MY RED LETTER WEEK

 

                      MY RED LETTER WEEK

In primary school, we would often be given assignments to write a composition about a red-letter day. In other words, a day that you will never forget. I always wrote out of imagination and wondered what it would be like to write about a actual day that was so fleeting that I could never forget it. Not a good thing in a day, not an hour in a day but a whole 24-hour day.

I am fortunate to say that not only can I say that this day has come but the good Lord turned the day into a week. So here, dear primary school teacher, is a short composition of my red-letter week:

I woke up at the crack of dawn, as it was my norm since adulting responsibilities fell on my shoulders, on a mundane Wednesday when I received a very interesting call from my Pastor to see if I could join a group of ambitious souls in spreading the gospel in another city for a week. Without a two second thought to this question, I agreed. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days and after batting my eyelids it was Thursday- my red-letter day ushering in my red letter week.

 

Anyways, we were on our way to the city of Brisbane as an impact team whose mission was to spread the gospel. Honestly, I am not sure how I felt. As I am hardly ever sure anyways. However, I had tried going for an impact team before, but for a day, around the city I was in and to some extent I did not necessarily feel as though anything was happening. I saw people praying with others and everyone going all out but within myself I was merely an observer as to what was happening. In the plane for the trip, I was quite worried. I knew there had to be a reason I was going but in all honesty I mostly thought to be an observer as I have always been. The only issue with that is  that  you going to be dead weight. And a question that lingered in my mind was, why would my Pastor have that much faith in me? Like what would lead him to think I would do anything of use for this trip?

 

We arrived in Brisbane, and we set off to do street preaching without hesitation. Dear teacher, I don’t think there is anything I enjoy more than singing and dancing in the streets declaring the name of Jesus. Picture this, a bunch of people in the street with microphones, a speaker and with boards written ‘Jesus loves you’, just vibing as you are driving by. We received so much positive responses. People hooted their cars in honour, some vibed with us in their cars, while others were deeply touched by the message, took flyers and prayed the sinner’s prayer. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Our routine from the following day was waking up early, heading off to morning prayer, street preaching, one on one evangelism, then revival service in the night. I know I talked about the Sydney conference in another article, but this was the practical aspect of what conference is. This is why we have conference- to encourage believers to spread the gospel to the nations. It is almost like I had the theoretical aspect in earlier and then did the practical aspect. A week emersed in not only the presence of God but doing the hard work that God needs us to do. A supernatural dimension is unleashed within you. Fervour, strength, courage, authority and total power is felt all around you and within you. It is almost as satisfying as that first gulp of cold water you take when you are thirsty, if not more.

 

Sunbathing in the presence of God during the revival service at the altar was just a rejuvenation of strength. Everyday at around 4pm I would begin to feel overstimulated and needed to flee but once I entered the revival service, it was as if I had 8 hours of sleep and can hit the streets again. What an amazing God.

 

Now I get to talk about the real thing. SOULS! I love love love seeing how everyone was impacted. People are in desperate need for a Saviour, even now just like 2000 years ago. Jesus said He came to preach the good news to the poor – I finally saw them. Those who are spiritually poor. Who are alive but dead inside. Who do not know the abundance they could have in life. I saw them. I did not realise it, but I was one of them. He said that He came to set the captive free- I saw them. People in chains and shackles they do not know how to break. A man saw us street preaching, followed us and talked to one of the guys on the side saying how he was tormented by his sin. On inviting him to church, he was shaking while standing at the altar and the evangelist cast the demon out of him. To my African brothers and sisters, you will not believe this, but it was quite peaceful. There was no noise or show. In fact, if the man was not standing next to me I probably would not have noticed this miracle. The man’s countenance changed. He seemed peaceful, he looked free. On the walk to Emmaus after Jesus had risen while he was talking to the disciples, they said they felt as if a fire was burning inside them and as I was talking to a lady from South Africa she said she had goosebumps as I was talking about God. Her statement cut deep. It was like living in the Bible. In Joel a prophesy was made saying in the last days God will pour out his spirit on young people and sons and daughters will prophesy. The young folks in our team prophesied and some even for the first time. How privileged I was to witness this outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Healing became a norm as we took authority in the name of Jesus.

 

I have never felt so at home. So free from worry and so powerful. A sense of urgency was gained, a burden for souls was all there was to feel. I finally understand. I understand why Paul persisted to spread the gospel regardless of his chains. It is an entirely different spiritual state to be in. It is as if you can read God’s mind. You see people and you can tell how desperately they need a healing, how they need to be set free, you can almost recognise their situation. You are moved by compassion such that if I die trying to save you then I die. That man who got set free from the evil spirit will never leave my mind. His entire demeanour changed. That is why we do what we do. We had plenty saved but if we had gone just for that one man to experience the touch of God, that would have been convincing enough for me to say it was the best trip I have ever experienced.

 

This trip has honestly changed the course of my life. It has changed me as a person and all I can say is that I am extremely grateful. I pray that anyone who sees this gets to experience such profound purpose that I experienced.

 

The city was incredibly beautiful, the people were amiable and the food delightful. This would be incomplete if I did not say I have been moved to tears quite a few times due to this out of this wonderous experience. I am in awe of who God is!