Authoritative Power

We are going out witnessing again tonight and I ask that you all would keep us in prayer. Each time we go out we face increased opposition, especially over the past few weeks. The police have gotten involved, on behalf of the club owners who don't want us outside there clubs speaking to patrons. The police just want to appease the club owners. We have been told that we are allowed to preach: "As long as we aren't obstructing the sidewalk." "As long as you aren't talking to a whole group, but one on one." "As long as you aren't standing in one spot." This list changes upon each officer we encounter, we even had one officer tell the group that we were legally allowed to be out there preaching the gospel. Last Friday though, we met with an officer who has a very hard heart, and when he arrived on the "scene" he stated that someone is going down tonight and picked my friend Matthew and sited him for disorderly conduct and told him if we continue to preach, we will all be arrested and taken to jail. It is only in this part of Richmond, one of the wealthiest ares, that we see this level of opposition, suprising :) ...not so much.

Moses Syndrome

Friday night as we were out witnessing, we got into a discussion with a man named Albert. "I have had a rough life, I mean a really rough life." "I am angry at God, why did He have to take my father away?" These were some comments that he had made. His anger is born from a lot of hurt, first his father not being the father he had needed, and then all the hope that someday his dad would become that father, dashed when he died. As we were standing there speaking with this man, it was on my heart to tell him that it is by Christ's stripes that we are healed and instead of telling him myself, I asked my "Aaron" to speak those words to him as I had to leave.

I do not desire another Moses experience such as this, I am not eloquent in my speech, especially speaking to those I do not know or when I am in a group. But I know that the Lord puts things on my heart to share with certain people we meet and I desire to share that. By leaving it to "Aaron" to say, this could cause the statement to be taken differently? If "Aaron" has not been through anything like this, can he speak these words with the conviction needed to reach the heart of Albert?

I also feel it is a victory for our adversary when there is such fear in me to speak that I leave it for someone else.

Lord, give me confidence to carry out the work You have called me to do, to speak the words you have placed upon my heart. Remind me that I go out with Your authority.

Another huge praise!!!

No surgery required before my trip. The cyst that was being monitored has actually shrunk by approx. 65% which means no need for surgery at this time and that it is not cancerous. Thank You, Father. And I thank all of you for your prayers in this area.

$12,000!!!

That was how much was received during a special offering for the Bolivia team this past Sunday at my dad's church. Absolutely amazing.

Thank You, Father, I praise you, Lord.

A huge testimony: One of our teammates is a student at a Bible college and when she went to her dean 3 weeks or so ago about this trip and told him how much money she had to raise, etc. He told her it was impossible, that it wasn't the Lord's will for her to go, it was too much money and too soon. Oh, what a testimony for this dean as Heather knew in her heart that she was to go and knew that God would make a way. The next student that comes his way, I pray will hear nothing but encouragement to follow the Lord's calling despite the apparent impossibilities. I hope that this will encourage his heart and strengthen his faith in our Lord's abilities. I know that it has mine.

Our Faithful Father has called me and prepared the way. A week ago I was strongly questioning if I clearly heard from the Lord to go to Bolivia. As of last Wednesday I only had $100 of that which was due to purchase my ticket last Sunday. I was really struggling with whether I was to go, as I also have not yet been healed. The Lord asked me Wednesday to take another step of faith, though I could not see where the provisions were to come from I did. And praise the Lord, as of last Thursday night, all the money I needed for my plane ticket came in and as of yesterday the rest of my trip has been fully supported. The ways in which the Lord worked to bring this support for myself as well as so many on our team have been incredible.

At 412 on Monday night we were continuing our study in Mark 5, we studied Jairus and the woman who had been bleeding. In this story, when it states that the woman touched Jesus' robe, it properly means to attach oneself to, or cling to. As all our journeys, this has required a good measure of faith, and just as this woman did, I will need to continue to cling to His robe.

Please continue to pray for the political situation as well as my medical concern. I will find out on Monday if surgery will be necessary before the trip, recovery will take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support :)