I know you're probably thinking that this is such a strange heading for a blog, well yes it is but it was a word i got for Nepal and on top of that it gets me super excited to write about ;)
Just like when you rowing through the rapids of rough waters and it feels like a battle seemingly IMPOSSIBLE to over come.. This is similar to what i experienced in Nepal in terms of our street ministry there.( except that Jesus is way more powerful than anything we encountered).. Everywhere my eyes glanced there were idols that people worshiped and honoured, by smearing them with red and orange colorful pastes as well as offering insense to the idols... In the spirit I could just see the darkness streaming from these idols, keeping the people there in darkness and imprisoned to demonic power... We experinced such spiritual oppression everywhere we went especially at the sites designated to hindu or budist worship. It was pretty scary at times, as we experienced the darkness so tangibly, but knowing that we have Christ in us we knew that nothing could and would overcome us. As in christ we are victorious,through the authority that we have in Him.When its so dark the light that is Jesus Christ in us, shines so much brighter as its different to what they have. I can see the influence it had on people by us just being there, not even necessarily talking to them. Just Being... We did how ever have this awesome oppotunity to make friends with these men who play badminton next to the street every morning, one of them invited us to his house where we got to just share love with him and his family. Here I got a revelation that we don't always know whats going on in the spiritual realm... We didn't really find that he was open to hear about God but by just being there and loving him we all felt something major happened in the spirit even though we don't know exactly what it was.
Also feel like my Dad in heaven was showing me just to be.... Just like when your rowing down a river not even a chocolate river, it gets hectic and often ur so focused on what you have to do or whats coming up you forget that you're on an adventure, you're on a CHOCOLATE RIVER for crying out loud! It's a chocolate river cause it was so beyond the natural with Dad everything is better and the chocolate also symbolizes blessing ( which we received in abundance). Some of the practical ways in which I experienced this was with being with the boys from the childrens home. I just hung back and had God lead the conversation and it was so worth it, really got to encourage them with the person that is our Dad and they also showed me such love not only the amazing love they have for one another but also for us. On top of that our Dad just wanted us to enjoy each other as we were soo blessed to enjoy a beautiful hike. Enjoying the smaller things in life like fish gobbleing up rice. Or ear pearcing lightning. And asking God to stop the storm and He did. They all seem so small but its THROUGH small things i really see my Dad being and enjoying life with me. these are the things I miss out on when i'm too busy thinking about the next challenge or busying myself with what i must DO next. I'm learning to be and let God use and guide me.
I also experienced God blessing us as a group.. When we entered Nepal we got a word from God, which seemed well, catch phrase like "expect the unexpected" and to the best of my memory every day God suprised and blessed us. If it was getting to go to the movies or getting free tea in the morning from our badminton friends or getting blessed with a table full of food and chocolates and coffee... Wow God, what an awesome God you are!
Comments
Keep rowing down the river. Lots of love Marina