This month, we served with Rise India doing varies ministries. We had four teams living together. We split into two groups of two teams; one group went to Chitradurga village, while the other group stayed in Bangalore. In Bangalore, we helped at a hospice hospital that takes care of AIDS and HIV patients; tutor English at an after school program; and house visits to support and build relationship with other believers. In Chitradurga, one team taught English in the morning, while the other team did house visits and prayed over families and believers in the afternoon.
From watching three hours Bollywood movies, I was looking forward to be surrounded by India’s vibrant colors. But when I went to the village of Chitadurga, from Sunday March 9 till Sunday March 15, that wasn’t the case. A shadow of darkness came over me, filled with confusion, sadness, emotionally overwhelmed, and tiredness. I spent my nights awake and in tears; in frustrations and anger not knowing why I feel the way I feel.
At first I thought I was overwhelmed with being in community all day and needed time to be by myself. But after spending a day off of ministry, the shadow of darkness was still there. My team wanted to know what was wrong; they wanted to know what to pray for, but I didn’t know.
On Friday, March 14, everyone on the team shared how they were feeling emotionally, spiritually and physically (ESP). I tried as best as I could to explain to my team what was going on with me; I was sad, unhappy and didn’t know why. Afterwards, we pray over each other.
That night, as I stay awake, I decided to spend some time with God and speak truth into myself. I wrote in my journal:
Lord, restore my joy.
The enemies are trying
To pull me down in a
Sink whole of depression and confusion.
Lord, restore me
And give me strength to fight.
Dress me with your Whole Armor,
So I can be ready at any hour to fight.
Wash me clean,
And cover me with your unfailing love.
That night, the Lord lead me to Psalm 55, and I went to sleep with verse 22, and the song “Come Fill My Heart” by Cece Winans, on my heart. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.”
The next morning, I woke up with God’s love shining over me; joy in my heart; and a bright smile. The Lord heard my prayers. He shined His light over my darkness! He restored me and gave me joy!
Thank you for reading and enjoy the song!
Daphnee Sanon
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*update: I’ve missed my deadline to be fully funded, but I was giving an extension to raise the remainder $3,586. Please join me in prayer for complete financial provision, and if the Lord puts it in your heart to join into partnership with me, you can make donations at https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=Daphnee%20Sanon. Thank you!
