God's doing it!

8/17/09 – 8/23/09

God’s doing it!

As we were doing home visits last week, Kathi was able to pray for some women who felt the presence and power of God through prayer. One older woman who asked for prayer for physical healing kept saying “Nzete po vjen” heat is coming. Another, who needed physical healing “melted” into her seat breathing deeply. She had been unable to take any good breaths previously. We were also able to encourage many, and we saw the hope that Jesus brings beginning to stir in them.

A child (3 yrs old) of one of the new believers was sick in bed with a fever when we arrived at their home. Kathi sat on the floor beside her and quietly prayed for her. She was up and about without a fever before we left! This same family’s infant was burning up with a fever Sunday morning and it instantly broke while praying for him!

Sh, is a 26 year old man, who had previously been being discipled by me and had decided to return to “the Muslim faith” because it was easier. I met him on the street Tuesday and we began to talk. He had been taking medication for his mental state when we first met two years ago but we had been seeing much progress before he left the church. He was now back on the med’s and was looking as though he was sleep walking. He told me he stays in his room all day and hardly ever goes out. He was hopeless, and discouraged to the point where his mother had told him to come and see me on several occasions. Previously his mother, a Muslim woman, had been against his “wasting time in that church”. Now because of his state of mind is encouraging him to come and see us. I was able to encourage him that we still love him and God still loves him. I told him to come to the house when he wants to visit. He came to the house on Wednesday and we talked about repentance and forgiveness and I assured him of the love of God and us. Friday when he came to the house he looked like a different man. He was alert and in his right mind, not drugged to a sleepy state. I asked him what had changed and he said, oh so casually,” I have been repenting”!!!!!! GOD IS GOOOOOD!!!!!!! He hasn’t made the decision to come to church yet but has shown great desire to re-establish his relationship with Jesus and the people of God. We see God moving on the prodigals as well as the new folks and anything God is doing is HUGE!

We had 3 first-time visitors Sunday morning!

Z (24 yr old man from the village) told me, in a conversation we had last week, that the Muslim religion is the same as Christianity. He saw no reason to switch or encourage his new wife to leave her religion. He came Sunday with Albert. Z has not been coming to church for some time but we keep contact and a friendship going. Albert had also invited another man, who they both knew, from a nearby village. During announcements right after worship yesterday, Z would not stop talking to this visitor friend. I saw him rubbing his arms as he continued to talk with this man. I asked Z to please hold his conversation until after announcements. After announcements he quickly appeared behind me with a very anxious look on his face. He said,”Jesus was touching my arm.” Through the translator I learned that during worship he felt a soft touch on his arm and didn’t know what it was. He closed his eyes for a second to pray and he saw Jesus touching his arms gently and lovingly. Letting him know he is loved. This is what he was sharing with the visitor, the physical touch of Jesus on his body. This guy didn’t think there was a difference between the Muslim faith and Christianity! Praise God He is busy. I was able to share with Z that Jesus was confirming His love for him and that he needed to allow it, not fear it and later this week when we can talk we can cement his relationship with Christ. He has prayed “the prayer of salvation”, in the past but really didn’t get it. Now with the touch of Jesus he should be more open to being discipled in it. I was able to share this testimony with all who were present and they were encouraged greatly.

An, one of the women who lived in the village, came yesterday also. She had been here previously, had gotten offended, because we couldn’t give her what she wanted when she wanted, physical aid, and she had chosen to go to another church here in town to get it. She has since gotten an apartment in town and is coming back, but with a different attitude. She told Kathi yesterday, after Kath had explained what a pastor does, that she would not be going to any other church and she wanted to be pastored by Kathi. She said she remembers all the intercession we made for her and her family. She asked for prayer because she wanted peace in her heart. This is the woman who had accused us of trying to change her religion and was going to remain a Muslim.

Vi, who has been faithful to come to church for over a year now, but with little commitment to being discipled, told Kathi that she was looking forward to moving into the city soon so she would be closer to Kathi and be able to spend more time with her. She said she wanted to make changes in her life and needed Kathi to help her to make these changes. We know that this happens only through the love and care of Jesus, but we take them from where they are and help bring understanding. We many times have to look past their terminology and see the need as it is and educate them. They know nothing of this new way but God is touching them and they desire change. That in it self is a miracle.

We are excited by what we see God doing here in Gjakova. Please continue to pray for more of what He desires to do here.

Thank you,
Al and Kathi