On Monday, the 23rd, I woke up at my usual time of 6 a.m. and I had a really bad vibe about the day. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong and that there was somewhere that I needed to be that wasn’t the village. I pushed the feeling aside and went on our usual morning walk, hoping whatever I was feeling would dissipate. When I came back, we had quiet time and breakfast. After breakfast, I had another odd urge. I felt the need to give Shad, my mentor, my “Safe” key. I walked over to him, held out the key in my hand and said, “I don’t know why, but I feel like you need this for the day.” After that, I still had the feeling something was up, so Lissie, my teammate, and I walked over to our ministry host’s home to ask about the cloudy skies we were seeing. I thought that may have been the weird feeling I had since I haven’t’ had the best relationship with storms and lightning while being here in Lesotho (If you don’t know what I mean go check out my blog, A Time For Rest And A Time For Ministry.). Kaila told us there was a 75% chance of rain today and we could discuss amongst ourselves what we were going to do, weather it was going to the village or finding different ministry for the day.
The teams and our mentor Shad gathered together to talk. I expressed my odd feeling to the group and a few others spoke up that they felt the same as well. Members of our group said they felt the need to go to normal ministry today, while a group thought maybe we could go to the Lodge (A place near by where people come to stay, kind of like a hotel, where my group has gone often for wifi and coffee) and do ministry there. A few expressed the desire to just stay at the Africa 4 Jesus base and pray over the buildings and the people here. Before we split up, Shad had something he wanted to express to us and, quite frankly, I don’t remember any of it. (Don’t worry, there’s good reason)
As soon as he started talking, I started crying. Crying. I wasn’t sad, I wasn’t hurt, and I wasn’t feeling the spirit over Shad’s words (as excellent as I’m sure they were). Ashley, a girl from the other team saw me crying and came over to me, intertwining her arm with mine. When Shad was finished Ashley asked if I was ok. I shook my head because, to be honest, I was most definitely not. Tears kept flowing down my face without my prompting and my legs felt like they were filled with cement. She sat me down in a chair and all I could say was, “I’m not even sad, but my heart hurts.” Not in the physical way but emotionally. I had so much emotion that my body couldn’t contain it. The group around me started praying over me, and Lissie spoke up. “Makennah had this same thing last night. I think you’re interceding for someone.”
I continued to cry and I started asking the Holy Spirit to help me. After being prompted by Shad, I asked Him, “Who am I interceding for? Show me.” In my head all I could tell was that it was a boy from our squad.
Suddenly, throughout all the crying, I started gagging. Like my throat needed to throw up but my stomach was fine. A realization came upon me. “They’re sick. They’re so sick.” Was all I could say between gags. My group prayed all the more fervently, not only for me that I could have strength through this, but for whoever I was interceding for that they would be healed. I continued gagging and before I really knew what was happening I spoke again and said, “They’re throwing up.” I could sense they were throwing up at that very moment. The gagging and crying continued until, finally, the feeling stopped. The gagging ceased, I quit crying, and my breathing returned to normal. “They’ve stopped vomiting.” I spoke with certainty, smiling slightly. I still had a connection with this person for almost an hour after the intercession, feeling that they were cold, but that they felt a lot better. I could almost hear what was going on; getting asked if they’re ok, general chatter around this room they were in. After all of this happened, I was not only spiritually exhausted, but also mentally and physically. I took a nap for 2 hours straight and ate whatever food I could find around the kitchen. I took time to write all of this out in my journal since this is something I never want to forget, though I highly doubt this experience is something I would ever forget.
I am still in awe of what exactly happened to me that day. A new spiritual gift has manifested itself in me and I can’t wait to see how it will develop more and how the Lord will use it in my life to come.
Ways to pray for me:
- People have been sick around the base, so for them to be healed and be able to participate in ministry again. Also, that I don’t get sick myself.
- That the Lord will develop my spiritual gifts even more and that I can have the strength to receive them well.
- For the rest of ministry, that we will have wisdom in what we speak to people (we actually had someone come to Christ yesterday! Praise!) and that we will remain in the Lord’s joy.
- As for myself? Wisdom in all circumstances, joy through pain, and understanding though any confusion that I might face.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support through this life I’m living here! I love you all so much (even if you’re reading this and I don’t know you.) and I’m sincerely grateful for all of you!
P.S. Happy birthday Mom! Love you bunches! (Her birthday just so happens to be today.)
