Hey everyone, Abbey reporting back to you!
Recently my team went to a new community! We normally stick to the same five, but this week we were asked if we wanted to venture a little further out. With our yes spirits we jumped at the opportunity to go. This place was going to be a little different, there was a witch doctor. Some might blow that off, like it’s not a big deal, or give us a look when we took it seriously after agreeing to go. My team knows the spiritual weight of going into a place where that is practiced. Many famous people, politicians, and just people in need of everyday necessities will go to this witch doctor.
As we got closer we passed a dump that was right before you entered, trash was lining the roads. Our host told us that many community members would go through that trash to find things they needed. The closer we got, the heavier my heart felt. Throughout the race I have been practicing my discernment, especially distinguishing spirits, and I knew what this weight was. Normally it takes a while for me to start feeling those things but this was instant.
When we got out of the van we walked around and ended up at a building. One of the pastors with UTK is going to start a church there. Naturally we prayed over it and sang some worship songs.
Kids started gathering and two of my team members stayed back to do kids ministry. The rest of us went to go pray and get to know people living there.
I went with my team leader and one of the UTK staff, and started reaching out to people. The second we stepped out of the church doors we met Charlie, Josh, and Willy. We asked them if they knew who Jesus is, to which almost all of them said yes, but they didn’t want to follow him or weren’t ready. They replied that they had to clean themselves up and essentially get perfect before coming to Him. I shared part of my story and heart with Charlie and Willy. I prayed for both of them and Victoria took the reins with Josh. Along with practicing my discernment, I’ve also been stepping into more boldness with sharing my story and praying for others. The Lord even in those encounters was building my confidence in Him, for a certain encounter to come.
We took a quick stop by the witch doctor, I know, the part you’ve been ready for. The three of us prayed over that space and at first I was anxious. I have dealt with some demonic things in the past and was honestly fearful something might come up in that moment.
Don’t worry we’ll come back to this guy, I will be posting a more in-depth post about how I ended up laughing in the enemy’s face.
The three of us left that space and walked over to a nearby tree. We started talking to two guys who were sitting there and asked them if they knew about Jesus. One did and the other didn’t. Victoria was quick to share the gospel with them. Their answers were the same as the other three we talked to, I’m not ready, I have to clean myself up, I’m earning money in a way that He won’t like.
This is where my confidence was at an all time high, what the Lord was prepping me for. I shared my story with them, my voice starting to break, knowing what it’s like living in such deep sin you feel like you can’t accept Christ’s love. Their answers were persistent, but so was I. I pleaded with them and told them there was nothing they could not do that would change God’s love for them. In the midst of this another man came over. My eyes started to swell with tears. I told them my persistence was not to annoy them, but was actually such a small glimpse of how bad the Lord wanted them to understand His love for them.
The man that just walked up, shared he had to provide for his son and was earning money in a way the Lord would disapprove of. I shared my story, the one I previously shared with the other two. I told the three of them no matter what they did, good or bad, God’s love for them is equal. It wasn’t a coincidence we met them right there and then, to tell them this. How DESPERATE the Lord was, just wanting to tell them He loves them. The man that had just come up looked at us and wanted in. He wanted that. I was floored… I never thought some white girl, 22, from Wyoming, would be able to reach them. Our stories were different, our struggles were different, but I had gone through similar things. I told them I was aware of all of that. Still we got him, praise God! it was only because of Him that man accepted God. I prayed for him, and we got him in contact with the pastor that was starting the church.
Okay this is getting a little long so look out for part two.
WOW – I’m so proud of you. What a testament to the FACT that what the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good. He is redeeming your story and using it to share the gospel to the lost and the hurt. I can’t wait to see how this story continues to unfold!