An order of coffee, lives changed on both sides of the counter! (Feb. 2, 2019)

From a cup of coffee to a faith that will stop you in your tracks with surprise!

While exploring a new part of town, I simply went to order a drink. The Lord had been preparing this time well before I even moved to SA, South Africa. As I ordered, I met a friendly lady working. Within my heart a Peace filled my Spirit that I could not deny, I knew this feeling well. It was Holy Spirit and the Peace of God. We exchanged a short conversation, and I gave her my number. Both she and I enjoyed meeting, but we were not sure if we would see each other again.

The following weeks were silent until I received a message from this new friend. From the start, there was continued Peace, and the conversation quickly became deep. She shared questions of faith, life, and dealing with people. My heart continued to be moved to pray for her and to see the Lord bring freedom and Hope beyond her expectations.

After meeting one day, where she worked, I was invited to visit the township she lives in. From the suburbs of where I live to a township of struggle, strongholds, and strife. It was a gift and honor to see the world through her eyes a bit. We drove along remnants of a historical dividing wall between the Zulu and other groups from the days of apartheid in SA. The roads were crowded. With traffic backing up, I continued to have the Peace of the Lord in my heart. Alongside the concrete wall, there was no way to move and get out of the crowd. It was early in the afternoon, and God was with us every km of the road. Soon we found ourselves outside of her house. While waiting, I saw beautiful children playing football, a few older gentleman playing chess, and a tuck shop (snack shop) across the road. It seemed like a busy day for many. The Lord was moving among the community, and many people didn't even know it!

Soon I learnt what local pastors (Non-Nazarene) were teaching. Intrigued, we met with one of the pastors in her township a week later.

As we sat, he welcomed us into his humble home. The atmosphere felt a bit stiff, as he had no idea who I was and why we were gathering. Thanks be to God for the moving of Holy Spirit. Once he saw that we were there merely to listen, his defensiveness began to melt away. It was indeed a blessing to take time to hear this brother's heart and how God was working amidst the struggles of life. We left after praying together, and it has been a sincere blessing to see the Lord continue to move since. There has been an effortless moving of Holy Spirit in ministry and living life these past few weeks. This pastor is now facing some difficult days along with the congregation he journeys with. It is a blessing to be part of the same family and body of Christ. Effortlessly, the Lord has moved within me to respond to people and situations, doors continue to open. It is amazing what can happen when we merely abide and open ourselves to the leading, working, and moving of Holy Spirit. To God be all the glory!

As meetings in this local township, the Lord continued to provide protection. Some of those who pray for me reported that on specific days the Lord impressed upon them to pray for protection. Thank you to those who are faithful in prayer. We rarely ever fully understand why we are moved to pray in a certain way for a specific person at any particular time. Again it shows the power of abiding in Christ. The friendship with the lady I met at the coffee shop is a rare gift from the Lord.

This new friend and I continue to meet and talk. The boldness, confidence and active Peace the Lord is giving her is incredible. Faith, the size of a mustard seed, is now growing with roots larger than the struggles of the surrounding community! This is a raw, real faith, that would stop you in your tracks if you could see the transformation in this blessed sister's life within the past month. God knew before we met what both of us needed. I am blessed with wonderful community in many ways. It is just amazing even in helping those around us, our lives can become all the richer as well. This is one of two incidences this month alone.

Praise the Lord for the ways He is working.

Pouring into the life of one another effects more than a single person. One person is always worth it. I have seen this in the story I shared, for example, expanded impact. Through one life being impacted God is now touching a family of four, three siblings, a mom, a local pastor and the congregation he shepherds as well. That is at least 9 people and the fringes of a Church community impacted by one interaction and following the Peace of the Lord. To the Glory of God. I merely share this to say that one matters. One creates a ripple effect. With our little loaves and fishes of what we have, if given to the Lord while being a willing vessel, God will multiply and touch the very hearts and lives of human beings. This reality is amazing and humbling! I am thankful to share that the Lord continues to move. It is not about numbers, I am sharing the impact on people's lives through abiding and following the Peace of the Lord. How beautiful life can be! Like another friend said, "There is a sunrise every day out of the darkness." God continues to bring light no matter the surrounding circumstances. Live and love boldly, for we have one life to live.