Dumela!
Sorry it’s been so long since I last posted. Since my last blog, we have moved on from Leratong, which was sad to say goodbye, and have begun relationship evangelism in Intabazwe. We also have the “Thrive Trip” here now. It’s a group of 14 young people just like my group but they are only here for two weeks. It has been good to have some new faces around.
Today was our third day doing relationship evangelism in Intabazwe. Intabazwe is much closer to us than Qwa Qwa. It is only about 30 minutes from the base. We have been spending the mornings there, and the afternoons working on the base. During our past few days in Intabazwe, we have witnessed some amazing things. Yesterday, we visited the house of an elderly woman who said she had high blood pressure, could not move her arms well, and could not walk. She told us that in 2008 a group like us had come to her house and prayed for her because she was bedridden. Ever since then, she has been able to get up from bed and move to her seat in the kitchen with the help of her family. But she also explained to us that life was not easy for her, it was miserable. So, before we left we prayed for her—that she would be healed and be able to walk and have full mobility of her arms. She was very grateful and thanked us many times.
Today, after visiting a new house, we stopped by to check on the woman that we had prayed for. When we walked in, she was overjoyed. There was a huge smile on her face and she was simply glowing. It was amazing to see her so happy when just the day before she said her life was miserable. She told us that she was able to sleep better than she previously had and that she felt much better than yesterday. She showed us how she could now move her arms around freely and we noticed that her foot and ankle were no longer swollen. She said that she could walk a little bit if she used the table to support herself. We also recognized that her hands were not shaking as she moved pots around. Yesterday, she could barely lift the pot and she was constantly trembling. We were ecstatic to see the work of God in the healing of this woman. We plan on returning to her house every day for the next couple weeks to check on her and continue to pray for her. She said that tomorrow she will be waiting for us outside and we told her that she will hopefully be able to walk to church on Sunday (church has been coming to her since she cannot walk there). It was just amazing to see the healing power of God!
Also during this week, the 24/7 interns (year-long) and the Thrive Trip group have been doing the same thing in Qwa Qwa. About a month ago, the 24/7 interns were in the same area and prayed over a woman who had HIV and was basically on her deathbed. She could not move or talk. While they were walking around yesterday, they ran into her on the streets. She was up and walking! She told them of how she had been healed and could now function normally. It was another amazing story of the power of prayer and the power of God.
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Thank you to everyone from KCC that sent me letters! I just got them today. They made my day! You have all been a huge part of this journey and I could not do it without you. Once again, thank you so much!
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Prayer Requests: • The continued healing of the woman we have been praying for in Intabazwe and of all the people our groups meet throughout the next couple weeks. • The health of our team and the Thrive staff. It has been getting very cold again and people are starting to feel under the weather.
Thank you all so much!
Dallas
Hi Dallas: it’s so good to hear from you again. We’re so excited for you and glad to hear how God is working through you and the others. We’ll pray specifically for this woman and for the health and good spirits of your team.
Love,
Grandpa & Grandma N
Praise God for His work in our sister in Christ’s body! We continue to lift you and your team in prayer. May there be love and unity among you and may you continue to see God’s hand in those around you.
Hey Dallas, Isn’t it interesting how people from different cultures and perspectives react to the same one Holy God in quite unique ways? I wonder how I uniquely see God because of who I am and in what ways I am “handicapped” in my seeing God. Miss you.
Dad
Such a cool story Dallas!
Isn’t it always fun when you can be a part of something so incredible?
Hope you have enough tic tacs to last you through the rest of your trip.
Hey Man,
It’s times like these that we realize just how powerful God is and how much He is at work in the world! I’ve heard of all kinds of things like even the dead being raised just in the last five years. Why do you think healings like those you are experiencing don’t seem to be happening in the U.S. nearly as much as in Africa? Do you feel like you will be able to pray with more faith in the healing power of God when you return as compared with when you left?
Lord, touch Dallas today. Be with his team. Strengthen them as they come into their final stretch. I pray that you will prepare them for re-entry back in to American society. It will not be that easy, but I pray that they will hear your heart as they come back. That they will never be the same. They they will never return to a comfortable American Christianity. That they will be filled with greater love, faith, joy, peace and a broader view of Your world than ever before. May all nations, all people, all tribes be touched by us as your people oh God, thank you for Dallas and his obedience to You. Continue to use him wherever he goes, wherever You call him. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Love you buddy, looking forward to your return!! Josh D. Romans 12: 9-12, Matt 28:18-20
Hey bro,
Thinking about you this morning. Hope you and the team are well. May God fill you up, as you finish strong! Hope to see you soon:-). Josh