I realize that it has been a while since my last blog. I am excited to tell you about a few things I have seen God do over the past two months.
In Thailand
~ When we arrived in Chiang Mai, the storeowners and people on the street by our hostel would not look us in the eye. After the three weeks we spent there, they were laughing, holding up the sign language to say ‘I love you’ and engaging us in conversations. They felt love.
~ After two days of orientation, the Holla-lujah Team headed out into the slums to love on children. We spent the day doing magic tricks, playing with children, giving piggy back rides, being love to them and teaching them sign language for “I love you.” As we left, in the rain that day, I looked back and saw my footprints, actually, sandal prints. The Spirit said to me, “I brought you here and these are not your prints at all, these are Mine.” The next day we went back and the footprints were gone. The rain had washed them away.
~ On the night before we left Chiang Mai to head to Cambodia, I was walking down the street where we lived, when a car came out of nowhere and almost hit me. I jumped onto the sidewalk, stumbling, moving my feet, laughing and saying, “sorry,” to the workers. I realized that the cement was freshly poured. My footprints were everywhere.
The next day when we passed by there I was telling Jakobus what had happened. My footprints were still everywhere…in dried cement. Suddenly, an older man, wearing torn clothing, walked toward us and said, “Thank you for loving this street. Thank you for loving my people. You two serve a big God.”
~ We had so many conversations with tuk-tuk drivers, store owners, food vendors, lady boys, neighbors, young adults traveling through Thailand from other countries, lost and disheartened people. How amazing our God is to give us opportunity after opportunity to share His love and His reality with each one.
~ The unity God granted Michelle, Laura, Erica, Katie, Jakobus, Megan and myself has been amazing. What an incredible thing to see: 7 young adults, from different areas of the country, with different backgrounds and different personalities come together with Christ in common. I have learned so much from this team. We have loved studying the book of John together, praying together and watching God do miracle upon miracle. They are family to me!
In Cambodia
~ Our first disappointment was being told that we would not be able to go into the prison. We prayed. God threw the door wide open. As the Holla-lujahs walked in the prison gates, the Spirit said, “Wake them up.” So, I shouted, “Yo.” They weakly said, “Yo.” I shouted louder and they got louder. I shouted, “Love!” They shouted, “Love.” I played my guitar and sang, “Yo, Love…” They joined in. My team allowed me the privilege to preach and lots of prisoners woke up spiritually. They understood the message of God’s love through Jesus’ sacrifice and the reality of the Spirit as He indwells a believer.
~ We went back often. Truly, the prisoners changed over the time we were there. Their attitudes improved. Their joy multiplied. The warden, who at first didn’t want us to come, gave us permission to even film what was happening. He said, “You will want to remember this.” Jesus came to set the captive free, even as they remain in prison.
~ We met Dara. I will tell you his story in full at a later date! Let me just say that the lessons God taught us, the miracles God did, the doors He has opened could only be done by a Mighty God. None of us will ever be the same.
~ Dara, whose birth mother died of AIDS and father could no longer support him, is now in an orphanage where he will be taught, he will be loved, he will be cared for and one day, I believe Dara will change his nation. I long to return and adopt him. Until that time I will support him financially and prayerfully.
~ God led us into conversations with taxi drivers, visiting travelers, locals, officials and our wonderful translator, Daro.
I will continue to tell you story after story of God’s work. There is so much more to tell, It would take hours to tell and hours for you to read. I will continue to blog so stayed tuned in…
So, let me bring you up to date. With all of these amazing things going on, I wanted to let you know that I am back stateside. I disobeyed a clearly defined AIM rule. When confronted with the specifics, I confessed it readily. I submitted to my authorities. I honor them. I love them. But I am now home having completed the work God had for me to do. I thought I was going for 11 months. Instead, I had two. My soul is sorrowful but at so much peace. I feel like I listened closely to the Spirit of God and followed Him at every turn. I am one of those people who live life full out. And I realize that I compromised my integrity as a leader by disobeying in this area. I have sought forgiveness from my team, my squad, my leaders and AIM.
As my partner in the World Race, I wanted you to know right away. The money you sacrificed on my behalf will be used to continue the work God is doing through the AIM World Racers. I ask you to pray for the Holla-lujah team as they finish all God has for them. I ask you to pray for me as I seek God’s next step. My heart is broken, humbled and still, so full. I cannot stay the same. I have stepped into what I now know as, “spiritintuality” – SPIRIT INTO REALITY. There is just nothing like being guided by the Spirit as you walk down the street…Nothing like waking up in the morning to discover God’s plan for the day…Nothing like laying your head on the pillow at night, peaceful and thankful for the privilege of being God’s child…Nothing like watching the light penetrate the darkness…Nothing like seeing the life change I have witnessed.
Thank you for the privilege of representing Christ in Thailand and Cambodia. May God be praised for the good that was done. I thank you for praying and supporting me. I am thankful that God forgives us time and time again. If you want to talk to me personally, I would be happy to talk to you. Stop by the blog in the next few weeks if you want to read more about how BIG our God is. And please pray for the Q Squad and my sisters on team, Holla-lujahs!
Humbly ~ Zac
