“I am a drunkard! I am nothing!” is what Michael (name changed) said to us when we first met him on our first day of door-to-door evangelizing in Mukuno, Uganda. We visited his mother’s home and spent time praying with and for his sister and mother. We also prayed for him unknowing to him. He caught up to us a bit time after at a neighbor’s house. He was seeking for more and God guided his steps to us, for the Father to speak to him through us. Michael was what you would expect a man who is drunk to look, act, and speak like: he was loud, mumbling his words, and smelled of alcohol. Normally when I have encountered a guy or girl who was drunk like Michael I was either out at a bar or just out and they would be bothering me and my precious time. I was annoyed by their lack of self-control and the fact that they felt the need to invade My personal space (because I was better and knew how to handle my alcohol of course…. sarcasm).
Yes it is probably that my mindset is different because of the environment I’m in, I mean come on I’m on a mission’s trip for the Lord. Not only that but it’s that God has given me new eyes to see the things that I had previously ignored and deemed unworthy of my time. I now sat with a man who wasn’t just a man who was drunk but I sat before a man who was hurt and in pain. A man who is viewed with shame by his family, pity and sadness by the community he lives in; a man who has lost a career in teaching and lost respect because of alcohol. He is a man who is trapped by the grips of the devil disguised as alcohol, a battle that without the Lord he will lose. Luckily for him, God has been watching his every step waiting with open arms to receive His son back with joy. Michael was crying out for freedom and salvation, a cry that God hears. Is Michael healed? Not yet but he WILL BE.
I say this with authority because I know the redeeming work the Lord can do and continues to do. My family and our struggles that He has guided and pulled us through is testimony after testimony of His mighty love and work. The closer I get with the Father I see more of His works in my family that I had never recognized let alone thanked Him for at the time. My family and what each one of us has gone through and overcome is a testimony of how big, powerful, and loving God is. I truly believe that each hardship and painful struggle is a testimony of what God does not just in me and my family but also in yours. We may not always give God the kudos He deserves for the redeeming work that He does but lucky for us that doesn’t stop Him from passionately loving and pursing each of us time and time again.
If you would like to partner with me these last few months on the race and feel God calling you to support financially and prayerfully please click the “support me” link to the left of my blog. Thank You so much for all your love, support, and prayers they don’t go unnoticed.
