Glenn & Jennifer Goss - Friends of A.C.T. Int'l serving in North Africa

The goals for the trip were for both outreach and 'in-reach' - to a North African town that only has one known believing family and to a group of people seeking God's greater purpose and vision for their lives.  In terms of outreach, we were able to do quite a bit of targeted prayer-walking around Mu. prayer sites where mystical witchcraft is performed.  Groups of artists were able to go out into the streets and draw portraits of children and adults as a way of building bridges into the community.  The artists, and some non-artist creative types, created works of art related to what they felt God was saying to the town and nation.  The artists worked on mosaics, watercolor, acrylics, printmaking (in the art gallery downstairs from the living space), photography and collage projects. 
 
Some of the themes that the artists felt that God was speaking to them about were: seeing the growth and influence of the Spirit in the town as being "a cloud as small as a man's hand", but that strong rains are coming soon (this was confirmed by an Egyptian in our group who said that the same verse regarding Elijah was given at an intercessors conference in a neighboring North African country); "that the gates of the town would be opened to allow the King of Glory to come in" (a reference to one of the Psalms read out by a team member on the trip which was the same verse used on a trip a year and a half earlier); and, that "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ" (Ephesians 3:10-11) - read out once by a team member and then again by a new team member who came later in the week.
 

Dan - A Friend of A.C.T. Int'l

I live in Raleigh NC.  Wonderful wife, 4 kids in college, just to give you a general station-of-life reference.  I've been a pastor, worship leader, freelance illustrator, etc.  A couple of years ago the Lord led me to petition the City Council to allow me to set up equipment on the MAIN street in downtown Raleigh.  I then proceeded to build what is probably the world's largest "street performing kit"--built-in generator, theatrical lights, 8 x 10 foot canvas, sound system etc., and go out to the center of town and paint and play music . . . and talk to people 1-on-1 as they approach me.  It has been one of the most exciting and satisfying ministry's of my life!  I don't paint "Christian" paintings or even play Christian music--I just jam: blues, jazz, ambient kind of stuff.
 

David Baroni - www.davidbaroni.com
Worship leader, artist, songwriter, and friend of A.C.T. Int’l

I am reading the book "Walk On" about the spiritual journey of the members of U2. Though I am only into the early chapters, it is inspiring and fascinating. I am also in a dialogue with my new son-in-law (who is from the U.K. and living here in Tennessee now) about the whole American church culture thing.

I remember watching Bono on C-Span (channel surfing and “accidentally” found it, trust me!) talking about the Aids crisis in Africa and what people can do about it. He was very succinct, intelligent, passionate and REAL. He talked about engaging politicians on both sides of the aisle and actually doing something to alleviate the disease, not just throwing money or well-intentioned words at the problem.
 
I see a parallel between U2 and where we are as those passionate about God and the worship life of the church. As a songwriter, I firmly believe in the supernatural power of Holy Spirit inspired words and music. Indeed we "live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God." God's people gathered in praise and worship to our Father and King is a vital part of the life of His Church. But we can't stop there...

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was sharply criticized and misunderstood by the religious establishment for socializing with those in the society who didn't go along with the religious programs of that day, who didn't speak "Christianese" so to speak. He said he came not to call the righteous (as they considered themselves), but sinners to repentance. He brings a new life, a new way of thinking, a fearless yet wise way to relate to his world and his people (The earth is the Lord's and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24).

Every year we celebrate the staggering love and humility of God... a helpless baby born to an unmarried teenager in a stinky barn surrounded by livestock and within earshot of commoners-“low-class” sheep herders.

Sometimes we, the people of God, can be seduced into majoring on the minors. Light belongs in the darkness. Now that the Word has been made flesh, let’s not be guilty of trying to make the flesh back into words again… as Bob Bennett so astutely warned himself and us not to… “mistake the very song I sing for the doing of the thing.”

I thank God for the gospel through the lives and music of U2. Just like all of us, imperfect and fallible, but they sure seem to get it... and give it!

May His incarnation be ongoing - not just in our songs and words, but in our everyday, ordinary, astoundingly precious lives.

 

Ken & Kris Fitch, serving as A.C.T., Int’l missionaries serving in Brazil.

Last week, while delivering cestas basicas (food baskets), we met little Luzia. Luzia's mommy abandoned her and her daddy about a year ago, when she was about 4. Her daddy is an alcoholic. Her great aunt, whom she refers to as Grandma, told us that Luzia's daddy cannot go a minute without a drop of alcohol. She also told us that while Luzia's mommy was still living with her she would at times take her to her occult meetings. Once, during one of these meetings, she allowed her daughter to be covered in human feces. When Luzia returned home she cried and begged her grandma not to let her mommy take her there again. We were also told that Luzia's mommy told her on numerous occasions that one day she would take a gun to Luzia's head and shoot her. Luzia has experienced all of these things before the age of five!

We were so touched that we returned the following day to pray with them again. When we arrived her daddy was sitting outside eating some beans and rice. We introduced ourselves and Pastor Nelson began to talk to Sr. José, Luzia's daddy. He was very straight forward with him. He told him that he had heard that he had a problem with alcohol. Sr. José told him that was true. Pastor Nelson asked him if he was happy with his life and the life he was giving his daughter. He told us that he didn't want to drink, but he couldn't help himself, and he began to cry. We shared with him and then Pastor Nelson asked if we could pray for him. He responded with a heartfelt "please".  It was only when Pastor Nelson laid his hand on him that his demeanor changed. He cried out, "Take your hands off of me!" "You're burning me!" Pastor Nelson calmly explained to him that he needed to place his hand on him while praying but that he wasn't hurting him. Immediately Sr. José fell to the ground and began to shout in a high pitched woman's voice, then he began to convulse and foam at the mouth. We continued to pray and to claim the blood of Jesus over Sr. José. After some time he quieted down and asked for a cup of water, but then he began to ask why there was blood all over him. There was no blood, only in his mind's eye. (Pastor Nelson told us later that Sr. José had once killed a man.) Pastor Nelson told Sr. José that Jesus was ready to free him from satan's control. To this point we have seen Sr. José on the street but when we attempt to talk with him he tries to avoid any contact.

Please pray for him as we seek to continue to help this man know the peace that only Jesus can give. Please pray for wisdom and protection. This is a spiritual battle and we need all of you, our prayer warriors, lifting us up to the Father continually. A pastor friend said, "You guys have entered satan's territory and he is not going to give up easily. Make sure that you have many people praying for you as you fight the good fight. Be alert because attacks will come, but know that God is strong and you and He will prevail in the end." PLEASE stand with us as we fight for the spiritual life of this family. If you would like to know what we experienced that day read Mark 9:14-29. As Jesus said in verse 29, "this kind can only be cast out by prayer and fasting."
 
We need you by our side as we stand in the gap, fighting in a very literal sense for souls. It is a real battle that is being waged for the souls of people.  We have come to realize the urgency and the reality of this fight as we face it on a daily basis.  There are too many Luiza's and their families that need to know HIS love.
 
WE NEED TO BE JESUS TO THE WORLD NO MATTER WHAT THE COST!