What an incredible day….our Lord truly can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask or even think to ask!
Last night as we got on the bus to come back to our hotel, Odily –Zookeeper extraordinaire (the leader here) – announced that our first major challenge of the week had emerged. Two conferences had accidently been scheduled on the same day, one at 2:00 pm and one at 3:00 pm…….. 45 minutes away from each other! What to do, what to do?
So, she asked our team if we would be willing to multiply our efforts by two of us going to one event and the other two going to the second event. That was not what we had planned……..we came as a team – we had an agreement that we would stay together in this foreign country – for safety reasons and as a comfort to our families. In Proverbs 16:9 we read: “Man makes his plans, but God directs his steps”. I guess that goes for women too! At first we were very hesitant, on the verge of saying “no” – but as we prayed and sought the Lord He directed us to several passages of scripture that led us to move ahead with Odily’s suggestion. Please read the Daily Dose of Encouragement for today because that was the final confirmation that it was the Lord directing our steps! I sure am glad we followed Him………..
Debra and I were taken to El Conception In Masaya, Nicaragua while Rita and Beverly headed over to Granada, Nicaragua. Boy did the Lord show Himself mighty! Beverly put on the Zookeeper’s mantle and did what I usually do to introduce ZooKeepers Ministries. She spoke to 58 women and when the invitation was given, one came forward for salvation and 30 came forward to start a new group! Yes – 30 new groups and one new sister in Christ!
Meanwhile the same Lord who met with them was meeting with Debra and I and our group of 36 women in La Conception who had never heard of ZooKeepers Ministries before. 24 of those precious women came forward to receive Christ and 19 came forward to start zoo groups in nine different churches! That means that of the 12 women who already knew Christ 9 of them were from different churches.
Yesterday (Monday, Oct 25) 44 women committed to start new groups – and that does not include the 55 groups now going on in this country! Some of these 44 women are starting third generation groups and the multiplication process is exploding!
God is moving among the women here and it is having a huge impact on families and communities. We have heard incredible testimonies – the class is being taught in one public school – ( ?? ) – as a matter of fact we go to that school tomorrow as well as the police women of Nicaragua…………..yes, you read that right – to a group of police women. Two government agencies in one day………..seems they aren’t too fearful to let the Gospel message go into their public places like our “free” country seems to be.
Rita, Debra and Beverly are doing a phenomenal job and I thank God for sending them with me! I am convinced that we should never again go on a mission trip without at least 4 women. It takes a team to do all that is needed to get these groups started!
Pray for the police event tomorrow, and for the public school we will visit……..PRAY FOR FRUIT! I know you already are – for we feel your prayers! God’s presence has been dramatically seen and I pray for that to continue throughout the rest of the week!
God bless you for partnering with us in this mission! God is using your sacrifice greatly! The women are so excited to get the books! We are hoping to have a strong enough internet connection tomorrow to post some pictures showing their excitement when they receive them………that didn’t happen today, but hopefully tomorrow! Even now I am writing this in Microsoft Word to copy and paste to Facebook and our website – because the internet connection goes in and out like a group of boys playing baseball in the back yard………….in and out, in and out……….
May God richly bless you today! Goodnight friends………….
Brenda, Debra, Rita and Beverly
