I am not too sure why I want to share these two things with you... because the story to follow is so extremely awesome.... but here it goes anyway. Two things... One, I have never in my life wanted a Q-Tip so bad and there was NO WAY to get one. Two, every word I type on this computer has a red squiggily line under it. So, if I spell something wrong, blame it on the fact that this computer does not speak English.
Liz and I went to the Hippie Fair this morning and walked around. We don`t have the opportunity to venture out together much just to hang out, so we take the opportunity every chance we get. It was honestly a beautiful day. That is, until we were reminded of the fact that we are still in rainy season. It poured, actually, harder than usual. Our street was flooded to the brim, almost waist deep at its highest point. The English Service starts at 4 p.m., at 4 p.m. you would have had to have a canoe, kayak, or maybe even a cruise liner to get on campus. I honestly didn`t believe anyone was going to show up- even to the point of contemplating canceling the service altogether. By 4:30, the house was packed. I thought it was pretty amazing actually. I mean people literally had to "wade in." I am not sure what God is doing lately, but I do know one thing, He is working mightily.
The service started out with praise and worship, but something was different today. Maybe in all of this learning how to be patient, how to be still, how to bow humbly before the cross, Christ has been teaching me lately; I am able to see things in a new light. God just kinda moved me aside and took over. We were in James 4 talking about the battles that rage within us. James gives us a 6 step process on how to win the battle, and how we better start fighting it now because none of us are promised tomorrow. I opened by sharing the story of what happened at Lider yesterday. I shared the story of Travis dying that night after getting hit by a train. How we knew he wasn't ready to "go" because he left his Playstation on pause at his house. And how only a week before he had accepted Christ. After the service we break up into different groups. This time, there was an extra group.
I had never given an invitation before at the English service. Afterall, the group leaders do that in their groups when everyone can understand what is going on a little better. Today God moved. Today I saw God do some incredibly amazing things through people's lives. When I was going over the groups I said, "if you really want to accept Christ and you mean it truly, there will be a special group over in the corner". 4 men showed up. I didn't know two of them very well, mainly in passing and friendly greetings at the English Service. Two of these guys I knew pretty well, from hanging out with them. They shared their testimonies. It was pretty cool actually, I had never seen it quite done that way. Hopefully, I will be able to post their testimonies on the site soon. But either way, English (one of my friend's nicknames) looked at me and said I have been coming here for years, I have thought about it, I have weighed it, I have sought out alternate routes, I don't completely understand, I never will, all I know is that I must surender to Him! Wow! It is incredible when you spend so long praying that God would show Himself to someone and lead them to Himself.... and when it happens, unfathomable....
To the 4 guys who took THE step of faith today... I pray God pours out a love, a grace, and a favor over you that blows your mind. I pray that He shows you things, helps you to understand, shares wisdom and guidance, and blesses you beyond all human understanding. I pray God uses you to do great and mighty things for His Kingdom, I know your country could use a few good men like you. I know both of our countries could. I pray you find it absolutely essential to seek after Him every day of your life. I pray you learn to walk by His side, to follow His guidance, and grow and become sharpened as you learn to die to self. I pray you learn faith that is absolutely unstoppable, impenetrable, and completely nonunderstandable to man. I lift you up in the name of Christ alone to be annointed for His Glory and Kingdom Growth. I pray for you. Welcome to the family... you will never be alone again.
I challenge the body of believers to stand behind these men and to lift them up in prayer. To be available to them in their time of need, and to reassure them in their faith constantly.
Thank God alone for His amazing Grace and favor that even a wretch like me, like us, can be saved and used by Him for an awesome purpose. To Christ be the Glory!
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