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!!
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!
Anchored 
I am moved to tears by how the Lord has worked in these ladies’ hearts. I love how we can trust our Lord when we go to Him in full surrender and prayer. He hears our cries and prayers. His timing IS perfect, and He does NOT make mistakes. He IS faithful. Thanks for sharing, Kim. This is a faith booster.
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