Later on, while in Wales, I connected with Rheinhard Bonnke's ministry, called Christ For All Nations, (http://www.cfan.org.uk) and through the leading of Holy Spirit was able to sow into their ministry of holding gospel crusades in Africa and beyond. Like Angus Buchan, Rheinhard Bonnke, is a simple, humble man who has believed God, simply preaching the gospel with the result of mighty exploits for the Kingdom of God. So far CfAN have led 74 million people (and counting) to salvation in Jesus Christ. Rheinhard Bonnke is now 75 years old, that's basically just under a million people for every year he has lived. Extraordinary. How can we not be inspired to be all God has called us to be when we hear of these great exploits. Jesus said, greater things than these will you do*.
Looking back, it was a dream of mine to meet Angus Buchan (http://angusbuchan.co.za), you might have heard of this 'Faith Like Potatoes' man. He has hosted hundreds of thousands of men at Mighty Men's conferences in South Africa and around the world, preaching the gospel and seeing miracles of healing, not just for the men but for their families too. God orchestrated a divine encounter with Uncle Angus (as we call him) when I was on a farm in Worcester, England two years ago. I stood next to him, slightly awestruck, while the anointing he carries silently fell over me. Just a few minutes in his presence brought such sweetness. I was humbled that God would give me such a divine encounter! Not only that, I again met him last year in Northern Ireland when, through an unprecedented miracle of God, an orange lodge parade was cancelled for a two day preaching event in the middle of the town of Magherafelt. The farmer from Africa held nothing back in sharing God's heart for the people who came and many miracles of salvation happened. And with many people pressing in on him for prayer, we were again highly favoured to get an opportunity to talk to him and get prayed for too. From that high to another...seeing and hearing Rheinhard Bonnke exhort us in person.
So when I heard that he was one of the speakers at the CTF conference, I confess I didn't quite believe it. The reality of it had not hit home until the day before Rehinhard was due to speak, here's why: I had a return flight to the UK booked for September 10th. In the last two years of being a full time missionary, I have not used my return flight once, in it all I have learned that God has His plan and when I follow, even if I don't understand, His perfect peace accompanies me. Again, He told me to forego the flight, so I stayed. What a crazy but incredible way to live, just trusting that if Father says He will provide, you can take His word to the bank. Before this, I had no idea whether I was even going to be at CTF for the conference as my journey with God is to just take one day at a time.
The church had asked for volunteers to help with various jobs during the conference, as a reward each volunteer received a free pass, which would normally cost $180. Once I knew I was going to stay, I asked Holy Spirit if I should volunteer and He gave me the green light. The form asked for my area of preference, I wrote: wherever you need help, I'm happy to help. I prayed that God would show the coordinator where He wanted me to position me. He did, I landed shifts on all four days...in the kitchen! Cooking and hospitality are my God-given talents and if I had stated my preference, that's exactly what I would have chosen. I was so grateful to have been chosen to help, not only that but in the very area I delight in.
In the meanwhile, I had no money left. Whilst I've been here, Father God has from time to time, supplied me with money - this is used to bless others, to tithe, for transport and basic needs like toiletries - and the last lot I received had almost run out. I didn't have enough to get the bus to church to volunteer. The Sunday before the conference started, as we got ready to tithe, I thought about sowing the $2.75 I had left in my purse. I second-guessed that thought, wondering if I was being a money-martyr. That's a term I use for myself, as I can easily and very quickly give it all away! I doubted, which is unusual for me and ended up not sowing what I had. As the week progressed I waited, in faith, for finances to arrive and they didn't. Confused, I wondered why nothing had come in and thought this was another stretching of my faith. But I was not stranded. I had a choice, so I humbled myself and asked for bus tokens from my host family. They gladly helped me, thank God, in addition they and others gave me rides into and out of church. God had me covered, I had no problem being present to volunteer. Phew!
There was an opportunity to sow on Friday night at the conference and this time I didn't need any prompting to finally give my $2.75. As I sowed the last of my cash I suddenly realised I should've done it last Sunday. Nevertheless, I had such joy in sowing it then and there.
Earlier that Friday, I met a lovely lady who was sitting outside at the picnic tables, I headed there after my shift to get some fresh air and sunshine. We chatted and Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for her. It was a divine moment. That same lady, led by Holy Spirit, came up to me the next day, the last day of the conference and sowed no less than $100 into me. She said, I felt yesterday that this was for you but I couldn't give it to you until today. Ah the timing of God! He gave me a second opportunity to sow the $2.75 and thank God, He enabled me to perceive it and grab it without the previous hesitation. That is the grace of Father God. I shared with my new friend how I had sowed the last of what I had the day before. A simple act of faith produces miracles. If I had sown in obedience that last Sunday when prompted to instead of entertaining money-martyr thoughts, provision would have come sooner! Lesson learned.
Rheinhard Bonnke was as fervent as ever as He spoke to us on that Saturday night. He said, among other things, there is no comfort in unbelief. It's true, when we have no hope, nothing to believe in, there is zero comfort in that. But when we have faith in God, He comforts us. He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and with us, one of His roles is Comforter. You can listen to Rheinhard's talk here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ_Z3fTIy0U. I highly recommend it. You may be prompted to go out and buy a bow and arrow afterwards and frankly, I wouldn't blame you. This mighty man of God, along with all the others that fed us from their testimonies, by being vulnerably honest about their lives, refreshed me with renewed hope. It's what I needed and I thank God for every second of it, what a treat!
Father God is our greatest Encourager. Ask of Him, He will connect you, teach you and enrich you through His Holy Spirit and through those in the body through whom His Spirit flows freely. Dream big!
*"Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works I do he will do also and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father." John 14:12 NKJV
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