Warfare

So the idea of spiritual warfare is a relatively new one to me (last few years). Basically it means that there is a constant struggle going on in the lives of people between Satan and the forces of God, both of course who want to win souls. This is a very real part of life and all of us have experienced this in many ways. Often it can be temptations, thoughts, frustrating circumstances, or any host of things to basically turn our attention away from God and instead to complaining, self-pity or feelings like discouragement, fear or doubt.

I shared with some of you that before coming to Brazil there were different circumstances that happened that started creating uneasiness and nervousness in both of us. I'll spare you the details, but our emails and references to YWAM got lost and the airline cancelled our plane tickets. We were wondering if this was a sign from God. We talked to Sidney about it and he also thought that maybe something so great was going to happen in Brazil that perhaps it could also be satan trying to dissuade us. The last thing satan wants are people being trained to do ministry to rescue and restore the lives of children.

After arriving on the night where it was storming and the power was out, we have now faced two weeks of other somewhat difficult things. We both have not been able to sleep. We feel restless and overwhelmed with the culture. There is little time, space or quite. I broke a tooth and had stomach pain yesterday. And so it continues...

So, here's the other side. God has used EVERY circumstance here. Every day it is difficult to process all of the truth He is telling us about life here and in ministry. The classes begin with an hour of music and prayer and the classes are focused on the reality of the streets here and how to really begin to change communities. We have begun working 3 days a week at Reborn Home. Friday nights we've been going to the streets just to talk and hang out with the kids and adults there.

While in Mozambique, a missionary there was talking about the Book of Job, where literally Job was hit by everything from illness, to death in his family, to financial ruin. Throughout this, Job decides to remain faithful to God and to continue to follow Him. This missionary was saying that when we choose to do this, then God can actually use our difficult circumstances and positive response to mock the devil.

So Friday we prayed that no matter what happens, we sing louder, we work harder, we learn more. We believe that right now we are exactly where we should be. So here we will stay. Please continue to pray for us!

"Being a Christian is really hard. There is only one thing that is more difficult- not being a Christian."