As I ended my last blog, I gave you a “teaser” about my next blog and what it would be about. So, here you go! I’ve thought a lot about this and I’m not entirely sure how to put it all into words, but I’m gonna do my best. I’m just gonna kinda “word vomit”, if you will.
This month we’ve had several opportunities to go into the public and private schools to evangelize and do some different services and programs with the students. It’s been a blast! One of the coolest reasons, I thought, was because when you think of man month, you automatically think manual labor. At least that’s what all us men were expecting to do. It turns out though it has been a very relational month for us.
We spent many days going to the schools, leading worship, kids songs, performing dramas, praying over the sick, giving testimonies, and playing games with the students. It’s such a joy to go into the schools and have them welcome you with open arms. I wish America were more like that, because I’ve seen some legitimate, life changing moments this month. I’m not even sure how many to be exact. I just want to say hallelujah and thank Jesus. He is so good! Also, I know that all credit is due to the Lord, but I want to also tell you a little about our friend, Pastor Ronnie (pictured below).
This is who we’ve spent most our days with, preaching, sharing, witnessing, and serving. Honestly, hands down, one of the most incredible and selfless people I’ve ever met in my entire life. He is absolutely on fire for the Lord Jesus. I’ve never seen anyone with such a passion for the lost. He has such an anointing on his life. Pastor Ronnie is one of those “Jesus Freaks” who has the ability to walk into a room, say, “Who would like to know Jesus?” and you immediately see a response. He is bold and unashamed of the Lord. He is truly one of my heroes in the faith.
I’m gonna get back to that thought, but let me rabbit trail for just a second. Stay with me…
Tonight we had a great evening, as our cook and some of our contacts this month fixed us an incredible meal! It was great! I realize this month, how much I actually miss Monte Albons! Well, I would miss it, but apparently they changed the name of it while I’ve been gone. Nevertheless, it’s all the same I reckon. So, anyways, then after supper, Benjamin (pictured below), one of our Guatemalan friends, brought us some ice cream and Oreos over for dessert, and that was great! We had a time of fellowship, and then after that we had a time of prayer. A great way to end the evening!
It started getting late, and so we began to wrap things up. For a minute or two, I was bummed because I didn’t see Pastor Ronnie anywhere. I couldn’t leave this country though without seeing my buddy. Then, in walks Pastor Ronnie. He comes over and begins to talk to us, and he tells us that he would like to pray for us. So we accept, and he and his daughter pray over all of us men. Afterwards, we return the favor and ask a blessing over them as well.
I thought we were finished, but it wasn’t over yet…
Next Pastor Ronnie says that he has one more thing. He steps into the circle and turns and makes eye contact with me and says, “Last night in my sleep, I had a dream. The Lord spoke to me, woke me up, and told me I must pray for Dusty.” Then Pastor Ronnie said, “The Lord told me to pray over your body and anoint you with oil because,
Isaiah 53:5 says, ‘But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.’ Because of Jesus’ wounds, WE ARE HEALED'.”
Let me give you a brief background. I have always had stomach problems, my entire life. In middle and high school I was severely lactose and tolerant along with a case of IBS. So, needless to say, the race hasn’t been the best on my system at times and a lot of my problems seem to have come back from time to time. I’ve probably had, sorry to be blunt, diarrhea, more times than anybody, I’d fare to say. Part of this is due to the fact that when I was 4 weeks old, I had to have emergency surgery due to Pyloric Stenosis which is when your intestines are narrowed or twisted and you can’t pass or process stuff from your stomach to your intestines. Therefore, if not fixed, you’ll die. So, I have a GIANT scar on my stomach due to the surgery, and I still have stomach issues to this day. So I immediately knew the Lord had spoke to Pastor, no doubt. You can kinda see the scar in the picture below.
Pastor Ronnie didn’t know any of this about me. I’ve only known him a few weeks, so when he asked me to lift up my shirt, he immediately seen the scar, and with anointing oil in his hand, placed his palm over it and he began to pray.
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
-James 5:14-
After a few minutes, Pastor Ronnie said amen, and it was time to go. We hugged each other and I walked him out and opened the gate for him as he drove away. I was absolutely humbled. I believe with all my heart that Jesus put Pastor Ronnie in my life this month to be an example to me and the other men, of what a godly man looks and acts like. We learned so much from our dear friend this month.
So basically, I say all of that to say, that man made such a difference this month! He is making waves in The Kingdom and because of the faith of that one man, I am healed, and I watched NUMEROUS students, women, and men, accept Jesus into their hearts this month. That is the kind of faith that I want. This is the kind of faith we should all want.
I’m not even sure the total now, but it was a lot of people who received Jesus or who recommit their lives to the Lord. An incredible month indeed…
Well, it’s 3:06am and we’re catching a bus bright and early to head to Honduras for month 10… Thanks for the prayers and support. Keep em’ coming! Talk to you soon!
Love yall.
P.S. Taylor Wood, thanks for introducing me to Pastor Ronnie. What a blessing.
