Piaui, Brazil. August 2018
This little girl and her younger sister are so precious. They live in a remote community in Piaui, in great poverty. i met them at a children's programme yesterday run by some amazing people. This little one ran to me and put her arms up for a cuddle. Naturally I picked her up and she melted into me. I could feel the exhaustion in her body and for such a little girl she let out a huge sigh. I held her and then fed her. Later I found out that she had been home alone with her younger sibling for a week! Her mother and grandmother are addicted to alcohol and often leave the children alone. But yesterday afternoon I was able to visit their home and meet her grandmother. She was not in a good state but I was able to hug her as tight as I did her granddaughters. Love looks like something, for me it often looks like hugging the broken. I sang songs of peace over this family and their home and prayer that God would be their protector and provider.
I love this photo! It's cute, but honestly, you have no idea of the pain, devastation, and destruction that was rampant in this family's home. I'm usually able to express myself freely with words, but the things we encountered in this home after this photo was taken have left my heart so heavy and I'm still processing. Some things you can't take photos of. And some places I go to I wish you could all come too and see with your own eyes.
Piaui, Brazil. August 2018
This is Ibsom, he is 10 years old and lives on the dumpsite in Jardim Gramacho, Rio. His life is surrounded by poverty, destruction, violence and uncertainty. But every time I see him he carries so much peace and joy. He has a sweet and gentle heart. He is beautiful and I love him.
Rio, Brazil. August 2018
One of the things we did today was help serve at two children's programmes. These children are so beautiful. We sang with them, prayed for them and served them a delicious meal. We also saw horses and pigs roaming free outside.
Rio, Brazil. August 2018
Rio, Brazil. August 2018
I got to meet this beautiful Mama, she is deaf and mute. This is her gorgeous son Neymar. This lady is deaf and mute and has her baby's name written on the palm of her hand. She is living on the dumpsite in extreme poverty. I hugged her and kissed her and held her baby. She would not stop smiling at me and showing me her son's name on her hand. I was able to pray with her and, using sign language, tell her that God loves her. I love this picture of the name on her hand and it reminded me how God has engraved our name on the palm of His hand. He sees us and knows us by name. We are not forgotten, we are not alone. Despite the pain and crazy in the world, He wants to carry us through. He doesn't promise that it will be easy, but He does promise that He will be with us. Friends, know you are loved today, and don't forget to share that love with others, wherever you are in the world.
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"See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands..."
Isaiah 49:16 NLT
Nelspeuit, South Africa. July 2018
I had the honour of sharing my story with over 200 people from 31 nations. Those who know me well know that I can talk, but this was the first time I have shared in public about the worst season of my life. I was vulnerable and my voice shook but I truly believe that as we share our victorious, others can step into victory too. The enemy tried to completely destroy my life and take me out, but he picked the wrong girl! Because the One in me in greater! As I openly shared my past pain and trauma and declared victory and freedom, it was so powerful to see what happened. People got set free and delivered. Jesus was glorified. If God has done something powerful in your life, don't be afraid to share it, because He wants to set others free through you. It was also an added blessing for me to have Mel Tari and Issac Yun (Brother Yun's) there as I shared. Their love, prayers, and words brought even more restoration to my life. God is so good, and the best is yet to come.
Mbombela, South Africa. July 2018
I love getting to go into communities and loving people. Last week I had the honour of visiting the home of a witch doctor. We hugged his wife and spoke a blessing over their house and believe that darkness will leave and they will live free of torment and walk in truth and light. We also prayed for a beautiful man named Samson who was very sick with TB, his whole countenance changed and he told us he was feeling better after we prayed. Then we prayed for a lady with shoulder and abdominal pain and the pain left her body and she was able to move freely. The little girl in the picture was so full of joy, she has one arm and she just blessed us so much. My heart is happy when I get to reach out and love those who are hidden. Hugging the hurt and kissing the broken is my favourite.
Today I got to meet, love, and pray with two precious humans. A perfect baby boy born just three days ago, and his great grandmother who is 109 years old! So amazing! Life is for living and loving
South Africa. July 2018
Today we got to spend time with these precious children. Most of them were abandoned by their families and I got to love on a little 5 year old boy who was left in a latrine by his mother. These beautiful ones, despite coming from traumatic circumstances, are so full of joy and hope. They have been embraced by the Father's love, adopted into family, and given hope for a better future. It was so special to spend time with them today rolling around in the leaves.
Michael's children village, White River. June 2018