Again God comes and shines brighter then ever. A day none of us will ever forget.
His great Grace changes, His love fills, and all are changed.
It was our second day with the children here in Hosanna. There is so much change in all the kids since I was there last year. Kids are shining... really shining. Healthy, happy, growing, and knowing who Jesus is. What a blessing to see how much sponsoring a child can really change a life. It's not only the change we see, it's the thanks we here form the kids. The impact is not only for the kids it is changing a community.
It was a sweet few days sharing with them about walking in a deeper knowledge of who they are, how to spend time with God, how to walk with Jesus and how to usher in the Holy Spirit. Our worship time with them is so precious. They danced and sang in their native tongue in a way that we could all tell they really believed and felt what they were singing. It is becoming a part of who they are and they have come alive in this knowledge.
It always a beautiful thing to me to watch the team members meet their sponsored child for the first time... it always has us all in tears. The children just soak up every minute they have with their sponsor with I love you's, hugs and and deep thank you's.
After being with the kids we were able to spend time With Solomon and Fantu the Husband and wife who are in charge of the Women's program. It was an emotional time sitting in their living room as they spoke of how much has changed in the lives of the women and children in the last couple of years. It was a treasured time. Solomon is also going to Seminary as Hosanna! Church has supported him to do so.
I wish I could put into words correctly what happened today as 6 of us women went into the women's prison. The other 5 women on our team stayed back to Intercede on our behalf as we did not know what to expect or have anything planned just knew God had opened the door for us to go into the prison once again.
I had been told that there were about 30 women in the prison. We had brought 30 blankets plus many other children's blankets for the children that live with their mothers in prison.
After going through questioning, we were told we could spend about 10-15 minutes with the women and only pass out the blankets if we had enough for all 52 of the women. This was far more women then I thought but we had other small baby blankets, so even though I did not know how many we had I said, "We have enough." I said this not knowing at all how many blankets we really did have, but knowing I only planned on about 30. But the knowledge and confidence I had in knowing God wanted us in that prison was more real to me then the amount of blankets we did not have. At this point I just knew that this was His deal and not mine to question. Therefore I said, "We have enough."
The women and their little ones were all sitting in the small chapel on the floor, waiting for us. We walked in and my heart leaped within me. The Spirit inside of this place was full of anticipation for what the Lord had planned for this very day. The team and I proceeded up front and I introduced myself and the team. I began to explain that they have been deep in my prayers and on my heart knowing Jesus wanted them to hear these very words. "He loves them so dearly, and knows them so intimately and knows their hearts cry. He sees every tear that falls and will never leave them. That we also have come to let them know we care, and we want to bring them life and hope in what seems to be hopeless situations.
I then asked if anyone wanted prayer to come up. 90 % of the women came up for prayer. As we all laid hands on them they all began to weep a cry of deep grief. Talk about heart wrenching. So much pain. There was not a dry eye in the room.
The Pastor of the Hope Chest Care Point Abinet started to sing a worship song. It was the most beautiful song I have every heard. They began to sing their song in their sobs. Crying out to Him, their only hope, the one who loves. I will never forget stopping and looking at them as they deeply sobbed, and thinking, "Wow, that is so beautiful... God you are bringing healing to them." Then just as sweet as their healing cries the same song turned a tune to joy and dancing.
I am sure you can imagine all of this so far took well longer then 10-15 minutes they alloted us. There was a change happening and it is evident that the guards were thankful.
We then had all of the women step out of the room as the guards wanted us to count the blankets to see if we did indeed have enough. We began sorting all the blankets and counted how many we had. SERIOUSLY... we had just enough for all of them, not one less, not one more!!!!! What a confirmation that God orchestrated every detail, showed His love and Faithfulness. We were crazy amazed.
We passed them all out one by one. Embracing each women with hugs and kisses and a whisper... "You are loved."
All but one.
Their was some talk among the guards as we waited patiently to see who the last one was for. They turned to me to say that there is one more women, they had to go get her because she was in solitary confinement. Since she was very dangerous, they dismissed the other women back to their rooms.
She was serving a life sentence for killing a child of her neighbor who she was angry at, disposing of the body in the river. She threatened continully the lives of all the inmates and prison guards.
She walked in. The guards said you need to pray for her. She had a hardness you do not see often. Head down, no eye contact. I grasped her broken, mistreated face into my hands. I looked into her eyes, and asked her to look into mine. Nothing.
As I continued to hold her face, I prayed, and spoke truth over her life speaking against all that was not meant to be her, to be gone. I spoke into her that this is not who she was created to be and that satan had stolen so much from her. I was claiming it all back for her. God was present. It took sometime for her to respond, but you could tell that as the truth was being spoken over her something was happening.
The team behind be softly began to sing the song Hallelujah, which brought such a deeper sense of His spirit in the room. Her glassed over eyes became soft and she began to look into my eyes, understanding and agreeing with everything I said.
Our Ministry Partner who was translating for me, Nebiyu was talking to her and proclaiming again to her what was being spoken. Suddenly she dropped to her knees, and asked to accept Jesus. I think my heart stopped at this point. Oh this is what I feel and know I was created for to hear those words of one who is lost come to the realization of their need for Him. She repeated every sweet word of my prayer as if she believed it with her whole heart, as she wept.
Her cold, hardened, lost face was transformed like no other I have ever seen. NOTHING in this world will EVER compare to moments like these. She stood up and wrapped her arms around me and we were sisters in Christ. It is amazing the love that God can give you for another.. a tiny glimpse of His.
She hugged and embraced our whole team and walked out a changed women. The one she was created to be.
The guards were so excited, amazed and thankful. It had been at least 45 minutes, yet they never questioned us about the time.
As she walked out I took off my bracelet and gave it to her and told her to remember this day. I later went back and bought the very same bracelet and wear it everyday. Yes, to remember and pray for this women I dearly love. But it also represents to me what God can do and will do if you walk in the knowledge that He can and will do the impossible and unthinkable if we do not put ourselves in a box. We are limitless to this world when we walk with God. We can walk with a confidence and a faith that makes time stand still, blankets multiply, the broken heart mended and a lost soul freed.
We literally walked in that place not having a plan, not knowing what to expect, but asked the Lord to have His way... I think He did.
The Holy Spirit was powerful and present in the small space
where the conference was held – I could literally feel the energy in the room. We opened each of the sessions with worship. The songs of their native language are energetic and compassionate. It’s amazing to join together and honor God
through music -- united in praise and faith. One body in Christ. 
The Holy Spirit was powerful and present in the small space
where the conference was held – I could literally feel the energy in the room. We opened each of the sessions with worship. The songs of their native language are energetic and compassionate. It’s amazing to join together and honor God
through music -- united in praise and faith. One body in Christ. 
There are so many God stories here. I’m amazed at the big picture and the changes
He is making in Hosanna. Following the
women’s conference, what touched my heart greatly was how God is also present
in the details. Countless, amazing
details throughout the many stories of our experiences with His people. I can best summarize them by
saying that I am changed. These
beautiful women offer heartfelt prayers for basic things that we take for
granted. They have remained steadfast in
their love for Christ and committed to a life of faith despite challenging
circumstances and a painful past. They
trust God. They love Jesus. They need
and believe in Him as their Lord and strong provider. They walk in faith. They continue to seek Him passionately. 
