When I go on international mission trips, I always TRY to tell God that I don’t want to go, I don’t have time, I make random excuses, I don’t have the funds, and even sometimes that I don’t want to go to a Communist/Socialist country because there is so much risk involved. If there was a 1-800-Call-Heaven, I’m pretty sure I would be laughed at, because if we look back at that statement, each International Mission trip has been to a Communist/ Socialistic Country... HA!
We always take a plethora of bibles into whichever country we are headed. I get really nervous, depending on the country of course, though it’s still an uneasy feeling. I’ll tell you this story that will send “chills” down your spine…
On this mission of “Operation Blitz” we bought 300 bibles to distribute. We split them up between suit cases. If you’ve ever been international you know that you must go through International Customs before entering that country. They go through your bags, check your passport, stamp it and then do a quick interview. If you pass you’re free to enter, if not you might be questioned. Now with 300 Bibles being “Smuggled” anything over 1 could be subjected to questioning, you could be followed, or even detained. Fastforward to : I get off the plane, proceed to International Customs, and realize they aren’t going through the bags. I start to pray because I’m like NO WAY this can’t be true.. No bag checks today? God is GREAT! Instead my excitement turns to disappointment, as I see x-ray machines. I panic. “X-Ray machines are you kidding” Theses bibles are also in the native language so they are very much aware of what it reads. The team decides to split up and go separately, though we were looking pretty dominate in this country, it might be better if we are separate incase we do get questioned. I continue, Praying Profusely, and thinking this is not going good and I’m the 3rd next in line. If you know me, you know I stay very calm in situations like this, because the last thing you want to do it tip the authorities off, or make them suspicious of you. I soon realize I’m next in line, I’m praying like I’ve never prayed before. God has gotten me this far why would he turn his back now? Did I mention I had the majority of the Bibles because I had the largest suit case...? AWESOME! Even BETTER!!! My mind is going in circles... “Trust in the Lord, for he will not forsake you, nor leave you”. All of the sudden there is complete CHAOS! I start to question the entire situation. Customs officials are conversing in their native language, the chaos is continuing and I’m not moving forward. The gentleman looks at me and motions me to proceed. I’ve never been that tense in my whole life. I take a breath and proceed. I place my bags on the machine. They quickly yell at me and tell me the X-RAY machine has just broken and currently NOT WORKING! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! I almost started to cry. I told my self "keep walking" whatever you do don't stop! The Custom authorites said "Have a great visit"! I'm so puzzeled, thankful, and slightly amazed.
Why do we ever doubt God? 1 In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called out to another and said," Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The WHOLE earth is full of HIS glory."4And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. 5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." 6Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven." Isaiah 6
Praise Him for He is Holy! Next time you doubt God, remember he is the LORD!
Lucy
That is an awesome testimony of prayer and God's answer! LOVE IT!
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