August 6, 2013: Day Four
Tuesday morning dawned with a threat of rain that did not disappoint. Given the agenda for the day it did not surprise me in the least. Except, God controls the universe, not the devil, therefore I knew it would be all right. He is sovereign and He has a plan. Satan, at best, can discourage and detour, but he will never stop what the Lord orchestrates! I felt heavy in my spirit to be in intercessory prayer and spent much of the day quiet before my Lord.
Postponing for a couple of hours the decision was finally made to attempt getting to our destination, which meant driving in a torrential downpour, forging rising creeks with strong currents rushing across the roads. On several occasions, Pastor Anthony stepped into the water to determine the safety in crossing.
We were on our way to Angela’s house. It was moving day! A house being built for her reached point of livability so we had the privilege of moving her and her family in. Her current residence belongs to a woman who performs witchcraft. Angela’s concerns for the spiritual and physical welfare of her children and grandchildren living in semi-open shelter with constant exposure to the elements and ungodly practices warrant her distress. Two of her sons, both young adults, are disabled and unable to maneuver wheelchairs on the muddy uneven flooring, depriving them of any mobility. Medical tests reveal no known explanation for their conditions, suddenly onset as adolescents, therefore the cause for such severe disabilities remain unknown, but is suspected to be of demonic nature. Nevertheless, God is gracious as they both are very engaging young men.
At the new house when we stopped for lunch I helped Alex with their feeding, preparing plates by cutting up food and assisting as necessary. Asking if more was wanted, a finger was raised in the air as one young man continued to eat. I had to laugh. As I life skills teacher I understood, but was amazed at the apparent universal behavior. Finger halted in air, translates to, “Yes, I want more but don’t you even think about taking this.” Waiting patiently, he did exactly what I expected. He ate every last crumb and smiling handed me the plate responding, “Si.” As I interacted with them, I prayed healing and deliverance from whatever gripped their bodies.
This day was also a time of sharing the pain of another as she mourns. Angela’s daughter Jessica and grandson recently moved in with Angela. Jessica grieves for her husband who ten days prior died from a fatal snake bite while working in the fields. They were unable to reach medical treatment in time. Jessica’s four year old son, not understanding where his father is, continually asks when he will be home.
Roshani, who had not seen the new home's construction for some time, ran room to room filled for joy in the near completion of the home. She profoundly reminded us scripture came to life as “God lifted Angela from the mud to wood” referencing Psalm 40:2-3:
“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction,
out of the miry clay;
and, He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.”
Indeed, God rose Angela up and placed her on a firm foundation. The house was physical evidence, but Angela’s acknowledgement of Jesus as her Savior was spiritual evidence, as well. Christ is our firm foundation.
That afternoon the rain subsided and the heat of the day reached a humid high. The men continued working on constructing an outdoor kitchen area erecting posts to add on to the house. They also made furniture including several beds. The children were ecstatic having ample space to safely run around. After being carried down the hill and placed in their wheelchairs Angela’s two grown sons joined the excitement as they wheeled themselves room to room. Angela walked through the home overwhelmed with what God had provided her.
Seeing a table top gas stove she placed her hand upon the lid and sighed. Smiling, she looked up at me shaking her head in disbelief. Hugging her I realized there were no words to capture the moment.
After helping Martha serve and clean-up lunch and still sensing the Holy Spirit’s direction to be in intercessory prayer I walked outside covering the perimeter of the property with prayers of protection through the blood of Jesus for Angela and her family.
Boldly, I prayed that no one, step foot on the property without Christ in their life, “Let nothing the Lord has built up be torn down!”
"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good and His mercy endures forever."
- Psalms 136: 1
Alex ministered in prayer, dedication of the home and spoke what the life of a believer entails encouraging Angela to be strong in her new life in Christ. We prayed for Jessica, as well. Angela spoke a reaffirmation of her decision to follow Jesus, expressing gratitude for all He has done for her and her family.
Later than evening we joined the people of Talamanca once more for a time of worship, hearing of God’s word and breaking of bread. I sat in the back with the older children translating the songs being sung in English by whispering the translation in Spanish.
After praise and worship I went out to help with the children. A few steps down the slope I suddenly lost my footing with my right leg being pulled with a force I could not control nor could I bring it back to a normal position in front of me. For a moment, fighting tears and glancing at my arm I seriously thought I’d broken my leg. My leg was bent unnaturally behind me and I could not feel it. As I sat there trying to compose myself, not very graciously I apologetically admit, it came to me, I angered satan. I prayed for God’s protection on all of us. I prayed against evil forces of the enemy, claiming Angela's family and property for the Kingdom of God. I called forth deliverance in the name of Jesus Christ. With new resolve and the firm grip of Carlos I straightened out my leg, got up, brushed off my clothes, and lifting my head to my Lord, limped down to the other building. I wish I could say the remaining hours of the evening were easy, but it was not. I was in pain, somewhat embarrassed and felt the wounds from several months of spiritual battle, emotionally and physically. I shed warm tears as Marguerite and Martha prayed for me. Wiping my eyes and taking a deep breath I willingly joined Tricia to sing with the children. The devil can push and he can shove. He can break every bone in my body, but he will never sever my resolve to serve Jesus Christ with complete abandon. The grace of my Savior sustains.
The Lord blessed me with the gift of helps, why was I put in a situation where I could not exercise that gift without hindrance or limitation? The scripture that came to mind I did not expect. Mordecai explaining to his cousin Esther, the queen, that perhaps she was where she was “for such a time as this”. Would I have been that in tune to the Holy Spirit busy and moving about? Probably not. Was my “such a time as this” to be prepared and available to pray? I believe so. Where I felt I was not able to do anything realized I exercised another gift. I was left out nor was I idle. I was called to pray. Mother Teresa once stated that God cannot be found in chaos or noise, God is a God of silence. Look at nature. The gentle breeze moving in the rustle of leaves and rhythmic motion of waves. I believe this to be so. Jesus often left the crowds and His followers to find that place of solitude and rest, in His Father. I have learned that when circumstances do not make sense, look to God because He working in someone’s life. Are you experiencing “for such a time as this” in your life? Be ready; be available; be willing. He will use you to bring about His good work.
Please PRAY for the people living in Talamanca, Costa Rica and other regions in the world and those who reach out to minister to their needs, medically, financially, spiritually and physically. Many people are in need of adequate housing, employment, food and clothing. Many more are in need of resources and job skill training in order to learn a trade for employment. Children and teens ought to be available to access an education. Men and women require opportunities to earn a steady income to support their families sufficiently. People need Jesus to guide them to a loving God who is the only One who can protect the essence of self, their soul. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life. Only He can reconcile our hearts back to God. Seek the Way. Learn of Truth. Choose Life. Please PRAY for the work being accomplished through OM Vive Talamanca. That God would honor and bless the efforts of the missionaries, area pastors, local church, volunteers and others who support God’s work through resources, time, skills and/or finances. Pray hearts open to hear the Good News of God's plan to reconcile all creation back to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Pray for spiritual growth with the people of Talamanca, that they embrace their faith in Jesus, fully trusting in Him. May we all not just believe in Jesus, but believe Him.
Please CONSIDER giving, through donations or volunteer service, to Vive Talamanca and/or locally within your own community. Below are links to websites where you can learn more about this God-honoring ministry fulfilling the Great Commission through service to the poor and neglected people of Costa Rica and other regions worldwide.
RECEIVE the Lord's eternal blessing for your partnership in whichever manner He guides you in.
Please SHARE this blog with anyone you know who is interested in supporting and/or partnering in missions work, locally or globally.
PRAYER REQUESTS
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| Jessica and her son find peace and comfort in their time of loss |
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| Angela's sons receive full healing and restoration |
Angela continue to trust God
with her family's needs
For people without adequate
shelter, food and/or clean water
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| Believer's come together in unity to strengthen one another |
People gain access to school, church, clinic, etc.
To Learn More
Vive Talamanca (Spanish, Chrome translates to English) -
Operation Mobilization (OM) –
Go to: omusa.org
OM Costa Rica (Spanish, Chrome translates to English) –
To donate to OM Costa Rica (English) -
Note: In the additional information comment box type: “Donation for OM Costa Rica field #14500 Vive Talamanca, then specify, as desired, water filter, construction,
motorcycle, school supplies, etc.
motorcycle, school supplies, etc.
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