This outreach was a promotion time for us all. Ken Nelson and John Harding even Kelly Guerra three major leaders did not come with us because of this we all had to step it up. Starting early in the morning we headed out in two vans and two cars. The challenge of keeping us together came to us very quickly. Within minutes of driving we hit a snow storm. Huge flakes created a white screen all around us. Six hours and four states later we reach the Lighthouse Church (Sharayah's Church) in Long Island. There we were well received with great hospitality. Sunday we ministered to there amazing people. Long Islanders are great people. I love their New York accents.
Paul the drummer of the worship team allowed us into his house to take a shower, He has three beautiful kids that are not shy by anymeans. God has definitely blessed his family. Though I hardly know them I feel a kindred Spirit towards them. Lord bless Him and his family.
We joined them in Sunday service. Dan (Scotland), Jessica (Virginia) and Chad (Michigan) spoke and after we split up into ministry teams and ministered to the body. This one man had a dream about old railroad tracks that were soaked in water he road past many things and reached to vast valleys. It turns out that he had a long spiritual ancestral line that he's traced back to the late 1600's. Because of this line his path in life was the way it was because of what his ancestors did. Another women who was a teacher in a school was persecuted because of her Christian beliefs. She was taking the pressure very well. We prayed for her and gave her words of wisdom. It was good that she was going through hardships because of Christ. God was very pleased with her and the reward is great for her. Because of her hardships she will get closer to her Creator and live more in peace.
Later that day we headed over to Cranford New Jersey to minister at a Jason Upton concert. There we face the continual challenge of navigating and staying together through New York traffic. Though separated we got there at the same time. Yes Lord. Jason Upton is a very anointed worshiper. I could feel the atmosphere that he brought in that church. I felt nothing like it before. A presence of God was there.
Throughout the night two people mentioned to me that I looked like someone that they knew. God was pursuing these people. The first guy stopped going to church, I felt that he was struggling with his faith. I ran into him three times, each time I could see that God was setting up something grand for him. He and his girlfriend ended up in our ministry team. His girlfriend spend a long time being ministered by our girls, God is good. I love seeing our Creator pursuing and realigning people's lives.
After that we stayed at our host homes which were amazing in itself. Then we started our eight hour drive back home. Upon arrival John Harding had a fantastic meal prepared for us. We all at ate the grey (gray) house for once. It was a good, tough, challenging, amazing, adventurous trip.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Van Captain!!!!
I want to highlight last weekend outreach so you will all know what Jesus did. I had the honor and priviledge to be van captain. Now the van captain's job is the co-pilot, he/she makes sure no one is left behind, the van is in proper maintainence order and to help navigate (I love navigating). The first challenge of our trip was the threat of bumper to bumper traffic. Previously the first van went ahead of us an hour before. John Harding (Staff) calls us letting us know that there was an accident and no one was moving for an hour. So as the navigator, me and Anton (Driver) had to come up with a detour in New Hampshire were I never driven before. So with my excellent, sweet, totally awesome navigational skills I charted a new course around the traffic. Taking back country roads through New Hampshire we finally reach the major roads in which take us to the Olive Branch Christian Bookstore in Massacuessetts.
This bookstore is made out of an amazing old house. It has a coffee shop in the basement and each room has books and or CD and other Christian stuff. On the ground floor we had Jessica (Richmond, VA) Noah (New York) and Nate (North Carolina) play enviornment setting music. This music filled the house which set the mood for ministering to people on the third floor. There we had dream/ministry teams.
The spiritual air in that room was so thick, people we ministered to at times just sat eyes closed in silence for moments at a time. With no words The Prince of Peace touched them without any effort on our part. Great instruction and encouragement came from the dreams God gave people. One woman had a dream that warned her about that certain people will convince her of training for her leadership, but in reality the offer will hurt her. Another woman's dream gave her insight about her role in kids lives and to pray for her coworkers in the corporate world. Everytime I hear peoples dreams I'm blown away at how much God Loves people. You can't escape his loving voice.
After the Book store we went to Analee's (Mass.) elagant house to eat a luxurious meal. There we soaked up such a blessing of hospitality and comfort. Thank you Analee's parents.
This bookstore is made out of an amazing old house. It has a coffee shop in the basement and each room has books and or CD and other Christian stuff. On the ground floor we had Jessica (Richmond, VA) Noah (New York) and Nate (North Carolina) play enviornment setting music. This music filled the house which set the mood for ministering to people on the third floor. There we had dream/ministry teams.
The spiritual air in that room was so thick, people we ministered to at times just sat eyes closed in silence for moments at a time. With no words The Prince of Peace touched them without any effort on our part. Great instruction and encouragement came from the dreams God gave people. One woman had a dream that warned her about that certain people will convince her of training for her leadership, but in reality the offer will hurt her. Another woman's dream gave her insight about her role in kids lives and to pray for her coworkers in the corporate world. Everytime I hear peoples dreams I'm blown away at how much God Loves people. You can't escape his loving voice.
After the Book store we went to Analee's (Mass.) elagant house to eat a luxurious meal. There we soaked up such a blessing of hospitality and comfort. Thank you Analee's parents.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Father of Lights
This week the weather was very winter-like. Being single digits during the day and negatives at night it made going outside an adventure in itself. Just being outside puts you in survival mode. Many of our vehicles would not start because the battery didn't have enough power to turn their frozen engines.
This week we learned about Saint Patrick and Saint Francis. Patrick was not even born in Ireland nor did he befriend leprechauns of any kind. He was born in Rome owned Britain but was later captured by Irish barbarians, taken to Ireland and forced into slavery. While in captivity he learned about Jesus, interesting. God eventually lead him to freedom guiding him by giving Patrick "Dreams"!!! so that he would have peace about what would happen next. After being free from slavery, later in his life he returns to Ireland, to minister to the ones who forced him into slavery. We Christians are insane, who would want to go back into the very place and people who oppressed us, its like we have a heart of a Heavenly Father or something.
Lately I've been asking God to see things in the Spirit. So as a good Dad he gave me what I asked for. A few nights ago I was laying in my bed. At the corner of my eye I saw a streak of light moving towards my desk. This happens for a split second. Now usually I would pass it off as my mind making things up. Not this time. A moment later my cell phone which is on my desk, beeps. It was a text message. I open it up and someone that I know said that he's praying for me. Wow!!!
By faith I saw the message/messenger reach my phone telling me of a prayer. This adds a whole new understanding to prayer. When you pray there is supernatural messengers that are sent, its even biblical. So you who think praying is boring (Me), think of the messengers that you are sending to carry out such petitioning. I love His Kingdom.
This weekend we are going to our first outreach for this trimester. Driving to Mass. Half of us are going to minister at a bookstore where we'll set up table to do dream interpretations and minister prophetically. Also we will be at a Brazilian church to minister and be ministered.
The other half is going to minister to the youth down in a vineyard church in Mass.. Then worshiping at the metrowest Bridge church (Streams church plant). I cant wait.
Right now the snow is falling making the trees in our backyard disappear, so Im going go outside and enjoy. God Bless YOu all.
Here is some lovely frost on a window which is inside not outside.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Jesus Blog!!!
A week has already gone by. Classes were amazing, we learned about Saints from the past, including Saint Anthony of Egypt and Saint Perpetua.
Sitting in the classroom early morning waiting, John Harding walks up to the front of the room wearing a brown robe with a rope belt and sandals, looking like he's from a Christmas play he begins his presentation on Saint Perpetua. Within moments we are back in time talking to the brother of this amazing saint. Being martyrd for her belief in Christ, Perpetua was getting visions and dreams from God that would give her the comfort to suffer through her execution. To the point that she was joyful of her fate, sharing the same sufferings of Christ. People were so shocked at her peace before her death that many turned decided to live for Christ. Her brother telling us about her amazing life dedicated his life, to live for our Creator.
Studying these amazing people opened my eyes to the importance of remembering what they've done. The cry of their lives is begging to be heard to remind us that our belief in Christ has much more genuine followers throughout history. Though there were many unfaithful people in church history, Good people of the faith were in prevalence.
On Wedsnday we had Aaron Evans come and impart to us what he's got. Formally practicing Islam,one of the beliefs he had was that Christianity was the whiteman's religion. After many generations of his family not following in their true destiny, Christ came to Aaron in the form of a man. This man was literally fire. Christ being fire told him that He was neither black nor white and that he wanted Aaron to follow Him. So without further ado Aaron changed his life. Im so glad God is not prejudice. I love how He blows racial mindsets out of the water. Think about it, this guys on fire a burning man, anything that is not of him will be blown out of the water, Jesus is just that cool. After teaching us, Aaron prayed for us each individually all 28 of us.
Sitting in the classroom early morning waiting, John Harding walks up to the front of the room wearing a brown robe with a rope belt and sandals, looking like he's from a Christmas play he begins his presentation on Saint Perpetua. Within moments we are back in time talking to the brother of this amazing saint. Being martyrd for her belief in Christ, Perpetua was getting visions and dreams from God that would give her the comfort to suffer through her execution. To the point that she was joyful of her fate, sharing the same sufferings of Christ. People were so shocked at her peace before her death that many turned decided to live for Christ. Her brother telling us about her amazing life dedicated his life, to live for our Creator.
Studying these amazing people opened my eyes to the importance of remembering what they've done. The cry of their lives is begging to be heard to remind us that our belief in Christ has much more genuine followers throughout history. Though there were many unfaithful people in church history, Good people of the faith were in prevalence.
On Wedsnday we had Aaron Evans come and impart to us what he's got. Formally practicing Islam,one of the beliefs he had was that Christianity was the whiteman's religion. After many generations of his family not following in their true destiny, Christ came to Aaron in the form of a man. This man was literally fire. Christ being fire told him that He was neither black nor white and that he wanted Aaron to follow Him. So without further ado Aaron changed his life. Im so glad God is not prejudice. I love how He blows racial mindsets out of the water. Think about it, this guys on fire a burning man, anything that is not of him will be blown out of the water, Jesus is just that cool. After teaching us, Aaron prayed for us each individually all 28 of us.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Streams Academy part 2
The trip to New Hampshire was great. I met up with Jessica (Virginia), Dustin Zupancic (Canada) and a new intern, Anton (New York) at Boston airport. So they kept good company for two hour bus ride to New London. Upon arrival it was so refreshing seeing everyone. Throughout the day interns trickled in. Each time we would see someone we would yell and scream with rejoicing, upon seeing that person. It was a jubilant day.
It took me about two days to mentally, spiritually and physically adjust to this potent spiritual envoirnment. After going to church and completely focusing on Jesus I'm back in the groove and boy is Christ moving. Last night I had a dream that a bee attacked me and another. I woke up flailing my arms. There was more to the dream but for the sake of spiritual security I'll leave it at that. But I believe that the Lord was prompting me to pray for a need. Knowing what the symbols in the dream meant I knew what exactly to pray for. God is Good!! My God warns me about negative things that are happinging and provides me a way to remedy the problem. I love Him. I hope you get jealous, because God can warn you and provide a way out for you as well. He's probably already doing it.
Then today our dear brother Luke (Canada) had the flu and was very sick. So I asked him what do you think God is doing, why do you have this flu. "He said nothing I just have the flu"
"Well then" I said, "I'll pray for healing". So I did. after praying for him, twenty minutes go by, Luke says he feels a little better.
"That pretty good , but God can do better then that". About another twenty minutes go by, Luke comes up to me tells me his pain is completely, completely gone. Oh Yeah!!
My God even heals the flu in under an hour. I hope you all get jealous.
It took me about two days to mentally, spiritually and physically adjust to this potent spiritual envoirnment. After going to church and completely focusing on Jesus I'm back in the groove and boy is Christ moving. Last night I had a dream that a bee attacked me and another. I woke up flailing my arms. There was more to the dream but for the sake of spiritual security I'll leave it at that. But I believe that the Lord was prompting me to pray for a need. Knowing what the symbols in the dream meant I knew what exactly to pray for. God is Good!! My God warns me about negative things that are happinging and provides me a way to remedy the problem. I love Him. I hope you get jealous, because God can warn you and provide a way out for you as well. He's probably already doing it.
Then today our dear brother Luke (Canada) had the flu and was very sick. So I asked him what do you think God is doing, why do you have this flu. "He said nothing I just have the flu"
"Well then" I said, "I'll pray for healing". So I did. after praying for him, twenty minutes go by, Luke says he feels a little better.
"That pretty good , but God can do better then that". About another twenty minutes go by, Luke comes up to me tells me his pain is completely, completely gone. Oh Yeah!!
My God even heals the flu in under an hour. I hope you all get jealous.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
End of One Adventure the Begining of a New
Hello everyone, tomorrow is a begining of a new adventure. I make way for the sky speeding 500 mph towards the northeast of the country, then landing beneath the white layers of clouds in the sea port city of Boston. After landing I will leave and enter a long huge rectangle vehicle with wheels that spits out black smoke, roaring towards a remote town of the Granite State called New London.
Im so excited to be back at "Streams", the holiday break was amazing. God did amazing breakthoughs with my family: A new job for my dad, praying over my mother for healing , talking to my mom about spiritual things and God, which I have never done to this depth before. God has provided some amazing friends for my sister who are strong believers. I've already seen a change in her because of them.
Two of my spiritual brothers from Richmond proposed to their now fiances. We got to be part of one of my friends engagement in which he had left her clues around town that had significance in their relationship, the final stop was him proposing to her. By far the most creative way of proposing that I've seen. It was great.
So now I should be blogging a lot more, to keep you all updated while Im at Streams. God Bless
Here's some pictures of my fam visiting Washington DC and cutting down our christmas tree.
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