We Are Easter People

So much has been moving and shifting here in Cambodia. Our team has gotten bigger both with foreign staff and our sweet Cambodian staff that are with us full time now. I am daily amazed by our team. A team that was began by one family of 6 being obedient to pioneer a base in Sihanoukville before the tangible began to appear. This family has given our base one of the biggest gifts. They were obedient when they could not always see and because of them every part of the ministry that comes out of our team comes out of the spirit family. As I am here for one of my favorite family holidays I remember my physical family in the States as well as my greater church family. They are beautiful and my foundation. Likewise I look at my family here in Cambodia. Like all families you don't necessarily choose them, they are chosen for you. This family is full of people from 3 different nations who said yes to God's dream. His dream for Cambodia.

Last night we had the privilege to do a drama for our church youth group. Our entire 13 member team was involved. The drama showed why Jesus died for us and what we got because of it. Throughout the drama the black mark of sin showed up. Sin- those things people do to hurt us and we do to hurt others or ourselves. It was powerful. As the kids, many their first time to hear the gospel, stayed engaged they were moved. Joel, our leader, then spoke to them about their immense worth. A powerful truth that Satan constantly attacks in this country as children and adults are bought and sold for next to nothing. He invited them to take some time, kneel at the cross, tell Jesus about what has hurt your heart, say sorry for what you have hurt and thank him for what he has done.

Suddenly, the entire room got up and walked to the large wooden cross and knelt before there savior. They took time to talk to Jesus and cried as they felt their savior's great love for them. They have a God and a friend, one who will never leave them, is always fighting for them and tells them that they are worthy of love, life and hope! You are worthy of love, life and hope. Not because of you, but because your Jesus bore everything that is painful in your life and return gave you what He deserved. Easter in not just about Heaven and your admittance, though we praise the Lord for that. It is about the life, love and hope you get to carry on this earth too.

So my Easter challenge is the same that these children have, walk it out. Know what you have been given is life. Its is alive and active and moving, you have access to it. If you do not know what you carry, what Jesus has given you, read his promises and ask him about it. We are Easter people and  we carry resurection power. It is not just an idea but reality.

Last month I was in Singapore for a conference with my team. We say hundred healed including some of our own. One of our Cambodian staff has had horrible motion sickness her whole life. It got significantly worse on this trip. She was never able to look out the window on her first plane ride because she was so sick. Every day on the bus to and from the conference she would get sick. The last night of the conference she encountered the Lord in worship, it was one of those life changing deeply personal encounters. Car ride home, bus, plane ride back, very bumpy car ride to our town, nothing completely healed. Not one ounce of sickness. Now every one she meets that gets motion sick she prays for. She tells them God healed me from that and He can heal you too. She knows what she carries and she gives it freely.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, 

because the Lord has anointed me 

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

They shall build up the ancient ruins;

they shall raise up the former devastations;

they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;

foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;

but you shall be called the priests of the Lord;

they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;

you shall eat the wealth of the nations,

and in their glory you shall boast.

Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion 

instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot

therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;

they shall have everlasting joy.

Isaiah 61:1-7