I have about 10 blog entries in the back of my head from the last few weeks just waiting to be written, but I've had no free time to sit down and write. But the blessings of serving the Lord and being busy about HIS business is more than worth it all! I love being in the ARME...God's ARME! ;-)
So I am just bursting at the seams and wanted to share a little report from the front-lines of ARME Prayer Force. Shanter and I just returned from having an amazing experience at Faith Camp being held in Washington, leading an all-day prayer room there. I was very excited when Melissa asked us to go and lead a prayer room as I've heard amazing testimonies from Faith Camp and always wanted to attend. But I have to admit once I got there, I felt very "out of my league" with all these godly people from the front lines that are actually LIVING by Faith alone! (I thought I was living by "faith alone" until I heard these guys talk!) Many of them receive no paycheck or guaranteed income AT ALL....they are out just serving God, building schools, feeding orphans, teaching people about God by their lives, and raising their families in simplicity so that they can give the gospel in action to those in need. (Modern day George Muellers) And yet as the testimonies revealed time and time again over the weekend..... As they keep using what God gives them.... God gives them MORE! Bills are always paid, and impossible advances made!! When they come to a crisis and they don't know how something is going to be taken care of financially, they all PRAY until God provides. And again and again He does!!!! And as they are faithful in what He gives them.... time and time again, our God (the One that holds unlimited resources) keeps proving His faithfulness...by giving more!!! (We can learn something from these testimonies!!!) I was inspired and reminded afresh, we serve a BIG God and an AMAZING GOD! And He is able...
Being around Uncle David and Aunt Becky brought back a lot of special memories too...of when I spent time with them serving in the jungles of South America. Although that time as a student missionary seems eons ago now, the memories and the inspiration I received all those years ago still is strong. I continue to be inspired by their bold faith...
So speaking of Faith...here I find myself at Faith Camp, leading a all-day united prayer room.
So speaking of Faith...here I find myself at Faith Camp, leading a all-day united prayer room.
First off, they asked us to start united prayer every morning at 5:45 am! Did you hear that, 5:45 AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Makes us at ARME look LAZY!) But it was a blessing. God really bound the group together during the hour of United Prayer that we had each day. Then Shanter and I had the prayer room open from 7am until 9pm. During this time, while the prayer room was not packed with dozens of people (like at ARME) there were many people that came through. For me the most amazing thing about this event was the children.... Shanter and I prayed with sooooo many children - children ages 6, 8, 10, 12.....all earnest and pleading for victory in their lives from sin. There's no "trying to be respectable" with kids....they were honest and upfront..."God, I need you to help me stop lying. God I need you to help me be kind. God I need you to help me stop being selfish." They also really prayed for others, the other adults that were in the room, or the speakers who were on stage at that time. It made Shanter and I cry to hear these kids pray!!!!
The coolest thing though, was when a little 6 year old girl named Sisi (pronounced "Sigh-sigh," her parents are missionaries overseas!) asked Shanter and I if we were married. When we said "No," she looked all perplexed, "Well, how are you going to get any kids???" We just shrugged....."maybe we aren't suppose to have kids." Then little Sisi spoke up again. "We need to pray that you get husbands.....godly husbands!" And these little girls all prayed for Shanter and I to get "husbands." They didn't pray this just once, but every time after that, when they came to the prayer room. I was sooo humored.... but then I told God, "Forgive me if I'm acting like Sara in the Bible! You heard those girls pray....you can answer their prayers IF we NEED godly husbands." :-)
During our time in the prayer room over Faith Camp, we saw many answers to prayer. One woman who had hearing aids and always struggled to hear, told our team after the prayer time that it was amazing because she heard EVERY prayer that was said. She had no problems hearing at all during the prayer hour. Others had physical healing or answers to prayer. One missionary girl in Thailand we prayed for. Maria and her adopted baby Jabez had been hospitalized with all sorts of wild diagnoses and dim prospects of a speedy recovery. Later that day, after we prayed, we found out from her family (who was at Faith Camp) that she had been released with little Jabez from the hospital. (Click HERE to read her amazing testimony to God's faithfulness!) God had already answered our prayer even before we asked!!! Another woman had what might have been a cancerous growth on her leg that she was wanting removed. The next day after the united prayer, it fell off while she was still at Faith Camp. She came back to share with Shanter and I, rejoicing. One man who had prayed passionately for his family to attend the meetings was also rejoicing the next day when they DID attend. For others the blessing from the prayer room seemed to be just experiencing the peace and joy that we find in prayer, or receiving confirmation from God on what they should do next.
IMPORTANT NOTE: FOR AN EVEN MORE AMAZING ANGEL STORY that just happened June 25th, 2011, read the comment on this post by my friend Claudia! It's the e-mail she sent me responding to what I shared above.
2 comments:
Dear Melody, (Dr. Rachel, and Dr. Tim),
Your Mom shared the latest report you sent to your family and friends about your prayer experiences at Faith Camp Washington. A real blessing to read it all and the powerful quotes also...
I want to tell you the latest about Caden and share a story--Caden has been released to home with a PICC line, NG tube, Very low protein diet, multiple meds for renal and liver issues plus vit./iron supplements, Orfadin )specific med for Tyrosinemia Type 1, and special metabolic formula lacking the 2 offending amino acids. He is stable and being monitored weekly to make sure his blood levels stay good while he awaits a liver transplant. He should be placed on the donor list this week yet--high priority because of the genetic disorder and damage to organs and hepatocellular CA of liver.
Caden is feeling great right now--very energetic, finally sleeping better at night (for the first time in his life), eating solids much better , learning and demonstrating several new skills daily, and being less irritable and much happier that ever before. As his daddy says, "It's harder to realize he is virtually dying now that he is doing so much better. It makes it a lot harder now to think of him not living long unless he receives a new liver."
Now the Story--
On Sabbath, June 25, 2011, the following took place as related below:
At the Marshall church yesterday, the elder offering the morning prayer did something unusual and invited others to join him for special prayer for the healing of Caden, my 15 month old grandson, according to God’s will and knowledge of what’s best in the present and future. This elder later told me that he had felt strongly impressed all Friday night that this should be done at church the next day.
As the prayers were being offered one after another, one of the members suddenly felt a presence on either side of her as she was kneeling, and being startled, she opened her eyes to see what it was. She was amazed to see the faint, but clear, sparkling image of an angel, with wings, on either side of her. As she looked around the church she saw that the ENTIRE CHURCH was FULL OF ANGELS in every pew and in the aisles, and kneeling beside every member. She was suddenly filled with an overwhelming, peaceful, and tranquil feeling. In her mind, she heard the words that “Everything will be alright.”
As one of the men was praying and struggled to control his emotions, this other member was aware that several angels rushed quickly to his side in apparent support of him as he continued with his prayer for Caden.
A few weeks ago at the 3ABN Campmeeting, this same person was under strong conviction during a meeting because of the Holy Spirit's leading, when she suddenly felt arms placed around her and a presence on either side of her….and again, this sense of awesome peace and tranquility. Her eyes remained closed so she did not see anything at that time. These are the only 2 times in her life that anything like this has happened.
After the service, other members stated that they felt a very strong presence of reverance and holiness during the prayer also. We have never had anything like this happen at our church before and all I can do is share the facts about what happened with you. It seems that heaven came very close to the Marshall SDA Church in response to the prayers for Caden.
It remains to be seen what is meant when Heaven says, "Everything will be alright.", as Caden is now awaiting a liver transplant, the only solution the medical world has to offer to save his life. At this point one of two things is needed:
1. A clean, matching liver from a donor (deceased or living) OR
2. The healing touch of His Heavenly Father.
Thank you for your continued prayers for the healing and salvation of Caden and his family.
Claudia
Marshall SDA Church
June 25, 2011
Wow, Melody. I got chills from reading both angel stories and a little chuckle from the "husband" prayer of those little girls. Keep up the good work!
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