I just wanted to share this story with you. This is a blog from Stephanie Tyrna who was on our Haiti Relief team. It broke my heart to read this account after being there and meeting Sheldon personally.
"Sheldon
is an 11 year old Haitian boy who arrived at the orphanage in the DR where we
stayed. He came there a day or two before we arrived. He speaks French and
Kreyole, which are the main languages in Haiti. I was never able to carry on a
conversation with him because I only knew how to say, "How are you?" and "What
is your name?" in French.
The
entire time we were at the orphanage, Sheldon would just sit there in a chair
off to the side observing everyone. He didn't say a word. He looked like he was
in shock or in another world. He had a cast on his right arm and some gashes on
his head.
Unfortunately,
I don't know his story. I don't know if he has any family left. I don't know
how he got to this orphanage.
All
I know is that his entire world has been forever changed. I see sadness in his
eyes. I see an 11 year old boy who is devastated and lost.
What
can I do? What can I offer him? What can I say?
On
my flight home, God put him heavily on my heart. I regretted not finding out
his story. There was just no one around the orphanage who spoke French to be
able to translate for me.
So
while on the plane I prayed for him and came to the conclusion that he has
probably either lost his entire family or he doesn't know where his family is
or if they are even still alive and he somehow got separated and brought to
this orphanage.
Either
way, this orphanage is the reality of the new life that he has just started.
He
is 11 years old.
He knows what is going on. He is at the age where he still depends on his
family to provide for him in life. And now that is all gone. He will
forever be changed by this tragic event.
Please
pray for Sheldon and the millions of other children who are in an absolute
state of shock and feel like they have no one to turn to right now. They need
our prayers more than ever. "
My heart was racing as I jumped into the back of our truck. Sarah and I were on a mission. A million thoughts flooded my mind as we set out to find babies' milk. Stores had been raped of their supplies and it was already 10pm, hardly the hour to find a pharmacy open. I sat there in the back of the truck bouncing along the bumpy terrain just pondering...will it happen again?
I met Francois at a refugee site in Jimani, a border town on the Dominican side about five minutes from Haiti. He appeared to be a strong man with gentle speech as he approached me. We had traveled to this site bringing hot chocolate to the families and the victims of the tragic earthquake that had paralyzed this nation. Our hope is that they would feel the sense of home even though they now resided in a foreign land. Francois asked what we were doing there and I had the opportunity to share why God had led us there. He expressed his thanks to the many people who had flown in from the outside out of the goodness of their hearts to love and comfort his people. He proceeded to inform me of his current situation.
Just two weeks earlier, Francois was in his house in Port-au-Prince. He and his wife lived in a 5-story building near the center of town. As he was working on the bottom floor, the earth began to shake and suddenly, the building collapsed. Five floors came crashing down on top of him. At this time, his pregnant wife had been in their home on the fifth floor and fell straight through the floor landing a few feet from where he stood. Instinctively, Francois leapt across the moving floor to sprawl himself over his wife for protection. It was the only thing that he could do. Thirty seconds later, the ground stopped and chaos ensued all around them. People were desperately searching for their families and injuries and death increased exponentially as the Haitians began to recover from the trembling. Francois arose from being the protective blanket over his wife to find out that she had begun contracting. She was nine months pregnant.
For five days, his wife experienced tremendous pain as they fled for the Jimani border, hours away from their home. "How was she going to survive?" he would ask. "Who will help us?"
Arriving at the border, Francois began asking questions. Medical teams swarmed the mobs of people pouring through the lines and they quickly assisted Francois and his wife. She went into labor and he waited to find out whether or not he would be widowed or if he would have a new addition to his family. He sat praying and asking the Lord for his sweet mercy. Moments later, news arrived that she had given birth to a baby girl whom they would call Francelina. Overcome with joy that his family had survived this tragedy, the only thing Francois could mutter was "God saved my family". And it's true. Only a divine creator concerned with the intimate details of his children could provide a solution to something so seemingly impossible.
When I met Francois, Francelina was a mere ten days old. The clinic was understaffed, there were language barriers, and there was a shortage of medical supplies. One of these was baby milk/formula. Three other families had newborn babies at this clinic but the milk had run out that morning and it was now 10pm. The need was great considering the babies had not eaten since that morning. His wife could not feed their child because she was unable to produce milk. It all seemed so eerily similar to the story of baby Moses. I had to act. I could not bear to see another family suffer the loss of a child like that. So I left with Sarah to find our Dominican driver.
We tore through the streets with reckless abandon as we interceded and begged God to provide an open store or pharmacy with the supplies we needed. We arrived at a local store whose supplies I'm sure were drastically decreased than what they had before hundreds of Haitians had poured in through the border. But we asked anyway. Sure enough, they had just one box of 12 bottles. This I imagine could last the three families for a little over two days. It was not enough so we continued. I had visited a pharmacy before asking for phone credit, so we headed there. As we charged up the stairs, I kept thinking about Moses and Francelina. I was overcome with anguish for both families. My Spanish rattled off of my tongue with astounding fluidity as I communicated our needs. God was definitely in that considering their dialect is strikingly different from Mexican Spanish. The woman behind the counter smiled and placed three palettes of twelve bottles each atop the counter. Praise God! We paid and made our way back to the compound in hopes of arriving before the gates closed. We made it. I ran over to Francois and informed him of the news. A strong but gentle man sank into a deep sigh of relief with tears welling up in his eyes. The only thing he could do was thank us and thank God for saving his family. We were able to capture his story on video with Steph's camera along with many other stories. The WR marketing team is working diligently in sharing their stories.
Francois like many others probably hasn't the slightest clue as to what his next step will be. Many are just waiting. They can't return to what they had because it no longer exists and they cannot rebuild yet for fear of more earthquakes and aftershocks. So what are they to do? They just sit idly with blank stares across their faces. Our hope is to see pastors emerge as the fathers of this rebuilding nation. They will be the ones to look after the orphans and widows as the numbers are increasing daily. Our time down there was a success in establishing partnerships with different pastoral networks. We will be throwing full support in sending teams and supplies down to them in this time of greatest need. Many are turning to the Lord in the wake of this destruction. Please continue supporting them financially and physically by donating to the Haiti Relief Fund or by joining one of the many teams heading down there this year. EVERY skill set is needed and now is the time to act. I encourage you to do so. May God be glorified in it all!
THERE ARE SEVERAL VIDEOS AND BLOGS POSTED TO KEEP YOU UPDATED ON THE ONGOING SITUATIONS THERE. YOU'LL ALSO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Aaron took the bare essentials on this trip [no computer] and asked me to post updates for him when he is able to send me text messages. He arrived safely in the Dominican on Thursday afternoon, January 21st.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 28, 2010 9:51 AM A medical/special ops team is arriving today with 50 beds and two mobile medical units to the areas of Sarte and Carrefour where we are partnering with churches. Two big tent cities. I will be arriving in Atlanta tomorrow at 4:40pm on AA 1617. Our time here has been very fruitful and productive. We are excited to see these people restored.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 27, 2010 2:28 PM Orphanage now has 68 orphans and several refugees living in tents outside. Crossed the border, staying in San Juan tonight and Santo Domingo tomorrow. Will be in touch.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 27, 2010 8:08 AM Leaving Port Au Prince today. Lots of collapsed buildings, people still trapped underneath. The hardest hit area was the Capitol building area. We have been setting up for more short term teams to come down. There should be a medical team here next week. Heading to the DR border today and checking in at an orphange. There will be a large influx of orphans coming and looking to be adopted in the US.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 25, 2010 10:18 PM
Just bought baby formula for a clinic that had three children. Francois the father of one of them was with his wife in their house in Port Au Prince when the earthquake hit. She was on the 5th floor and nine months pregnant. The house collapsed but he said God saved him and his family. He now has a 10 day old baby named francilena. The clinic was out of milk for the babies this
morning. God provided and we were obedient. I am staying two days longer to go into Port Au Prince . Pray for safety, people are getting desperate.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 24, 2010 10:46AM
We are in Haiti at a church converted into a trauma care center. 100 new patients arrived yesterday from Port Au Prince. We are giving lots of water away along with other food. People are desperate and grabbing for everything they can.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 23, 2010 8:23 PM
Looks like we may be heading into Haiti tomorrow. Not sure if we're going to Port Au Prince yet. Will let you know.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 22, 2010 10:19 PM
Unloaded water, fed over 100 homeless refugees on Jimani. Desperation is setting in, spirits are low and people are frustrated.
MESSAGE SENT: Jan 22, 2010 9:03AM
Just loaded 5,000 bottles of water in a bus to take to the border Jimani. Tell everyone to follow SARA CHOE on Twitter. She is doing live updates on there all the time.
This is a post from Seth Barnes, director of Adventures in Missions from his blog "In the Midst of Death". Check it out along with the video from CNN.
I
have spent the past five days with the Searchlight participants
urgently praying for Haiti. Our prayers are being answered. Light is
infusing the darkness as we speak. This article from Ron Hutchcraft Ministries illuminates the faith rising from the rubble.
CNN
and other networks went to church today. In Haiti, that is. Because the
faith celebrated there today has become part of the story of Haiti's
darkest hour.
It's not a surprise to those of us who have been
with these precious brothers and sisters. Some of them live every day
with a tenacious faith that sustains them through their grinding
poverty. And when they worship, it's not all buttoned down like so many
American churches. It's exuberant!
That's
why the CNN reporter at a Haitian Sunday service had a hard time
hearing the anchorwoman on the other end. Yes, their church was
destroyed by the earthquake. But that didn't stop them. They
worshiped in a nearby park, patching together a platform from wood
scraps and somehow finding a generator and a sound system. Those
Haitian believers were clearly experiencing the Presence of God in the
middle of the death and destruction all around them.
One reporter
seemed almost incredulous at the faith he had encountered. "Everyone
we've spoken to - they're not questioning God; they're thanking God. We
see spontaneous processions through the streets of Port-au-Prince,
joyously praising and thanking God. At times like this, so many
people's faith has defied the odds. That's what's pulling them through."
Defiant
faith. That's what it is. Not faith that denies the awful grief of
having lost someone whose death and final resting place they may never
be able to confirm. Not faith that doesn't struggle with where to go
when you've lost most of the little you had. Those realities are
painful, undeniable. But for all the pain and loss on their scale, they
have something on the other side of the scale. Something - or Someone -
who balances the scale on the side of hope.
And the world is
watching and listening. What they are seeing is a power that is greater
than even life's most overwhelming shocks. Because its Source goes
beyond this life.
Put simply, their life is in the hands of a
Savior who conquered life's most fearsome enemy, death. Who, according
to history, walked out of His grave under His own power. He stands
above all the religions and prophets of history as the only Man who
validated His message with a resurrection. Most every religious leader
has promised eternal life. But only Jesus proved He has it to give.
What
we are seeing in the defiant faith of the believers of Haiti is, in
short, Jesus Christ alive. In them. The Bible describes this infusion
of uncrushable life this way: "In His great mercy He has given us new
birth, into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead" (1 Peter 1:3 ). Hope that is a Person, not a religion.
Last week, I made the one and half hour drive to Gainesville, GA in hopes of catching the vision and answering the famous World Race question "What's next?" Over the last three years, God has finally brought me to this point. Life is not just about transitioning to the next project, it is about becoming a part of a movement. That being said, I am coming on staff with AIM as an apprentice on the training side of things. I will be learning how to instruct, coordinate, team-build, and direct spiritually in the training arena. I am extremely excited at the opportunity to impart what I've learned over these years as well as learn from those who are investing into me.
So after everything had been discussed, I have made the decision to move up to Gainesville on March 1st. I will be there for 6 months for this apprenticeship before launching out into more long-term options whatever that looks like. This is a crucial and pivotal time of preparation for me. I hope to gain knowledge on how to create and initiate viable long-term ministries abroad during this time. I would love to invite you into a partnership as I continue this journey pressing into what God is doing in this generation. There is a movement and I would love it if you were a part of it. This a movement that is about bringing the Kingdom of God to all corners of the earth. It is a movement that desires to move and be led in spirit and in truth. I am asking that you partner with me through becoming a financial supporter. If you look on the left-hand side of my blog, you will see a link that says "Support me". Please click on that link and follow the steps to come on as a monthly supporter or for a one-time donation to my continued work in this ministry. Without you, I would not have been able to do and be a part of the amazing things that God has done over these past 3 years. Please send me a message through this site to discover what my direct needs are to continue on staff.
In other news, I had been praying about going to Haiti and God has opened the door. A friend called and offered to buy my plane ticket down to the Dominican Republic to be a part of an AIM first-response team on the field. Amazing how God moves!! I will be going down with about 6 other WR alumni on Thursday, Jan. 21st. We will then travel to the Haitian border where many refugees have fled from Port-au-Prince. Our hope is to bring much-needed water to the border, to build trust with the Haitians, and to establish a way for long-term relief effort teams to get down to Haiti over the next year. Please be praying for us as we will be sleeping in tents, and cooking with stoves once again. We do not want to abuse their resources as a visiting team from the US. Pray for divine appointments. Pray for a way in for future relief teams. Pray that God is glorified through our efforts and that Jesus shines in us. For more on how you can donate and support the Haiti Relief fund, go here: Haiti Relief. On this blog, you will find ways and even have an opportunity to give toward relief efforts. This is a tangible way for you to get involved and be connected to what God is doing down there. I implore you to give. I will be posting updates on Twitter and Facebook as I'm able. Blessings to you all and may we show that God is truly the provider and lover in times like these!
Darkness set in. The stars emitted their brilliant sparkling light from a distance, but they did not seem near enough to me. I stumbled through the night as I made my way toward the Lamptey house without a flashlight. My eyes were tired, my body exhausted, and my spirit constantly battling the arrows that had been aimed at me. I felt the target on my back. I felt isolated and alone. Like the sheep that had wandered away from the herd, now I sat in Africa away from the squad.
Things had not run as smoothly as I had once hoped, but then again, they never did. Obstacles made their way into my path almost every day and I found myself in a land where my problems seemed insignificant in light of the overwhelming poverty around me. There was no one around to verbally process anything which was possibly the most difficult aspect of my time there. When will this end? I just wanted to be home. That's where people know me. That's where I feel loved and embraced. I have direction and purpose there, surely God will not leave me here forever alone, would he? Would he only remind me of his faithfulness to see out the purposes he had in place for Ghana? Would he comfort my weary spirit? Has he forgotten me?
Upon arriving to the Lamptey house, the sky darkened to an ominous black. I could barely make out the shadowy figures as they emerged from the house. I did not yet know the path back to the hotel. I needed guidance. As Reverend Isaac approached me, we turned and began our uphill trek toward the hotel. I walked, tripping over seemingly every root and stone along the path. I nearly broke down into tears. All of my frustrations and the weariness of isolation had worn me out to the point of exhaustion. I felt as if I could not move forward another step. I silently cried out to the Lord for him to just BE with me...
As I let out my pain in a quiet murmur, the gentle touch of Jesus wrapped itself around my pinky finger. In my spirit, a calmness came. A reminder. I gazed down at my hand to see the small figure who had joined us in the journey. It was little Lelia. Suddenly, my other hand felt the sensation of human warmth as Joshua had attached himself to it. I now had no hands to brace my impending falls. We began walking once more and after several paces more, the Lord spoke to me.
"Aaron, I know it has been difficult but know this, I am true to my promises. I will NEVER leave you or forsake you. You are not alone. Just as I have provided these little ones to guide you through the night, so also am I there to lead you through the darkest times of your journey."
Tears gently streaked down my face. In the darkness, my manhood was still in tact as they were unable to see my weeping. Although Joshua and Lelia had hands only large enough to cover a small portion of mine, they still managed to protect me. They knew the path so well after making the walk several times in the dark. In their own language they would point and warn me of upcoming dangers along the trail and I understood. They were guardian angels standing watch over my life and I knew that I was not abandoned.
As I arrived to the hotel, I wiped the trails of tears from my cheeks before light was able to reveal them. I knelt down to hug both Lelia and Joshua. As I embraced them both, I whispered a simple thank you. For them it may have seemed like nothing, but for me, it was gratitude for rescuing me. I made my way up the stairs to my room and once I arrived and shut the door, I broke down. My spirit groaned out of thankfulness.
"Father in heaven who is always near, thank you for your constant provision. You know what I need more than I. You have seen me in my suffering and you have provided. There is no one like you! Even in a remote distant land, you know me. Thank you for Lelia and Joshua, the precious ones. Even at their young age you have used them to do great and mighty things. They are the light in this dark place. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you..."
As I fell to the bed, my body was finally at rest. I drifted into a deep sleep unable to wake until the Lord had given me all that I needed. I woke up refreshed and renewed. I woke up being certain of his comfort and I was not lonely no more.
I've now been officially home for four days. I would like to catch you all up to speed as to what has been going on in my life over the past month or so...
I said my goodbyes to the J-squad on December 3rd of last year. Our last night together was spent in worship in Istanbul and it was evident that the Lord was in our midst. To see where the J-squad is now compared to where we started gets me filled with all sorts of excitement and expectation. They are transforming and becoming more aware of who they are in Christ. I expect God to move in even greater ways in their lives as they continue on the race. I received the most amazing gift from them upon leaving: a scrapbook filled with each one of their pictures along with prophetic words spoken over my life from each of them...truly blessed.
From there, I made my way to Africa, alone. The World Race will be sending the L-squad to West Africa this spring and I was sent to set-up ministry and secure a debrief location for their squad. I was definitely pumped at the opportunity to go out and just ask the Lord where he was moving and leading this squad. And to do it alone meant that I would definitely get some time alone with just him and be able to reflect on all that had transpired over the previous 4 months. I began in Ghana.
Getting into Ghana was a little tricky. I had not previously secured a visa, so I had to pay at the immigration (it was a bit shady), but I got in. A friend of mine had given me two names: one for Ghana and one for Nigeria. When I arrived in Ghana, Rev. Isaac Lamptey was there to greet me at the airport, sign in hand. He escorted me to the location I'd be staying in Accra throughout my time there. I spent time with his family, got to know his heart and the vision that the Lord had given him for his nation. He is very well-connected and already went through the trouble of coordinating several meetings with different pastors from all over Ghana. I met with the most amazing group of God's people. They call themselves Club 2000. They come from all over the country and take part in various types of ministry from orphanages to prisons to 24/7 prayer ministries. They are remarkable to say the least. Clearly, the Lord was working and already paving the way for the L-squad. Then, an attempt to stifle God's plans came. Being that I only had one week in each country, I had to spend time setting up arrangements for Nigeria while I was still in Ghana. After looking online, I realized that I had to obtain a Nigerian visa before getting into the country. I looked at the process...and it was a rather difficult thing to do. One must obtain a letter from the organization sending you, a formal letter from the one receiving you, your passport info and flight itinerary, your Nigerian contact's passport information, and $130 US Dollars. So I got to work. I went to the embassy, they sent me away when I didn't have everything. Oh yeah, internet was scarce as well, so contacting all of these people was very difficult. I arrived at the embassy again two days before my departure and it was closed for visas. I had one day. I got there very early the day before leaving, turned everything in, had to pay $50 for an express visa and I obtained it just minutes before the embassy closed. Talk about God moving. I would love to say that I had a great attitude about all of it, but honestly, it wasn't the best. I was frustrated and discouraged. I didn't feel like I was being effective. I felt alone and isolated. But that's when God showed me something that I'll blog about next time.
I nearly missed my flight to Nigeria because the flight had been "reserved" but not yet purchased. So when I got to the airport, I had to run to an ATM and make the payment before boarding. Again, it was minutes before the flight closed. Rev. Simeon Folorunsho greeted me at the airport. He is also a well-connected man who is a tremendous communicator. He had meetings all over Nigeria with various prominent people who were also pastors. I met a veteranarian, professional footballer, and a man in the oil business, all who have hearts for the Lord and his people in this nation. Ministry set-up was so great there and I fell in love with the people. I have never seen poverty like I have there. Women with babies hopping on the back of motorcycles with the babies strapped to their backs, crippled and deformed people wheeled out in wheelbarrows to the streets to beg, trash strewn along the streets, and vendors nearly run over because they were trying to make a sale in traffic. Not to mention AIDS, water contamination, and malaria. Take your pick. There is tremendous need here and the people are hungry not only for food but for God's love. After touring around the country I boarded a plane to head home. Now, African time is a bit different than American time as I'm sure many of you know. Each one of the three flights I was on in Africa departed over an hour late. This one was no different.
Because we left an hour late, I missed my connecting flight in Morocco. I was exhausted physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I broke down. I just wanted to be home but I was reminded of what God had been teaching throughout this whole time. I stayed the night in the hotel that the airline had arranged, ate some great Moroccan food, and spent time with the people who were very intriguing. There is something special about them...
I got online to see that several flights were being canceled out of New York due to snow. Great. What next, seriously? Fortunately for me, there is an incredible World Race staff on top of things and finding a flight home for me. I made it to New York and it never felt so good to be home in the US. I then made it to Charlotte where my flight was delayed for 3 hours. I finally arrived home in the loving arms of my parents at 2am. What a ride!
I spent the next week at home and in North Carolina with my family. My sister and brother-in-law are house parents on a ranch for young teenage girls up there so we got to spend Christmas with them. They are wonderful people who have a heart to serve the broken and hurting. We did some horseback riding and did some work on the ranch. Probably one of the best Christmas experiences I've ever had. It was good to be home with them for sure. On Christmas day, my father gave me the best gift of all. He sat there on the couch reading through his notes and the scriptures. He pensively flipped through the pages as he determined the exact words he would say. My sister, brother-in-law and I sat awaiting, not really sure what to expect. As my father finally arrived at what he desired to say, he began. He started with my sister. He spoke over her as his firstborn and the kind of woman she has become. He spoke of the things hidden in her heart. He revealed how he saw the Lord moving in her life. He cast vision for her and Hunter as to how he sees the Lord using them in the future. He prophesied over them and spoke a blessing over their lives. Then he turned to me.
As he spoke, I stared down at the ground being careful to soak in every last bit that he had for me. I held my hands open to receive it. I wanted it all. Every blessing that he had to speak over my life, I claimed it. The kind of man and how he sees me nearly brought me to tears. Never before had my father done anything like this. He is a man who has always encouraged and supported me, but for him to do this was clearly something that God had laid on his heart. The final things he spoke over my sister and I were comparisons and likenesses to two men who he esteemed very highly. George Mueller and Hudson Taylor. Whereas my sister bears the likeness to George Mueller, my father said that I am his Hudson Taylor.
Hudson Taylor was a missionary. He was fluent in several Chinese dialects and was responsible for leading over 800 missionaries to China. He saw much fruit come from his faithfulness to the Lord (over 18000 Chinese came to know the Lord through his ministry) and everywhere he went, he immersed himself in the culture. A truly great man. To have my father bestow such honors on me was the best blessing I could ever hope for. What a wonderful Christmas!
I left for St. Louis the day after Christmas to take part in the Urbana Conference as an exhibitor for the World Race. Along with Caroline, Kim Daniels, and Kelly Chadwick, we spent time sharing about the World Race and what God is doing all over the world. It was a blast and I am so thankful for the time that I had to spend with these women of God. They are awesome!
So now I am home. I am currently finishing up work with regards to West Africa setup, meeting up with various friends, and raising support to go on staff with the World Race. I will give more details of what that will look like within the week, but for now, this is where God is leading me. A season has ended and a new one has begun. One of revelation and realization. One that will bear much fruit as God sees fit. I am excited to share some stories with you!
I miss them terribly. Those four months will always be near and dear to my heart because I know that God is raising up a mighty generation of leaders to bring his Kingdom to earth! You guys rock, I'm fighting and interceding for you. I will be posting more blogs this week, but first I must rest after a long 2 weeks in West Africa (so many cool God stories). But I will leave you with this video that the amazing J-squad put together just in time for the holidays. Enjoy!
Yesterday marked a day in my life that will never be forgotten. It was the culmination of three years of ministry along with a lifetime of things spoken over me. Throughout my life, I have taken several personality tests for various jobs or ministries. Each one was a little different, but the one that spoke to the core of who I am was one that directed me to biblical personalities that matched mine. People like John the Baptist and Peter...the forerunners.
On my first World Race, I had several people prophesy that I was a forerunner. People who I love and adore, my teammates, Seth Barnes, and several others all had same or similar words for me. I wondered, what does that even look like? Does that mean that I am just the "set-up guy" or that I won't see much fruit? I got pretty frustrated. I wanted to see great things and I wanted to be used by God to see people healed and every other sort of miraculous thing you could imagine. I thought to myself that as a "forerunner" I would somehow not get to take part in these things. I was dead wrong.
I have seen God do amazing things in my lifetime, being the one that comes before does not mean that I won't see those things happen. Rather, it means that those who come after will extend it that much further! How cool is that?!
I sat in the locker room of the Jordan River baptism site as I pondered these last three years. It finally sunk in and hit me the magnitude of what was going on that day. At training camp for the J-squad back in late May of this year, God spoke to me so clearly as I was filled with his Spirit. Three men came to my mind in visions that night, three men that I would minister to specifically. After being filled with His Spirit, I walked around the room in search for Matt Patch, Austin Anglea, and Dan Snyder. At this point in time, I had barely known any of them yet I had heard so clearly that I was to walk up to them and speak things over their lives. I didn't know them, but God did. Each one heard from the Lord that night in his own way and we left amazed at what God was doing. It wasn't until yesterday that I realized the answer to the question why?
Throughout the summer months I kept receiving dreams about these mighty men of God and what possibilities lie ahead for them. They were just on the cusp of it but I could already sense God moving and developing a partnership among them. Dreams that spoke of mighty things being done in the Kingdom came to my mind afresh. Little did I know that they had been having visions and dreams themselves. God was definitely moving. So I sat in the locker room and as always, there is no mistake in how God coordinates things. He is the author. We did not plan it but there we sat, Austin, Patch, Dan, and me. I was baffled that in a few short moments I would have the blessing and honor of baptizing these empowered men of God and in the Jordan River of all places. I opened up the word to Matthew chapter 3. I read about John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for the one to come, Jesus of Nazareth. Striking how these parallels manifest themselves. It clicked. Over the last few months I have been honored to serve alongside the J-squad that is full of this generation's leaders. I have seen growth and I have poured my heart and soul into them. It has been a privilege to do these things. I read as John said that he was not fit to even carry the sandals of Jesus. I empathized with his words as I made eye contact with each of these three men. John also said that he needed to be baptized by Jesus because he recognized who he was. After seeing these men and realizing who they are in Christ, I shared the same sentiment. What an honor it was to baptize these men in water!
Austin the Evangelist
Matthew the Discerning Exhorter
Daniel the Prophet
As each one emerged from the water, the implications exceeded the symbolism of the event. There was something going on in the spiritual realm and I knew that great things in the Kingdom were coming in Jesus name!
I could not have imagined any of this years ago. I never believed that I would be a part of God's amazing story in this way. But here I am, humbled once again that God chooses to use the ones least likely. He uses the foolish things to shame the wise. I have realized who I am and what I've been called to do. I exist to raise others to go further and deeper than what I could ever dream. Will I see and be a part of great things in the Kingdom? Of course, but I realize that the greatest thing that I could do is to impact those who come after me. As confirmation, and in God's sense of humor, upon leaving the baptism pit I saw Patch's tattoo of a dove on his shoulder showing through his gown as if to say that "he is also my son and that I love him and have great purpose for him". Father, you blow my mind. To be loved by you and chosen by you, there is no greater thing! May these men as well as the entire J-squad continue to bring your Kingdom to earth in every nation they touch. May they be the ones in this generation to see all nations come to know you in your fullness. I speak a blessing over these men as leaders. They walk in freedom and newness in you. I thank you Lord for who you've created me to be. A forerunner.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"
Jesus, may your Kingdom come to this earth. May it flow to the outskirts of this city and spill over into the nations...
As I stood atop the high Mount of Olives, I gazed upon the beauty of the Lord in its fullness. The sun set directly behind the walls of the City of David creating a breathtaking landscape that one usually dreams but rarely sees in their lifetime. I pictured the city as it may have been in the days of David and the kings of old. I envisioned the triumphal entry of Jesus riding on the colt and the donkey while the crowd shouted "Hosanna! Hosanna!" fulfilling the prophecy of the magnificent Redeemer. I imagined myself an onlooker as Jesus was flogged in the city and as he mustered up just enough energy to make it up to Golgatha only to be crucified for my sins. I embraced the freedom that came from Jesus walking out of the tomb conquering death and defeating the enemy! These were merely dreams one month ago, but that day they came to life.
I paced around the balcony of the tower. Twelve doors representing the twelve gates of Israel shone light in every direction. I recalled the passages of the Bible (oh how precious is his word to us) calling us lights in the darkness and a city on a hill. The sun had set. The worship was echoing in my ears. Praises were ringing out all over Jerusalem during this watch. I stood among six fire-breathing World Racers as we stood in the gap for the Jaffa Gate. We worshipped, we interceded, and we prophesied over our nation and the nations that the Jaffa Gate faced. For two hours we stood as watchmen on the wall overlooking Jerusalem. As we relieved the watchmen before us, several others relieved us of our duty to continue to stand watch, crying out to the Lord for his Kingdom to come and invade earth. This watch will continue every day, every hour for the nations. Know that there are those who are fighting for the nations in the Spirit every day. They are the watchmen.
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, They shout joyfully
together; For they will see with their own eyes When the LORD restores
Zion.
~Isaiah 52:8
I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be
silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest.
~Isaiah 62:6
What a blessing and honor it has been to be in Israel. I am so incredibly thankful to spend my last month with this squad in such a powerful place. I sat in the Garden of Gethsemane the other day staring at a tree. This tree was rather wide around the base and very old and worn. It was clear that this tree had seen many things. I sat pondering. Could this have been here when Jesus cried out to his Father to take the cup from him? When he was arrested? Quite possibly. As I searched the tree, I saw branches that appeared newer. They were young and full of life, they were vibrant. I began thinking of the new shoots being grafted in. Being plugged into the same source, Jew and Gentile. What Christ did made the way for me...a stranger. I get to be a part of what he is doing today. I am a participant. What an incredible gift!
I walked toward the Wailing Wall and prayed for this squad. I prayed for my family back home and what they've been going through as I've been away. I prayed for his protection and provision. I prayed for the nations that have burdened my heart over these World Race experiences. My heart has grown so big throughout these travels and I know that God is just making his way for greater and greater things in this generation. I am entering my final week with the J-squad. It is wild to think of the amazing things that He has done over the past three years of my life. Every single bit of it! From my first time out on the race, to an even more stretching and growing year of teaching, to leading a squad of passionate believers, I have seen him move and have had to rely and trust in him more than I ever have. He has been so faithful. There are a couple more blogs that I will be posting in the next couple of days. I hope you enjoy reading and I can't wait to share what God has in store for this next season of my life! Blessings to you all!
Arriving at the border, Francois began asking questions. Medical teams swarmed the mobs of people pouring through the lines and they quickly assisted Francois and his wife. She went into labor and he waited to find out whether or not he would be widowed or if he would have a new addition to his family. He sat praying and asking the Lord for his sweet mercy. Moments later, news arrived that she had given birth to a baby girl whom they would call Francelina. Overcome with joy that his family had survived this tragedy, the only thing Francois could mutter was "God saved my family". And it's true. Only a divine creator concerned with the intimate details of his children could provide a solution to something so seemingly impossible. 
We tore through the streets with reckless abandon as we interceded and begged God to provide an open store or pharmacy with the supplies we needed. We arrived at a local store whose supplies I'm sure were drastically decreased than what they had before hundreds of Haitians had poured in through the border. But we asked anyway. Sure enough, they had just one box of 12 bottles. This I imagine could last the three families for a little over two days. It was not enough so we continued. I had visited a pharmacy before asking for phone credit, so we headed there. As we charged up the stairs, I kept thinking about Moses and Francelina. I was overcome with anguish for both families. My Spanish rattled off of my tongue with astounding fluidity as I communicated our needs. God was definitely in that considering their dialect is strikingly different from Mexican Spanish. The woman behind the counter smiled and placed three palettes of twelve bottles each atop the counter. Praise God! We paid and made our way back to the compound in hopes of arriving before the gates closed. We made it. I ran over to Francois and informed him of the news. A strong but gentle man sank into a deep sigh of relief with tears welling up in his eyes. The only thing he could do was thank us and thank God for saving his family. We were able to capture his story on video with 
As I let out my pain in a quiet murmur, the gentle touch of Jesus wrapped itself around my pinky finger. In my spirit, a calmness came. A reminder. I gazed down at my hand to see the small figure who had joined us in the journey. It was little Lelia. Suddenly, my other hand felt the sensation of human warmth as Joshua had attached himself to it. I now had no hands to brace my impending falls. We began walking once more and after several paces more, the Lord spoke to me. 
I said my goodbyes to the J-squad on December 3rd of last year. Our last night together was spent in worship in Istanbul and it was evident that the Lord was in our midst. To see where the J-squad is now compared to where we started gets me filled with all sorts of excitement and expectation. They are transforming and becoming more aware of who they are in Christ. I expect God to move in even greater ways in their lives as they continue on the race. I received the most amazing gift from them upon leaving: a scrapbook filled with each one of their pictures along with prophetic words spoken over my life from each of them...truly blessed.
Getting into Ghana was a little tricky. I had not previously secured a visa, so I had to pay at the immigration (it was a bit shady), but I got in. A friend of mine had given me two names: one for Ghana and one for Nigeria. When I arrived in Ghana, Rev. Isaac Lamptey was there to greet me at the airport, sign in hand. He escorted me to the location I'd be staying in Accra throughout my time there. I spent time with his family, got to know his heart and the vision that the Lord had given him for his nation. He is very well-connected and already went through the trouble of coordinating several meetings with different pastors from all over Ghana. I met with the most amazing group of God's people. They call themselves Club 2000. They come from all over the country and take part in various types of ministry from orphanages to prisons to 24/7 prayer ministries. They are remarkable to say the least. Clearly, the Lord was working and already paving the way for the L-squad. 
Then, an attempt to stifle God's plans came. Being that I only had one week in each country, I had to spend time setting up arrangements for Nigeria while I was still in Ghana. After looking online, I realized that I had to obtain a Nigerian visa before getting into the country. I looked at the process...and it was a rather difficult thing to do. One must obtain a letter from the organization sending you, a formal letter from the one receiving you, your passport info and flight itinerary, your Nigerian contact's passport information, and $130 US Dollars. So I got to work. I went to the embassy, they sent me away when I didn't have everything. Oh yeah, internet was scarce as well, so contacting all of these people was very difficult. I arrived at the embassy again two days before my departure and it was closed for visas. I had one day. I got there very early the day before leaving, turned everything in, had to pay $50 for an express visa and I obtained it just minutes before the embassy closed. Talk about God moving. I would love to say that I had a great attitude about all of it, but honestly, it wasn't the best. I was frustrated and discouraged. I didn't feel like I was being effective. I felt alone and isolated. But that's when God showed me something that I'll blog about next time.
I met a veteranarian, professional footballer, and a man in the oil business, all who have hearts for the Lord and his people in this nation. Ministry set-up was so great there and I fell in love with the people. I have never seen poverty like I have there. Women with babies hopping on the back of motorcycles with the babies strapped to their backs, crippled and deformed people wheeled out in wheelbarrows to the streets to beg, trash strewn along the streets, and vendors nearly run over because they were trying to make a sale in traffic. Not to mention AIDS, water contamination, and malaria. Take your pick. There is tremendous need here and the people are hungry not only for food but for God's love. After touring around the country I boarded a plane to head home. Now, African time is a bit different than American time as I'm sure many of you know. Each one of the three flights I was on in Africa departed over an hour late. This one was no different.
I spent the next week at home and in North Carolina with my family. My sister and brother-in-law are house parents on a ranch for young teenage girls up there so we got to spend Christmas with them. They are wonderful people who have a heart to serve the broken and hurting. We did some horseback riding and did some work on the ranch. Probably one of the best Christmas experiences I've ever had. It was good to be home with them for sure. On Christmas day, my father gave me the best gift of all. He sat there on the couch reading through his notes and the scriptures. He pensively flipped through the pages as he determined the exact words he would say. My sister, brother-in-law and I sat awaiting, not really sure what to expect. As my father finally arrived at what he desired to say, he began. He started with my sister. He spoke over her as his firstborn and the kind of woman she has become. He spoke of the things hidden in her heart. He revealed how he saw the Lord moving in her life. He cast vision for her and Hunter as to how he sees the Lord using them in the future. He prophesied over them and spoke a blessing over their lives. Then he turned to me.
Yesterday marked a day in my life that will never be forgotten. It was the culmination of three years of ministry along with a lifetime of things spoken over me. Throughout my life, I have taken several personality tests for various jobs or ministries. Each one was a little different, but the one that spoke to the core of who I am was one that directed me to biblical personalities that matched mine. People like John the Baptist and Peter...the forerunners.
I paced around the balcony of the tower. Twelve doors representing the twelve gates of Israel shone light in every direction. I recalled the passages of the Bible (oh how precious is his word to us) calling us lights in the darkness and a city on a hill. The sun had set. The worship was echoing in my ears. Praises were ringing out all over Jerusalem during this watch. I stood among six fire-breathing World Racers as we stood in the gap for the Jaffa Gate. We worshipped, we interceded, and we prophesied over our nation and the nations that the Jaffa Gate faced. For two hours we stood as watchmen on the wall overlooking Jerusalem. As we relieved the watchmen before us, several others relieved us of our duty to continue to stand watch, crying out to the Lord for his Kingdom to come and invade earth. This watch will continue every day, every hour for the nations. Know that there are those who are fighting for the nations in the Spirit every day. They are the watchmen.
What a blessing and honor it has been to be in Israel. I am so incredibly thankful to spend my last month with this squad in such a powerful place. I sat in the Garden of Gethsemane the other day staring at a tree. This tree was rather wide around the base and very old and worn. It was clear that this tree had seen many things. I sat pondering. Could this have been here when Jesus cried out to his Father to take the cup from him? When he was arrested? Quite possibly. As I searched the tree, I saw branches that appeared newer. They were young and full of life, they were vibrant. I began thinking of the new shoots being grafted in. Being plugged into the same source, Jew and Gentile. What Christ did made the way for me...a stranger. I get to be a part of what he is doing today. I am a participant. What an incredible gift!
I walked toward the Wailing Wall and prayed for this squad. I prayed for my family back home and what they've been going through as I've been away. I prayed for his protection and provision. I prayed for the nations that have burdened my heart over these World Race experiences. My heart has grown so big throughout these travels and I know that God is just making his way for greater and greater things in this generation. I am entering my final week with the J-squad. It is wild to think of the amazing things that He has done over the past three years of my life. Every single bit of it! From my first time out on the race, to an even more stretching and growing year of teaching, to leading a squad of passionate believers, I have seen him move and have had to rely and trust in him more than I ever have. He has been so faithful. There are a couple more blogs that I will be posting in the next couple of days. I hope you enjoy reading and I can't wait to share what God has in store for this next season of my life! Blessings to you all!