Feb, 2
Today was our sabbath, a time to rest with the Lord. It was pouring down rain outside and the windows in the house were all open, sending a cool breeze right towards me. I was really enjoying the moment, when my Hosts holler from across the house… ” A pastor called, he really needs prayer, you want to come?”. “Absolutely” I thought.
I went to go round up the troops (my team), but it was our sabbath and they made a wise decision to stay back and spend time resting with the Lord. I still wanted to go, and I knew I would find it restful. I also felt like the Lord had given me this opportunity and I did not want to miss it… The pastor was the new one at the church that had fallen. (from my last blog).
We prepared a big food basket and brought coffee and bread. We loaded up the car, my host, their son David, and I. We headed up the mountain, back to that town we had went to last week. They talked about how they had never heard a pastor cry for help before. When we arrived, we drove up to the yellow/orange church. The pastor and his wife were waiting for us. We greeted them and entered. David and Gabi translated for me everything that was said. I mostly just sat and listened. Gabi told me it would be good for me to listen and learn, she believes that I will be a pastor on day.
We brought in the big basket of food (really heavy). The pastor and his wife were so happy. They said they had no food and no money. This new pastor told us he only had around Twenty people coming to church; a church that used to have close to Two-Hundred. I learned that there was a lot of witchcraft in the area and that witches from all over would come up to a house nearby and get together to curse churches and Christians. They had cursed the church before and the old pastor fell into sexual sin, causing the church to fall (that happened two times). Leaving many Christians hurt and in need of healing.
The principality in this region is said to be Jezebel. I was told that on the first day I arrived in Turrialba. I had never heard of a principality before, I never knew it was even a thing before. Regardless of not knowing what quite exactly that is, I can see clearly how the enemy is at work. Adultery is making pastors, and men fall all over the place here. In Ephesians 6:12 it says “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. We are in a spiritual battle and Jesus has given us authority in his name. So we prayed, over the pastor and his wife, and over the church.
The new pastor said all the sheep had gone astray and that he needs help bringing them back. He explained to us that he doesn’t have to pay rent on the church building, for the Lord had blessed him, but he does have rent on a house next to it. He showed us the last five weeks worth of tithes.. altogether 0$ had been given. He had no money for food or for rent. We had coffee and bread; then headed down to their house. While there, Gabi and Phil gave money for the rent of the next month for the pastor. We then planned to come back and help reach those lost. Then we headed back home for the day.
Feb, 3
It was raining today making our planned ministry of painting… non existent. We called the pastor from yesterday and decided to go help invite the community back to church. Drew knew we were about to enter a battle field so the whole house waited to go till after lunch. For two hours in the morning we worshiped the Lord, knowing that the enemy would try to stop us. Then at lunch we started walking up the mountain in the pouring rain into a battlefield.
When we arrived, Gabi and Phil told us the pastor now wanted nothing to do with us because they had worn pants not dresses. We still split up and went through the neighborhood preaching and inviting people to that church. Some of us went to the pastors house to get clarity. That is when things got a little chaotic. Things were miscommunicated and next thing you know we were all divided. The host, my team, squad leader, pastor, his wife, and I were all hearing and seeing different things. We were in the midst of the battle!
Conflict with one another was arising, we were trying to say things but others were not listening. I have never seen a group so close be torn in a matter of minutes. We hugged one another and tried to listen, but conflict was erupting. I finally called my team and said we are going home. We all prayed together and I read a scripture that the Lord put on my heart. Ephesians 6:12 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. Since we were all on different pages, I made us go home and sit with the Lord and then after 30 minutes we debriefed as a team.
What happened was the Host did not want to go back to that church ever again, but we wanted to go back and wear what ever we needed to reach the lost.
Things were more complicated than originally thought, we were still dis-unified and wanted different things. About half of us become unified again immediately, while some would take more time.
The next day on February 4th, those in conflict had an incredible conversation. Long story short there was a lot of different parts to what happened the day before, some of us had been hurt and etc. We came into agreement and decided to go back together in the future. We want to go back again and make sure we put on the Armor of God. I have never felt a spiritual attack like this before. The enemy planted lies in all our heads and turned us against one another, it worked in the moment. We did not impact the community as we planned, the enemy tried to prevent us, but we still reached a few houses. Now, when we come back we will be ready for battle. We are now more unified than ever before. Jesus takes what the enemy meant for evil and he does turn it for good.
I share this because this is newer to me, some of you may have never heard of spiritual warfare or if you have, maybe never realized you have experienced it before. But, it is real, and it is out there. Jesus has already won the war, so there is no need to fear. Thank You For Reading This! Please Comment or email me your thoughts!
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
I also went by the missionaries house from the last blog and on it was painted a bible verse.
Wow. praise the Lord. He is so good and I am so glad you are testifying this. Go read 2 corinthians 2. Verse 10 tells us not to be outsmarted by satan because we are familiar with his evil schemes and it is his will to break your team apart in anger. Don’t let him!! keep on forgiving Sam and keep on being a great leader. Ill lift yalls team up right now.
I’ve experienced a different level of spiritual warfare on the mission field. I understand where you’re coming from and I’m proud of you for seeking unity in the Lord. You’re on my prayer list, Sam. I’ll lift you and your team up in Jesus’ Name.
Jesse’s mom, Debi:)
Thank you so much Jesse! Miss you man.
Thank you so much for praying!!