My team, ignite, is staying in Bacolod (on Negros island in the Philippines) this month. It is quite surprising how comfortable the race has been so far. The first month in Thailand we had to use our own mats to sleep on, but we had our own building with a bathroom and electricity. The second month in Cambodia we had three rooms amongst us, each consisting of a bathroom, bunk beds, a desk, fans, and electricity. The third month, this month, we’ve got all that, plus air conditioning and wireless internet! We are also a five minute walk from a mall with a movie theater and about everything else a man could want.
Three nights ago I woke up and puked my brains out for an hour, which gave way to diarrhea and a fever. That whole day I did hardly a thing. I slept a lot. Filipino women tried to feed me all sorts of food. The next day I felt much better.
Two nights ago some of us went to see Beowulf. We all enjoyed it, although some didn’t like the animation. Before that I was craving some American food, so Aaron accompanied me to Jolly Bee (same as McDonald’s). After the movie Krystle, Aaron, and I walked back and talked about it, drawing parallels to our faith. Aaron and I watched an episode of Prison Break, a recently acquired addiction for me, and went to bed without brushing our teeth.
Perhaps I am so dull that I didn’t catch on to a new lesson from the movie, the Jolly Bee, Prison Break, or the voice in the back of my head telling me to spend time with the Lord. It was the terrible taste of the Jolly Bee left unsuppressed by toothbrush and toothpaste that woke me up to a known lesson: It’s not about what ministry is planned. It’s not about what falls thru. It’s not about what’s provided and what’s neglected. It is about how I react to all of this that God can really use me.
Last night, after a day off due to plans falling thru, our team met together and talked about how we’ve been spiritually and whatnot. A lot of us noticed a spiritual attack. Aaron and I both woke up the night before rebuking some spirit in the room. For me, this was an experience I’ve not had since a boy. I could see the demons in my mind, crawling on the ceiling of our room. Molly has been waking up frequently as well.
After the meeting I prayed over our room again. It was good to refocus. It seems we are always kept on our toes on the World Race. It’s been filled with incredibly stretching and challenging experiences so far.
