Who will preach a message for the Aboriginal church of Bagot this Sunday? My mind starts racing because I haven’t spoke yet. I can do it, right? Deep breath. “I’ll do it.” Okay, Kate’s down for the Sunday message. Scott says he’ll do 
something as well. Okay, I can do this. I’m not alone. I think to myself how much I hate my speaking anxiety. But I think back to the verse God spoke over me this year, “I knew you before you were born, and I appointed you to be a spokesman to the nations.” I feel my stomach turn as I realize God is literally using my weakness…I really hope He shows up strong.
Night comes. I still don’t know what to talk on. Our debrief time with the team is going forever! It’s almost eleven!
As the time gets later, I quit and go to bed. I’ll wake up early and figure it out.
It’s preaching day. God what do I say? I find a room that is quiet and take a couple hours. Please reveal to me what to say, Lord. As the scripture comes, I feel peace. “You are my mouthpiece, Kate. I am with you.”
Me and Krissy pray moments before the evening service. The evening service is when everyone comes rather than the morning one. We start to pray and pray hard for God to show up. Holy Spirit come heavy upon us. Speak words of life from us. Empty ourselves. Use us, God. Just use us.
We sing for the people. More vans come unloading our Aboriginal friends. We do a puppet show for the kids. They love it. I’m thinking they love looking behind the sheet and watching us all struggle to read the script and coordinate the puppets mouth movements. It’s harder than I think.
The time is come. I grab the mic and go. Children are running around the church with no walls. The huge Jesus painting sits to my left with open arms. Drunk people yell in the background. Dogs are everywhere trying to grab a cookie that they call biscuits. People are sitting on the floor and in lawn chairs looking at me. The distractions don’t bother me. I realize I’m not alone. Fire builds up. The words flow. Honestly, I have a hard time having a heart for the people here. Why, I don’t have a good reason, it just was. But after about 20 minutes as I find myself finishing speaking I’m overwhelmed with love as I look at these people. I just stand there and tell them “I love you guys, like really love you.”
Supernatural. All of it.
Pastor Peter and his wife
