EXPERIENCING GOD

I am beyond thankful for this trip to Guatemala! I didn’t really have many expectations coming into this, but God opened my eyes to a lot of things. I had no idea what the Lord had in store. I had no idea the amount of relationships that would be built, both within my team and in the town of Chichicastenango. I had no idea the hardships, the triumphs, the amount of growth, the laughter, and the memories that would occur.
God grew me in so many ways. My trust in Him grew. We did this thing called Listening prayer where we would draw names, not look at them, and sit and listen to the Holy Spirit. Asking Him what He wanted to tell this person, what He wanted to show them. It was really hard for me at first, discerning between what were my thoughts and what was from God, but the more I did it the more I was able to discern what was from God and really start to listen and hear from Him.
Throughout the whole trip I kept praying and asking God to let me experience him in a whole new way. As my time in Guatemala was drawing to an end I felt like I hadn’t had that experience yet and began to feel discouraged. I started to ask God “okay God, I’m ready, why haven’t you let me experience you in a crazy way yet? Everyone else seems to be having awesome experiences. What is it that You want to teach me through this? Is it just all those little things you wanted me to experience and learn from, Am I not ready for something big yet?” It wasn’t until the very end back in the U.S. and our last night together as a team at the hotel. Some people from my team and I were praying together. We began to pray over each other and speak things over each other as the Spirit lead. We started to feel something dark around us and within a person on our team. A couple of girls saw the demons and started to cast them out and literally chase them around the room until they were gone! I couldn’t see them but I sure felt them! We then called Gods angels down to reign and protect us. I felt them surrounding us! As we continued to pray I felt so at peace.

If you are waiting for God to do something big in your life and you feel like it’s not going to happen, it will! It may not be when you want it and think you’re ready, but God will come through and when He does you’ll be speechless! If you feel like the devil is really attacking you it’s because you are doing something great for the kingdom of God! I encourage you to stand strong and courageous. Joshua 1:9 says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”