So as some of you may know or not know? I and a couple of my friends went to the “Festival Seeds” this past week. We got in late last night. I must say I needed some time to my self when we arrived at the hostel in Quito, Ecuador our home base here. I will say this about the festival. It was an experience I would not have passed up. On that note, I will also say the exposure to the things of this world and the demonic where immense. I have always been referred to as the “free-spirited” child of my family. I can with 100% certainty say I am not! I might be a wandering soul, or unique, or even a woodswoman. I however in comparison am not free-spirited in the hippie sense AT ALL! I felt like a fish out of water all week. Everyone there was kind and open to having a conversation. Yet I found myself in my tent a good portion of the time.
This was mostly due to not wanting to participate in opening up my mind to the worldly supernatural shiz I know is so dangerous. On the first day of our arrival, we got there late so we set up our tents and went to sleep. Upon awakening the next morning we were all gathered together to do an opening ceremony for the week. To set “good vibes” for the days to come. I was ok with “breathing techniques” (meditating with the Lord is never bad in my opinion) but when they started passing a bowl with smoke pouring out of it, and dedicating themselves to the earth. I was uneasy, to say the least. I asked God what the uneasy feeling was and he showed me. There was a “demonic man” in the middle of the circle sitting like a buddha, he was bright red, and had this satisfied evil grin on his face. Little demons like the ones on that old Disney movie Hercules, were running around in the outside circles playing with everyone. Running in between their feet and grabbing at there legs. Almost in a playful manner. Being used to seeing demons they did not scare me but I have never seen these demons before. New territory new demons I suppose. So I will refer to them as “earth demons.”
These earth demons submitted to the buddha like demonic spirit in the middle of the circle this group made. What I saw was confirmed when one of my friends who came with me (she feels demons) said, “it felt playful, but I don’t know why.” I was later able to explain to her what she felt. She feels them, I see them so we make a good team! After this encounter and during this encounter I was praying in tounges asking the Lord “what next?” We obviously left in the middle of this ceremony I was not about to submit myself to anything other than my God of heaven. There was a ceremony after the ceremony of this same type of thing. All of which I did not attend. Instead, I prayed that God would peel away the scales from their eyes and expose satan for who he really is. A master manipulator, and out for blood.
During this past week at the festival, I did a lot of reading. The only book I took with me was my Bible. So for many hours, I was able to read some of the stories I am familiar with but never actually read myself. Overall this was a good experience to be in the word and get to know God on a deeper level. I had a sense of peace reading and drawing in my tent! I do wish however I had a way to listen to some praise and worship music while I was there. Alas, there were only the sounds of the jungle to keep me company.
The place we camped was in the Amazon jungle! The jungle itself was beautiful and the amazon river ran right next to where we were staying. (side note went kayaking on the amazon river!!!) I was able to enjoy the sounds of the river rushing past 24/7. The air smelled fresh, and at times felt heavy because of the humidity! The clouds loomed over the canopy of the mountains in the distance, the sun peaking through splitting rays of sunshine down into the trees, was a breathtaking sight! The sound of the rain on my tent was so peaceful. The sounds of the jungle were like music, it was the first time in a long time I did not wear earplugs to bed, the natural symphony outside was joyous! The dirt floor of the forest was thick and soft when you walked barefoot on it. And the mud looked healthy if mud can look healthy? God spent extra time creating here I think! It was one of those times I spent admiring the creation he set in place so long ago.
I probably would have enjoyed it more if I could have better tuned out the sound of people humming and drumming in the distance. People’s random chants to mother earth who of course can never speak back. Also to gods, worlds, and powers they do not seem to understand. To them they believe in the power of mother nature, I can not say they are not 100% wrong, nature does have power but only God controls it. They believe in unity and coming together as one to create and manifest what they want to create. I looked on at a couple of the ceremonies and every time I felt the same thing. It was like I could not take in a full breathe of air. Or like something heavy was on top of me. I also felt a sense of sadness. If you have never felt the power of the demonic this is impossible to explain, so I will not try any further just know you are lucky to not know. I don’t think a lot of people know satans “power” does not always start off as dark and menacing. It can start off feeling good, freeing even. It’s not until later you realize what you have gotten your self into. And unless you can find someone who knows what to do to help you, (people only have the power through God, not within themselves) or you find the answers in the Bible you feel bound to satan and the power you relinquished to him. (Most times I find people did not even know, they did this. They opened a door innocently enough really not knowing what they have just done) He holds it over your head. Worse than any nightmare you could imagine. God is the only freedom I have found he is the only one who can break the ties.
I saw this and wondered to myself, “I wonder if they could see what I was seeing would they still be doing this?” If they have been exposed to God would they make these demonic presences their focus? From what I witnessed in my life the answer is yes. Man as always strived to have the power to be greater than others and to control whatever part of this world he can. My question is though, “at what cost?” If you were wondering the cost. it is your soul and your joy, your peace, and so much more. Satan will leave you with nothing in the end. There are always things looking back I wish I would have done differently, or said, maybe not said? All I know is that dancing with the devil on any level is so dangerous.
He latches on the smallest thresh hold that you give him and he tares his way into every part of your being. This is with or without your permission. Darkness can not be found in the light. And God’s light is the only way to be certain you are protected from this evil.
The people attending the festival were searching for anything to call their own. Something to tangibly hold on to fill this whole in there souls they do not even recognize as a whole? Longing and searching for something greater than themselves. They tried to find it in each other. They tried to find it in the cermonies. They tried to find it in “freedom” from society. My heart does break for them. I wish I could have said more I wish in fact that I did. At the time all I felt I could do was pray for them. In this way how much of the world is searching for answers? Who are they getting their answers from? These questions where being answered in front of my eyes. And the answers they were getting where tainted and they came with so many consequences.
I will say that had I not grown up the way I did, and if I did not have a relationship with God. This world that I entered would be very intriguing. People who do not judge you because you have a question and do not understand. A place where it did not matter to anyone how you looked. A place where no matter who you are, you were free to be yourself. I can’t say that the church is this opened to non-judgment and letting people be free to be themselves and ask questions. Is it really a wonder so many people do to these festivals instead of going to a church for answers? If you walk in a church and have tattoos or your style is not like everyone else you are immediately shunned. I have experienced this myself. The difference is I have a foundation with God, these people do not. So the festival is a safer place for people to not be judged. It is sad really that so many people will perish because the church sees flesh instead of the soul inside.
What did I learn from this experience? Questions I now have.
I have no doubts my God is who he ways he is. I think prayer goes WAY further than we think. People need a place within the church where they will not feel judged and can ask questions. God’s kids do not all look one way or act one way. We need to love people for who they are and where they are at. My relationship with God is not a religion. And last, people everywhere are searching why is the church hurting them and not helping them?
A special thanks to the people who helped me get there!
Mike, Laura, Caroline, Suzanne, Ferrah! (if I am forgetting someone Please forgive me)
Thank you all so much! Your support is so appreciated! God did more this past week than I can write here. I will tell you all about more details in person! I love you all thank you!!
