Ears to Hear

Second river community trip. This was different. Amazon Reach had already been here two times before and only seen one salvation. Ground was hard here. People were stuck in Catholicism mixed with witchcraft and idol worship. When we landed at the dock it was pretty quiet everywhere. Kids weren't running around, people sort of just stared at us.

With the girls from the first community who gave to visit!

We go out with one message about a relationship with Jesus. The simple gospel because that's how it is meant to be. This became more real to us this week. We set up camp in an empty school so we had more space than last time, which was nice. At our first prayer time together, it was evident that The Lord was warning us against giving into tiredness and apathy. To not let a lack of motivation keep us from obeying his will for that community. So we took this on to fight against and go out with everything we had.

Kids clubs. Movies. Purity. Women's nights. It was the same programs as last week but with many less people. I worked the first kids club day and the 10 kids that came were all so shy that it took the whole hour for them to warm up to us. They seemed more scared of foreigners. In general, this community was much quieter. They kept more to themselves.

Nate with Andrea (in blue) and her family

I also went on the first day of house visits. When we set out, I was a little frustrated...and just didn't feel up to talking when we went in the first house. Just thought I would leave it to the people I was with to share and I would be there for support. A girl named Andrea invited us into the house where Nate had gone the night before. He had met the guys that night and got to build a friendship with them, but he hadn't met Andrea. So we met her and her baby son when we got in there. Someone noticed a few bible verses hanging up in their house and asked her about them. Somehow we got into asking her if she had a relationship with Jesus. She said she believed in him and that was it. As people were talking, I started seeing this girl through the eyes of God and felt the urge to truly share with her. So I got to speak to her about the offer of forgiveness through Jesus and that he really does bring a life of fulfillment. You could tell she was listening intently. And I shared I with her how God views her as a beautiful daughter and loves her just the way she is because he made her. I was overwhelmed with the desire for her to really know her identity in Christ. We talked for a little bit about this. Then I asked her, admittedly with little faith, if she wanted to receive Jesus and commit her life to him. At first she had doubts, but she said yes she wanted to. This was real to her.

some boys reading the Bibles we gave them

What impacted me was my thoughts and feelings going into this. I had determined to step back an be passive. I wasn't "up to it" and yet God kicked me in the butt and used me to speak to this girl. And she is now a new sister in Christ! How incredible. This showed me how big God is. Sometimes we take the back seat during times when God wants to use us the most. Are we constantly looking toward what God's will is? Probably not...so let's kick out this passivity and go full force! Of course, there is grace because our minds always wander. But what would happen if we strived to posture our hearts toward a heavenly mindset both in and our of ministry? How might God move in your life if you determined to push aside emotions and feelings that bring you down to go after the ways he wants to move through you? Let's persevere!



Jesus says in John 14:26, "but when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative - that is, the Holy Spirit - he will teach you everything and remind you of everything I have told you." As we tune our ears top the beat of the Holy Spirit, he will remind us of the things most important to his heart. He will teach you. He will guide you. Just be willing. You never know what may happen.

Around town

Anyways...yeah this week was different but filled with the Lords heart. We prayed over the community almost as much as we talked to the people because God called us to intercede. We saw 6 people give their lives to The Lord and left with them knowing what a true relationship with Jesus looks like.

Please pray for discipleship in this community because that it what is needed. There are no leaders or fellowship for this tiny group of followers. Pray the The Lord will continue to reveal himself through His Word!

Amen? Amen.