There's no greater pleasure than watching God change a person's countenance. Last month at the end of our Breakfast Walk, we were loading everything up to go. It was hot, we had given away all we had except for a few bibles. Along came Tony, thankfully already carrying a plate of food. He stopped anyway, and still lingered in conversation after discovering we had "nothing" to give. Little did he know, what we had was of greater value than a lifetime of food. His shoulders drooped and his face was drawn in worry over providing for his girlfriend and their children. After prayer and a few minutes of conversation reminding him where his true provision came from and who God created him to be, Tony's face beamed and he stood inches taller.
Last weekend, as we arrived at a personal gathering, we encountered Sylvia. God incited conversation and we discovered she was mourning the loss of both her brother and her boyfriend in recent weeks, as well as experiencing physical pain from being involved in a car accident and having arthritis. We prayed and she received peace, and an overflowing sense of the love of her Father in Heaven. After a couple short prayers over her body, all pain left her and full mobility returned. The look on her face was priceless! She praised Jesus for her healing and her uplifted heart, and left with the powerful weapon of knowing where her peace comes from.
Yesterday, we met Tom as he descended the steps of the downtown library. He gladly accepted a burrito and water, as well as the offer for prayer. He said he didn't have anything in particular he needed prayer for, so I took his hand in mine and said I know where to start. His right hand was missing all 4 fingers...some incident from childhood. When I told him I'd be praying for healing and restoration, he smiled and redirected attention to his knee which would need surgical replacement. Tom received his brand new knee on the spot, free of pins, rods or any other artificial part...he was smiling and in shock at the same time! Although there was no immediate change to Tom's hand, we went on to tell him about Victor, who's previously amputated toes are growing back, and he was infused with faith that nothing is impossible for God, and that He is still doing miracles today.
These are only a few of the countless encounters over the past several weeks. These are only a few of the countless reasons we do what we do. Yes, we encounter rejection, yes we encounter opposition, yes we encounter those who only want to take what they can get from us...the material things they can see with their eyes. But there is no doubt that the Kingdom of Heaven is ushered in, there's no doubt that seed is sown, and there's no doubt that the scales are falling from people's eyes. This is why we do what we do. This is why we press on. This is why we stand firm.
Please prayerfully consider joining us and/or supporting financially and in prayer.
Yours in Christ,
The ACTS Missionaries team
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