We had been practicing skits to do on the plazas because we noticed this is where Spain hangs out in the evenings. El Lokal gave us some portable speakers and mics so we could project our skit. We traveled like a little caravan of about 12 people to the local plaza and set up right in the middle. People started watching from the benches and some just ignored us and and engaged in their conversations. We had our translators with us and prepared a little message to explain our skit. We decided to get some attention Daniel would do some dancing to music. Some kids came and sat. We performed the skit and explained it which later we realized was a little strong for our audience comprised of age 10 and under! haha. After we started talking and hanging out some of the kids and tried to discuss Jesus as best we could with only 2 translators and broken spanish.

Camille at this point started to feel a small tug (from the Holy Spirit) to go to the corner of the plaza where she spotted some teenagers sitting around smoking (we later found out was Chocolat which is basically cheap chopped up marijuana with filler). She discussed it with Alexa and they almost didn’t go out of fear, but realized this fear is not from God. Boldness welled up and they decided to go. They took the two translators with them and walked over. Immediately, after introduction, the youth started commenting vulgarly about the two young American women. The translator who could understand it all wanted to leave, but ignorance is bliss for english speakers and the effects of the dirty spanish talk didn’t thwart Camille and Alexa. About this time, I decided to head over as well after I finished my conversation and prayer with a Russian-Spanish boy.

When I got there and they found out I was married to Camille, the jokes turned to intimate questions on marriage according to the translator. We tried to ask questions about life and engage on a deeper level, but the wall was up, although there seemed to be a bit of curiosity of why Americans were in their neighborhood plaza. Ariel, our translator was asking Camille to say something if she have anything, because he was sensing a boredom/irritation setting in.

We got everyone’s attention (about 15 teens) and Camille began to proclaim God’s goodness in her own life. About 15-20 seconds in, chaos erupted with questions and arguments against God. They boldly said, “I don’t believe in God!”. I believe these were honest heart responses of hurt people taking it out on God. Somehow this moment produced us talking in smaller groups for a short time about God. We talked about how God shows his love through healings and Alexa said something with boldness that later she said she was surprised it came out of her mouth, “God wants to heal you, is there anyone who wants prayer for healing?”

Two guys decided to try it out. One had a knee issue (I think it might have been sore from a sprain or something…hard to get details on the spot) and another had cramps in his arms. They didn’t allow us to lay hands on them (they were afraid of an exorcist-type moment from the movies they watched) so we just prayed next to them. The guy with the hurt knee started moving it and said he felt no pain. This got the other guy excited and so we prayed for him and his eyes lit up and he started almost dancing with excitement saying, “Yo tengo fe, yo tengo fe!” Translation: “I have faith, I have faith”. After this, we in our zeal asked if anyone else needed healing and a guy with bad eyes came and we prayed for him…and nothing happened..yet :). God may have wanted to do another thing as we continued to converse with them about God.

I started speaking to one of the few guys that knew some english and he let me pray for him and I felt the Lord say that he has had people telling him that he is dumb his whole life but the Lord wanted him to know that his mind was created by him and he is smart. He looked at me intensely and then said something in spanish to his friends. I could tell the Lord spoke to his heart. I think the Lord was orchestrating something special as Camille and others in our group had begun to prophecy as well. In fact, people with us how had never prophesied spoke out boldly. The local group of Spanish teens had suddenly became interested in this God that actually wants to have a relationship and bring healing to them. They were so excited to hear what God wanted to say that they were fighting to be prayed for.

About this time, a few shady characters, whom we assumed to be the drug dealers came up and Ariel and Camille boldly began to speak truth into their lives. Camille felt like one of the guys knew about God and when she inquired he said a family member has been praying for him for awhile. She offered him an invitation to officially give his life to Jesus. He said YES! We ask for any more who publicly wanted to give their lives to Jesus. Our friend that was healed really did have faith as he prayed to Jesus too.

Since this time, I met with one of the guys and shared the story of God and how he fits in and he was touched. We haven’t seen the drug dealer since, and pray that he connected with his family. We continued to go to the plaza and meet with the group, but many of them have since left the usual spot. Next time we return we will definitely be looking for this group!

The crazy thing is every plaza in Spain is filled with groups of youth like these smoking and partying waiting for someone to tell them that the things that they fill themselves with pale in comparison to the Kingdom of God.

May His Kingdom come.

(Title clarification: The official name of Spain is “The Kingdom of Spain” the different kingdom is the Kingdom of God, hope this clears up any confusion)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Holiness is an interesting trait. I figured if God tells me to be this way, I should make sure I know what it means on a deep level. Any word should be examined if they are saying it day an night (x3) in Heaven:

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

who was and is and is to come!’ - Revelations 4:8

Is holiness a word that expresses one characteristic of God or a word that expresses all the characteristics of God? – Aaron Walsh, Tauranga House of Prayer, NZ

I think for a long time I thought holiness described just one characteristic of God or man: goodness. In reality, it is a word that could best describe the fullness of God!

A short and very limited definition of the word holy means “set apart”. The Levites were set apart as priests and went through many meticulous procedures to enter into the holiest of holies-a room with the Ark of the Covenant and where the presence of God dwelled. Its no wonder God said, “Be holy as I am holy” because now we are called to be set apart as vessels for the living Spirit of God. The uncreated God is living inside of you and I, his creation. Do we fully grasp this? I think I’m scratching the surface on the mystery of this phenomenon.

How are we to become holy as God is holy? One picture that comes fresh to mind here in Mcleod Ganj is the monks that are set apart by the way they dress and live (see above photo). They pray much of the day and carry around prayer beads everywhere they go. They have 300+ laws/rules they need to follow. Many call them holy men. There is also what the people here call a holy man that lives in a 5′ cube right on the street-and he does all his…business there too. In most of India, the cows are considered holy (brings more meaning to the term “holy cow” haha). Some people have an image of holiness that is closely linked to solemnness or quietness. I’m not sure if any of these are accurate depictions of being holy.

What if God’s words were not just a command but an invitation? How could we possibly be Holy without abiding in the one who is the embodiment of Holiness? It comes down to being with Him, getting to know him, and his glory will reflect from you. He’s given us a head start—we are already created in His image. Now here’s the blueprint:

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18

What if Holiness is not the absence of sin, but it is the presence of God and beholding Him? We can empty ourselves of sin to a certain extent, but what are we filling ourselves with? I don’t know about you but I want a further infilling of God and His Spirit. The result of God in us is fullness of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

I want some Holy joy and jubilee, holy peace, and a holy fear of the Lord. All are from God and all are holy. The more I taste of this holy life, the more I want more of it. It is the thirst that is unquenchable yet fully quenched. Be Holy as He is!

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

For there is no truth in their mouth;

their inmost self is destruction;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongue.

- excerpt from a Psalm of David

The life of a christian is built on the foundation of Godly morals. If that foundation isn’t laid (ie a person doesn’t know God) the foundation is built on an untrustworthy, sandy foundation. I’ve had a guy try to tell stories of their integrity to build my trust (and maybe to brag), but the stories were lies (I could tell by the outrageous details). Integrity isn’t built on what you say but more on what you do and if you words line up with that. My friend was trying to build a foundation of trust on lies, which will never work. Lies and deception seem to help us in the short term but as the Psalmist above said it leads to destruction in the heart.

I’ve realized how much of God’s truth is integrated into the way I live and if it wasn’t there, my morals would be seriously skewed. The other day, someone on our team said, “Its just so strange to me that people lie so much.” We definitely are protected in America. Sure there are many people that deceive but I feel like here its just so prevalent that even when you find an honest person, you hesitate to trust.

What is root of deception? Fear. Fear of being alone, fear of others not liking us, fear of getting in trouble and probably many other fears. What is the solution to fear? LOVE. John wrote, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)

I’ve learned in a setting like this, I can not fall under the same spirit of fear and fear deception but always be on guard and in use of the Spirit of discernment that God has gifted us all with. Its always good to get “the word on the street” and put the trust in God, His word, and his Spirit – “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalms 9:10. God is my truth filter!

If I am deceived, I might be hurt emotionally, possibly lose time and money, but I gain an opportunity to tell someone about where I put my trust and to show forgiveness. I also am challenged to always let my yes’s be yes and my no’s be no. Its always easy to agree to something on the spot, but not commit to it later.

Lord I pray for the Spirit of Truth to fall on this land! AMEN

I feel like I’ve become someone they can trust. I confronted them on their scam of milk and rice (which we were victims of). The scam goes like this: they say the milk and rice is for their family but really they take the rice and milk back to the store, the owner equally in the scam, and get cash. They then buy the same productsnear their home and get way more for the money. I asked them why they don’t just ask for money and they say they may get 10 rupees instead of 300 with the scam. I can see their point, but obviously its wrong to scam people. When I confronted them they first denied the scam but then finally came out. I told them it was morally wrong and they said they were sorry to me and later to Jed and I could sense they meant it. They say they wouldn’t do it if they had another way to make money. They still are scamming others so I’m praying for God’s perspective.

It is funny now that they have confessed, the shop owners don’t know I know. As I walk with the boys, the shop owners quickly go for the rice and milk out front thinking they are going to get a quick sale!

I feel like God is saying He will bless them if they stop the scam. I’d really love to find a more profitable job for them. As for now I’ve been teaching them to read english (as much as I can) which I think will be valuable. A few of the boys know Jesus, but most are hindi or accept “God” while also accepting all the other gods or hold to their religion and even sometimes mock me when I pray for another. I’m trying to disciple as much as I can the Christian ones. Please partner with me in prayer for these shoeshine boys.

A cool thing I’ve just remembered is that someone that prayed for me at the beginning of our school, felt like God was saying I’d be a advocate for the underdog during this school. Right on!

6,506 Visitors - 17,090 Pageviews – 100 countries (many spam robots haha)

Here are the All-Time Top 10 most popular posts:

158 people read Gold Dust?! Healings! Whats Going On?
http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/ywam-kona-hi/gold-dust-healings-whats-going-on/

143 Unique Visits From Kosovo to Kona Larush Ramosaj

http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/ywam-kona-hi/from-kosovo-to-kona-larush-ramosaj/

119 people read The Journey Starts
http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/ywam-kona-hi/the-journey-starts/

115 people read Jesus in the story of Isaac and Abraham
http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/outreach/jesus-in-the-story-of-isaac-and-abraham/

111 people read Goodbye Sweden, Hello Malmo
http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/outreach/goodbye-sweden-hello-malmo/

105 people read Jonathan
http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/in-greenville-sc/jonathan/

101 people read Read your Greer Herald
http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/in-greenville-sc/read-your-greer-herald/

99 people read Hansons on Jireh Junction
http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/in-greenville-sc/hansons-on-jireh-junction/

99 people read A Genealogy That Will Blow Your Mind
http://hansonsatywam.com/blog/ywam-kona-hi/a-genealogy-that-will-blow-your-mind/

95 people read Jeff and Jed, Salvations, Soberness, Street preaching, Assa Mix in Kampii
http://www.hansonsatywam.com/blog/stories-of-the-lord/jeff-and-jed-salvations-soberness-street-preaching-assa-mix-in-kampii/

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password: