Youth in Mission - You Shall Receive Power

"1.700 of young people?  I do not think that I will be able to enjoy it like I did last year! There will be too many people. I'd rather go to smaller conferences! They are more powerful!" This is what went through my head just before Youth in Mission started. As you can imagine, I was a little skeptical even though I prayed and fasted for this youth conference. But God was ready to show me one more time that He can work in a powerful way with many people as well as with small groups of people!

The first surprise was Friday morning. Last year we had a good number of people joining us in the mornings for the 6 AM prayer meetings. I think that the most people we had were 87, and this was the last morning. But Friday morning we had at least 105 people in the room where I was. I say in the room where I was because I found out that many people went to the prayer room, not knowing that the morning prayer session was in a different place. My friend and prayer partner Sophie went there as well. She waited for me to come and when she saw that I did not show up, she lead the group in united prayer. She told me that the room was full. So, because we realized that the room was too small, we had to change it for the next morning. And praise God that we did, because we had over 205 people who came to pray with us on Sabbath morning. Sunday morning, even though we lost an hour because of the daylight saving, a good number of people joined us. And the same thing happened on Monday morning.

A few months prior to the conference, I thought that it might be good to offer the possibility to those who want to be able to lead out united prayer in the prayer room. So I asked the organizing team to include united prayer facilitator on the list of volunteers positions. 16 people registered. When we met to talk, pray and make plans on Friday morning, instead of 16, there were 20 people. Some of them decided to come and help even though they did not sign up to help in the prayer room. So, needless to say, this year I did not have to spend time in prayer room since there were so many young people eager to help out! And I could not be happier because more prayer leaders are formed in Europe! 

Even though there was so much interest in prayer, I still did not know how many I should expect for prayer during outreach. Last year there were around 40 people who prayed with us. This year the room was too small, as more than 85 people came to intercede for those who went out on the streets. Some people had to turn back as there was not more space in the prayer room.

Let me remind you that we are talking about Germany, the most difficult country I have worked in so far! I am talking about a country where most people are not used to pray out loud. Thank God that He has His people here, as well.

I am still marveling at what He did and how far He has taken united prayer in a little over one year. It was such a joy to have people come to me and tell me that they took united prayer back to their churches from Germany, Austria, Holland, Switzerland, Czech Republic and that it has been such a great blessing for them.

I was wondering before I came to the conference if I should attempt and have an all night prayer meeting. But I put aside the thought. The conference is too big. We are speaking about Germans here. Who will want to join a prayer meeting? I will be too busy with two workshops, a prayer room and a booth to take care of. I will not get too much sleep. So, with this in mind, I decided not to ask permission for that. But after my workshop, I was talking with one of the attendees about prayer when this person asked me to tell him about the all night prayer meeting. And, while telling him about it, David, one of my prayer partners came and asked: "So, are we going to have an all night prayer meeting?" So, I finally got it. God has been trying to nudge me before, but I ignored Him. I went and asked if we can have an all night prayer meeting. We ended up getting permission for pray until 1 AM, because of security reasons. We had a beautiful prayer time. I will never forget two young men who came and asked for prayer as they decided to get baptized and give one year of their life to Jesus.

Having Jerry and Janet Page as main speakers was a real treat! I simply love working with them! And they were a huge help in promoting the morning prayer times and prayer room. God used them to inspire the young people to pray more.

It was at Youth in Mission that I could see one more time how real the Great Controversy is. I was peacefully listening to the evening presentation Sabbath evening, when Wendy came and asked me to come out. She proceeded to tell me why she called me and another few people outside. A little bit earlier that evening, Edy, one of the attendees got a text message from a friend. It was a desperate text message about Clara*, this girl's sister, who was on a bridge trying to commit suicide. She asked Edy to try and do something. So he talked to Clara for more than 15 minutes, but could not change her mind. When he went back inside, the person sitting next to him saw that something was wrong. He asked Edy who told him the story. So, to make a long story short, he went to Wendy, Wendy got me and my sister and we went out on a hallway and started praying. I have to admit that I do not think that I have prayed with such intensity before. Knowing that the girl was on the bridge at that very moment and that our prayers can save her life, that she needs someone to stand in the gap for her made us pray like we have never done it before. At the end of the prayer session, when Edy checked his phone, he found a message telling him that Clara's sister was finally able to take her from the bridge. But you know what is the most amazing thing for me? Clara's sister was supposed to be at YiM, but she decided not to come the day before the congress. I know now that God stopped her because He needed her to be there so she can save her sister's life. Neither Clara nor her sister are Adventists, but praise God that He is no respecter of persons and He leads even those who do not know Him.

One could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit during the Conference! Oh, how I loved seeing Him at work! God showed me that He can also work powerfully during a big conference of 1.700 attendees. 

It was at Youth in Mission that I got the idea of starting a European Network of Prayer Warriors. Since I am traveling so much and meeting so many people who love to work for God, who are involved in His work and who love to pray, why not connect them so we can intercede for one another and for the work in Europe? We have 34 people from 15 countries in the group so far! And the number is growing as more and more people are requesting to join the group! So, if you are passionate about prayer and are interested in joining us, leave me a comment and your email address or contact me through the Contact form. 

I am eagerly waiting for next year's Youth in Mission Congress. And I am also looking forward to ARME Germany. So many young people told me that they are looking forward to it, too. God has started a work in Germany and I simply cannot imagine how much more He is going to do in the future. Little did I realize when I prayed last year: "Give me Germany or I die!" how far He will take this prayer and how much He will do. He has exceeded every expectation... And I know that He is going to do much greater things than what I have seen so far!



*Clara's name has been change in order to protect the identity of the individual.

GYC Portugal 2013 - Until the End

The more I travel and meet wonderful people, the more I see the pieces of the big puzzle coming together. And I simply love it! Knowing that not even one person God places in my life is there by chance and seeing how God uses each one of them to teach me more about Him, His love and His grace is enough to make me feel blessed beyond measure.

I eagerly waited for the moment to board the plane and be back in the country with warm and wonderful people (read about it here), to meet old friends and make new ones, to see the divine appointments He had for me there, to see how He changes lives and brings hope. Portugal is not a strange place for me. Their hospitality and warmth made me feel at home right away. Actually, I somehow feel part of GYC Portugal. I was there from the beginning, from their first conference and we share many memories. 

Honored to be singing with some wonderful people

I knew God has special plans for Portugal because I have seen Him at work even before I went there. I decided to try and get together a prayer team. So I prayed and approached a couple of ladies I met last year who left a deep impression on my heart and who were really committed to the Lord. Debora's answer really warmed my heart and made me see more clearly that God is in control and has a plan:

Dear Raluca,

My heart is so filled with joy and gratefulness today, I can't even explain it, words are not enough to describe what God has done for me and in me today. Praise the Lord! God chose this day to answer my prayers, and your proposition to be part of the prayer room is one of them :') I can't even hold back my tears dear Raluca. God is so good! My answer is: yes, yes and yes! I need God to work me in me and my character and I want to serve Him in anyway He asks me too. I think He just asked me through you to be part of this, so He can transform me as I serve Him. Your invitation was an incredible answer to my prayers of this last weeks.

What is Debora's story? A few days before I sent her the invitation to help in the prayer room, she had asked God to use her to reach out to others. First God placed her in a group of Christian young people from her university to study the Bible and pray with them. Than He sent her my invitation. Her answer to my invitation left me speechless and flooded my heart with joy. Needless to say, God put together a wonderful prayer team and I was blessed to have each one of them help with leading united prayer.

Last appeal made by pastor Jay Rosario

GYC Portugal was blessed with powerful speakers who challenged the young people to give their life to the Lord and serve Him. We were thrilled when 35 people decided for baptism after Jan Cabungcal's appeal. And almost everybody went upfront at the dedication service when Jay Rosario challenged us to be like the four lepers who could not be quiet, but had to share the good news with others. I know that many young people made some life changing decisions for Christ at this GYC. The many emails and FB messages I get are only confirming this. I happen to know just some of these people, but I know many more lives were changed. Just to give you an example, I heard that a young man decided to break off his engagement to a non-Adventist lady because God spoke to his heart. I am convinced more than ever that this is what we need: speakers to challenge the young people to make decisions for Him.

The morning united prayer sessions were a huge blessing for the many attendees who decided to join us every morning for prayer. Seeing (actually hearing) people pour out their hearts to God and seeking Him with all their hearts will always be one of my favorite things to do. 

United prayer session in the morning

Seeing people hungry and thirsty for God is what floods my heart with joy. Here are only some examples. 

GYC started on Friday evening. Since the next day was Sabbath, the united meeting prayer room was not open until after lunch. So I was very puzzled when I received a note Sabbath morning during Sabbath School and was asked to go to the prayer room. I did not want to leave the Sabbath School, but I decided to go and see what is going on only to find people in tears in need of prayer. 

Than there was this couple who pulled me out of a meeting because they wanted to start praying together and wanted some practical advice. 

I was thrilled when, upon coming back home I got a FB message from a stranger. An evangelist from Brazil who listened to the radio transmission of GYC Portugal and heard me promoting the united prayer sessions. Since the workshop was not streamed, He wanted to know how to pray with His church. 

GYC Portugal made me see again that there are so many people in need of Him, so many looking for healing. I remember that, as I was standing and talking in my workshop I spotted a young lady and I felt impressed to go and talk to her after the workshop. I did not know why. I did not know what to talk to her about. I just knew that the Holy Spirit is prompting me to go and talk to her. At the end, by the time I finished talking to other people who came to see me, she was gone. What to do now? Well, this is His work and He was the one who impressed on my heart to go and talk to her, so I asked the Lord to bring her in my way. Not long after that, as I was in the hallway going to a workshop, I met her. So I stopped and talked to her. At the end of our long conversation I had no doubt that it was the Holy Spirit who prompted me to talk to her. It was just one of the many divine appointments He had for me there. Who cared that I missed the workshop (btw, I missed all the other workshops because God kept bringing to me people who wanted to talk to me) when I knew God used me to bring hope to someone?

It is such a blessing to know that God uses united prayer and the workshop to bring answers to people. One of the young ladies I talked to after my workshop told me that a few weeks ago she had asked the Lord to teach her to pray. The following week she was asked by the leaders of a interdenominational group of students from her university to be the prayer leader. Now she was confused. She asked the Lord to teach her to pray and He is sending her an invitation to lead prayer? How could that be His answer? But His answer came a couple of weeks later. She came to GYC and attended the United Prayer workshop. And this is exactly what she needed.

Another divine appointment God had for me there was with a young lady that has been emotionally and physically abused by her father for more than 30 years. Sandra* has been hoping and praying for many years that God will place in her life people to help her start a new and normal life. She wanted to leave the home many times, but her salary did not allow her to have a decent life. She sought for help to some pastors, but it seems that no one dared to pull her out of the lion's mouth.  After a while, she gave up hope. She was drained emotionally, sick and exhausted. She stopped fighting. I have to admit that I was wondering how in the world was she still sane. My heart was so heavy as I listened to her telling me some of the horrible abuses she had to endure. Listening to her it was like listening to horror stories from another world. We talked and prayed together. As I was praying and begging God to do something for her the next morning, the name of a pastor came to my mind. Later on God just confirmed that this was from Him when my translator and another speaker told me that we need to talk to this pastor. And when I talked to Sandra, she confessed that she had been wondering if she should talk to him, as well. God is still working to set her free from this abusive home, but it seems that someone found a job for her and the pastor is determined to do anything he can to help her have a fresh new start. Praise God for pastors who care for people more than for their own life and safety!

Last prayer after the dedication service

You see, all these divine appointments make worth all the struggle of the endless hours spent in front of the computer trying to finish my workload for Hope Channel. This is what keeps me going. This is what makes me feel that I am alive, that my life is worth living for Him. It is Him shining through me that makes the difference. 

Speakers of GYC Portugal 2013 

We had a full house on Sabbath

I left Portugal so thankful for all the wonderful people God brought me in contact with, for all those who went home determined to start a new life, for those who expressed their desire to start a prayer group back home. This is what makes me determined to pour my life into His service more than ever. There is one thing that I desire more than anything else: that He will continue to shine through me and that people will see Him in me. I have to admit that I have never done so much one-to-one counseling before, but I immensely enjoyed it. Even though the pain of the people seems to crush me at times, I am thankful because it drives me to my knees. My prayer list gets bigger and bigger with each place I go to, but I can't complain. It is an honor to intercede on behalf of my brothers and sisters. I may never know the answer to my prayers in this life, but I a looking forward to seeing them in the life to come. What a day that will be! 

*Sandra's name has been changed in order to protect the identity of the individual. 

More of His Wonderful Blessings - AYC and Prayer Camp

AYC Prayer Team

When I look behind at the last 2 months of my life, I cannot but marvel at the wonderful things God did for me. First it was the GC Annual Council, than it was the AYC Congress in the Northern Germany and than the Prayer Camp in Romania. Even though I jumped from one plane to another and I had only one day between these three events, just enough to unpack and pack again, I praise God for strength. He knew that I would be traveling and He decided to build my body in such a way that I do not have a problem with the jet leg.

After the experience from GC Annual Council I decided not to do any more events without a prayer team and a lot of prayer behind the scenes before and during the event. And God sent a wonderful prayer team of 7 people at AYC, Germany. He did a miracle for one of the team members. She was not sure if she could come. But He proved again that He is more powerful than Satan and brought her. We spend a WONDERFUL time in prayer together early in the morning, during the day and late at night. I would not trade these moments for anything in the world.

The first night, after the program was done in the main auditorium, we got together to pray for an hour. We thought that it will only be our prayer team. Well, we ended up praying for two hours. As we were praying 9 more people joined us. The amazing thing is that 6 of them were from the organizing team! Praise God for leaders who see their need of prayer!

Another amazing thing is that the AYC was an answer to prayer for the local church. We have prayed for many months (since April) that God will provide a venue for AYC. But it seems that every time they found something and it seemed to be the right thing, the people canceled on them. It was not easy for the organizing team to know that they do not have a place for the congress. They even wanted to cancel the whole congress because they did not have a venue. God allowed them to go through the dark tunnel with apparently no light at end. And this united them in prayer. He provided the venue right before it was too late. They did not really like the fact that it was up North on an island, pretty far and isolated. But it was worth all the efforts and all the waiting, all the traveling because this was an answer to the prayers of the small church from the island who has been trying to follow God and spread the Gospel. As I got to pray and talk to a few of them, I realized that they are people of prayer. They have prayed for a long time for help to spread the Gospel on the island and AYC was God's answer to their prayers.

I was so impressed by a 12 year old girl from the island who came to the prayer room right after outreach to pray for the people she met during the outreach. Since our united prayer session was done and she was the only one in the prayer room, we just had special prayer for her (for around 10 minutes). Later on she went to her mom and told her that she was disappointed that we did not pray longer. How is that??? 12 year old girl... disappointed we did not pray longer??? Praise God for parents who raise their children for God!

Another thing that I decided after the GC Annual Council was to try and have an all night prayer meeting to the events I am going to. So, when we got there, we asked permission to have an all night prayer meeting. Permission was granted and we had an AMAZING and POWERFUL time in prayer until 2:45 in the morning. We had around 22 people join us which was a good number considering the fact that even though the Congress started with 250 people, some of them left on Sunday and there were only 100 something left on Sunday night.

During the all night prayer meeting one of our team members, Andre, left. I did now know where he went, but the next day he said that he went to talk to the guards about God. He told me something that revealed to me one more time the importance of intercession and prayer. He said that he had a wonderful and deep discussion with the guards as long as we were were praying in the prayer room. After we went to sleep around 3 AM they talked about irrelevant things!!!

Well, God showed me one more time that He loved Germany and He has many precious children there.

I came home determined not to go anywhere anymore. I had so much work to do and I needed rest. There was a prayer camp that started the very next day but since I did not hear from them, I thought that they did not need me anymore so I was determined not to go. Well, they contacted me a couple of days before the camp and insisted that I come. So I went. Boy, am I glad I went???

God really blessed this camp. It was a small camp of around 25-30 people. But I was very blessed. It is so good to meet Romanian people who are seeking for something more. We had 7 pastors join us and all of them loved united prayer.

We had an all night prayer meeting, as well, and prayed until 3 AM. Over 20 people came and prayed with us. It just showed me again that I need to try to do an all night prayer meeting at the events I am going to, if possible.

During the camp we prayed for the sister of one of the attendees. She is not an Adventist and she is a teacher. Three years ago she went with some students to the seaside. It so happened that two of them drowned and she was taken to court. She has been going to court for a while and it seemed that there is so much corruption and the others who should also be kept responsible try to throw all the blame on her and even bribe her lawyer so she had to change lawyers. Anyway, she had a hearing while we were in the camp and we prayed for her. The hearing lasted for 7 hours. She called to tell us that she felt the power of our prayers. She had peace the whole time.

Another thing we prayed for was the family of one of the attendees. His brother got married more than a year ago against the will of his parents and this affected their relationship. His mom simply did not want to accept his decision and there was a lot of tension and fighting back and forth. So we pleaded with God that He will take away the tension and mend the broken relationship. Two days after the camp he texted me and told me that his brother called his mom and that she told him that she forgave him.

It was amazing to see God brining together people from my own country with a passion for prayer. As you know, I have not really done a lot in my country because God did not open opportunities, but it seems that the time has finally come. In two days I will be at the AMICUS congress where we will have a prayer room and united prayer in the main meetings. We have been praying that this congress will bring a revival among the SDA students and we believe that God will do it. We have a good line up of speakers who are passionate about God and mission work. Satan has put many obstacles in our way but we are determined to go forward. He did many miracles and we are so thankful for His love and care for us.

God is also preparing the way for IMPACT Scandinavia (Sweden), an event where I am going at the end of December. I have been praying that God will pull together a prayer team, even though I do not know anybody in the Scandinavian countries. Last week I was impressed to ask a girl from the UK (she is Romanian) who attended ARME UK to come and join my sister and I at IMPACT. She told me that she cannot come because of her business (she owns a health food store). Two days later she wrote back that she bought her ticket and she is coming. Than I found out that another one of my prayer partners from Germany is coming. Isn't God good? I knows that He has great things prepared for us there.

Sometimes I wonder how would my life have looked like had I not known and served the Lord. He is the reason I live and love life. It is because of Him that I am happy. Had it not been for knowing Him, for serving Him, I would be miserable. I just love getting to know Him better, being in His presence, seeing Him showing up for us, changing lives and working in my own life. I was thinking these days that if I were to die, I would die peacefully because I know that I have not lived in vain. 

GYC Europe (as seen from my knees)

I have been trying to sum up my GYC Europe experience and it is not so easy. But I can say that I have seen God working and that should be enough to say everything.

God provided a wonderful team for the united prayer meeting room and I am thankful for each one of them. Not only did we work together as a team, but we enjoyed a sweet fellowship. It is amazing to look back and see God God caused us to meet at different events in Europe and how God used each one of us. Eight people from three different countries, each one with a passion for prayer and a burden for souls.

I will never forget when, on Monday, we decided to fast. We had all seen God blessing and moving upon hearts, but we wanted to see more of Him. And we all agreed that we should not only pray, but fast as well. We got together that morning, sat in a circle, searched our hearts and confessed our sins, than open the GYC booklet and started praying for all the speakers and E-COM members by name. What a blessed and unique experience that was! We prayed for leaders and for speakers in general before (and for those we knew by name), but this was actually the first time we prayed for each one of them by name, whether we knew them or not. No one was missed. I realize we need more of this and I hope that this is only the beginning of a habit that we will develop for these events.

We were so blessed to have Elder Maurer with us for the entire period of time and to have him join us in the prayer meeting for a whole hour during outreach. He even took some time to talk to us and give us advice about how to promote the prayer meeting. I praise God for him and his leadership.

I also praise God that the United Prayer Mini-Handbook is being translated in more and more languages. One evening, as I was talking to people at the booth, a young man from Sweden told me that they have already translated it in Swedish. Later on, a missionary in the Czech Republic ask me if they can translate it into Czech language and if I can help them print it out. What a joy it was to see that the Lord is opening doors for this booklet to be translated into many languages.

We had a few session of united prayer that none of us will forget. In one of these, a young lady prayed that God will teach her to trust Him. As she was praying, tears were streaming down her face. The following day she told that the Lord answered her prayer. The place were she was staying was a few kilometers away and in the evening two busses were going there. The first one took her to the very same place where she was staying, but the second one went only half way and she had to walk another 4 km. She missed the first buss that evening and had to take the second one. She got off the bus and started walking, but her heart was fearful. It was dark, she was in the middle of nowhere and she was really afraid. But as she was walking, the Lord told her: "Haven't you asked me to teach you to trust Me? Look up to the sky." She was hesitant so the voice repeated the request: "Look up to the sky." As she looked up, peace flooded her soul and she realized a few things. First of all, that the God who put all the starts in their place and holds them there can take care of her. Secondly, she got a glimpse of God's glory, of his majesty. All the fear was gone. She was beaming as she was sharing with me her testimony.

We also had a gentleman who joined us for a prayer session. After we were done with praying, he asked us to have a special prayer for him and told us while tears were flooding his eyes that he is dealing with a lot of guilt. We prayed for him and after we were done he told me that the prayer meeting was the most wonderful experience from GYC Europe. He is not the only one who have told us this. Another girl told me that at the last meeting of the small groups they were asked to share what they liked the most at GYC Europe. Two of her small group team members said that the prayer room was the best experience they had there. There were also a few young man who attended ARME UK and who kept coming to the prayer meetings. I asked them why do they keep coming and they told me that there is no better place to be than in God's presence. So, praise God for young people who understand that "for a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Ps. 84:11

Another prayer session that will never be forgotten is the one with the Czech group. Lukas and Sophie led the Czech group while Arlaine was praying with an English group in another corner of the room. Here are Lukas' thoughts on the prayer session:

I honestly have to say that it was one the most amazing sessions of United Prayer I’ve ever witnessed. Immediately after we started they were just pouring out their hearts in thanksgivings. We barely found a moment to start the song for transition, but when they finally sung I was moved to tears. I very much believe that Arlaine’s English group who was praying in another corner of the room was stopping their prayers to listen the wonderful singing of the Czech people. The confession part had a big impact on them. Later on I heard that there was one family among the group whose son confessed his sins to his parents (he confessed them to God of course, but in the hearing of the parents). The supplication part was most powerful and most unstoppable. They just poured out their hearts for their country. One of them who actually didn’t want to come to the prayer room and thought of leaving for half an hour spoke most fervent prayers during the supplication part which amazed the whole group (as I was told later). We finished our prayer session 20 minutes later than we were planning on.

I talked to the young men who wanted to leave and he told me that for the first 30 minutes he did not wanted to be there. He wanted to go drink water, eat, go to the toilet, get some fresh air just not to be there. But while he was there something happened in his heart and the walls of his heart started to fall down. He started to want to pray more and more. In fact, he did not want to stop praying. Every time I hear stories likes this, I am amazed of how fast can God change someone's heart.

Some of you may remember that, while I was at Youth inMission, I was invited to go and lead united prayer at AYC, a GYC in the Northern Germany. It's been almost 4 months since we started praying that the Lord will provide a venue for them, but it seemed that He forgot to answer our prayers. The month of July was coming to an end and the team had a deadline: July 25. If they could not find a venue until July 25 they had to cancel the event. The AYC team prayed, we prayed... On July 23, while we were praying at GYC Europe, the Lord answered all our prayers. 

You might also remember my experience from Youth inMission, how I wrestled with God and how I echoed John Knox' prayer: "Give me Germany or I die." I have never thought at that point in time that there will come a time when I will have more speaking invitations from Germany than from any other European country. God is faithful in answering those prayers. Four months have passed since I have prayed that prayer and at this GYC I have received the fourth speaking invitation to one of the mission school from Germany. I still do not understand why He chose me. I think I never will. But I know that I promised Him to go wherever He calls and do whatever He asks me to. And a promise is a promise.

It seems that the Euro-Africa Division is also determined to spread united prayer in the whole Division because the Personal Ministries and Sabbath School Director asked me to come and lead united prayer in a meeting with all the Union and Conference presidents from the whole Euro-Africa Division. So, praise God for leaders who know that the secret of power in our church is united prayer.

I have no doubt that God is moving more and more in Europe. I know that He is preparing His people. And I also know that we do not have to much time left. The more I travel, the more convinced I am that God has His people everywhere, that more and more young people are seeking for His face, that more and more are willing to give their lives to Him and go wherever He sends them. 

If there is something else I learned at this GYC, something that I knew but that became more clear to me, it is that working with a prayer ministry is a very humbling experience. It is the perfect place to learn humility and dependence on God, to seek only God's approval. This is exactly what I need. Nobody knows the amount of hours spent on your knees, nobody actually sees your contribution to such an event, nobody claps for the amazing work you have done or for the amazing speech you rendered, nobody knows how much you wrestle with God in prayer, how heavy the burden for souls is. And yet, He knows. And He cheers for you. And this is all that matters. You see people coming to the prayer meeting with a heavy heart and leaving with a smile on their face, you see people revived, people who realize their need of Christ, people who find His peace and joy, people who finally find Him. This is what keeps you going. This is what brings tremendous joy that no human applause can bring.

GYC was an amazing experience, but I cannot help wondering: What would happen if we prayed more? What if we surrendered all? What would happen if the leaders would join more in prayer at such events? What if we really used the power that is available for us? What would happen if we felt more a burden for souls? If we wrestle more with God in prayer? What if we pleaded more for the Holy Spirit? Could it be that we would see 3 000 or 5 000 converted in the same day? Can He trust us that much? 

GYC Portugal, a Life Changing Event

When I think about GYC Portugal all I can say is that God is amazing. I simply do not have words to describe how blessed I was to be there. I have experienced God's presence and I have seen Him working in amazing ways like never before. I have to admit that I was not really enthusiastic about going to this event. I was also wondering how is it going to be and how I will handle everything. No teammate was there to help me. I had also been really struggling before I left and I did not feel prepared for this event, but everything that happened there showed me one more time that the work will be done "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zach. 4:6) and that His power is made perfect in my weakness. 

Though it was a rather small event (300 attendees) I was so surprised when I realized at the end of this event that there had always been at least 2-3 persons in the prayer room to pray with. The very first people I prayed with were one of the speakers and his family - Daniel Spencer, his wife Sarah and their three children Rebecca, David and Joel (ages 5, 7 and 9). It was so beautiful to be able to pray with this lovely family who understand the need for prayer and who loves God. All of them became very dear to my heart as we got to talk more during the conference and discovered that we have a lot in common.

United prayer is not a new notion for the Portuguese brethren. Only a month ago Elder Jerry Page and his wife visited Portugal and talked about united prayer. Many people told me how blessed they were by their presence. Someone told me that they watched the live streaming of Janet presentations, but at the end they felt that they did not get everything they could out of this 10 days of prayer. So they talked about how to have a deeper experience with God and someone came up with the idea of organizing 10 days of camp meetings of prayer and fasting! Wow... It left me speechless. I was so impressed with their desire to draw closer to God!

After my first announcement about the prayer room around 40 something people joined us for a session of united prayer. This is when I met Sonia. She did not pray much. In fact, she just listened to the prayers of the other people. But I got to talk to her in the end and I asked her to come back. She did and I was amazed to find out her story. She was not sure why she came to GYC and she thought that she will have to listen to long presentations and that there will nothing practical to help her wounded heart. You see, she was really hurting when she came to GYC and she was looking for healing. Than I went on the stage to talk about the prayer room and about united prayer. She told me that when she heard the stories I shared and she saw the passion I was speaking with, something in her heart told her that this is her answer. But Satan was not ready to give up on her and told her that this is just the same old stuff. Nothing new, nothing will change things for her. Praise God that He won and Sonia not only came to the prayer and found peace and healing, but she became one of my faithful translators and helpers. 

My three angels - Ana, Sonia and Marisol

It was after this prayer session that I also met Marisol. She also did not know why she came to GYC, but she knows now why and she also spent a lot of time with us in the prayer room. Ana is another angel sent by God to help me there. So, even though I had no teammate to help me with the prayer room, God sent me the right people at the right time. I was so blessed by their presence there.

Do you think that Satan stood still? When he saw that God is really at work, he tried his best to discourage me. Saturday night, just as I finished praying with the last group of people in the prayer room, I started having chills, high fever, a strong headache, sore throat, and sensation of vomiting. I also felt very weak and I could hardly walk. I was wondering if I could present my two workshops the next day and if I will be able to handle the prayer room. So I went to my hotel room, prayed and went to sleep. The next morning the fever was gone, but the rest of the symptoms were still there. I knew right away that this is not a physical but a spiritual battle. I also realized that Satan knows that something great is about to happen and that is why he tries to keep me down. But I was not going to let him have victory so I decided to get dressed and get going, praying that God will give me power as I go. And He did!!! It was amazing how He put a smile on my face the whole day and gave me power to present the workshops and feel very comfortable speaking in front of the people. 

As I was speaking, I simply felt how God was giving me the right words. I have no doubt that it was Him who gave me power and energy, who put the right words on my lips and who also gave me joy in my heart. And the response of the people was simply overwhelming. I was happy that the Portuguese Union already printed out the United Prayer Handbook in Portuguese so those who wanted it could have it in their own language.

At the end of the workshop a gentleman and his son came to talk to me. The father told me that he came to GYC because he wanted to hear pastor Stephen Bohr and Daniel Spencer speak. Now, after he came to the united prayer workshop, he knows that God brought him there because he had to attend this workshop. He was determined to go back home and start a prayer group. And he is only one of the many who told me the same thing, that they want to start praying unitedly in their churches.

There was also a lady who came to the prayer room. She faced many trials. She lost her son some time ago and her husband was suffering of a terminal illness. There is no need to tell you that she did not know how to smile anymore. She prayed with us and came back later on to tell me that people told her that this was the first time they saw her smiling. So, I praise God that He takes our burdens and that He can put again the smile on our faces.

One of my translators brought to the prayer room all the young people from her church but two of them. One of the two did not come was a young girl who refused to come because her mother was against united prayer. Monday night, just as I was getting ready to go home, a young lady came to talk to me and ask for some advice concerning some practical aspects of the Christian life. After I talked to her, she asked me if I had the prayer room open the next day (the last day of the convention). I was not really planning on having it open because the convention was suppose to finish around noon, but because she was the second person to ask me, I decided to open it. Later in the evening, while I was talking to my translator and told her about this girl, she told me that it was the same girl who was against united prayer. I don't know what made her change her mind, but I am happy that she took the last chance and came and prayed with us.

I was also happy to meet some people I met at AMiCUS International Congress in September where Irene and I facilitate united prayer. One of the couples I met there told me that they started two prayer groups in their church. There were some other people who told me that they attended the AMiCUS Congress in Paris but they did not come to the prayer room. When they came back home they were so angry with themselves for not finding the time to go and pray. Now, they were happy that the Lord gave them a second chance. So, praise God that He is a God of second and third and ...a lot of chances.

On Monday we had a united prayer session with everybody. That was really powerful. The leaders told me that people asked why didn't we have united prayer every day.

Since I came home I kept getting lots of emails and messages on facebook about what a blessing the united prayer was for them. And the GYC leaders decided that they really want me to be back for the next GYC and told me not to schedule anything for February 8-12, 2013.

So, need I say more to convince you that this was a really Spirit filled event? Believe me, it was the best event I ever went to. Seeing all these people who are searching for God with all their hearts was such a blessing for my soul. It was for the first time in my life when I was not tired at the end of the event, when I still had energy and I did not want it to end. You see, I thought that I would be exhausted at the end because I had no one to help me. But the Lord showed me one more time that His power is made perfect in my weakness. He can bless and give power and strength. He can still do miracles. In fact, one of the GYC leaders told me that he has witnessed miracles every five minutes. God was present there and we could clearly see His hand at work.

I guess it's high time I start praying more for Youth in Mission, the next big event I am going to in a few weeks. Join with me in prayer that God will bring a mighty revival among the young people from Germany and that our presence there will be a blessing for many.