SUMMER UPDATE
// August 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
SIGNS AND WONDERS CAMP:
I finished my last update by informing you about the trip I would be taking to IHOP in July. I can now tell you that it was a very strategic trip for me as I continue to pursue what the Lord has for me in this next chapter of my journey with him. The initial plan was to shadow the Children`s Signs and Wonders Camp coordinator Lenny LaGuardia who serves on the leadership team at the International House of Prayer Missions Base. Lenny and his wife Tracy direct and oversee all local, national, and international ministries relating to children ages 1–12. They were very kind and hospitable towards me and I enjoyed lots of great meals at many nice restaurants. The best being a Kansas City BBQ, which I was told I must not miss out on whilst there. The Lord was also very kind to me by providing good friendships. I arrived at IHOP, not knowing anyone, a little nervous and not sure where to go. I sat in the car outside the IHOP building and said a quick prayer to Papa for some friends to fellowship with. I got out of the car, walked across the car park and to my surprise heard someone shout out “Is that you Mick Craig”? I turned to find a friend I had made whilst they were visiting Hawaii. Ok, so that was a quick answer to prayer, but to top it off I decided to go to the book shop with this friend and as I entered an other friend who visit Scotland last year, walk out of the shop at the same time. We looked at each other in amazement and I told him the prayer I had just made minutes ago. We began to laugh and thank the Lord for his kindness and great sense of humor. Isn`t the Lord so good. He cares about the little things to! The favor of the Lord continued my whole time there with many more divine connections with leaders within IHOP and getting the privilege to speak to 400 children from 6-12 and call them to rise up as warriors with a little voice, but a great big God. I felt the Lord say to me, that there were many in the room called to missions and to call forth those that felt called to go to the nations, all 400 came forward and were marked by the Lord to go into all the world and preach the gospel. I also spent time with Lenny brain storming ideas for my roll as children`s and youth coordinator for the prayer room and he has also committed to mentoring me through this time, as I pioneering and wants to continue to stay connected with YWAM Kona and bring a team over to run a Signs and Wonders Camp here. The whole week was a time of laying down my rights, gaining vision, strategical planning and growing more in my trust in him.
WITH NO VISION PEOPLE PERISH:
I returned to Kona with great expectation and a heart bursting with vision for the children and youth. I spent the following week seeking the Lord on how to implement the plans he had given me and was reminded of a word that was given to me a month ago, that the Lord was raising me up to be a strategist for the emerging generation. Plans not to run a normal Sunday or youth event, but to create a culture of prayer, worship, and intercession for them, that it would become the norm to be in consistent communion with the Lord. That they would know how to hear his voice and obey his commands, that they would know their position in the body of Christ and be confident in knowing who they are in Christ, because of who he is in them. I sat with Andy my department leader and shared the vision I had to gather a team and begin to extend our tent pegs. The Lord gave me great vision for local outreach to underprivileged children, lesson plans for introduction to intercession, raise up children`s prayer and worship teams, youth summer equipping` and lots more. I was commissioned last week to run with the vision and will be connecting with a fellow Scott Andy Kennedy, who pioneers Kings Kids, when he arrives for our 50TH anniversary celebrations in November.
INFUSION: a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.
I have spent the summer block planning for the launch of the children`s and youth programs and had the privilege of helping to run a Teens Equipping Camp. It was a two week camp for 13-18 year olds from all over the world, some even as far as England and India. The 16 teens that attended came with expectation to meet with the Lord and to be changed by his love for them. It was a time of life changing worship, global awareness, local outreach, face to face time with the Lord, fun and great teachings on things like how to hear Gods voice, the call to purity, identity, how to study the word for all its worth and how to share your message. We spent time in the local community with vulnerable children, playing games, face painting and sharing the good news with them. It was a time of marking for many of them, with lots moving out of comfort zones and learning to use there gifting`s for the Lord. Some even took the worship time for the main Thursday night meeting and shared their testimonies. I felt so proud of them and was so glad to have the opportunity to speak into their life`s and see them change from day one to the final farewell. I came away from that time knowing, this is what I was made for!!!
WATCHMEN:
Please continue to pray for:
Financial provision for a vehicle, especially as I am having to move off base again next month. For my family and for me to come into the fullness of all that the Lord has for me, to not be held back by fear of man or fear of failure.
Thanks you all for believing in me! It`s hard to keep up with everyone so please feel free to drop me an email or message to let me know how you are all doing. Love and blessing. Michael
