Too Much Wind to Coast

So here i am in month 11 country 12- theres constant talk about going home, our plans, what we’re excited about- it would be so easy to just coast through these last few days- but God doesnt work like that. Apparently His plans dont work around my meager 11 month commitment to him- and in everyone and everything He is working! So i thought id tell you guys about a few of the awesome times ive had lately in ministry-

 

The other night i had another cool first- Church on the water!!! We went to this small church that was built into a boat dock, there was a super sweet view all the way around. It was small but as the locals say “big in spirit.” There were boats all around it- apparently some of the people drove from little islands to come to church. The preacher was this older man that reminded me so much of the little old cowboys of Oklahoma- it made my heart happy. We prayed for freedom from lies for the church, led by Rachelle, and a
lot of the women broke down in tears as they proclaimed freedom from the
lies spoken over them.The people were so sweet, they even took us for a boat ride after church!  It was truly amazing.

 

 We’ve been working with a local church to raise money for the pastor- a member of his family was wrongfully accused and put in jail due to corruption- so we helped with a concert and a raffle. While selling tickets the other day Mary and i came across a man in the alley. He had an empty bottle of vodka in his pocket and was working on the bottle on the table- it was 11am. After a half-hearted attempt at selling a raffle ticket we got down to why we were really there- to pray for him. I asked if there was anything he needed for me to pray for and he said “everything.” (keep in mind this was all in Spanish- God gives me words when He wants to speak) I told the man that i was going to pray for freedom in his life, health in his body, and peace in his heart. He began to cry and said “yes peace in my heart.” We prayed fervently over him, and the darkness that was around him in that place, and then he asked me “why do you pray for me?” I told him that He was a son of God, and that we were family in Him- and that i cared. He couldnt hold back the tears as he held onto my hand. I asked him to come to church and he said “but this..” as he pointed to his half empty bottle. I told him it didnt matter- he could come with the bottle, that God would help him clean up- just to come. His eyes got so big and he said “really?!” Come to find out some of the churches here will turn you away if you smell like alcohol, or arent dressed correctly, or arent wearing the right shoes. I rebuke that in Jesus name. He came to heal the sick, and this man needed a doctor named Jesus. I told him that He was loved, and hugged him. I knew God had brought us to that place to meet with this man. Please pray for him.

 

 So we’ve been going into the Rostro, which is the neighborhood by the docks, primarily composed of fisherman from the Caribbean. Its a little spooky at night, groups of men hanging out in the shadows, we’ve been mostly going to the soccer field and hanging out there- which is cool but i just havent felt into it. Then the other night when we got to the area we prayed and asked God which way to go- and headed a direction we hadnt been before. We prayed over a hotel that we wondered if the business was by the hour- then walked by a crowded bar. As usual the men inside cat called to us, and some of them even came out to talk to us. (Dont freak out, we had several guys with us for protection, not to mention God) I smiled to myself as i thought, they arent going to be as jovial when they find out we’re here to tell them about Jesus, so i stopped to amuse myself. Then i met Gabriel. There was something different in his eyes, something deeper. You could tell he was searching for something, for a light in the darkness. I told him we were missionaries and he sat his beer down and began to talk to us. I asked if i could pray for him, and he asked if we could pray for help with his drinking and drug problem, and for his little girl. I felt led to tell him how much God cared for him, and that no matter where he went or what he did that he couldnt make God love him less. It was so touching to watch the words of God touch his heart. At some point in the conversation we found out that he was in charge of that area of the street- for maintaining order of the drug deals. I knew that he had the potential to be a very dangerous man, but God has plans for this man and wanted us to shine a light into his very dark life. Several times people got to close to us and he protected us- i knew God was working in him. I thought it was kind of ironic that he had wings on his shirt and his name was Gabriel. Someday, when i get to heaven, i hope i can find out what God was up to with this man.

 

Anywho thats what ive been up to! Guess Gods not going to let me only give 11 months to him, and im ok with that. Im praying about how God wants to move after this race, and how i can pray into those situations every day. Pray with me.