On our 4th day in Zambia, we had the opportunity to do a little bit of ministry following the conclusion of the Chief ceremony. We divided into groups, and my group elected to try to gather up some kids and do a little children’s ministry. Sam works at our church in children’s ministry, so she headed up the preaching. Afterward, however, she asked me to pray over the kids.
This was somewhat of a make it or break it moment for me because if I accepted, it would be my very first ministry moment in Zambia. It was essentially the moment that all the fundraising and preparation and travel and the long truck ride were leading up to.
Of course I was very tempted to say no, not only by the devil, but also by my inner self. If you’ve read some of my other posts, you probably know that I am an introvert; ministry is not something that comes naturally to me. It’s a good thing, because it forces me to rely on God because I don’t have any applicable skills to rely on. But it also means a mini-battle occurs at the onset of every ministry opportunity.
But I did accept.
What I experienced was the strongest feeling I’ve ever had of God working and speaking through me. Words just kept flowing out of my mouth before I even knew what I was saying, and I found myself feeling relief that it sounded good and wasn’t gibberish. I also could hear my voice getting louder and more passionate as I spoke, again without knowing what was happening. There’s nothing like that feeling.
The next day, when we began our village ministry, I found myself stuck in a major funk. Satan was on me, and He got me good. I was paralyzed from ministering; I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t think (at least not about anything positive or Godly), all I could do was attempt to fight back tears and try to hide behind my sunglasses.
After the rest of my group ministered at one of our huts, Mariel asked me to lead in prayer. Needless to say, I really didn’t want to this time. But I relented, and I am very glad I did.
I couldn’t tell you a word that I said in that prayer, and it probably wasn’t very good (on the nonexistent prayer rating system). But it broke me of my funk, and I felt a lot better afterwards, albeit a little peeved at myself for allowing the devil to get to me.
That’s the thing about prayer. It doesn’t just change the person/situation being prayed over, but it changes the person praying, too.
So whether you support my missions financially or not (though I hope you do; I promise that God will bless your willingness and generosity…click “Support” at the top of the page), please pray for me, the unreached, and everyone at Overland. Prayer has the ability to do so much more than we could ever imagine.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. -1 John 5:14
Pray without ceasing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
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