What a crazy week it's been. Though quite relaxed at the start of the week, to the point of leaving a few of us questioning what rest looks like on the missions field, God really showed up as we began to get out and about!
On Tuesday night we were invited to a worship time at a couple's house. It turned into being one of the best nights so far for our team (though 2 were sick at home).. The idea of family was no longer a word thrown around, but it was the atmosphere surrounding us. There was such an ease to each relationship that I hadn't felt in weeks and I now desire out of every moment with this beautiful family God has given me for the next 2 months. Capped off with a rooftop chat overlooking the city. God is so good to come close in the times we need it most.
Listening to a sermon by Bill Johnson last night and then reading a chapter from the book "Radical" back to back has begun to challenge my views of God and the way I have watered down the furious aspects of His personality. Though I just wrote that He is so good to draw near, Bill Johnson opened my eyes to how strong a grip self-pity has had on me. To hang my head and wait til God comes to comfort me is Not the way I will receive the fullness of all He has for me. "God responds to the lifted head" was just one quote that spurred my heart to climb out of the hole of self-pity and chase after Jesus with all I have! It is Then that I will encounter my Creator!
Though we have only been here for 2 weeks, encounters with our Creator God have been waiting for us at every early morning, worship time, conversation, and empty heart we experience! This week was the main Hindu festival in Nepal. As the globs of red Tikka grew on each Nepalis head, the reality of the need in this nation gee in our hearts. On Wednesday we got the opportunity to see the lies of the enemy at work in the most real, disheartening way. As hundreds of people lines up to sacrifice a variety of things, our hearts grew heavy and our eyes were opened. For about 25 minutes we watched a families spilled blood, believing this would pay for their sins. Waves came over me as I watched. At moments I wanted to scream out the truth hoping this would shake the hearts and the atmosphere while at other moments I could weep uncontrollably. God taught me something through this experience. I was shown the importance it is to keep your eyes Fixed on Jesus more than ever in these moments, because though our hearts can break for what breaks His, we carry a hope and a joy that every person Must experience! I was So proud of my team that day. As time past I began to look around and see each person talking or praying with several people. It was a beautiful scene to watch. God totally set me up to get to preach the gospel to a man for the 1st time ever. Asking him if his god spoke to him he answered "no" and it was then that the door was opened to share about my Relationship with the Living God to speaks to me and loves me. As the man walked away with his wife he left the temple with a bible in his hand and a seed planted in his heart! Go God! We made our way to the exit thinking our work was done but soon realizing it has only just begun! Within 15 minutes every beggar sitting along the stairs had bibles and were reading them aloud to each other! God truly showed how a tiny speck of boldness on our part is all He requires to begin a revival of the heart!
Capping off the week we walked to a leper colony. Our faith was through the roof. We walked and talked on our way there, quoting scripture about how Jesus healed the lepers in the Bible. Though we wanted to see the same outcome as Jesus did, he has a different plan! We got to pray for a man with a tumor and the sound of a machine in his ear which cause him to be unable to sleep for days. Though the tumor did not disappear all the pain left and the sound stopped! After preaching the gospel we entered the colony. Inside we had the opportunity to pray for the leader and encourage him in his faith! We were then leaving when a man who couldn't walk was sitting outside of his room and allowed us to pray for him. 5 mins later he walking and crying as the love of God poured into his heart! We then got to walk to a church where an elderly pastor's wife had been in bed for days, alone and unable to get up due to a broken hip and pain. The beauty of the Lord radiated from this woman and God's presence met us in such a sweet way! She walked back and forth for the 1st time in days and was encouraged that God was so near to her.
Last night we went to our weekly worship time at our contact's house and had an awesome time of fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters. It's been so great hearing what God is doing in this nation! Please continue to pray for revival and break through!
In 2 days we get to leave for our first trek! (Hence the title) We will be gone for 7 days and will be traveling to 3 villages! We are expectant of great and mighty moves of God in these unreached villages as the gospel is proclaimed!
I love you all and can't wait to tell of the stories after this trek! Please pray for strength and boldness to preach until all have heard!
No comments:
Post a Comment