No Longer Slaves

The words we speak have power over our life, and worship is powerful form of declaring God's promises over our lives. There is power in declaring the greatness of our Saviour over our us. 

Yesterday this was seen as we worshipped with prisoners in a jail yesterday. That experience will be right up there with the most surreal I've ever had. The power of being unified singing "No Longer Slaves." My heart broke as God showed me the love He has for them. To look past the problems and the "surface" level coverings that everyone will see at first glance, and see their hearts. Wondering what could've lead them to make those choices, and how perhaps that could've been prevented. But despite what those choices lead to, God can always restore and refresh them.

As we spent that morning preparing all the packages for the prison, I started praying for the day ahead. I knew that going to the prison would probably be the part of the trip that would stretch me the most.

The way they worshipped was beyond powerful, the freedom that was declared. They may have been in a physical prison, but they had freedom in the spiritual realm. They had been set free by Jesus.

I cried there, cried as we left to the car, and cried on the car trip back. Because the Father's touch is powerful and gentle at once, and it was like a tidal wave that had crashed over me.

Again I enjoyed spending time with Pastora Roszel and Yrah Lee, getting pampered at the salon and sharing a meal (though we quickly realised Pastora Roszel's watch was incorrect, and we had to rush to the church).

I shared the difficult part of my testimony on a public platform for the first time during the prayer meeting at Kingdom Life Butuan. How at fourteen I had been violated, and how that crumbled me some to such a low worth and self-image and lead to my anxiety, hospitalisation, and three year process of feeling truly worthy of love and purpose again. How I could at the end of last year call my mom and just cry, because I finally found completely happy and at peace again.

I knew that it was important to share it, even though it was difficult, because I know there are sadly many girls, women, and people who have gone through a similar thing to me. That I could at least understand to a small degree, and the spirit guides me to empathise with the rest.

It was testimony to me how I've truly come, that I felt able to share my story without feeling ashamed and dirty. I know that I'm worthy and pure. That I'm worthy of love. I pray that Jesus will show this to me everyday, because it isn't out of my own. There is no way I could do it in my own strength. Some days are also harder than others, and some days the anxiety is so strong and real again that I feel I could barely get out of bed. But my God is stronger, He turns my test into a testimony.

There is no way that I could ever look back on my story and not see God pulling the thread all the way through and bringing it all together. He is still healing me and will use me to show others that He can do the same for them.

The Overflow

I have thought that I could possibly make a good missionary, because in many ways I am simple to please and there aren't too many have must-have-requirements to live in a certain place (obviously besides the fact that God would have called you and stirred you to do so). For me one of these things that would be a "must-have" is access to good coffee or a good coffee location, which is one of the first things I asked when heading towards the Philippines. My request has been satisfied by a quaint coffee shops called "Bo's Coffee" and this where I will probably start most of my days on this trip after breakfast. 

Yesterday morning, our first full day in Butuan, we left caffeinated and excited for the day ahead. We travelled with the team do different home visits yesterday and to bless and pray for those who we met. However I left each home feeling blessed and touched by the anointing that was in those homes, and by how freely people give. It's always humbling to see how people give so freely even when they have nothing, and what a loving gesture that is. 

One home visit in particular touched and broke my heart at the same moment. A little girl at one of the homes came over to me when I asked if she'd like to sit to me, and then I offered a hug (because they should always give consent). She took it and just held on. For the duration of that visit we just sat in an embrace. She completely relaxed in my arms and at  a particular moment turned to me and said "I love you." My heart melted and the love of my own for her and the love of Jesus for her just overflowed.

After lunch we headed to this market where we had the best mangoes and avocados, and more! Christina and I weee particularly overjoyed.

With happy spirits we headed to an orphanage where KLB serves each Friday. Again, I was amazed by willing and eager the children were to partake in what we had to offer. The children there were also so wanting affection and love. We soon realised it was one of the boys there had his birthday on that day, and when he was prayed for he cried - because it was the first time anyone had ever celebrated his birthday. Me being me, I cried. I cried and my heart again was filled with love.

The night closed with home groups and fellowship, and then a meal at Captain Shrimp with the Regalas. 

A full day, but by no means left empty thereafter. 

Outpouring

Today I was invited to speak at Guiding Light Christian Fellowship in the mountain area outside Butuan. Berwyn and I travelled with pastors Rudi and Paul in an off-roader that was purchased by pastor Paul with the compensation he received for the death of his young son who was killed in a road accident a few years ago! The road up to the church I called kangaroo road as it was so full of potholes that we were literally alternating hitting our heads on the roof and hitting our bums on the floor and I didn't even ger car sick!

Once we arrived it was dark outside and we waited for the congregation to arrive. We sat carefully on the rather fragile looking pews as we waited. The area is very rough and people had to walk quite a distance to get to the church. Once everyone had arrived (including a frog and a dog), we spent some time worshipping the Lord in song. I was then invited to speak and I began sharing from John 4 - the woman at Jacob's well. I spoke about the difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally and how our asking and receiving will correspond to our knowledge of God. Jesus said to the woman,

"If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." John 4:10

During the message there was a mighty downpour and I was in competition with the heavy rain thundering on the tin roof. It was a prophetic sign because after 15 people gave their lives to the Lord and came forward to be filled with the Holy Spirit, I simply asked the Lord to pour out His Spirit and the people began weeping in His presence. Young women and men began sobbing in the Lord's presence even before I layed hands on them - they were being baptised in the Father's love and receiving assurance of their reltionship with Him. It was beautiful and very moving indeed!

After the meeting we had a quick photo session (a Philippine passion next to texting on their mobile phones) and some typical food. One member slept through the whole meeting, however! We then made our way home through the mud and bumps. Tomorrow I will be ministering at another church in Butuan.

Today I really sensed the wonderful truth of the Father giving His new-born children the Spirit of adoption. As I prophesied over these precious people, I repeatedly heard the Father say,

"I love you. You are mine. You are not alone. I accept you. I am proud of you. I delight in you. I will never reject you. Nothing can seperate you from my love. My son. My daughter. My princess."

These new creations in Christ were receiving the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, "Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6). Hallelujah!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

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