Our first relational story...
Awesome encounter…
We’re on the plane to Kigali and my wife and I are separated, both in isle seats, one in front of the other. There is an african woman in the window seat beside her. We asked if she would move and exchange seats with me so that Teresita and I could sit together, and she strongly refused.
As the food service came, she refused all the food except for the (small amount of) fruit. As I started to eat, The Lord prompted me to ask for more fruit for her, so I did. When they brought her food, she didn’t understand until my wife explained that we had asked for her, and suddenly I saw the picture…
It was a quarterback pitch. I started the play with the ball, but my small action actually handed off the more important job to Teresita, who is now deep in conversation with her. Relationship and love that this woman desperately needs. We have no idea where this will go, but we KNOW it will end in love for us and for her.
We have our first life story on this trip and we haven’t even gotten there, yet…
It just reminds me again how important it is to adopt a conversational and intimate relationship with The Holy Spirit so that He can prompt and guide us into all righteousness. The picture of my wife and this woman talking behind me is beautiful and righteous.
*** Addition, 3 hours later ***
As we were all waking up, Teresita’s new friend turned on her and claimed that Teresta had stolen her money while we were sleeping. It was very sad and T handled it very well. It was an opportunty to forgive. Teresita had even felt the word asking her to give the woman some money. So, in Teresita’s generosity, the woman *seemed* to believe that T had not stolen the money, but also never found it.
So, what’s the take away? Was this encounter a failure because she didn’t come to “find” the Lord in the time that we were there?
1) I saw so many ways in which God protected us (even before this encounter) and laid the groundwork for us to do what we were called to - to just love her. Our taxi to the airport had used all of our cash (to the penny), so there was nothing on us that she could claim as her own (unless she travels in US dollars).
2) Where she, the enemy, or both would have used the “robbery” idea to destroy relationship, The Holy Spirit showed us how to get around all of that. By just following, we were able to circumvent every trap that was laid.
3) It took little of our own effort. In the freedom of the moment and not succumbing to the accusation, Teresita was able to continue to move forward with this woman and was not hindered or neutralized.
4) And for me, the big take-away was that people WANT relationship, regardless of how scared they are to have it. We can use their natural desire for connection and show the love of Christ as much as they can receive. We can push that border just a little and make a little more space for Him to enter their life.
Travel Out for Teresita and Shawn
Wow, what a couple of days it’s been! Lots to cover about the miracles and trials of God. We’re in Dubai, having survived the first 18 hour leg of our travels (DFW to Dubai), we are now ready to jump on board for the Dubai-Kigali leg, via Uganda.
So, how did you get this far, you may ask? Well, let me tell you…
We went to church on Sunday and received gret prayer from the congregation, and then several individuals. One prayer was for my back. You see, I had a herniated disk about 10 yrs ago that God healed (at a Bill Johnson workshop in Irving, no less). Now, after the spring show season of recording school events and carrying lots of heavy bags, it had begun to hurt again. At Convergence, the children had just completed VBS and were asked to pray over the adults in the church at service. The Lord pointed out 2 young ladies, gave them the words, and healed my back once again.
My wife and family also received a number of anointed prayers. There was no question that God was laying the foundation of an awesome trip!
Lastly, on Sunday night, my mother received a very timely word on forgiveness. Of being extra vigilant to deal with issues so that unforgiveness does have a place to root. Several other things happened through monday and tuesday and this word has been in the forefront of our decision making. It has been awesome!
Our flight to Dubai was great. Just to show us HIS hand, while boardng the flight to Dubai, a flight attendant grabbed us out of the CENTER of 5 ines of 100+ people each to start a “new” line that boarded first. We have seen such favor in the service of others! By taking the small amounts of time necessary to build micro-relationships, The Lord is providing for us and giving us great blessing.
I’d highly recommend Emerates airline any time you can get them. After a short stay in Dubai (and a quick trip to Dubai Mall to see the sights), we’re off again to Kigali.
This is just a short first post to start the ball rolling. We’ll be uploading pictures and video as we go, internet permitting, as well as praise reports and prayer requests.