This trip, for me, started in Hollywood California but for the team, it started in the state of Washington. I knew only a few of the people on this missionary journey. They had attented my school in Mozambique, Africa. The rest of the team, which is what we were when we started but later became a family, is from different harvest school´s in Mozambique. I remember first going to the house where they were staying at and thinking this dream is coming true. For years, I remember talking to God, actually complaining, that I didn´t sew what I was reaping. I felt like I was like King David at the Adullum cave. I was in my cave, my apartment , and not liking it. I would tell Him that I wanted to do ministry or be married and and have a family or both but not want to be where I am now. I guess we all go to Adullum´s cave once in our life. I don´t want to go again, Jesus. So, here I was, walking into something I had been wanting for years. It was a Spiritual high I will not forget.
It´s funny when you dream about something, which is what I did, when I had confirmation from God about this trip. I had nine months to dream about this trip and what God was going to do with me, the team, and the people He put in our path. He has really exceeded what I had dreamed. His way, His path for your life is always better than what you can dream.
This family has had some growing pains but has always come back in unity with God and each other. For me, most of Central America and definitely Mexico, was about growing, unity, family, oneness,¨ what does love look like´´, and ´´going lower still´´ with each other and others. This trip and God was challenging us to die to self: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When you are constantly in community, it can bring those ugly things out of you that you easily can hide when alone or when you are not around the same people all the time. I kept on being challenged by God, when those fleshly things came out. I would try to reason with Him that they are defense mechanisms and that they are ok but knew that it was really selfishness or self-preservation. I would here, ¨die to self.¨ Daddy God would challenge me and say to me, ¨that the world believes that´s ok to do and the Christian world unfortunalely too¨ He would say, ´´you are not to be in either but be in the Kingdom of Heaven¨ I would here that and still do, that Kingdom people are suppose to be different and have a Kingdom mindset, and not a worldly or Christian world mindset. When you start walking in that you can love those that hate you or persecute you or mock you or talk bad about you. The sayings I learned at harvest school, ¨what does love look like¨ and ´lower still´´ so reflect what He wants us to do. We are to lay our life down totally and then Jesus can shine out of us brillantly.
So, that was what was happening to me in Central America alongside ministering and seeing many miracles.One of our family members who jumped on in Columbia told us a prophesy that his mom had for the team. She said that Central America was like the birth pangs in a pregnancy while the baby is coming out. That the Panama Canal was like the birthing canal and that God had something new and big for us in South America. That prophesy really ministered to me and felt that it was God.
We have been going south for eight months now, ´´lower still´´, ministering in churches, the streets, the jungle and living a lifestyle of 24\7 loving others. We are always on a treasure hunt to love and pray for people God puts in our path whether its at the gas station, supermarket, or just strolling down a sidewalk.
When we got off the bus in Ushuaia, Argentina we had no place to stay and didnt know where to eat. We had a contact of a contact but could not confirm it because of no phone or internet access. We knew a guy that knew a guy at a Baptist Church. We just showed up because God told us to. Twenty-six or so of us just saying to each other that same familiar phrase and then laughing, ´´what are we doing right now.´´ God knows, but a lot of the time when you are being led by the Spirit you just take those steps of faith and believe that ´´God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.´´ We got off the bus at night, 8 pmish, and had decided to get some food somewhere when, the guy ,showed up at the bus dropoff. He said that his church was waiting for us and had HOUSING and FOOD ready for us!!!!! We received so much from this town and this church and their congregation. As much as we ministered to them they ministered more to us in hospitality. Everything was provided for us FREE!! As a family that is getting challenged finacially, free is good. Sometimes we don´t have gas money to leave an area and a lot of us have to really watch what we spend on food or go without. We were so humbled by God and our lovely brothers and sisters-in-Christ in Ushuaia, Argentina. Love them!!
So now were are finally heading north. We are going to the Higher Places. The trip suddenly seemed short eventhough we have maybe 6 to 8 months more.
