Here's the front of the Scout Hall we're staying in this month. Western toilets, running water, hot showers,
and a full kitchen…Praise the Lord!
The cool wind pushed me along as I headed to the church for my morning ministry. I was in a rush, trying to avoid being late. My team and a few other teams from my squad were assigned to work with a ministry called “Encounter.” I had no clue what to expect when I arrived, because we hadn’t been told exactly what the ministry was about.
I walked in with a few other Racers and took a seat in the back just as a leader began praying. After the prayer, she began to explain our task for the day – a “Treasure Hunt.” We were to split up into groups and spend time in prayer, asking the Lord to give us clues about how to find our “treasures.”
I walk through this residential area to get to the main part of town. Cute, huh? : )
As believers we know the value God finds in each of His children, and how much He treasures us all. This “Treasure Hunt” is not a search for material items, but for people in the town who might need a word of encouragement or prayer. We were told to ask God for visions or words to guide us to the people He wanted us to find.
I was in a group with my squadmates Autumn and Audrey (we were later joined by our squad leader, Poppy). We sat down with two women from the church, Anne and Allison. Even after the first few moments of exchanging introductions with these two ladies, I saw such joy in their hearts. They were practically on the edge of their seats with excitement, assuring us how much they love Treasure Hunts, spreading blessings, and watching God reveal things for them to share with others. They prayed for each of us and then we all took a few minutes to be still and listen to what God had to tell us.
The bus/train station in Coleraine….conveniently close by and with frree wifi!
As I closed my eyes to pray, I was surprised to find I didn’t feel scared. I haven’t had much experience getting visions from the Lord or approaching strangers with a message from heaven. This concept is still pretty new to me. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but I felt excited to be a part of whatever He had planned. I asked God to speak and give me the discernment to know what my own thoughts were and what was really from Him.
I wrote down a few things that came to mind, including a description of a woman I saw with dark, flowing hair, wearing a long beige coat and a hat. (Being on the Race has already increased my faith that God speaks to me. Not long ago I would have been too uncertain to write anything down at all!) Then my group shared what we had written down with each other and headed out the door.
We all hopped in Allison’s car and went to the main part of town. For several hours, we meandered around the streets and shops, keeping our eyes open and listening for any prodding from the Lord to pray with specific people. Sometimes the people we approached had a connection to what one of us had written down. Sometimes we just saw something in them that touched our hearts, so we asked if we could pray for them. Almost everyone we approached was surprisingly receptive to talking to us. (I don’t think anyone could doubt the kindness in Allison and Anne’s eyes, as they were overflowing with the joy of the Lord!)
Just entering downtown Coleraine
Although I didn’t ever pray with a woman who fit the exact description I had written down, I don’t doubt the image God gave me for the day. I found myself praying blessings over women walking by throughout the day anyway. And even though none of them stuck out to me as the woman I had seen, I feel confident she exists and that my prayers for her now can still make an impact on her life.
The believers here in Coleraine are inspiring me to have my eyes wide open. When you are looking for ways to share Christ with others, and for ways to encourage others, you find them aplenty!
If you’re reading this, I give you this challenge: Be bold. Reach out to someone today. Find a face that could use some cheer and brighten their day. Pray with a stranger (or at least pray for a stranger, even if it’s silently). Take the time to really listen to what God might be prompting you to do, and do it! Take it from me, it’s not as scary as it sounds. You might just walk away feeling more blessed than the person you reached out to.
