True Peace....

Thursday morning I was scanning through my news feed on Facebook and came across a blog post written by a friend that seemed to peak my interest. I clicked and began to read.

She beautifully told a story of how she has prayed for an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus with this friend of hers in her neighborhood. God had answered that prayer in a unique way. The woman was to have a procedure done and was so afraid. My precious friend, took that time to pray with the woman. As she prayed with her, the woman began to weep because no one had prayed with her before. My friend wrote how the Lord had opened that door and she was so thankful to be able to share about the peace that only Jesus can give.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

 

After reading, I wrote a comment sharing with her how excited I was for her and that prayers were being answered and doors were being opened to sharing the Gospel! I said a prayer of praise, closed the computer and set off to begin the day...laundry, homeschooling, and cooking. As I began preparing to teach the kids, I realized that Kendall had left to go teach and I had not really even said goodbye to him. The day went on and I kept thinking back to the blog written by my friend. Asking myself if I had been making the most of opportunities to testify about the greatness of our God and taking the time to pray with people in their time of need.

 

The potato soup was cooking on the stove and I was just about to put a load of clothes in the dryer when the phone rang. "Hey babe, I am going to be late today. I have been in a road accident." My heart stopped for a split second, my body began to shake, and I tried to listen as carefully as I could. All I heard was "I AM okay and so is everyone else." I went outside and told our guard what had happened as the tears began to flow. I felt so helpless. I tried calling friends but the cellular network was not working properly, then I remembered the blog and the Holy Spirit gently nudged me saying "Joy, call upon me, I am RIGHT here. I know you feel like you need a tangible person, but let me comfort you and give you peace." "The Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth..." Psalm 145:18 I knew I needed to heed that nudge but my flesh needed arms around me to hug me. Those arms came in the form of my precious sister, Zeria.

 

Time was passing so slowly and the prayers were being offered up to the Lord all around the world and the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit enveloped me. I remembered the blog. The phone rang and a sister in Christ called me and said, "can I pray with you right now?" That prayer was as if she was sitting right here with me. I will never forget it. Then I checked email and a friend from the US wrote a prayer out on our behalf. I remembered the blog. Prayers were uttered in my presence, over the internet, over the phone, and completely away from my listening ears, but my Savior and Lord heard them all. Later that night, Kendall told me that a good friend who was with him at the scene looked at him and said, "Abambo (Sir), how is your heart? Can I pray with you right now?" That prayer meant so much to Kendall.

 

The next morning, the Lord reminded me of His mercies in this beautiful sunrise and this verse came to mind, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion', says my soul, 'therefore I will HOPE in HIM.'"  Lamentations 3:22-24 After the fog cleared in my mind and I was able to focus on things, I was so thankful that the Lord had used the testimony of another friend to encourage me that day. It's just a great reminder that we should be ready and willing to minister to those around us at anytime and that we should always be willing and excited to testify about what the Lord has done in our lives and those around us! To HIM be the glory!! "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

 

The past 36 hours we have been asking the Lord to show us exactly what He wants us to learn from this experience. I have made a list and it is quite random, but it is a true testimony to the powerful, mighty, sovereign, loving hand of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is also a testimony to prayer, the power of prayer and the peace and comfort that comes as a result.

Here is the list that I have made it is not in any order nor is it explained...to you it may not make sense, but to me, they are a beautiful testimony to answered prayer, wisdom, and our sovereign Lord.

 

Friends praying; Zebron's position in government; Jumbe's position in the community; the wreck happened in between two of our churches; no one was injured; the love that the people here have for Kendall and our family; we renewed our drivers licenses; Kennedy was traveling with Kendall; the people were coming from teaching and recognized that it could possibly be spiritual warfare; the breakfast conversation that happened at our table the next morning between two young men that Kendall has taught and the two men coming to take our truck to Lusaka that centered around salvation in Christ alone; there was no false testimony against Kendall; the police were so helpful and honest; the truck was able to be driven home; we were able to share the love of Jesus by feeding strangers; friends who were willing to drop everything to come; friends who sent talktime; the strangers that stopped to make sure Kendall was okay on the road; the case is closed; our truck can be repaired...and the praises go on and on and on!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!