Almost three years ago to the date, I first stepped foot in Africa. I was a baby Christian- full of pride and off to save the world. I had all of these preconceived notions about God and about missions- most of which proved inaccurate. This first experience was a difficult one….full of a lot of turmoil, demonic attack, division, and lack of knowledge of who God is. `I left with barely any faith left, thinking I must not be called to the nations, and wondering who God was, since I obviously missed something. It took almost two years to heal and grow from some of my experiences there. It did, however, launch me into a beautiful relationship with the Holy Spirit, and it was the summer after I returned that I learned about that whole other personhood of God.
Before embarking on the race, I was hesitant about Africa. I held a lot of fear that my experience the first time would be repeated. Through prophetic words and the words of friends and even complete strangers, God promised a different experience.
Our squad of 31 spent two days in Uganda before taking a bus into Rwanda. Walking the streets of Uganda, the sights and smells were bringing flashbacks of my previous trip, stirring up old memories. Yet, this time it was different. All I felt was joy. I know without a doubt that his promise was sure….this is my second chance in this land. This is my story of redemption with Africa, and it begins with a land covered in redemption and forgiveness….RWANDA.
Our time this past month in Rwanda was all evangelism and preaching. We partnered with the pastors and did door to door evangelism/prophetic prayer in the mornings followed by preaching at either the post office, bank, or hospital in the afternoon. Nikki and I also made an appearance on the radio, and all of us preached at church services multiple times a week.
Door to door evangelism was a new thing for all of us. We were so nervous the first day, yet it proved to be just the thing I needed to reactivate the prophetic in my walk. Going from house to house and listening for a fresh word was at times challenging, yet incredibly amazing when it was just the word needed for the person. Preaching was also a stretch for us. We have preached more times this month than most of us have in our whole lives I think! 🙂
One day at the post office, they wanted me to share my testimony. So I told them my story, and as I am talking, people start crying and shouting and next thing I know, they surround me as I finish my last sentence. They start prophesying over me and praying for me. It was incredible! I think I just stood there wide-eyed, amazed at God, wondering how my story could have brought this sort of reaction.
There was a lot of ‘work’ God did in my team this month. Even though we were ministering to the people, we experienced so much inward struggle and change in our own lives. We couldn’t have asked for a better first month in Africa! It was so hard to say goodbye to pastor Moses and Rwanda in general. It truly was a great second chance!
