"Wow! The Holy Spirit truly showed up tonight in POWER! Abba, thank you for answering my prayer. I feel at home in that sanctuary–I can be myself. I can worship like a crazy person in a room full of crazy people." –Journal Entry (6/1/12)
That first night I worshipped with tears streaming down my face, completely overwhelmed with joy in my spirit at the incredible passion of my teammates and leaders for God. What have I experienced these past few days at training camp? Freedom in the Power of the Spirit of the Lord.
AIM (Adventures in Missions) is all about the freedom of expression that we have in Christ. During worship one night while we were singing about the Roar of the Lion of Judah that tears down the walls of fear in us, a young woman heard the Voice of God through an image of a mighty lion. His head is thrown back, his mane flowing, and from his mouth comes not only the sound of his roar, but his breath–powerful. And all of creation sways and bends back beneath the mighty wind of his breath. The young lady declared that in each of us is the very breath of the Holy Spirit. When we roar we breath out His Breath and it goes before us. Wow! I was overwhelemd at the thought of this powerful Almighty God, living, moving, and breathing within me. POWER. That is the word that comes to mind. Over and over again I have been struck by the incredible POWER of the Spirit of God that is living in each one of His followers. In the name of Jesus we can call down rain from heaven, heal the sick and the blind, and set the captives free. There is awe-inspiring POWER in the name of Jesus. The same God who turned water into wine and who opened the eyes of the blind is living in us. In me. In the deepest parts of my heart–in the farthest depths of my soul.
Why have I never realized before this awesome power that is personal to me? My fear–my pride, self-centered embarrassment, and insecurities have stilled my acknowledgment and use of this POWER that is within me. My shame, the guilt of my past and present sin have kept me pinned to the wall when my shackles have already been broken.
"The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory though our Lord Jesus Christ." –1 Corinthians 15:56-57
Through my teammates God has breathed new LIFE into me this weekend. I am refreshed, filled with renewed faith in my identity in Christ and affirmation that this IS His will for me this summer–to be on this specific team, at this specific time, to the specific place of Ometepe, Nicaragua. Saturday night we spent the night beneath tarp and stars together after constructing our makeshift shelter.
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- Mi equipo (My team)
After spending a weekend of country briefings, cultural trainings, surrendering to God, declaring Truths, and hearing from the Lord, we are an ARMY of the LORD, rising up. We are READY to breathe the breath of life and love into the hearts of the people we meet. We are 14 mission teams of over 200 pairs of Christ's hands and feet, headed to the ends of the earth. We have been EMPOWERED by the truth that the Spirit of the Lord is with us wherever we set foot.
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, of love, and of self-discipline." –2 Timothy 1:7
Praise:
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God for my team! We are already experiencing supernatural bonds of friendship and unity–thank you for praying!
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God for allowing me to hear His Voice and experience His Power in new ways.
Pray:
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Ask God for safe travels as we fly down to Managua, Nicaragua tomorrow evening (June 5). We will spend the night in Granada, and then travel to the island of Ometepe in the morning.
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Ask God for continued growth for my team in deeper love and safe community through our times of feedback and sharing.
