Last weekend was our last weekend in South Africa. We ended our time in that beautiful country with an Awakening Conference at a gorgeous campground in Pretoria. It reminded me of Lake George, New York. The grounds are on a lake with mountains in the background. It was a beautiful place to set a weekend aside to focus on God and refueling at the midway mark of the Race. An Awakening Conference is where 2 or more squads who are in the same region at the same time meet up for a few days of refreshment, empowerment, worship, and learning.
So, our squad met up with Gap Year T squad. They are a Gap Year squad meaning they are 18-20 year olds on a 9 month World Race route, right after high school/before or during college. They are so on fire for God! It was such a blessing to get to know them, hear their stories, learn from them, and encourage them in their faith.
On Sunday, we had “Evangelism” day. Both squads merged and split up into teams and after powerful teaching and prayer, we went to our perspective places to talk and pray with people out in the community. My group was one of the groups to stay back and walk around the campground, while the other groups went to the malls and shopping areas. Since it was Sunday, there were not many families on the campground, but I truly believe everyone there was supposed to be there. It was a day of divine appointments.
My squadmate Caitlin and I paired off and walked around the campgrounds looking for someone to talk with and just being prayerful as we walked. We had some conversations with a few people and prayed with a few. People from the squads were already engaging everyone else we passed.
We passed by a cabin being cleaned by a Zimbabwe woman. We stopped and talked with her. Her name is Esther and she was sad because of the recent murder of a coworker’s daughter. She was also sad because she couldn’t get to church most weeks due to various circumstances. We encouraged her that church is not a building but it’s the body of Christ and where 2 or more are gathered in Jesus’ name. We prayed with her and encouraged her to continue to trust the Lord.
We continued to walk around and praying for the grounds. We sat down on a bench and continued to talk. After a half hour, we noticed Esther and 2 other women sitting in the grass eating lunch. We decided to go over and sit with them. After we introduced ourselves and made small talk, the conversation turned to scripture. Esther said she has not held a Bible in a long time because she had left it somewhere and when she went back it wasn’t there. She said, “if I had another Bible, I’d bring it with me everywhere and read it everyday.” The woman next to her who didn’t speak much English said the same.
At that moment, the Lord prompted me to go get my Bible for her to keep. I sat there and struggled, but the Lord reminded me that I have multiple Bibles and also the Youversion app on my phone. So, I ran and got my Bible. It’s a small travel size Bible that I bought specifically because it doesn’t weigh too much. As soon as I got back to the ladies and before I talked myself out of the blessing, I opened the Bible and shared with them one of my favorite scriptures, the book of Mark chapter 5, the women with the blood disease who touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and is healed. I shared with them a little of my testimony. Next, Caitlin shared a little of her testimony. Then, I gave Esther my Bible to keep. She promised to read it with the other women daily and to cherish it. When I handed her the Bible, she lit up!
I’m sure it was more my blessing than hers. I was immediately convicted that what if I had not listened to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to gift her the Bible. I would’ve missed out an awesome opportunity to be a blessing to her.
Overall, this moment was a culmination of a great month 6 in South Africa. I’m excited for a new continent and new adventures with Jesus these next 5 months.
Today, I want to encourage you to pray without ceasing. It will truly change your life! As Christians, we are not called to live a boring life or a life of mediocrity. We are created for the supernatural, for miracles, healings, signs and wonders. Can you imagine what the world would be like if Christians all stopped fighting and stopped having denominational debates and simply focused on building kingdom and loving like Jesus in whatever sphere of influence we are in???
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
P.S. We had a short layover in NYC this week on our way to Nicaragua and I was able to see my family for the first time in 6 months! (crying happy tears) My mom also brought me my old Bible from home. It was a sweet reunion!
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