It has been a little over a week, and I am floored by the things God has already done. I never expected that when I surrendered my life and this year to God, he would hit the ground running as soon as my feet left the states. After spending a few days in Manila for launch training, we are now at our ministry site in Malaybalay. Four of the R-squad teams are here, while two others are continuing the work in Manila. It’s absolutely stunning! Mountains are everywhere you look, and it’s 20 degrees cooler than Manila (praise the Lord!). We are working at a children’s home through Kids International Ministries, a few of us are doing jail ministry, and we are also partaking in other ministries as they arise. I only wish I could share every single thing God has done already..but I will narrow it down to a few stories…… My team was coming back from the mall when my sweet teammate Tara got our attention about this man laying on the side of the road. He was completely intoxicated. Michael went over to check on him while us females hung back (he was starting to take his clothes off.) I gathered the girls to pray, and I felt the presence of the Lord strongly. Michael came back over to us, but I felt like he should go back and pray for him. As he walked back, I started praying for the power of the Holy Spirit to sober him up as soon as Michael touched him. I prayed in faith, as having witnessed the Holy Spirit encounter someone in their drukenness before. The same time I prayed this, Michael had put his hand on the man. He instantly opened his eyes and sat up from his wasted state- less drunk and more coherent than before. When that happened, two men from the village came over to help him as well. Michael prayed for the man, and the others took him home. Wow! How often I under-estimate the power of God. How awesome is he that the Spirit can sober someone up! How awesome is it that he uses us! The next morning, after some leading from allison the night before, we went to pray for a resurrection of a mother of three. No, I’m not kidding. This can cause quite the stir. As I walked up with about 40 different people from 2 squads, I really felt the Lord’s nudge. Why am I doing this? Is it just to say I saw a resurrection or I raised the dead? Do I really have a heart for this woman and her family? What are my intentions? When we got there, I could barely pray because these questions kept floating around. At one point, I looked over and saw the children. One of the older girls were crying. I went over and just held her. I held the kids for about an hour, joining in on praying and singing for God to come, when my heartbeat finally aligned with God’s. I got a picture of Jesus on the mercy seat talking to the Father. As I held the kids, I felt God’s mercy and this incredible compassion arise. I was overcome with longing for this family to be one again. After two hours, the woman remained dead. I was once told that it is impossible for nothing to happen when you pray. I fully believe that. This stretched and increased our faith. If we can believe for this, how much more can we believe for the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the mute to sing? Stay tuned for part two!
I feel so much peace about this year. As each new day arises, I am challenged even more to live everyday to the fullest. God is always speaking, always moving, and I want to join him. I am surprised continually by the numerous prayers being answered before my eyes. Everyday, I am challenged by the message of the gospel. Everyday, I am challenged to go low and exalt others. Everyday, I see more and more of God. Everyday, I have a choice..a choice to love and a choice to have a positive attitude. Everyday, I see how completely inadequate I am..yet he continues to use me despite those weaknesses.
I don’t want to give too much of what’s going on away too soon! 🙂 I promise I will share more stories in later blogs! At this rate..I think I may have to write a book by the end of the year!
