When was the last time you knew that God answered your prayer?

For me, it was yesterday. Ever since last Friday, I've been unsettled about our upcoming trip. Thursday night I was on a high when we had a reception dinner for Sarah's family. They are here visiting, and around 120 people from my church came to hear her brother David speak and to learn about our partnership with Baptist Church Hyderabad. This is a huge growth in the number of people who knew about this last year, and interest is definitely growing in what we are doing over there. It was also the first time I had seen Sarah's brother, sister-in-law, niece and mother since we were there last year, and it was a sweet reunion. Our team was commissioned and prayed over, and I left so pumped up and ready to step on a plane. I even got to wear my Indian dress. :)
And then Friday morning I woke up with such a sense of uneasiness. I was frustrated over details and logistics and overwhelmed with all I needed to get done before we leave. I was suddenly anxious over the prospect of leaving my kids behind, especially after hearing about the most recent plane crash. Probably due to ice. Knowing snow is predicted for the day of departure. Having to go through Chicago, my geographical nemesis.

But the weirdest and most disturbing feeling of all was apathy. I suddenly didn't seem to care if I went or not. That is absurd, considering it is all I have wanted to do since I returned last year, and I know beyond a shadow of doubt that God has called us to this journey. But nevertheless, there it was. My joy was gone.

I knew the culprit and I called him out on it. I prayed against the spirits that I knew were plaguing me, and I had friends do so on my behalf. But it still seemed to linger. I was so frustrated and feeling so defeated.

And then I got an e-mail out of the blue. A friend from college that I haven't spoken to except to briefly catch up on Facebook saw on my status that I was heading to India. He asked me to give him a call to talk about it. It turns out that he has recently been there and God has given him an equal passion for the people of that country. He was SO excited talking about his experience there, and as we spoke I could feel that dark cloud lift. I was reminded of WHY I am going back there. It is about the people we are trying to reach. Those beautiful, fascinating people who were born into a world completely unlike my own. My passion returned, along with my joy. What a beautiful thing.

After we hung up I just cried and thanked God for that amazing gift. Here was a person I hadn't spoken to in years, just suddenly contacting me on a day that I needed it most of all. I posted that status last Thursday, and yet he didn't get in touch with me until yesterday.

So thank you, Curt, if you are reading this. God used you in a way you couldn't have foreseen. And thank you to the mighty prayer warriors who are lifting us up through this leg of the journey. I can't imagine doing this without you.

I love watching God work. He is so good and faithful and intimately involved in our lives. Pour yourself out to Him and listen for His voice. He's listening for yours.