Really great evening

I don't know if I've mentioned it but I've been reading a book about prayer that's been really challenging. It's entitled "Can You Hear Me?" by Brad Jersak. It hear challenges the idea of leaving messages on God's "answering machine" in passive hope that He may hear them. Instead Jersak challenges to enter into communion with Christ and really hear from Him. While I wish I could give you a better description about the prayer time I've been blessed with over the past few days I really don't know how to explain it. I think the best explanation is to tell you about the fruit... it hasn't bothered me one bit to be up at 5 (4 am Canada time) for prayer. It's been really good to commune with Christ (sometimes I wonder why we need to go so far away from our everyday lives to experience these things).

So how does that relate to an update about Belize? Well last night I had the opportunity to visit/speak in a Spanish Church here in Orange Walk. Being a Spanish church I obviously didn't understand the things that were being said/sung. Usually I just sit with my hands in my pocket and endure till it's "my turn." However, last night I felt the Spirit calling me into a place of intimate worship and join with the people around me. I began to list the reasons why I would want to hold on to my spirit and keep in conversed within me. However, God kept nudging me to free myself to worship with the people around me. As I finally let go it's as though I could understand the things going on around me. While I still didn't understand the words being said I could understand the connection we shared in spirit. I know it sounds elementary or maybe trivial but for me it was quite overwhelming because I sensed God speaking to me very clearly. It's something I tend to avoid in my fear that I will either A. misunderstand Him or B. be challenged with something I don't want to do. When I spoke in Spanish Lookout I challenged the "B" response (the one I am often most guilty of... and I don't usually get far enough past "B" to get to "A"). I had a nice, neat message prepared (that as I held on to my notes they seemed to make less and less sense) but God seemed to challenging me to give a different message. No problem I figured there's probably only 2 or 3 people here (it was a mid-week service after all) I'll only make a fool of myself in front of a couple people. But no, the church had filled considerably as I battled with my flesh (eyes closed).

So I left it at that... I could maybe blame it on translation if it was disaster but I needed to follow what seemed to me to be the "obedient" route. It was a pretty overwhelming experience and God was certainly faithful to His promise. It was great... strangely exhausting but refreshing at the same time. It's so much easier to have predictable messages!

After the service we shared some great fellowship with the believers there and even a meal with Pastor Phillipe and his family. So it was a good day. We had a safe trip from Spanish Lookout. Some good connection with Joseph (a volunteer, young leader who has been a tremendous asset to Alex) and then an awesome worship experience at a church in Orange Walk.

Today Alex had some personal business to attend to in Belize City. I chose to stay here in Orange Walk for a time of prayer and fasting. I'm hoping to connect with a pastor friend here later on today (if I can find him... how hard could it be really?) Train begins next week and I speak in church Spanish Lookout on Sunday so I'll take some time to prepare. After last night I think I should spend some more time praying rather than reviewing my notes! Ahhh, but notes are easier!