In the documentary Father of Lights, Majed el Shafie says, "In the absence of light, darkness prevails." And the Bible says that followers of Christ are the light of the world, and like a city on a hill we cannot be hidden.
Right before we left for Guatemala, Alena, Jennie, and I saw firsthand how the presence of light in a situation changes everything. In a routine run to get chapstick, batteries, and snacks, we took a cab to Walgreens and pulled into the parking lot to find quite a scene.
I first saw a hysterical man flailing his arms and hollering at a big red pickup truck, demanding that the driver turn off his engine. As we got out of the cab, I noticed an older woman getting up off the ground. My eyes widened as I finally saw her purse and groceries sprawled across the pavement around and beneath the truck.
I couldn't believe it.
We had just arrived at the scene of a car accident.
The police were called, an ambulance dispatched, and Alena prayed and spoke with the woman and her husband, ushering peace into the frantic situation.
As Jennie and Alena talked with the couple and the police, I stood to the side unsure of what to do. Suddenly an agitated woman came from behind and started to ask me again and again for help and for money. I tried to get her to explain her need, but she kept repeating herself and I couldn't understand her.
After a minute or two of entertaining the chaos, I decided to pray. It seemed like one thing after another was piling up in the little parking lot and I could feel the anxiety in the air. So after refocusing on the Presence of the Lord with me, I told the woman I had no money to give her, but I asked if she had any needs for physical or emotional healing. She said absolutely.
She bent her head and showed me a bullet that was lodged in her spine, sealed beneath a layer of scarred skin. I placed my hand on the wound and prayed, declaring peace and healing into her body. As I shared the love and Presence of Jesus with the woman through prayer, I watched as peace settled over her. Her speech slowed and the agitation left. I blessed her and later the man who had caused the accident before reconnecting with me teammates.
As we did a mini debrief in Walgreens, I couldn’t help but wonder at the craziness of the situation that we had just encountered.
At first I'd though it was a spiritual attack aimed at us… but amidst the chaos the Lord showed me that the darkness we had just encountered would have happened whether we had been there or not. However, when we arrived, we brought the light of Christ and the darkness had to flee. It was a sneak attack from heaven, destroying the works of the devil and bringing restoration to the destruction.
When the children of God enter any scene, not even the deepest darkness is able to remain because of Christ in us. It's awesome! 🙂
I’m now in Guatemala with my team and team Agape at this sweet little casa. The weather is a stunning 70 degrees, our location is absolutely beautiful, and we start ministry at a local school tomorrow!
Thanks for reading 🙂
Love,
~Chelle
