What's going on
July has come and gone. We are still awaiting the arrival of our criminal background checks so we can complete the requirements for our South Africa visas. The criminal background checks should be arriving any day now, and things should move quite rapidly when we do receive them. Our plan is to be making our way back to South Africa sometime during the month of September.
In the meantime, we have continued to meet with our pastor to pray on regular basis. Jen's mom and Todd's parents have needed some assistance around their homes, so some of our time has been spent helping them out. It has also been good to spend the extra time with them.
Jen celebrated another year of life this last month. She was so grateful to have both families around her to celebrate this special day!
What God has been teaching us
Over the last month God has really been emphasizing the importance of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This is not just something that is nice to have. It is everything that Jesus wanted us to have. God promised Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. The Apostle Paul explains to us in his letter to the Galatians that the seed is Jesus and the promised blessing is Holy Spirit. The prophet Ezekiel tells us that it is Holy Spirit who enables us to walk in accordance with God's will and purpose. Too often we as Christians tell others to accept Jesus so they can go to heaven someday. God does not just want us to join Him in heaven someday. He wants us to experience heaven on earth which results in a life transformation, and that comes through being immersed into the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving His precious Holy Spirit. If we want to see the same miracles that the early disciples saw, then we need to preach the same message of salvation that they preached. That message included God's desire to give His Holy Spirit to those who ask. When people surrender their lives to Jesus and receive His Holy Spirit they will experience what it is like to walk and new creations in Christ!
When we are meditating on these things, people are drawn to us. On one occasion Todd went on a prayer walk to a local park. At the park, he stood under the shade of a tree thinking on the importance of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. While standing there, a woman walking two basset hounds headed his direction. One of the dogs initially barked at Todd, but then both dogs sniffed him, and laid down near him. The woman was unable to get the dogs moving, so Todd engaged her in conversation. The woman had a friend who was fighting cancer, and the opportunity was presented to pray with the woman for her friend.
On another occasion Todd was at the same park, this time sitting at a picnic table reading the Bible and writing in his journal about the baptism in Holy Spirit. A young man ventured into the picnic area and sat at another table. He engaged Todd in some small talk, but eventually the opportunity arose for Todd to share the exciting news of what Jesus has done for us. The young man was intrigued by what Todd had to say and made his way over to Todd's table, for what ended up being a lengthy discussion. Todd was able to pray for the young man before they went their separate ways. The young man asked for Todd's number, but we have not heard from him since that day. Please keep this young man in your prayers.
Prayer requests
- For all the pieces of the South Africa visa to come together smoothly.
- For favor with the South African consulate, and that we would receive approval for a 3 year visa.
- Rain for the Western Cape of South Africa. They have received some rain recently, but not near enough to deliver them from the extreme drought they have been in.
- That we would fulfill everything that God has for us to do during our time in the United States.
- Whatever God lays on your hearts!
Did you know?
We have added teachings to our website. The audio versions are in mp3 format so you can download them for free and listen to them on your phone. Check them out!
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