6.11.2012

Trading in these desires

I am going to try and give more frequent quick updates so here is a bit on our time in Uruguay so far. Here is from the last week or so......
After being able to lead the border policeman to Jesus after he had us pay a $600 fine for insurance that we were told that we didn't need to have, we continued to drive into more favor. We were driving on the last leg into Montevideo, Uruguay when some strange noises escalated in one of our RV's and we decided to pull over and check it out. One of our team members was going to get under the car and check it out but as we pulled over praying the front left axel broke completely in half. We jumped out celebrating (after an initial shock) that we were still alive! We were going 70mph moments before and we could have easily flipped and died! Also, Ted was seconds from crawling under the rig and could have easily been under there when it broke. We had nothing to do but be full of joy and celebrate that we were alive. We jumped around and danced in the road and took videos as we made the best of the moment. Praise the Lord!
We all 13 loaded up into the other RV called “Open Heaven” and took off into town but it started making strange sounds as well and ended up breaking down too. We stopped at a gas station for a few hours to figure out what to do. We ended up staying in a hotel that was just up the road that...well...I will just say that most people rent this place for a few hours if you know what I mean. We made the most of it for it wasn't the first time the team has stayed in a hotel like this. We ended up having a great time of prayer where the presence of God really showed up as we blessed those who were leaving us for a couple of weeks to go home for a little break. We redeemed that place and I actually had such a great night of sleep there, the best that I had in awhile. We really felt the opposition of the enemy getting to Uruguay and specifically into Montevideo to say the least :) We were excited though for we pressed in and know that the Lord was going to do great things here. We met a contact who is one of the few missionaries here in Uruguay for this country is 4% Christian and 40% atheist. This is super rare for there is no declared religion. This has created a “graveyard of missionaries” they say. We are excited to see this change around in Jesus name. Our contact got us set up at a Christian camp in a house where we can all be together for the next week to two weeks. Our time here is contingent on how fast our cars can be fixed and on what kind of ministry we can be apart of here.

A few of us have been able to do some ministry with the youth who are extremely hungry for relationship with God and no more religion. The presence of God showed up and touched many hearts last night as most of the young people were responsive to receiving more from Papa God. We also were able to share and minister at the church service here. We showed up and the preacher had already planned to share on missions and was extremely surprised and excited to meet us and have us share some testimonies. He is also the president of a evangelism school and he wants us to come and share at his school tonight. One of the words our team has received was bringing refreshment to missionaries that are already working and sowing into lands.The family that is hosting us has been extremely hospitable and hungry to know more about the Holy Spirit. They have been here for four years and are due for a bit of a break. The father and son both have been filled with the Holy Spirit and received a lot of encouraging words the last couple days. God is so good!
We have yet to know what the next couple weeks look like. We plan to stay at this home for several more days and enjoy being in a house together with a coffee pot and stove and home cooked meals. We may move more into the center of the city where we can easily do more street ministry for there are many poor neighborhoods around. We have the opportunity to go minister this next weekend at a city-wide market where we plan to do our first drama and dance ministry as well as sharing the gospel and praying for sick. I am in charge of coordinating our first team dance and am pretty dang excited about that. This country really emphasizes music and art and gets really excited about it so we want to take advantage of it and see Jesus move through it.

Seven people have gone home (or heading home) for a little break so there is a different intimate feel to the team right now. We sure miss our missing members but are excited for them to get a bit of break for awhile. We are taking advantage of getting to know each other better with a smaller crowd. Please pray for there has been much opposition but we are excited to see God refresh the few missionaries here and see him stir the precious hearts of those in this somewhat forgotten country.
I heard word from home that one of my aunt's has passed away. That makes the second death since I have been gone these last two months. It is extremely hard to not be able to comfort the family but I trust that my prayers are bringing comfort and peace to those back home. I had a melt down last night missing home but I know that I know i am right where I am suppose to be. I consider it a honor and joy to be able to offer him my desires to see His breathe spread this fire. I know that He is in control.
Love you all dearly and I encourage you to check out our team website and click on some of the others blog and read about what the Lord is doing through them. There is so much happening just in our hearts that it really is encouraging to read about others. 
www.irislatinamerica.blogspot.com

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