India update........

Here's an excerpt from the email I had in my inbox this morning:

My cellphone rang…it was Sarah. I told them I’d be right down. A sigh, followed by a hard swallow and I was heading to the car. As we got closer to church, I literally felt sick and wanted to pull over, but I sucked it up and we kept on going. The lions had definitely found a meal today, and I was it. They had bitten off my arm, gnawed on my foot and I had a gash in scalp that was bleeding profusely…but I was still alive.

Once we reached church, and I stepped inside, things began to change.

Immediately, my stomach ache was gone. We always show up about half way through worship and today, some of the songs were in English so I actually got to join in for a change, but my heart wasn’t in to it. Testimonies, more songs, prayer, more testimonies, and then Pastor started for the podium. I always sit on the platform with pastor because, after all, I am ‘the special guest’ “teev Vilsaun.” Pastor always has me address the congregation. Today, I was dreading it. I mustered a smile and made my way to the podium. I shared an update on how my company is going to help us move even sooner by absorbing any loss we would have on the house. Which is a huge relief in the scheme of things, but in reality, I had a ‘so what’ attitude inside.

Then, I went on to a bit more. The Holy Spirit had me share that when we are growing in Christ, the enemy attacks even more. Without going into detail I simply asked that they continue to pray for my family and I as it is becoming harder and harder each day. I was relieved after I sat down that it was over. Today was special because it was Pastor John and Mary’s 20th anniversary. Today, we only had ‘official’ prayer time for them which was good, but I didn’t feel the same connection to the Holy Spirit today that I had felt last week.

After service was over, there were about 5 people who came to the altar for prayer anyway. They would tell Pastor what was going on and he translated. One woman in particular, was possessed by a demon until she came to church *last Sunday*. In the worship time, she felt the demon leave her body, but it had taken a toll on her. Her face and jaw had become physically distorted, almost like a horse, and it had wretched her back into a strong curve to one side that resembled a single stalk of prairie grass yielding to a hot summer wind. When I heard that her face had miraculously changed *back* in a week’s time, that perked me up. But what really got a hold of me, was that she has two daughters. They were also being troubled by spirits in their house. I got MAD. This burned me up inside. I thought *how dare you attack these precious children you scumbag!!!* Then I started to pray for them. I *KNEW* the holy spirit was back at work. I could feel Him flowing through me, although not as intensely as I would’ve thought as in last week, but just the same He was there.

The prayer didn’t last but maybe a minute, but I would like to think that Michael himself is watching over those precious children tonight.

So a line from a Sarah Groves song sticks out in my head…”when we are weak he is *VERY* strong.” He didn’t need me to be his conduit today, but he *wanted* me to be. Isn’t it simply amazing that not only does he want to heal the sick and touch their lives but he *also* wants to bless those that intercede on their behalf?!?

So I feel somewhat better, but I’m no where near 100%...maybe more like 60%. I’m counting the days until I get home. I’m going to tip the taxi driver to speed from the airport to my house J. Just pray for me that this week will pass quickly as everyone wants a piece of me before I go home…work…friends…pastor…they all want to have that ‘one last’ tea, coffee, lunch, dinner, etc.

It’s been a good trip…but I’m ready to come home to pacing in the kitchen, eggs stuck in the pan, and crazy bus rides (as if the driving isn’t crazy enough here!!!)

-Steve