This is a long one I’m gunna warn ya but if you don’t wanna read it all, skip down to the end for some good parts 😉 HELLO! Only one more week of ministry here in Manipur which gives me so many feelings!! This blog post is going to summarize our previous week of ministry with some precious God moments of hearing the Father speak to me.
So every baby I hear or see I need to hold it is vital!!! This week some of us went to Louise’s house (a teacher I worked with at Sielmat School and also Abraham’s sister) to see and snuggle her 10 month old baby, David. It was such a sweet time of furthering that relationship we made while also holding a baby i adore so much!
We spent some time at Sielmat School but also a school in Sidon called Sunshine School! The Lord knows I love the littles, but once they start getting older I get a little anxious! He completely came in and eased my mind and heart and really just filled me with a spirit of joy and just reminded me to have fun with them because that is so easily done!! At the school we watched their special numbers and listened as they recited scripture from memory and we even did some sing along songs with them!
One of the days this week had one of my most favorite days! We were able to go to a local rehab center and minister to the inmates. Three racers where in groups with about 7 or so inmates and we were told to just talk and fellowship with them. The language barrier was tough, but what was even tougher was the enemy’s hold on my ability and authority in this situation. Entering the rehab center i was feeling very unqualified and selfish for even being there with them. I believed lies that me, a white American Christian girl had no business being in this rehab center where these men were going through things much more difficult than I ever have been through. But God so graciously and gently brought me back to where i stand in Him. He said Allie, the only authority you have in this situation is through me and I have qualified you to share my power. It is only through Him that I have these qualifications and I have no authority when sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am just a vessel.
The conversations went smoothly and my dear teammate Abby even led a man to the Lord which fulfills our purpose here on Earth. So, if I and my team could have prayers going there again this week for boldness and kingdom building that would be greatly appreciated!!! The Lord humbled me and we have FUN! Singing ‘Take Me Home Country Road’ with The inmates was not something I expected to happen that day but honestly such a sweet and funny memory hahah
ALSO HELLO Miriam’s birthday & Super Feedback made this week the sweetest. We celebrated Miriam by taking her to Life Cafe were there was a magician!!!! So much fun!!! We also had a surprise cake and candles for her back at the bengla later that night yay for surprises! Super Feedback reminded me of how the people around me see the attributes that Jesus has put me in and things i don’t often see in myself. I’ll remember that forever. ALSO did laundry for the first time this week lol hehe fun times
English conversations with my students and friends at the seminary is still going so well and we are creating friendships that will be very difficult to leave. We have taught each other so much and they are truly men of God.
This is getting long but HELLO THIS IS A GOOD PART! Today on the way to church everyone was pretty quiet, I’m not sure why, Sunday just does that to ya. And while in the back of the van I hear the Lord (unsure at the time it was the Lord) gives me these phrases of part of my testimony. I recite them several times in my head of what I would say and how I would say it while giving my testimony. I have given and shared my testimony many times but this time I felt the need to recite it in my head for some reason. So, we get to the church, take our seats and right before the service started Abraham (our liaison) asked who was sharing today. Side note: no one had been asked or even warned of any kind of sharing. No one had prepared anything. (I’m learning, on the mission field, be ready for anything at any time. Song, special number, sermon, talk, kids song, really anything !! ) I immediately said I’m sharing today. And then right then it so clearly came to me that the Lord had me recite my testimony in the van & gave me those phrases because he knew this would happen. I’m in awe of the Lord’s goodness and provision and honestly every time he speaks to me and prepares me for things I forget He can do that through me. So I shared my testimony the way The Lord had me recite it and what a blessing it was to the used in that way!!!
So this is our last week here in Manipur! I’m getting excited to see my family, friends, and cheese dip from el bracero and one large coffee from Big City but I’m praying for boldness, rejuvenation, a willingness, and a very strong finish to this season of ministry here in India. This has been the best experience of my life and the goodbyes are something I can’t think about right now. The Lord is faithful. His promises are true.
