Month: July 2018

Heaven Invades

February 1, 2018…Antigua Day 5, our last morning of Women’s ministry.

But first, I need to back up just a little to let you know that in my quiet time, before our trip while we were preparing, I felt a strong impression about foot washing. I decided to press in and ask the Lord what it meant and I believe I was getting an impression that it was for Antigua. I mentioned it to Scott, who agreed that it was a good idea. Then, as I was considering this, I felt as though Scott and I were to do this first with our Life Group. We only had one Life Group gathering from the time I received this revelation until our departure for Antigua. I hesitated sharing this with our group concerned that it would not be received well and we would have a small turn out. However, when I considered how I would feel just showing up at group and not being made aware of this, I reconsidered and informed them all so that they could be prepared. We did end up having one of our highest attendance….it was a powerful night that prepared Scott and I for Antigua. Because the topic of marriage had also been laid on my heart, we choose to encourage spouses to wash each others feet. Those who spouses where not in attendance I offered to wash their feet. We had asked Tim and Beth what their thoughts were about it and they said it would be good to do. They believed it would bring healing to so many. So this became our plan for that last morning of women’s ministry. Beth had basins for us, we took towels from the villa we were staying in, and the guys bought us several large bottles of water. God provided towels from the ladies villa…more than we needed! Confirmation that this was what we were supposed to do. This simple act exemplified for me…Micah 6:8, “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Each team member had pretty much identified who they would serve in this fashion. I started by serving Beth to her surprise because she understood that we would be doing the attendees. My heart was to bless her because they had been so ‘bullied’ by the previous church. The rest of the morning at the church, each team member rotated in washing someone’s feet. We prayed over them when we did, read Scripture over them and sometimes shared words of wisdom or knowledge that the Lord revealed to us about them.

When we finished, we cleaned and packed up what we needed to take along in order to do this for the women at Chichita’s home, where we were headed for lunch again. After we ate, we set up a chair in Chichita’s kitchen and one by one we washed the feet of those that served us. Women kept coming. I joked that they were coming out of the woodwork. I had asked to do Chichita because of the connection her and I made earlier in the week. As I was getting ready to wash her feet, I realized that there was still someone who had not been done yet. An 18 yr old wheelchair bound darling, Chanta. So I quickly asked her mom, Aurora if I could wash Chanta’s feet. She agreed and took her to the bathroom, while I went to the kitchen to wash Chichita’s feet.

Well now, I am not going to be able to describe this accurately..

As I began, I just started praying over her, and she was receiving! I washed one foot at a time, taking my time. As I prayed, others came…the kitchen and doorway flooded with women. Heaven came down! The open heaven I saw over her home earlier in the week was right there! It was incredible. It was amazing. God poured forth and we all soaked it in.

Then I picked up my supplies and moved out to the living room by Chanta. I knelt down and removed her socks…and humbly washed her crippled little feet. I asked the Lord to use her mightily, to strengthen her to walk worthy of her calling. Oh, how awesome would it be that He would make her feet physical strong to walk! I’m continuing to seek that miracle for her life!

This is also the day that Carlos arrived at his mom’s house during lunch…..with Jerry’s approved passport in hand!! After a year of push back, everything was cleared up by Lester Bird, the former Prime Minister that the guys had met with the day prior. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise be to God!

Before lunch that day, Scott and Tim did some searching for a washer for the Barbudans. They went to a store in town that Tim knows the owner, Keenan…he is a Syrian Christian (true believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ!). He did not have any washers in stock but asked what it was for. Then he offered to do his part and took $1000 EC off of the $1500 EC price tag! Glory be to God in the Highest!! That washer did finally arrive and Tim was able to deliver it to the center where the Barbudans were living.

Note: Again, I am changing names to protect the privacy of those involved.

We were scheduled to do some house visits that afternoon, but we were at Chichita’s much longer than anticipated. So, we only got one house visit in. We went to a local apartment where a friend of Chichita’s was staying. Her name is ‘Emma’. She is mother to ‘Wanda’ and grandmother to ‘Celeste’, an 8 year old that is suicidal; her mom, ‘Wanda’ is an addict. When we arrived, ‘Celeste’ saw us and was super excited that we were coming to visit. She is a beautiful little girl and had been at church Sunday and Wednesday. Her mom was there, and getting ready to go out. We had to go up to the second floor via an outside staircase. Beth went up first and I was going to go up last. Ana was in the middle the staircase, ascending the stairs, when she sensed something strong. She turned around, came back down and told me to start bleeding the Blood over ourselves. Then, we all began to go back up, I was last and as I got to the top step, I let out a small gasp; it was like I hit a brick wall, I couldn’t go any further. Ana turned around to see if I was alright. Just like that I was okay and could move forward. So we just prayed in the Spirit as we entered the house. A quick background, ‘Wanda’ is not married. Celeste’s dad is an older man from Canada that seems to be the supplier of Wanda’s drugs. ‘Wanda’ also has a younger son, who’s father lives with them. Apparently, he was there when we were, remaining hidden in another bedroom. We did have the opportunity to prayer over ‘Wanda’ and her children before she left. Then, we met ‘Emma’, who was bedridden due to a broken leg. She was in a cast from her foot all the way up to her hip. The way she explained her fall, she realizes it was the enemy attacking her. But God! The close quarters where she could have hit her head, she didn’t. She praises Him for her protection. But she is grieved for her daughter and grandchildren. She came from the DR to help care for them. Apparently, Wanda’s current live in partner practices with craft. That is what Ana and I were sensing. It is also what ‘Emma’ believes caused her to fall. This guy has even threatened to kill her. We stormed heaven for divine protection and covering. She was so blessed that we came and would pray for her. Home visits are a big deal in Antigua and their homes are small. Any future teams to Antigua should keep this in mind. It is also good to remember that spiritual warfare is real! Putting on the armor of God every day is a smart thing to do. We do not give it power by recognizing it. We do give it power when we ignore it or fear it. Our God is bigger. Our God is greater. Our God is already victorious! We need Him to overcome it.

That evening, we had some down time when we returned to the villa, where we met up with the guys. My husband and I had a personally decision to bless the Pikes in every way possible while we were there. They are very dear and sweet people that needed uplifting and encouragement. So, we ended up having a beautiful meal together by the water that evening for dinner.

Acts 20:35 says, “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “

May we be like Aaron and Hur in Exodus 17:12…”But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.”

What does supporting one who grows weary look like? How do we encourage and lift them up? Do we build them up so they can keep going?

Clarification…on boasting

I would like to clarify what occurred throughout our time in Antigua was not about me. It was not about any one individual. For we are not individuals, but persons of God. He called us. Our confidence is in Him and Him alone. For when we boast, we boast in the Lord. With that in mind, I would suggest reading 1 Corinthians 1…the following is the NIV:

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s householdhave informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”                                                                        

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'”

What has the Lord done in your life that you should be ‘going and telling of’? Share it. Boast of it. Give Him all the glory and honor that is due Him. He is a God of miracles.

May we all come to know and understanding that God is still speaking today…and we can all hear Him. Let’s discover that in a future post.

Wednesday in Antigua

January 31st….Day 4
A new day…started with women’s ministry at Vida Nueva Antigua. More women were in 
attendance because they were not at home making us lunch! I was sensing that Cheryl’s
message on forgiveness was key. Shortly after Cheryl’s mom passed, she approached me at the Missions Hub of our church, where Scott and I currently serve, to tell me that she was feeling led to share a message on forgiveness. I stood there for a brief moment, taking in what she had just shared with me. Earlier that week, I had just written the word forgiveness in my journal, not sure whether it was for our team or trip. As I shared that with Cheryl, it was confirmation for her.
She did briefly share that message Monday night at Bible School. However, Wednesday with so many more women, I was trusting the Lord that this particular message was meant for this day and this group. Beth had wanted Cheryl to go with the guys to the hospital to see Jerry, but when I explained to her that I sensed the Lord wanting Cheryl to stay and share the message the Lord had given her, she agreed. We later found out that if Cheryl would have gone with the guys to the hospital, she would have had to also go with them to meet Lester Bird, the former prime minister at his home regarding the container from Convoy of Hope. This would not have been beneficial. For me, personally, this was huge because it was confirmation that I do hear from God and we can all hear from Him. As I began playing worship music in Spanish to start our time at the church, it signaled Scott to ask Tim to step outside. They were only outside a few minutes when Ms. Abbott drove by. When she saw them, she backed up to invite them to join her at 1:30 to go to meet with Lester Bird about the container. Notice God’s hand in all this and His perfect timing. Had the men not stepped outside at that time, Ms. Abbott would not have seen them and may not have stopped and extended the invitation for them to join her later. Since they had some time, they decided to go with Pastor Carlos to visit Jerry in the hospital before meeting up with Ms. Abbott.  At this time, Jerry had all his paperwork with him to get his passport fixed and approved. So he gave it to Pastor Carlos to see if he could get it worked out somehow. Jerry had been trying for a year to get his passport but due to inaccuracies of his mother’s birthdate, it kept getting denied. Together, all three men met Ms. Abbott and followed her to Lester Bird’s home. There they were ushered into his bedroom because his legs are not strong…he uses a walker. Tim presented his request of needing assistance to get the container out of Customs. Then, Tim asked if they could present a more personal request. Mr. Bird agreed to hear it. Pastor Carlos then petitioned his help with Jerry’s passport…and Mr. Bird told Carlos to meet him at Parliament the next day to get everything fixed. Before they left Mr. Bird’s home, they prayed over him.
For the following, I am going to change some names to protect privacy of the individuals.
Meanwhile, back at church, we were having our women’s ministry and Cheryl was sharing her message. ‘Joan’ sat weeping and said that she needed to forgive her mom. Now, her teenage daughter was there because she was home sick from school. Apparently, Joan’s daughter always felt that she favored her son. Therefore,  her daughter ended up favoring her grandmother, which put a wedge between Joan and her daughter. Now, the daughter heard that her grandmother had wanted Joan to abort her son, also putting a wedge between Joan and her mom. At this point, Chichita shared how sweet Joan was as a child. Chichita would visit her and take her to church. But Joan’s mom started to give her chores so that she could not go to church on Sundays. Chichita would come anyway, help Joan with her chores so she could go. The truth about the relationship between Joan and her mother was being revealed to Joan’s daughter for the first time. Deb, another member of our team, had the opportunity to take her daughter outside and talk with her one one one. In their conversation, Deb offered the daughter an opportunity to accept Jesus, but she said no because she grew up believing and thinking that she had to become perfect at salvation (100% sanctified). This false teaching is extremely prevalent through out the churches in Antigua. While Deb and Joan’s daughter were outside, we had the opportunity to pray over some of the women. As we prayed, God gave me Psalm 91 for Johanna and another mom present. God wanted them to know that He is their refuge and protection.

 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

God directed me to Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” for Joan’s daughter.
After our morning women’s ministry, we were blessed with Antiguan food for lunch at the church. Then we headed back to the villas where we met up with Scott and Tim. We had a little down time. Tim napped and Beth, Scott and I got to have a pretty personal conversation about Scott’s calling (good good stuff). Then, we head back to church. It would usually be their Bible Study night, but we had another service. It was Ana’s turn to share a message that the Lord had out on her heart. At the end, she gave an altar call for healing and salvation. Mariella from our prayer walk around Chichita’s neighborhood was the first to come forward. Mariella had been hurt by the church when her husband had left her for another woman. It was a privilege to pray the Word over her. I beleive Mariella felt God’s hand of healing, not physically, but mentally and emotionally. Then when we were done praying for Mariella, we turned to see who was next…and there was Joan’s daughter! She came forward for salvation! Deb led her in a prayer and from that moment on her relationship with her mom was completely restored….laughter, hugging, joking around…pure joy. To God be all the glory!!
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Chichita was an incredible blessing, as she brought us all empanadas as a treat for after church which was perfect because we had not had dinner prior. What a glorious day in the Lord. Thank you Jesus!