Halloween

Don't be afraid of the darkness-

its only a opportunity for the light.



The more I live, the more I realize my own need for God-

Last night was just another one of those times when I caught a glimpse of the darkness and evil humanity suffers with; apart from Christ.

Walking the downtown area of Kona last night night i was once again brought to tears as I realized where I could be- 
And that it's only by by the mercy of God that i am not living life, apart from Him-

I could feel a strong presence of evil even before i got into town, 
once there it was even stronger.   
People walking around wearing some of the most evil and dark looking costumes I had ever seen in my life. 
There seemed to be people whose only intent was to bring enjoyment to themselves by causing terror and fear to others.
At some point i walked past a small girl dressed in a extremely sexually provocative way- 
with a short tight skirt eventuating her fishnet tights and low cut belly shirt.
To top it off her face was completely made up in a dramatic way.
I took a second look at her and realized she was just a child.
Probably about 6 years old.
What was she doing down here all by herself at this time of night?!

Marisa, Sami, and I wanted to be present during the festivities to use this opportunity to reach out in the midst of darkness and be a light to the lost.

Our plan was simple: 
Marisa sang and played her ukulele, while Sami and I put up sign that read, "spiritual insight" (which actually meant praying and prophesying over everyone who stopped).

The first fifteen minutes or so business was slow, and i began to get discouraged; thinking maybe I hadn't really heard God on doing this.

But we continued to pray and shortly after that a older man stopped and began to talk with us.

God immediately gave me a word for him, so I shared how I saw that he had a big, kind heart and was a loyal, generous person but that because of past hurts his heart was broken and he was losing his ability to really love.

Since he had mentioned God, I felt lead to share how God wanted to restore and heal his heart; so that he would be able to receive love and give love at a greater capacity then he had before.

He put his hand over his chest and smiled, 
"you're right on about the heart stuff; 
let me tell you what I see,"  he said pointing at us. 
"I see three glows"

After he left we started singing along to Marisa playing the ukulele, when a young boy attracted to the music came over and started sharing about his life.

"I tried to kill myself but God saved me," he said.

"Ever since then I've been trying to follow Him."

We began to prophecy and pray over him, speaking out what God was showing us about him.

By this time a group of his friends had gathered around us and one of the guys Barry was highlighted to us.  
Barry was clean cut and not participating in the costume party, but we all felt that God really had something for him tonight.  

So I asked him if we could give him some 'spiritual insight'

He seemed unsure.

"You've been through a lot." Sami said

Slowly He began to relax as we shared what God was showing us, and gave him encouragement.

Even after his friends left, Barry stayed and continued to talk to us; opening up about his dream to go into the army or the police force and help people.

We ended up praying over him and before he left I gave him a drawing of a picture God have given to me earlier.

It was off a sink with the faucet on and the basin swirling as the water went down the drain.

Earlier ,when I had been drawing it, I had no idea what it meant but as I handed it to him God showed me the meaning.

"A lot of things in your life have been out of your control," 
I said, pointing to the swirling water in the sink basin.

"Its tried to suck you down a dark hole and make you feel lost,"

referring to the open drain pulling the water down.

"But the one thing you have had control over," here I showed the faucet with water streaming out, 
"is your response.
You haven't shut yourself off, instead you have continued to pour out what you have and keep an open connection with God."
Barry took a step back, "Wow!...... I don't even know what to say. " 
"Dose that ring true with you?" I asked.
"Ya, I mean everything you guys said is right on.
Man I wasn't expecting this-
I was just hanging out with my friends....you know,
because its Halloween,
then I meant you guys 
and.......Wow!
I don't even know what to say....
I'm overwhelmed!"
He took a step back but his eyes were filled with so much hope.
"Its Jesus man, He really loves you!"
I blurted the words out of my mouth.
He smiled and put his hand on his heart.


I don't know if I will ever see Barry again. 
Before I left we invited him to visit the Kona campus, so hopefully I will at least get to talk with him once more.
But I know God sent us out, on Halloween night, for Barry-
and I got to be a part of calling him into his destiny.
Something I wouldn't have missed out on for anything!