Israel

We have made it back to Kona after our very successful trip to Israel! Although we were in the Holy Land for only 2 full weeks, the Lord opened many doors, blessed us in ways we could not have thought of, and taught me a few good (and well needed) points in such a short time.

Intercession: The power of intercessory prayer was brought up many times while on this trip. I once believed that intercession (prayer on the behalf of others) was just a simple act of us telling God what we believe He wants. While that is true, He showed me that intercession is not just praying for others to God, it is literally standing up to Satan and telling him that we will no longer put up with what he is doing. Walking around the old city, praying in our hearts, was kicking satan in the face because we willingly went to an area of great deception to pray for those who do not believe.

View of Mount Zion, where the Old City is

Reality: I mentioned it in the last blog, but the raw reality of Jesus hits hard while walking where He once walked. All the fluff that has been built up in my mind has now been replaced with images of where He lived, walked, died and rose. He once again reiterated in me that faith is not a feeling. He did not die for me to get a warm fuzzy feeling, he died to save me from my own sin. To hold on to the knowledge that what He did for us 2,000 years ago, even though we will never be able to fully grasp it, is faith.

Jesus' Empty Tomb

On the first day of walking around the old city of Jerusalem, an anticipation rolled over me. The lyrics to Misty Edward's song "people get ready" resonated with in me. "He's not a baby in a manger anymore, He's not a broken man on the cross, He didn't stay in the grave, and He's not staying in heaven forever." It has been promised in the Word that He WILL come back someday. We are to be ready, and not assume it will happen after our life time. We are to be fighting for the lost. We are to be standing in the gap, interceding, for those who have not heard. He will come like a thief in the night, and I do not want to be sleeping and miss His call.

Mount of Olives behind me, where Jesus will return to

The Team: We had an amazing team of 4 that joy was consistently flowing out of. This was a glory team that only God could have thought of. I am so thankful for these 2 ladies and 1 fella that the Lord has me travel with :)

Sam, Shawna, myself, and Chantal at the Dead Sea

What's Next: Most of the Awaken crew is now back in Kona and the rest will be trickling in over the next week. We will begin staff training tomorrow. I am so excited for what the Lord has us as staff, a school, and a campus for the rest of this year. It will be quite the adventure :)