Another Saturday Night.

Saturday night, well it was eventful. For the last week I've been living in Angsila, the fishing village where Michelle and Diana live; in an attempt to increase unity and understanding in our team we implimented what we refer to as "The Switch," which basically just means we are rotating through living in all possible locations with all possible team members. So, for the last week Michelle and I have been living together. So, this Saturday I got the priviledge of attending cell group for the second time.

The night started out fairly averagely, with contained chaos. Adults chatting, kids running around like maniacs, people eating, people practicing playing musical instruments, and about a million other things happening also. When people finally all made it to their chairs, the youth band led us in some worship, we played a game, and the adult band was up. My friend Waw was on bass. A couple songs in I looked up and noticed that Waw was no longer playing, and asked Michelle if she had noticed when Waw had left. Apparently her mother had come with a large stick and demanded that she leave. Waw's family has never been okay with her being a Christian, even though Jesus has changed her life dramatically (rescuing her from gang involvement and a hot temper). Recently it has become overt, her Mother becoming violent and preventing her from attending church or church events. Immediately after noticing Waw was gone, Michelle and I spent some time interceeding for her, specifically asking for her protection, that God would bind her mother's hands and not allow phyiscal, emotional or spiritual harm to come to her, and that God would give her grace to respond to her Mother with love.

The night continued with a short testamony, and then a prayer time. Recently we feel like the Angsila church has been under attack, with many members falling away, and going through incredibly hard times. A vision team (a group of pastors and buisnessmen here for a couple of weeks to see all the various ministries going on and consider involvement on some level) happened to be there so, we surrounded the people of Angsila Church, layed hands on them and prayed for them. At the same time in the next room P' Ping and P' Somsak (2 of the church leadership) were having a conversation with a lady named P' Den, the sister of another church member, who was considering becoming a Christian.

A little bit later, when cell group was over, and people were starting to return home, Michelle and I were asked to come and pray for P'Den. For years she's been oppressed by a deamon at night, that has caused her to do attrocious things, and she said if God could keep that deamon away for one night she would believe in him. So we prayed with her, for her protection, knowing that God has more than enough power to protect her. When we finished praying, she said in her head she heard a voice saying "no, you don't believe this you are a Buddhist, no, you are a Buddhist," and that her response was to think "no, I believe in Jesus." So, P' Ping and P' Somsak continued to talk with her, and asked that we continue to pray for them. Twenty minutes later we were called back into the room to sing Happy Birthday, and welcome P' Den into the family of believers. She believed in the saving power of Jesus. It was truely a celebration.

(to the left: P' Den and P'Dan)

Later that night Waw came back and told us that her mother had not laid a hand on her that night, that God had truely bound her mother's hands. So...if you are ever doubting God answers prayers, please stop, and remember that God not only can but DOES hear us, and not only can but DOES answer.

So, in saying that I would that you would join us in prayer. Pray for P'Den as she begins her relationship with Jesus, that she would really experience the freedom Jesus offers from her past life. Pray for P'Dan, that this will an encouragement in her faith, as she has struggled recently. Pray for Waw that she will continue to be strong in her faith despite this persecution, that she will cling to Jesus, and that she will have wisdom in dealing with her family. Pray that God will continue to reveal himself to the people of Angsila and that he will be glorified.

Thank you so much for your continual support, prayers and love. I'm so blessed to know that I have such a strong network of people around me! I love you all.