Let the Flood Gate Open

It started.

Before I could catch my breath and get settled to all the changes of the Base, the steady stream of short term teams began to come- trickling in one at a time ready to step into the Father's plan. 

I have had the absolute honor and privilege of working with some of most incredible individuals and I have stood in awe of a God who not only longs to bring us all in deeper- but He HAS brought us all in deeper to Himself. 

Let me introduce you to my groups:

Group 1: Where my girls at? (and my brother Crawford)

They were a scrappy and excited adult group of eight women and one guy. 

As most teams, when they walked out of the airport I could see in their faces a fusion of excitement and fear at the unknowns of a new country and a new experience with the Lord.

Most of us (if not all) who are walking with the Lord are aware that the plans change often. It's not that His plans change- just our expectations and interpretations of them. Well this was no different. 

I can tell you that amidst our busy ministry schedule and continual arm out into the community we all were changed. Mostly, I think, by our relationships with one another. 

I watched this group of amazing adults walk into deeper places with the Father. I watched as He revealed more of who He is in them. I watched as this group began to not only hear the truth that they are all valued and essential in the body of Christ as different expressions- but I saw them in action living out their different giftings. 

Group 2: The 40

Ok. I literally can't even express how much glory the Father poured out this week. Actually I can and will share- but it's going to need it's own blog. Stayed tuned for that;) 

For now let me just give you a teaser… 22 youth, 18 adults from Michigan. They came just as ready to give as any other group. Little did they know what awaited them. An outpouring of the Fathers love, healing, and freedom. I have never seen a youth group and adults lay down their walls and receive the way this group did. NEVER. 

Suffice it to say. Hopkins Michigan will not be the same. Stay in the river my friends!

Group 3: Buffet 

Whatchu know about 21 adults from all over the U.S. converging to step into this thing in Guatemala? Yep. The word from the Lord this week was "rotating buffet." Really you have to imagine all the finest of foods- never running out; all on this conveyer belt rotating around a room. The Lord wanted this group to know and grasp that He, as their Father, had it all to give to them- Sons and Daughters. An abundance. 

Sometimes you get to watch something holy. This group came as individuals. All with their own expecations and 'stuff' they were carrying. They all encounters a God who loves and cares for each one of them individually. He met them right there. Wherever they were. And corporately it ended up looking a little bit like family:)

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This summer so far truly has been characterized by a loving Father telling us- His children- how much more He has for us. How much of His love He longs to pour out. How He longs to draw us closer and speak tenderly to us. How He longs to bring freedom and healing to places that have long been forsaken. And not only does He long for this-as if it's a furtur thing… but He's given it freely right now. It's to be received even right this minute!

I have been amazed by what the Father has accomplished in each one of these groups over the course of their trips. Could it be that in the midst of our coming to serve Him that He actually invited us in to be served by Him?

It is holy. It is a taste of glory.

Even now as I look back all that I have in me is praise to the One who is able to change and mold and free our hearts. I am astounded that He would chose this place- Guatemala- and that He would chose me to be a part of such a holy endeavor. 

So as more teams come, please join me in prayer asking, "Father not my will but yours be done." I want to simply be a vessel more and more. I want to get out of the way so that the Spirit might use me to do and speak whatever He pleases. 

Pray for His movement. Pray for sensitivity to His plan. Pray for freedom and healing and the streams of life to flow inwardly in these groups as well as externally into the locals we minister to. 

And pray that in it all- He might be glorified!