THE
SETTING
I
have now been in Mali for 6 years. I went with
nothing but a big God and a big vision. I wanted nothing more than
to see people come into His kingdom, and to experience the power
and goodness of God. I wanted to see God come down and transform
a nation.
In
February of 2008 God started pouring out
His Spirit like never before. It lasted 5 days and ended
- maybe because no one else seemed to have paid the price to see
Him come down like that; no one showed up the 6th day to meet with
HIM. My heart was grieved - and I continued getting every DVD I
could of God moving so that my kids and team would see that there
is so much more than what we're experiencing.
In
July, my 21-year-old right hand man - and only reliable team member
- traveled to the US with me. It was an amazing
miracle that Paul got his visa three hours before
we left for the airport. We knew that God had much in store for
him on this trip, and He even exceeded our expectations.
Paul's
life was impacted and transformed
in that relatively short period - you can read all about his time
in the US in my last email entitled PAUL'S
AMAZING MULTI-PURPOSE US TRIP or in more detail in my blog.
On
our last visit to World Revival Church in Kansas City -
where I went to school - we both had the opportunity to give a testimony
(watch an excerpt here).
Paul had been deeply touched by God there, and as he shared, he
boldly declared that he was taking this revival to Mali!
SHOCK
UPON RETURN
We
had left our 18-year-old day guard Moussa in charge
of things in Mali. He's a former street kid with an awesome testimony
and had shown himself faithful in little, to be entrusted with much.
The one person that should have checked on things every day broke
his foot two days before our departure and was unable to walk/drive.
Knowing that God was sending us to the US, we entrusted
everything into His hands, giving HIM charge of the base
in Mali during our absence.
When
Paul returned from the US, what he found couldn't have been
worse - both our cars and the motorbike damaged and not
usable, my house pillaged with things broken and stolen, all the
money stolen, and two thirds of the kids gone. Moussa had scared
them into running away.
THE
DAY HE CAME DOWN
All
but one kid returned in the following days (and we were able to
find the last one a week later). Paul talked to them, and prayed
with them, and they repented with tears. Moussa
- who had left us - sent us a letter asking our forgiveness,
saying He still loved Jesus and would always serve Him, and that
He'd pay back what he'd stolen.
On
August 1st it was time
for the first service since Paul's return. God had confirmed propheticly
that it would be a powerful service, and Paul had invited everyone
he knows to come, as well as several pastors he knows.
Paul
spoke for a while - he says it wasn't particularly great - and then
invited the children forward for prayer. Our 12 children as well
as the street children came forward. When Paul laid hands on them,
they went down under the power, one after another. Even our 4-year-old
was on the ground having an encounter with God!
As well as the street children! And there were no catchers! The
adults were absolutely amazed, and they were next to come forward.
Paul
started praying for them, and one after another they went down as
well, having encounters with God. We've never seen anything like
this! EVERYONE was on the floor, young and old! It was amazing!
One
of the pastors who had come was so excited, saying, "Revival
has come to Mali." This pastor should have traveled
to the US at exactly that time, but it hadn't worked out. He said,
"It didn't work out because I had to be here for this revival."
The following week he brought his wife, and both were deeply touched.
He said he would write a testimony of how He was impacted so much.
Several
people gave their lives to the Lord on that first day.
Later the same day Paul was invited to share at a Full Gospel
Business Meeting the very next day. He went with our kids,
and God's power came down there to heal people,
and to revive people. The pastors and leaders were amazed that Paul
is only 21 years old.
The
second service a week later was even more powerful than the first,
with more people showing up, and the outpouring continues.
FRUIT
OF THE OUTPOURING
The
imam (Muslim leader) in our neighborhood who hated
us and insulted everyone coming and going to our base, now talks
well to everyone about us.
Our
children have stopped fighting and using bad language
- and that even includes the kids that are still on the street and
only spend the night with us. They pray together, spend time with
God, and they have dreams and visions and prophesy.
Yesterday Paul told me he's written down a bunch of visions they
had with me in them.
Our
day guard Moussa was in the process of getting ready to commit
suicide, when he came to our base instead. In amazement
he found out that Paul and I had forgiven him, and still loved him.
I'd been wondering where this son of mine is and how he's doing,
and was so happy to hear his life was spared and that he'd be around
again, even if he doesn't live with us any more.
People
are getting saved and healed,
and are curious about what's going on on our base. Paul does a few
prayer meetings a week, and I gave him the green light to add a
mid-week service so more can come and meet our awesome God.
Our
village pastor we've had a lot of problems with
happened to be there for the first service. He was powerfully touched
by God, returned to his village, and saw God pour out His Spirit
there. He has asked Paul to come and minister in the villages, but
we don't have any working vehicles right now. Even the Muslim leader
of the village wants to meet Paul and have him pray for him!
The
kingdom of God is advancing with power in Mali! Hallelujah!
QUICK
NEWS
- Malian
staff - We need a new driver as we had to fire our old
one for stealing. We also need a new day guard as Moussa is gone.
- US
Entity - We received our non-profit IRS status a month
ago, so I would like to remind you all to please take note of
our new mailing address for all donations. Thanks!
- US
Board of Directors - I'd like to inform you that H2TNI
has a new board member. Judd McKendry lives in Augusta, GA, and
is a great evangelist. We're thankful to have him on board. One
more position on the board remains to be filled.
- US
Travels - I have 2+ weeks of traveling left before returning
to Mali. Please look to the left for my itinerary, or on the CALENDAR
page for more details.
- EXCITING
OPPORTUNITY - God has opened an exciting door for me
to start a little business with a Christian
company that is also part of HIM (the network I'm a part
of). My friend has been supporting his ministry this way for over
10 years. The company has won a prize for the best compensation
plan, and has really good nutritional products. If any
of you are interested in joining my team and making money
yourself, please contact me. The company has its market launch
in Austria in two weeks - so it's a great time for getting started
there! But you can join my team wherever you are in the world.
Oh,
that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains
would tremble before you! (Isa 64:1)
In love with
HIM,
Claudia |