I had really found it challenging to complete this blog post, simply because I cannot really put into words what happened this past week and I am really busy rehearsing for the My Story, My Song show for this upcoming week - which you must attend by the way. Contact me for more detail on that.
Wow! What a week! In the words of a friend and sister in Christ, this week was one of the best weeks of my life!
This year was my second year of being a part of the watchman school of prayer hosted by Jericho Walls in Simonstown. This is a week of gathering intercessors together from around South Africa and a few other nations, and we are trained and equipped in day and night intercession and prayer for the cities and nations of the earth. Last year I was sponsored to join in the school and I was so blessed. This year was a bit different. I really wanted to go to the school this year, but financially I was really concerned about budget limits you know, but God moves beyond our own limitations! One day I was meditating on the Word of God and the Lord spoke to me to go this year and pay from my salary. I obeyed and made the transaction into the prayer school's account and then a few days after that the Lord provided 90 percent of the money I used for the school back into my hands. I thought wow, it is better to trust and obey! That day I definitely knew that He wanted me there.
So I left very excited for the school and I took a taxi, train and bus to Simonstown train station. I patiently waited for my sister, Sophia, whom I had met last year at the prayer school fetch me at Simonstown station and to take me to the venue. We were super excited about this year and Sophia mentioned that we won't be the same coming back after the prayer school. On our way there we listened to Penelope's (one of the team of the prayer house) new cd release in the car and we became even more excited for what God was going to do this week.
We arrived and Sophia and I unpacked the full car to set up the prayer room upstairs. Sophia had her plans on paper from Penelope and we got the ball rolling. As we were setting up a young man and a short lady joined us. Then a young lady and an elderly lady also joined us. As we were setting up we got to know each other. Somehow the young people drew to each other and that was the start of such awesome relationships. The young man's name is Dewald and the young lady's name is Leyshall. Dewald was really quiet at first and most of the people in the room was predominantly Afrikaans speaking. Now I remember last year at the school I had started speaking so much in Afrikaans and history repeated itself. Elrike joined us to assist with the room and she made us some nice tea for a little breather.
The prayer room was nearly finished and we went down for lunch to take a short break. Everything was coming together and now we were really getting excited. For some reason for most of the eating times, I had been surrounded by the wonderful Sophia, Dewald and Leyshall. Pene, Dirk and Marizane also joined us when they could. We all just bonded around food, isn't that just amazing?
The week progressed and we were introduced to a very wise man called Brother Sudhu who taught us in the ways of our Father. I didn't know who this guy was, but after he opened his mouth I just sat there in awe. In the evenings we joined in worship and prayer after a day of teachings and resting time. Something was happening in the spirit. In the mornings there would be people going up to the mountain to raise flags and blow shofars. Before each session in the chapel, someone would blow a shofar, which was really profound. You could just feel the annointing.
There were many times during the school when I knew the Lord was dealing with me. It really felt like that surgical knife cutting in me. The old familiar insecurities arose and I just felt so helpless and sad at times. By Wednesday evening I became really sad after one of our evening sessions and we went to the dining room to have our last coffee and laughs before bed time. I just sat there and I told Sophia and Leyshall, "Lets spend some time in the prayer room". Wow! When we got there, Leyshall's mom, Mama Marlene, prophetically prayed over myself and Sophia. It left me so in awe of God and He had confirmed many things through His daughter. I just felt so loved and happy. Then a bond in the spirit really formed between us four.
The next day, Sophia says to me that my mom tried calling, but because we at the base of the mountain the signal is most of the time on a super low. In the message to Sophia from Whitney and Elrike, it said urgent, and I knew in my heart what was up. Later that day, myself, Dewald and Marizane took a journey to the beach road for a mini photoshoot in our rest time. Down there I got signal, and the messages came through from friends and family wishing their condolences for my grandmother's passing on the Wednesday afternoon. It was a shock to me but I felt so at peace. I now knew why I felt so sad the Wednesday evening and the peace prayed over me had sustained me till the school was over.
Many great things happened, lots of laughter, lots of prays. Lots of bonding, and even some baboon adventures.
What stood out for me was the fact that here people come from all over and we can just click in a day. I felt God so deep again and I fell in love with His people. Most mornings I would run down early to use the toilets in the main area because using the toilets for specific reasons that early in your chalet doesn't work when everyone is still sleeping. So I would play the song Pursue from Young and Free (Hillsong) -This is living EP, and I grew so attached to that song on the school. The memory of the school was attached to that song. Now every time I hear it I become so so emotional because I long for my family. I often think about you Sophia, Leyshall, Dewald, Mama Marlene. Something happened between us that I never want to lose. Even Marizane, Penelope, Dirk, Triveno and Alecia, Sister Nicky, Sister Getrude and Sister Beryl. Wow you all just made my week and holiday.
Please don't forget about me and hope to see you soon.
Shalom, love Rowy.
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I feel so honored being in my amazing brother’s blog :-D
ReplyDeleteAs I am reading this I realize that being obedient to the Lord, lead to an overwhelming reward. One, that left us all speechless and in awe of His wonders. We all took something back home with us and I am sure I speak for everyone when I say; a total transformation took place within us. Our surroundings may be the same for now but thank God we are not the same. When God forms a bond between His children than there’s no way we can ever forget about one another. In fact, we as the body of Christ NEED each other in order to function*AMAZING*isn’t it???Wow here I am overwhelmed again just thinking of the Goodness of our wonderful Father…He just showered us with His great LoVe and presence. Love You Family!
God bless you my brother. May your passion for Jesus lead many to know our beloved Christ as their Saviour.Much love and Shalom from the Smiths in Paarl.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you my brother. May your passion for Jesus lead many to know our beloved Christ as their Saviour.Much love and Shalom from the Smiths in Paarl.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Thank you guys. It such a privilege to know you all. I count it as beautiful and precious to be part of the same kingdom. Shalom to you all!
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