this child and his family, the team retrieved a tarp, used water from their water bottles, and created a baptismal on the spot.
Friday morning, Evansbord was crawling. Friday afternoon, he was playing and throwing a ball.
He is a transformed boy, joyous and responsive. The entire community has witnessed this and been astounded.
Evansbord’s life is changed.
His family is changed.
His community is changed.
The team members are changed.
I am changed.
Below is a clip, taken by one of the participants, of Evansbord being baptized.
