The Message
Divine Encounters in Paris: How God Provided a Ride to the Eiffel Tower
I was delighted to go to Paris. I knew that this was a gift from the Lord. I didn’t know how to get to the Eiffel Tower once I landed. He told me not to worry about it. He would have transportation.
Flying out of Orlando, I had a layover in Charlotte waiting for the overnight flight to Paris. As I sat in the airport, I was on the phone telling my daughter about the trip and what I was doing. The lady beside me had apparently been listening. When I hung up, she asked me some questions. She said she made the trip regularly. It was her self care as she cared for her special needs child full time. She said that she would have her driver take me to the Eiffel Tower after he dropped her off. Not only that, she arranged for him to pick me up in time to get back to the airport for my flight. You guys - God is this good.
A Message from God at the Top of the Eiffel Tower
Paris was significant for another reason. Before I left, it had been prophesied that the Lord had a message for me atop the Eiffel Tower. It was cold and rainy in Paris that day. I toured the tower, had a coffee, and then prepared myself to go out and receive the message God had for me. I sat. I waited. Here comes a ten year old little boy who promptly vomited right beside me. His cousins, parents, and family swarmed quickly.
I quickly relocated to another bench avoiding the smell and the chaos. I would not be deterred. I sat and waited asking the Lord again for His message.
I heard the Lord say “I Love you.”
Me: “I know you love me. What message do you have for me?”
End of conversation.
Finally, I left. Cold, frustrated, and at the mercy of the driver I made my way back to the airport.
Upon arrival, I found the gate. As I sat to journal my time in Paris, I heard the Lord say, “Why is it that the Lord of the universe says “I love you” and that isn’t enough?
I was heartbroken. I apologized and realized that was my message. Not only was it my message; it was important.
Not just for me, but for each missionary that I was about to visit. He loves them. He sees them. They are not forgotten. The foundation was laid. Next stop: Africa
Mission Work in Northern Africa: Faith in a Restricted Nation
Northern Africa is primarily Muslim country. It can be a dangerous place to be a Christian or known as a “missionary’ as it is illegal to share the gospel. I learned not to speak certain words as it could endanger the lives of the missionaries or workers that I was there to encourage and love.
Emails, text messages, and mail are often censored. Again, so different from the freedoms we experience in America. Accordingly, I wanted to be aware and certainly did not want to endanger God’s people in any way because of my presense.
How Missionaries Thrive Spiritually Without a Church
Without a church to attend, or other Christians nearby I was curious how they kept themselves spiritually fed. They too, have learned to take responsibility for their walk with God and practice many of the disciplines of the faith, including fasting. We really do take much for granted here in America.
As someone who is still fasting 120 days a year, I thought this trip would be a time of no fasting. How wrong I was. My prayer partners, supporters, and friends were joining in and we fasted along with the family at every stop. Prayers for the family, the country, the ministry, and the prophetic as the American followers were invited to share any words they received. Emails, WhatsApp messages and text messages flooded my phone as we shared God’s love with each family as I travelled through Africa. I realized quickly that I was not alone and this was bigger than me.
I was blessed to be a part of their spiritual encouragement, serving them communion, playing with their children, touring their country and ministry, enjoying the local foods, and learning about the culture and customs at each stop.
Living the Gospel Without Words: Lessons from the Mission Field
Missionaries supernaturally love their countries in which they serve. God has placed His passion in their hearts. They fall in love with the people and are intentional to get to know them and introduce them. They support local shop owners and businesses and holistically share the love of Jesus - sometimes without the use of words.
Their lives are truly living demonstrations of the gospel. What a challenge for each of us to accomplish in our everyday lives. Is my life a living demonstration of the gospel or am I actually hindering those who I encounter by my enactment of the gospel? Am I truly reflecting Jesus with no words necessary?
God’s message of “I Love You” is not just for me or the missionaries. It is for every person. Every tribe. Every nation. Have I taken the Great Commission as seriously as I should or am I depending on others - the missionaries, the evangelists, or anyone else to do the work? Maybe, just maybe we each have a mission field. Located right in front of us each and every day.