I had no idea what to expect or what was ahead, but I knew God had called and I wanted to be obedient…so here I was, throughout the day the first Saturday I arrived in Zimbabwe (known as Zim) – a day after arriving – sitting, reading, praying, writing and trying to come up with what God wanted me to share! I had nothing, but knew that God had everything…so just trusted Him. Where He led is where I wanted to be!
As I prayed, all I heard was rebuild! I looked in my bible concordance for the word and found nothing. So, I grabbed a team mates bible and still found nothing. I looked through our small travel concordance and once again was left with nothing. God…did I hear you? You want me to preach on rebuilding, yet I can’t find a verse or anything to even get started on. I heard it again…rebuild! Okay, Lord…if this is what you ask of me, then show me where to look and tell me what to say!
He then led me to Jude. JUDE, Lord? Really? What could possibly be there for me to use…and then I read the following!
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’ love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 20-21
I then began to cross reference. The more I read and studied, the more God revealed to me. I had no idea what was ahead, but I knew the Holy Spirit was going to flow through me…
I knew the Holy Spirit was guiding me when I came across Romans 8:18-27!
We know that [Zimbabwe] has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
Being in Africa, I knew there was “no way” I could have the voice or the passion the way these pastor’s do…but once again, God surprised me. I have never minded being in front of people, sharing my heart and giving God’s word, but I have also NEVER experienced what I experienced on this particular Sunday. God showed up. He met me in every way and gave me the words beyond what I ever could have imagined. I cannot begin to tell you what I said, as the Holy Spirit filled me with words. He took my nerves away and gave me a confidence like no other.
This Is Africa. This is just the beginning of what God was doing in and through my life…this message was more than for Zimbabwe. It was for me. God wants to rebuild me. He wants me to stand firm on His promises and no matter what comes my way, stand firm – not in my own strength, but in the strength that God gives me!
