Customs, Suitcases, Timetables, and Power

Hearing a Prophetic Word Before the Journey

I believe in the power of prophetic words admitting that if I try to understand them immediately, it is often incorrect. Awareness and open-mindedness allows them to play out before my very eyes, seeing God in new ways.

I received a prophetic word. “I will set your feet firmly. I will remove those trying to interrupt your travel and steps. They will not succeed regardless of how successful they seem.”

I had no idea the true meaning of this word until several months later and some reflection/remembrance as God brought it to my memory.

Unexpected Challenges During International Travel

I was excited for my new assignment. I felt prepared to go to Africa, but I was clueless as to what was fighting against me. Thankfully, I had no idea how ill prepared I was. I was simply being obedient.

It would take two vehicles to take me and all the luggage to the airport.

I arrived, got checked in and received my gate information for the connecting flight. I was oblivious to the spiritual world and what they were doing. They had free reign and remained hidden for four days.

Arriving in New Jersey, I walked to my gate, grabbed a smoothie and talked on the phone a bit. Waiting for my flight. As boarding time arrived, I realized that no one was at the gate. Rookie mistake — I didn’t confirm the gate when I arrived. Was the gate changed or was I intentionally misled? Either way, last minute I checked departing flights and ran the 50 gates away. Nearly missing it, I literally walked onto the plane. I blamed myself.

Divine Intervention at the Airport

I arrived in Johannesburg with a quick connection to Cape Town. Only then did I realize that I had to get through customs, collect all 17 bags, take them upstairs to be rechecked and catch the last flight of the evening to Cape Town. And I had 1 hour and 2 minutes to do it. If you are a seasoned traveler, you know this is near impossible.

As I stood in the immigration line, the clock ticked. I hit 25 minutes. I sent out a SOS to the prayer group. I prayed, Lord, if you want me on this flight, you need to make it happen. If I am stuck here in Johannesburg overnight with 17 pieces of luggage, I will know it is you. Otherwise, I need you to make time stand still like you did for Joshua.

I had spoken with an airline representative deboarding the plane to confirm all this and she said she would help me. When I finally cleared customs, there she was. She had two porters ready. It took all three of us to collect the luggage. I followed them up a back elevator (not smart). And arrived at the ticketing area. Four boxes had to be wrapped. More time. I was tipping everyone.

We had picked up a wrong suitcase which meant one of mine was still downstairs. Too late to worry about that now. The boxes were left in the middle of the airport where they would be collected. What happened to “don’t leave your luggage unattended”? Africa is known for stealing luggage and things out of your luggage. All electronics had to be carried on or they would disappear. Back through security pulling everything out and repacking. Fifteen minutes from the last time I looked at the time, I was at the gate walking onto the airplane. This my friends was only God. I arrived in Cape Town and into the arms of my friends two hours later. Exhausted. I had been traveling for over 24 hours.

Some of the luggage had arrived but most was still in Johannesburg and would arrive the next morning. They would deliver it. I had to go home that night and check all my luggage tags; identify what was there and what was not. Email them a piece by piece accounting. It would be four more hours before I would sleep.

Spiritual Warfare and Sleepless Nights

You would think sleep would come and it did, but did not last long. Sleeping peacefully is a trait for me since I gave my life to Jesus. But that night the bad dreams started. After only a few hours of sleep, I was up and done. Good to get on local time. I tried so hard to stay awake all day, but by noon I was dozing on the couch. More bad dreams. I knew, in my spirit, that something was wrong, but honestly was so tired I didn’t even deal with it.

Luggage started arriving. The family returned home. And life seemingly got in the way.

After dinner and quick conversation, I returned to bed needing a good night’s sleep. What I experienced was anything but. I heard lots of outside noise. Voices talking. Wind blowing. Something was clanging.

And then I heard the presence enter the room moving toward me. I was laying on my stomach unable to move as it walked closer. I felt the weight on top of me. I sensed the evil it wanted to do to me. I felt paralyzed unable to move or speak. I know to speak the name of Jesus. All darkness must flee. But I couldn’t speak. I kept thinking it over and over, willing my voice to project. But it did not. Finally, I felt the presence get up off of me and leave. While I did not feel like I had been violated, I definitely felt intimidated. I had experienced the fear of sexual assault. I was done sleeping after just a few short hours.

The next morning I would learn there was no wind. There was no clanging or voices heard by anyone else. It was time to anoint the house. I needed sleep.