As the baking sun beat down on me, I sat with Alli on a filthy curb in the Ocean View township and watched as a pimp helped two of our friends wash our cars. We chatted and bantered back and forth with them and each other, while playing with and loving on local children as we kept an eye on the myriad of shady looking men who kept finding a reason to cross the street and walk by the two white girls. This time last year just driving into Ocean View terrified me. As these thoughts passed through my mind I wanted to bust out laughing. Who am I? What's happened to my life that this is normal and on a certain level even comfortable-that I walk into these situations without even thinking twice? It is incredible to me when I look back and see the journey the LORD has taken me on, and as I look forward to what is ahead.
I have been home now not even two months and already the Father is moving and blowing my mind by the work He is doing. Upon my return and settling in, I felt led to begin this new year by seeking the LORD through prayer and fasting, so I began the month of February with a 10 day Daniel fast. My desire was simply to pursue deeper intimacy with the Father and hopefully receive a word or direction concerning this next season. But in those 10 days He responded so far beyond my expectations!
I felt I should be more focused in my prayers, and so took one portion of the Lord's prayer each day to address specifically in detail. The Father's response was incredible. As I prayed through ministry and mission, desired provision and needs, forgiveness and unity in relationships, as well as protection and equipping in warfare I saw Him answer in specific breakthrough and provision, sometimes even on the same day. A household of young girls I've been connect with all last year, for the first time expressed their desire to me of pursuing a Bible study to learn more about Jesus. We have now had two successful meetings and are continuing!
Another client and friend of mine experienced breakthrough in her own life. She had recently given her heart to the LORD and was pursuing Bible study with me, but days before I left on holiday in the States she informed me her husband was leaving her. The week of my fast we were finally able to reconnect, to find that the LORD had restored her marriage simply through her faithfulness to Him and her response to the situation! She is now gathering friends for Bible study on a larger scale, and I believe the Father is raising her up to be a leader within her own community. Yet another friend and team member experienced the kidnapping of her son by local gang members, and the entire body of All Nations was threatened with violence if we entered Ocean View. As we joined together in prayer and invited fellow prayer warriors to partner with us, he was returned within 24 hours and the threat was removed!
In my own life the LORD continues to provide in every way. On the day I prayed for provision, I received an email saying a woman who had heard me speak at my grandmother's church had written a check for $5,000!! And He recently blessed Nicole and I with a free couch and chairs through friends, so our hospitable natures can host to our heart's content :)
Perhaps one area of both great excitement and challenge is that the Father is calling me to step out even more into my role as a counselor. I continue to do the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) counseling at the local hospital, and as a team we are praying about taking this on at one or two others. Through this many women have recently chosen life, but the LORD has also opened a new door through post abortion counseling. For the first time women have been asking me for follow-up sessions as they struggle to cope with their emotions following the abortion. I confess as I went to meet them I had little idea what to say, but it was amazing to see how in each situation Jesus shows up, how He gives the exact words to say and meets each woman's heart where she's at and begins the process of healing.
And so as I look forward into this new year and season, I am filled with joyful expectation! Regardless of challenges or the unknown, I know the LORD is faithful and He will make a way and bring breakthrough. He has promised many things, to me personally, to the Baby Safe team, and to the body of All Nations. There will be obstacles and difficulties, but Jehovah is on OUR side and there is nothing that can stand in our way. And I am excited to continue sharing this journey with you my friends as we move forward into the fulness of what He has in store!
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