Dec 14th>> Mango Village

DEVOTION:
After breakfast we opened with Prayer time and a short devotion by Laura on Loving your enemies and forgiveness. Though a short devotion the discussion was engaging and lasted an hour while we spent time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any forgiveness leaving time for confessing and repentance.
TRAINING:
Our training this morning was the team choosing their specialty subjects to teach on this week.
Who is the Holy Spirit (Alpha, weekend away training)
What does the Holy Spirit do (Alpha, weekend away training)
How to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Alpha, weekend away training)
Rediscovering the ministry of Jesus (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
The Kingdom of God (& darkness) (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Power and Authority (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
The place of Faith (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Prayer ministry, how to (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Ministering forgiveness (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Ministering deliverence (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)

We picked one or two of these subjects and would practice these most days by research/reading and preaching them to the group. Some of us had the opportunity to teach or preach in Vanuatu and some didn't because of the sketchy schedule :-)
VILLAGE:
Another warm welcome to the village church toady. Again split into different groups doing songs, crafts, sports etc which we always found a positive and great time to build relationships, trust and learn names. Great to see not only the girls getting nail polish but the boys and men to :-)
That afternoon we did the Holy Spirit workshops (from Alpha weekend away training) Sam then Kim, then Jack. We finished the program at 5.00pm for refreshments and we withdrew for a time of prayer with the team before 6pm ministry night.
At 6.00pm there were about 3 people and 10 children in the church so in Vanuatu you just wait and smile and sing songs together. At 6.30pm about the same amount of people. At 7.00pm still no one. I was frustrated at this stage and had also talked to some at the village about a Muslim from Ghana that had visited their church 2 weeks prior to our visit (Never in the history of the village had they had a visit like this) A couple were confused about the trinity etc and a couple of us were able to share the gospel with them and give them scriptures about the unity of father, Son and Holy Spirit (also posted them info today on Muslim faith). SO it was no real surprise of spiritual opposition in this place. I then remembered all our prayer warriors at home and proclaimed some authority over the situation. we worshiped God and then the people came and came. We preached on the Ministry of Jesus, the Kingdom of God and then the Holy Spirit. An amazing time where the presence of God really feel in that place. The whole team were there to pray and minister. Prayer for the filling of the Holy Spirit, repentance, gifts and healing. Lady with Cancer, Shoulder was healed, chest pain healed, boils, sight, back pain and it went on. Some were healed, some seem to say they were healed but we we not sure, some were not healed. Three of us visited a man that could barely walk, we prayed for him and felt to wash his feet. He appeared to have some sort of partial healing and was walk around happy and smiling thanking us. One man was prayed for for chest pain and restricted breathing. I asked if he smoked (he did) so i told him to give up and we prayed anyway. Another younger man asked for he gift of dancing! Whats the theology of that? we prayed anyway. All in all a very exciting night to see God really moving and our young people stepping out in faith. when you step out God blesses your actions is what I have noticed over the years. Also it was great the locals were praying for others after us teaching them how to and encouraging them to give it a go.
After we blessed all he children we went out side for refreshments and dinner and of course the formal goodbyes and speeches. we presented the village with gifts and they presented us all with lovely gifts.
HAPPY MOMENT:
This in fact was one of the most joyful moments for me. Most of the girls on the team were horrified about the colorful island "Mother Hubbard" dresses that were worn. Yes they do resemble tents (colorful ones). So at this moment all our girls were presented with the dresses (all handmade in the village) It was actually a very humbling moment but also joyful to the boys as hey were worn then and there. :-) A great day and a wonderful village and people.