fleshed out as freedom

Wednesday at our weekly Bible study with OMS Haiti, we were working through Ephesians one and talking about what "spiritual blessings" were.  We talked about spiritual blessings, and about blessings that God gives that we cannot give or get ourselves.

Peace in turmoil.  Joy in a broken world.  Contentment.  Faith.

And this morning, Ephesians one was manifest as courage and freedom in a situation that has LONG held many captive by fear.

It's a complicated situation that doesn't translate well for North American culture, but more than a year ago the Seminary was obviously being taken advantage of in some purchasing.  After being sure that foul play was involved, we stopped that purchasing venue.

However, when we asked others to provide the same service--but with integrity--we couldn't find ANYONE who was willing to sell to us or ANYONE on our staff willing to go buy.

Why?  Because the initial vendor was so angry about losing all of the money they were pocketing that they threatened to put out a curse on anyone else that helped EBS in that venue.

That was 16 months ago.

Since then, we have gone through all stages of frustration, inconvenience, irritation, sadness and discouragement due to this situation.

Despite a situation everyone saw as clearly black and white wrong, NO ONE was willing to do what was right.  Because of fear.  Fear of being cursed, fear of bad things happening to their families, fear of upsetting someone threatening them with evil.

We finally seemed to find a way to avoid it entirely and were purchasing a different way, when the same person let our sister in Christ know that if she dared continue, she would be sorry.  She came back terrified, let us know her life was at risk by curse, and said she could never do it again.  We asked several others to go, everyone with the same response.

I had had it (needing the spiritual gift of patience), especially when told that this wasn't anyone's fault nor was there anything that could be done.  There was nothing to DO but submit and be afraid and never purchase anything that we need if it could upset anyone who will use darkness to make money.  We could simply NEVER purchase this MAJOR staple again.  Or a missionary had to do it.

"Why is it ok for ME to buy it?" I have asked many times, only to learn that it is because "Missionaries don't seem to be afraid."  I can't speak for anyone else, but that IS true.  I am not afraid.  But that has NOTHING to do with being foreign or being a missionary and EVERYTHING to do with who He is.

After a good talk with Lucner (and seeing his equal frustration...seeing that this was not a cross-cutlural issue I was just not understanding but a SPIRITUAL issue) and praying about it, I realized that THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE.

We are HERE because people in Haiti and the world continue to live in spiritual darkness.  We are HERE because the freedom to be found in Christ has not been found.  We are here not just to share the Gospel with unbelievers, but because MANY many believers continue to put their faith in God and their fear in Satan and live as crippled Christians, unable to even make a simple purchase, unable to live the life He died for us to live in Him.

We have to see E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G as discipleship opportunities...all of us.  We have to continue to surrender frustration and irritation (of the HUMAN realm) and reach for that which is lasting of the spiritual realm...peace and perseverance.  DISCIPLESHIP.

After talking and praying with Matt, he and Lucner called an all staff meeting on Monday afternoon.

It felt more like good church than a meeting, sharing of Scripture and of His great love for us.  Of how He has already overcome.  Of the Light shining in the darkness that the darkness could NOT overcome.  Of the victory we already have in Christ and of what VICTORY in Christ is supposed to look like, according to His Word.

Lucner then talked about the armor of God, pointing out that it is not only DEFENSIVE armor to protect us from darkness and the enemy like the shield and helmet, but also OFFENSIVE armor like the sword of the spirit and shoes for battle!  He spoke about how the armor of God enables us to live as free men and women, not only safe for His service, but also ready and able to fight, and defeat, darkness.

It seemed like a great meeting, a good word...not only for this specific situation, but for SO MANY situations in life, especially in such a spiritually dark and enslaved country.  But everyone was very quiet and thinking.  You never know.

When yesterday rolled around, each Thursday being the day we have to make this purchase, I didn't know WHAT to expect.  I certainly wasn't going to bring it up, and waited.  Just because the transforming Word was shared does NOT mean anyone was transformed.

After a bit, our friend came to my office and said, "Well, I need the money!"  "Ok," I said, pulling out the envelope hesitantly.  "But who is going to go?"

She broke into a huge smile.

"Everyone.  Anyone.  EVERYONE is ready to go and buy it."  She started laughing and laughing harder still...surprised-by-joy.

"Just pick a person.  No one is afraid anymore."

Praise the Lord

I know this may not seem like a big deal.  But for over a YEAR, this general and specific issue has been a huge burden on Matt and I and on the Seminary.  A continual frustration.  Walking around crippled.  Working amongst God's children who continue to claim to be in the light yet live so afraid of the darkness.  Controlled by it.

His perfect Love was finally allowed to CAST OUT FEAR this week, and it was--indeed--cast out.

With joy.

Fear of curses and voodoo and Satan and demons continue to cripple Haiti and many other places more than I even recognize, and I'm praying that this is the start of freedom in MANY areas.

I can't wait to see other ways that the Lord is finally given the victory in the lives of our staff and students this year...

What are we still living in fear of?  It may not be demons or curses per say...but that doesn't mean we're living free.  Doesn't mean we're using the armor He's given us.  Doesn't mean we're living the full life His death and life makes available.

Praying today for EVERY chain to be made known and brought before Him.