I debated a l ittle whether or not to share this experience, because it may cause some concern for some. But, in the end, I decided that it is reality, and if you are going to pray for me effectively, you need to know what I am going through.
Last Sunday night, I decided to stay back at the church instead of going to dinner. I wasn´t feeling well, and I just wanted to sleep. It was after 9pm, because the service had run really long. A lot people got freed from a lot of stuff that night.
Chad was a little uncomfortable with me staying becasue he had heard about some drunk people in the area that had trown a tequila bottle in the yard a few nights ago. He decided that if I was going to stay, he was going to lock me into the church and lock the fence outside as well.
I laid out a mat on the cement floor and tried to sleep. Only moments after they had left, I heard a bunch of motorcylcles going up and down the street making a lot of noise. They seemed to be right in front of the church, spinning their tires and terrorizing the neighborhood.
I immediately claimed the proctection of Jesus, my rock and my salvation. The noise escalated, and then would leave.
I tried to sleep again, and immediately the noise returned. This time, people were yelling and it sounded like they were shaking the fence. I just continued to claim they authority and protection of my Lord, and He gave me calm assurance.
The fence in the yard can be easily scaled. As a matter of fact, James jumped over it when they returned because I did not hear them right away. The curch is a concrete building with an iron gate with two large doors. The windows are open except fot the iron bars that cover them.
Not knowing exactly what I was hearing, I decided it was best to keep myself hidden. I did not want anybody to know I was there alone. If they had jumped the fence, there would have been no place for me to hide. They probably could not get through the chained gate too easily, but I don´t know how I would respond if they were taunting me through the gate or windows. So, I remained hidden. I never saw who was out there.
Only moments before my team walked back from dinner, the noise once again dissappeared and did not return.
Was it really a gang terrorizing the street, or was it the hounds of hell trying to intimmidate me? I will never know. I am certain that it was no cooincidence, and have learned the importance of staying together.
It is easy to forget that we are in a battle with the spiritual realm. There are a lot a pissed off demons because of what we are doing. They linger, waiting to attack. The enemy prowls around looking to steal, kill and destroy.
This experience reconfirmed in me the authority I have in Christ. They can threaten me, but they can not harm me. That is very important to know in this line of work.
It also should remind you of how much we need your prayer covering from at home. We absolultely need it to succeed here.
I was very releaved when my team returned, and sick or not I have to intentions of staying by myself again, esecially at night; but I have learned a confidence that cannot be learned in a classroom. I have experience the power of Christ to protect me, and I have e xperienced the peace and calm assurance that comes from knowing my position in the Kingdom of Heaven.
