It has been awhile since I posted anything because I was without a computer during outreach phase of YWAM (April to June). God has done some awesome things through me and the other ywamers. According to the statistics my leader had collected, we witnessed to around 2,000 people, prayed for about 700 people, and led around 300 people to Jesus Christ. Through it all, God has faithfully worked through me, whether I felt at all prepared or not...
During my time in Mexico City, I lived in a church called The Church of Jerusalem. The members in this church came alongside our team in ministry and did an excellent job serving us in every way they possibly could. I was taken aback by how much they wanted to support missionaries and work alongside us. Some would even help us cook our meals after we came back from a day of ministry/evangelism.
One weekend, we traveled with them to a rural area in the state of Michoacan to witness and serve an indigenous community there. Before we had left the church in Mexico City, one of the leaders gave each of the people in our team instructions about what the program would be like. I knew that I was supposed to be working with the teenage girls and that the theme was "victory in Christ, more than conquerers". From what it sounded like, they had a program ready for me and I would simply carry it out.
One weekend, we traveled with them to a rural area in the state of Michoacan to witness and serve an indigenous community there. Before we had left the church in Mexico City, one of the leaders gave each of the people in our team instructions about what the program would be like. I knew that I was supposed to be working with the teenage girls and that the theme was "victory in Christ, more than conquerers". From what it sounded like, they had a program ready for me and I would simply carry it out.
When we got there, it wasn't exactly like that. We started serving the people some food and then we all split up into our assigned roles.....I found myself without a plan and four Spanish speaking only teenage girls. My friend Dandy volunteered to translate and turned to me to see if I was ready. I remember feeling nervous because I was supposed to speak for around 30 minutes and had no plan whatsoever. I silently prayed a quick prayer and then God led me into sharing the gospel with them. All four accepted Jesus in the very beginning and afterwards, the words flowed so naturally! God gave me scriptures off the top of my head that went perfectly along with what He told me to say. It was like a download from heaven that flowed into my mind and then out through my mouth. The result was fruit for the kingdom of God. '
The very next day, I did the same exact thing with the same four girls. I had no plan and no idea what I would tell them, but God came through for me and brought them conviction with the message I gave. Once again, God gave me several scriptures in his word that backed up what I had to say.I had read a passage in Philippians that morning that I was actually supposed to share with those four girls later on. It was absolutely amazing to see God use me like that, simply listening to His voice and then declaring out what He wanted me to share and talk about with them. This sort of thing happened several times during outreach when I was talking to various people, whether it was after performing some skits out in the public square, ministering to the homeless, or just talking to someone when our team was on the way to a destination. Through it all, I have realized more and more why God wants me to abide in Him on a continual basis. What I would read during my quiet time that morning would often be what I needed to tell someone later on that day. Also, the Holy Spirit would sometimes give me words of knowledge or encouragement for a specific person....the next story is an example!
The very next day, I did the same exact thing with the same four girls. I had no plan and no idea what I would tell them, but God came through for me and brought them conviction with the message I gave. Once again, God gave me several scriptures in his word that backed up what I had to say.I had read a passage in Philippians that morning that I was actually supposed to share with those four girls later on. It was absolutely amazing to see God use me like that, simply listening to His voice and then declaring out what He wanted me to share and talk about with them. This sort of thing happened several times during outreach when I was talking to various people, whether it was after performing some skits out in the public square, ministering to the homeless, or just talking to someone when our team was on the way to a destination. Through it all, I have realized more and more why God wants me to abide in Him on a continual basis. What I would read during my quiet time that morning would often be what I needed to tell someone later on that day. Also, the Holy Spirit would sometimes give me words of knowledge or encouragement for a specific person....the next story is an example!
I was in Chiapas ministering to people with my team in the public square and needed to go find a bathroom. On the way back, I heard God tell me to go talk to this woman who was sitting down on these steps with her little boy. I don't really speak any Spanish, but I know some and used what I could to start talking to her. The first thing I asked her was, "where is your husband?"...but couldn't understand her response at all. Then God told me to start telling her what a treasure she is to Him, that He has an amazing plan for her, and that He loves her. Afterwards, she broke down into tears. I decided to go get a translator at that point. I had obviously touched her and wanted to know what God was doing. It turns out that her husband had left her eight days before and that she was in the public square with her son to forget about the hurt she was harboring. It was really amazing to see how God used me, despite the language barrier, to tell her how valuable she was and that she was not forgotten. God gave me the exact words to say to her in more detail (since I had a translator at that point) and told me to give her Isaiah 54: 4-7: "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband-the Lord Almighty is his name-the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth". I remember looking into her eyes and seeing the pain she held inside. But after I spoke, she had hope. Something began to break off of her...I left her feeling so encouraged by the impact I had just made, all because of obedience to what the Holy Spirit was telling me.
Another time in Chiapas, out team was working with a local youth group, teaching them some of our skits and how to approach evangelism. I had made up this skit called "Mentiras" (lies) back in April before we went on outreach. This skit starts out with my friend Dan delighting in God, with his arms stretched out to the sky. Then, someone comes on stage with the sign "average", hands it to Dan, and gives him a back-pack. A second person then comes with the sign "ugly", another with "you are a burden", and another with "useless". As each one shoves the sign onto Dan, they give him another backpack to carry. Dan then stumbles to the ground under all the burden of the lies that were just placed on him in anguish. After this, Jesus comes on the scene, takes the signs, and replaces them with signs of truth: treasured, loved, handiwork of God, and unique. This skit came out of things that have happened to me during my discipleship training program and the lies that have fallen off of me because of the love of God. The lies were actually different from the ones I placed in the skit, but the message was clear: the world will put lies on you that Jesus wants to take away and replace with truths. There were so many instances when we would perform this skit to people out on the streets and people would clap, maybe linger for awhile out of curiosity, and then simply walk away.
After performing this skit to the youth group, almost every single person broke down into tears. Our ministry quickly switched from teaching to healing hearts that had been weighed down for quite a while. God has a way of really showing up unexpectedly-one moment, I am expecting to be teaching about evangelism, and the next moment, I am praying for them and helping these young people find freedom in Christ. I love how God works that way. I can make my own plans, but He consistently shows me what to do as things slowly unfold...
I have more stories I want to share, but those are a few for now. I also want to tell you about what God is telling me to do next because it is SUPER exciting. Can't wait to see some of you in person. Blessings!!!!
I have more stories I want to share, but those are a few for now. I also want to tell you about what God is telling me to do next because it is SUPER exciting. Can't wait to see some of you in person. Blessings!!!!
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