So, we’ve
been in Tegucigalpa, Honduras for a week now! Craziness… We are
working with the Gates of Zion Ministry here, a 5-year-old project
headed by Mr. Tony Deien. Basically, Mr. Deien, his wife, and a
couple other staff run this beautiful little seven acre orphanage in
the mountains. They are working vigorously to fix up the property and
basically provide a home for kids that they find on the streets.
Currently, there are about 15 of them residing here. Some of these
kids he has found, some of them have found him. He provides them with
a place to stay, food to eat, work to perform, a chance to see the
Gospel, and a family to enjoy. The kids are a bit rowdy, but when you
hear their stories, man, it gives you a different perspective. So,
we’ve been working on the property, playing with the kids, and
helping with other local ministries as well. But, what has really
struck me is the transformation we’ve seen in our own group. So let
me talk about that a bit.
I can hardly
believe how powerfully the Spirit has been moving in this place.
Our first night here we truly worshiped in Spirit and in truth. It
lasted hours. Hours of just worshiping God in song and praying for
one another. Even though I had previously felt sick to my stomach and
had a throbbing headache, this session left all of that behind. It
was phenomenal. Prayers for the city, prayers for each other, and
singing praises to God designated Friday night. And Saturday night, I
can hardly believe, was even more powerful.
Last night, Brent read this passage about confessing our sins one to
another and one by one people opened up. One dear friend of mine
opened up first just because he felt the Spirit calling him to do it
and he was afraid. He talked about how he was exposed to pornography
at his grandfather’s house at the age of five. Later, he would go
on to have sex with girls just because he knew he could get material
possessions out of it.
Another guy
opened up and talked about how he’s practically been the man of the
house since his father died when he was 15, how he had had sex with
multiple women even when he was in positions of Christian leadership.
And then
the girls just broke down. Several, probably a dozen of girls came
forward, one at a time and confessed their sin. Some confessed that
they had sex just a month before coming here. Some confessed that
they were sexually approached by their fathers, others about the
abusive relationships they had been in, others that struggled with
depression, and just every sort of sin and pain under the sun.
It was
powerful. In my life I have never seen the Spirit move so powerfully.
There was hardly a person in the room (around 50 people) who was not
crying. Deep stuff, deep pains, deep hurt, deep shame was confessed,
and then we all gathered around them and prayed with incredible
faith. God showed up, and I have never seen Him show up so
powerfully. It was beautiful and incredible. Thank you God!
At the end
of it, all of the guys stood on one side of the room and all of the
girls on the other. Then, we – as men – apologized to the girls
for the way we had treated women and for the way the men they knew
had treated them. Our apology was accepted, as was our commitment to
treat them with honor and love. Powerful.
Hearing my
brothers and sisters pray for each other and encourage each other
really showed me my own pride. I really tend to think of myself as a
spiritually mature person. I have given my life wholly to God and I
am pursuing Him 100%. And for some reason I assumed I was one of the
few people on O Squad who was doing this. DEAD WRONG. I was blown
away by the spiritual maturity of so many in this place. So many
girls, not just guys, that are very very spiritually mature and
seeking God 110%. It was so encouraging and so revealing. God please
forgive me.
He showed
up. Lives were changed. And I am in awe of Him and so thankful. Our
God cares for us. We all showed up tonight little knowing of the
plans that He had for His sons and daughters. His love is amazing and
it has been poured out on us lavishly. Thank you God. To Him be all
the honor and glory and power forever. Please continue to work in O
Squad, Lord, to mold us into the image of Christ, to mend our wounds,
and to make us into Spirit-filled sons and daughters. Thank you Lord.
Thank you. Amen.
Please
continue to pray for us. God is on the move ya’ll.
