The one time I went running I struggled physically, but also emotionally and spiritually- without realizing the latter. I’m used to heckling as an American woman in a foreign country…but this felt different. It wasn’t just annoying…it was deeper. It’s darker.
Mind you, it’s not the heckling itself, but the I could feel the spiritual darkness from those people and even the dogs. Maybe that seems crazy…maybe it is. But I could feel it. I’m convinced that’s why I struggled with my run, and with my attitude after that exposure. It’s spiritually dark here. People aren’t as open to God’s word or His love.
We traveled to a village about 45 minutes away from where we are staying to pass out Bibles. The first thing I saw getting out of the car was a man having a full on conversation, but there was no one around. He wasn’t on the phone. I don’t believe he was intoxicated. It put me on edge.
I watched him carefully, wanting a physical explanation for his behavior, but deep down I knew it wasn’t natural. I began praying for the village and for our protection from the enemy. We do not fight flesh and blood.
Later, as we were passing out Bibles, one woman threw hers a solid 15 feet back at us. Outright rejection of God’s word…
Towards the end though, we handed one to a woman who accepted it with gratefulness in her eyes. She seemed so different from most we had met. Michele, Anna, and I went back to pray over her. We can’t speak her language, but we can play charades.
We asked her if we could pray for her, she agreed, and thanked us when we were done. The best part? We couldn’t speak her language, but she couldn’t verbally communicate either due to a hearing problem. We communicated solely on hand motions. She was so incredibly grateful and kind, and kissed us on the cheek as we said goodbye.
I say all of that to say this: despite paralyzing darkness, there is still Hope. Darkness has already been conquered through Christ. It’s our job to be obedient to the Holy Spirit’s call to push back the darkness.
Even though I’ve been feeling down emotionally and physically, I recognize it is because Satan is crafty and attacks us in ways we explain away with physical explanations. He does this so we do not recognize, and therefore fail to address, the spiritual attack.
It’s only been a week. God’s going to do great things here. Please pray for the people of Romania, the ministry here (Hope Church), C Squad, and the parents coming for a week. Pray for protection, peace, strength, health, and boldness. Pray for dry bones to come back to life. (Ezekiel 37)
