Stories from South Asia
Part 1
“My peace is the legacy I leave you… I do not give gifts like those of this world. Do not let your hearts be fearful or troubled.” John 14:27
As we prayed and planned for our South-Asia Hearing God retreat, God quickly put in each of our hearts the vision of the retreat: His peace. What a privilege it was to carry God’s peace across the world and to the beautiful women we met! As our team has reflected on our two weeks away, we wanted to share a few moments of God’s peace we experienced through this trip.
The theme of the retreat was peace. What is one way you experienced God’s peace this week?
“God gave me peace as I reflected on all that was accomplished. I felt such a deep calm knowing that everything we came to share in love, every person He sent our way, and every unknown we faced was fully in His hands. His love was made known through our obedience and trust—and that brought me a peace that settled my heart.” -Jenna
“One way I experienced God’s Peace while in India was in the leading and guiding of what to speak to the people. Saturday night I was asked to speak at the local church on Sunday morning. My initial reaction was to become nervous, frantically trying to come up with something to share, and to feel anxious. However, God very quickly showed me that He had already gone before me and prepared the sermon I was to give. It was already laid out in my journal and was a direct teaching from Him that He had given me 2 days prior. He had not only given it to me but had allowed me to share it with my team before I had even been asked to speak. He had provided a ‘practice run’! His provision and the way He sees ahead where we cannot is breathtaking!”
-Christi
“As tourists in the area, we spent a small portion of our time visiting local historic sites. On the last day of the trip we drove through a section of the city that we had not previously visited, and it felt more spiritually oppressed and heavier than other places that we had been. As a Christian, I could feel the clash of the Spirit within me and the forces of the enemy that were at work. This spiritual clash was so strong that my chest began to physically ache and I began to pray.
As we entered the fort, we learned that the name of the fort literally means “A Shepherd’s Hill.” While climbing the steps and admiring the view, I began to realize that this attraction offered a beautiful picture of the protection of God as our Shepherd. Outside the walls the city was clearly visible and because of the false religions at work, it lay predominantly in spiritual darkness. Yet on the Shepherd’s Hill, there was peace.
The Psalmist wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4). Walking through that fort, the peace of God surfaced in my heart and the ache in my chest faded away. I began to tangibly experience the truth that as long as I remain on my Shepherd’s Hill, the forces of the enemy cannot touch me. Although scary at first, I am deeply grateful for the experience of physically feeling the darkness that day because it brought to light the glory of the peace of God.” -Liz
“After the retreat ended, we had the opportunity to visit another village and minister to the women there. On the drive to the village, our host asked us to each speak to the women when we arrive, sharing a testimony or message from God. I immediately felt anxious and inadequate! For as long as I can remember, I have felt that my voice and my story is not worth sharing. The enemy has often whispered lies that I am inadequate, or that people don’t care. But through my team, God’s peace and encouragement was offered to me. Not only did I share, but I shared first and did not feel anxious while doing it! God gave me the words to speak, and I felt immense peace and gratitude that He would invite me to use the voice He gave me to encourage others. I am so grateful that while we were there to give His peace to others, He also abundantly poured it out on me.” -Hailey
What is one way you saw God give peace to someone else?
“There were many unknowns throughout the trip, and I know that can unsettle us as humans. I noticed moments when others seemed uneasy, especially when speaking or sharing testimonies. But I watched as they persevered, stepped out in faith, and afterward carried a visible peace over them—like a gentle covering from the Lord.” -Jenna
“I saw God give peace in so many ways and to so many women on this trip! It seemed with everything we did, it brought a deeper sense of His peace to them (and to us!). I especially loved observing the women as they learned about Visio Divina and how God can use anything, even a picture of nature, to speak to us and teach us something. As the women circled the table looking at the photographs, seeing them choose a photo and then asking God what He may want to say to them was beautiful. Each woman at my table had a profound encounter with our Savior as they sat and listened for His Voice. They began writing and drawing what He spoke; even the woman who had just learned the day before how to color with a crayon. When asked about her picture and what God spoke, she said, ‘The dry cracked earth is like my life. It is hard, it is thirsty. But the small green shoot coming out of the dry, cracked dirt is my new life with Jesus. Even though my life is hard, He can bring goodness to me and help my thirst. He makes me green with life. It makes me peaceful and gives me joy when I look at this picture and I want to keep it to remind myself of this reminder from God.’” – Christi
“Over and over again, I saw God extend His loving peace to each woman on my team. We were gone for two weeks, and we each had difficult moments within that time that felt hurtful, disappointing, or frustrating. I loved getting to watch as God met each of us through quiet time, prayer, community, and hearing His voice to provide comfort and peace in those difficult moments. God cared for the team so thoroughly and thoughtfully.” -Hailey
“In addition to the retreat, we visited a local village to minister to the women there. Each member of our team was able to give their testimony and then pray with the women who were present. It was so powerful! We saw women healed, delivered, and comforted by the presence of God. As we finished ministering and began eating the lunch graciously provided by some of the women, our hearts were full! However, we soon noticed a man from the village angrily speaking in Telegu. We weren’t sure what he was saying, but he was not happy. The local Pastor talked with him and assured us that we were not in danger, but still the man seemed incredibly angry.
After finishing our meal, one of our team members asked if we could pray for him. He agreed and as we each prayed, this man’s entire demeanor and countenance physically changed before our eyes. He went from nearly shouting in anger to speaking tenderly in prayer. He melted in the presence of God and His heart became supple and open. Standing on a porch in the open air, the peace of God filled the space. We had come to minister to the women, but Abba had not forgotten this brokenhearted man who needed His love to melt the facade of anger and usher in the peace for which he longed. What a gracious Father we serve!” -Liz