Nigeria has been a very challenging
month. Why you might ask…..let’s begin with the 40+ mice we have caught in
mouse traps and the several hundreds of roaches that crawl in our couches and
freezer box. This has been the first month on the race where we have literally
been on lock-down. We are either home or we are in the church. We have a
personal driver who takes us around in a tinted black Lincoln, and we never go
outside of the compound gates…ever. Although we have asked several times, we
have not been allowed to go to cyber cafes to browse, as they call it.
Apparently, the cafes get raided by the police all of the time, and there seems
to be a lot of corruption that happens in these places.
Those are just the external
conditions. Spiritually we have been in a climate where people are deceived
into thinking they are following truth, when in reality they are following
false truth. A pastor said to us one time that speaking in tongues is the evidence,
the proof, that you are filled by the Spirit. So if you don’t speak in tongues
you are not filled by the Spirit. Most of the church services are spent
focusing on the enemy and bringing fire to him in all of the areas of your
life. I hear the name Jesus, but I wonder if the congregation knows why we
worship Him and what he has truly done for us. Another main focus of the church
is praying to God to get rid of all of our problems and prosper us financially.
This makes me sad, because Jesus is so much more than someone who can just fix
our financial situation.
After two weeks of wondering what
the heck our team is doing here, and feeling super uncomfortable, God answered
my prayer. He gave me a whole new set of eyes to look at this month and the
people of the congregation, and now I love them. I love doing evangelism with
the two associate pastors. They are so funny, especially when what we say gets
lost in translation, although we all speak “English”. I love the African
worship that takes place at church…..learning songs in the Yoruba language and
dancing brings me so much joy. I love the lead pastor and his wife. They have
been beyond generous with us. We have not had to pay for lodging or food the
entire month. Anything we have needed they have provided for us. I even love
our driver, the man that took about two weeks to crack a smile with us.
genuine hearts that attend this church. I know that they are truly seeking
God’s face, and for the rest, they will get there. God will complete the work
He has started in them and in this ministry. He loves them too much not to. So
what is our purpose of being here this month? It is to intercede for this
church….prophesy over it by speaking truth into existence. Stand in the gap for
them and refresh their spirits by bringing the true Spirit that lives so
vibrantly in us…..thank you Jesus : )
