Issue #1,148 August 09, 2004 Answered Prayer

Over the next while, I'll be sharing much of what we saw during our recent mission/ministry trip to Africa. I'll be mixing in daily life here in Canada so you don't get bored of the Africa adventures Once the pictures are developed, I'll get some of them posted on our website.

The trip to South Africa was wonderful and exhausting. We saw God at work in miraculous ways and many places where Christians need to be more active in their ministry. We saw death and healing, wealth and poverty, and scenery beyond description. We met Christians who are content to sit in their pews and do nothing, but many more who have a passion to serve Christ with a fervor I have seldom seen in this country.

This morning, I want to share with you a small miracle that we experienced just before we left. On the Friday morning, several of us headed out to join a group of men at a retreat. I drove to the staging point, moved my gear to the 4X4, parked the car and we headed out. We were off to a remote area in the Transkei (or Eastern Cape as it is now known).

We traveled three hours down the highway and then turned onto a dirt road. The road wound its way through grasslands, then virgin forests and along the top of steep gorges. Much of the way, the "road" was only wide enough for one vehicle. From there, once we had reached the coast, we headed out on a four wheel drive track that would never qualify as a road. In bad weather it would b impassible even with a four wheel drive vehicle. We crossed several beaches that were only accessible during low tide and ended up at the cottages for the retreat.

The cottages were along the beach, hidden in the forest. Since we were under steep bluffs, no radio or cell phone signals could get through. There was no electricity, and any hot water was heated by fire. It was a delightfully remote, incredibly beautiful spot.

Most of the guys fished during the day. We were blessed to watch dolphins body surfing, and to see whales coming up out of the water. They stayed out there for hours putting on a show that seemed staged just for us. Sunset on the beach along the Indian Ocean was incredible beyond description. After supper, as we sat around the campfire, I shared a devotional with the group.

We stayed for a few hours Saturday, then headed home, leaving most of the guys to finish out the long weekend. We drove home without event and went to move to gear to the car. You guessed it, I had lost the key to the rental car somewhere in the Transkei. There was no way to contact the men at the retreat. A local locksmith said he could open the doors to the car but couldn't bypass the alarm. It was possible that the dealer could get a new set of keys made, along with a transponder unit for the alarm, but it would cost $800-$1000 (local currency) and we wouldn't have it until Tuesday. Since we were scheduled to leave Monday morning at 7:00 that posed a problem.

We started to pray. Sunday night, while I was leading a small group meeting at the church, a woman showed up with the car keys. Her husband had decided to return early, and brought back the keys that one of the other men had found. Until he got home, he had no idea who they belonged to or the urgency of the situation. God had returned the keys in an impossible way.

The Lord we serve is not only involved in the big things of our lives, but He cares about the little things like lost keys as well.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 10:29-31 NIV

Until next time rejoice that the creator of the universe loves you so much that He cares about the smallest detail of your life.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed

Kevin

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you.

HELP FOR THE HURTING

 

I don't know what struggles you will face today. They could range from trivial inconveniences to the life changing. You don't have to face them alone. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, it means you'll spend eternity in heaven with Him, but it also means that He will walk with you through all the "stuff" you must face. Don't walk it alone, ask Jesus to take charge of your life right now!

If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you.