[Originally written Monday Jan 6]
Today’s schedule: show up to a couple houses, pray for some people, and then go to lunch? Yeah, I can do that. No problem.
Let me set the scene for you. Thirteen world racers and three translators. A house with no enclosed walls, just a little fence for privacy. Two elderly people, a man and woman, maybe in their 70’s. We all gathered around what I think was their dining room. We were told we were going to pray for their health, but the next thing I know we were being lead further back into their property behind a large curtain. I just thought they were moving us elsewhere because we were a large group, and that we were being moved near some farm animals because the stench of feces filled the air. I was not prepared—none of us were—for what my eyes were about to see and what my spirit was about to feel.
Behind this curtain was nothing but a 10 ft x 10 ft platform of plywood nailed together. Lying on top of it was a 35 year old man, naked from the waist down, chains wrapped around his ankle which kept him shackled to the floor—paralyzing his mobility. According to his family, he has depression and is very violent and that’s why he was chained down. The smell was coming from below the wooden boards because he relieves himself right where he is laying.
I can’t explain the feeling in the atmosphere other than very heavy and dark. I’ve never seen or felt anything like it before. I couldn’t help but let my heart break for this man. Does he feel loved and valued? Does he feel like a human being? He can’t possibly be comfortable, right? Why does this man have to be living his life this way? God, why don’t you heal him right now? These are the questions that ran through my head as I cried tears of sadness.
We all prayed together at the same time some very general prayers because we didn’t know exactly what was wrong. As we found out more, we were able to pray for specific things like freedom and love and value and a healthy mental state and a release of demonic spirits. We also sang “Holy Spirit you are welcome here.” As this all happened, the man started to speak and look people in the eye and move around. This is what lead us to believe there is some sort of demonic spirit inside of him. I am confident the Lord was in that space, and I am confident that God has the power to restore this man, to comfort him, and to give him a second chance at life— a fulfilling life that is full of joy and freedom.
A couple blocks down the road. Let me set the scene for you again. A storefront connected to a house. Still thirteen racers and three translators. Two women—a mother and daughter—with smiles painted on their faces. We all gathered in a circle in their store. Feelings of joy and light filled the room. This was a place of sunshine. Completely opposite of what we experienced in the last house.
I was filled with tears here too, but it was tears of happiness. The way the mother and daughter embraced each other and laughed reminded me a lot of my own mother. I was filled with tears of joy and thankfulness for my relationship with my own mother. I am confident that the Lord was in that space too.
I don’t know yet what God was trying to show me in these two spaces, and I still have some processing to do. As much as I love to share the really good things I see on the race, I think it’s important to share about the dark and heavy things also. Please join me in praying for healing and restoration for this man. I would love to see this miracle while we are still here. Please pray for encouragement and business (at their store) for the mother and daughter. One thing I know for sure is that God is present in both the dark and the light. He cares, sees, and loves the people in both scenarios.
With love,
Hals
