Dreams Come True
We had a dream team! People often ask how we put our teams together for a trip. It’s pure Holy Spirit. We publish the trip date and people begin to respond. Their schedule and money seem to dictate their availability… but we know that it is the Holy Spirit orchestrating the group. We had five men and five women. Three people we’d never met were invited by people on the team that we knew. We do take people we don’t know as long as we have Pastor recommendation and an interview.
Ellie with friends from the team
People who come on a team for the first time are in awe of God’s ability to provide for them and use them. They wonder how He will use them and they are always humbled by being used. Every single thing they do is counted and blessed by the Lord as He fits it together for good because He is so delighted at their willingness and desire to be a vessel of service.
The dream part is when the team gels into one mind – that of the trip objectives above their own needs. When we prayed together there was worship, scripture, and the gifts of the Spirit in operation. Everyone was eager to learn all they could about the people we went to bless and their culture. Attitudes and cooperation were high even when schedule or event changes were needed. Praying for one another and people we met was our highlight and desire. We prayed for people at Tiananmen Square, China, previous heart treatment families in Tibet, PRC, new friends in the high mountains of Tibet and many friends in Hong Kong, as well as alters full of people at 611 Church in Hong Kong.
It was the 611 Church of Hong Kong that impressed us. Speaking of teamwork … they are the best! They orchestrate 4,000 people with ease. From new, open cell groups to discipleship groups to leadership training to outreaches and multiplication, they never stop. This particular Sunday, I was stunned by their way of reporting their building fund income for the week. They brought out two clear cylinders. Into one they put chips that represented the money given in that week and the other held chips that represented the hours of prayer they had in the week. Yes they correlated the prayer and the income!
Prayer and anything make a perfect team! I can’t think of any better way to raise funds. Dreams come true with prayer.
Ellie
Thank you Ellie, you and Mark along with your staff have been such a blessing to so many around the World and We are keeping all of you covered in prayer. I am just one person but I must say you all have played a major roll in my walk of faith and my desire to reach Nations around the world. We hope to be in the Nations again with you soon. With much love and prayers,
Bryan and Cindi Riddle