DAY FOUR: "FE y CURACION ~ faith & healing"

God has been growing Isabella's faith by leaps and bounds...it's been amazing to watch her grow in the Lord this year & 4mos. (she accepted Jesus as her Savior in Apr. '08).

So, in the months of preparation for this mission trip, Isabella was doing some bible study with one of our sweet friends who teaches the children. In one of the studies we started talking about John the Baptist baptizing Jesus...Isabella put it together with Ananias baptizing Saul/Paul...and then said -- "I never did that Mommy, I think I need to!!" Amazed & excited I called the church to find out the next baptism date -- it was that Sunday!

I must say I'm continually blown away by the thoughts and ideas that God drops in her mind and on her heart....on our way to her baptism, she declared -- "Mommy, WE are going to Oaxaca, and we are going to lay hands on little children, and they are going to be healed in Jesus Name!"I just looked at her in astonishment -- and said "Yes, 'Bella! God IS going to heal people..." -- I thought in my mind, "wow, what a bold declaration for a 5yo!" that was the point that I started to get a sense that her baptism this day was and open door to a grand adventure & the beginning of days, weeks, and years of ministry in her life!~

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10 days later we left for Oaxaca...On the 2nd day of ministry in the village we went to church. At the end of an amazing service...we went up in groups...to pray for and minister to the people of the village.

The short version of this story goes like this:

A young girl and her parents approached us, he father explained that she was completely deaf...and had been deaf for over 2yrs. The doctors had told them that she'd not hear again -- but they were believing for a miracle, and believed that God would heal her. Isabella instinctively and immediately before even being directed by the missionary in our prayer circle laid hands on this little girl and began praying powerfully in Jesus name. Prayers for healing.

I found myself putting my fingers in the girls ears....and praying for her healing, but also asking the Lord if he'd heal her AND grow Isabella's faith in who and what God was and could do! I felt the words of the Lord DROP boldly in my heart...."It is done."

I looked at the missionary -- and Isabella...and the other doctors in our circle, the little girl and the parents...and told the missionary that I felt the Lord say it's done. I took my fingers out -- and the little girl smiled, turned and walked away. We were stunned...but the next moments happened so fast -- the missionary went, "chush, chush!!" and motioned for her to come back. He then said, "can you hear me?" -- she said, "Sí, Señor!"...he lowered his voice and said, "can you hear me now?" -- she said, "Sí, Señor!" -- NEEDLESS to say...we erupted in cheers and praise for this wild miracle....I nearly fell over!! Isabella just looked calmly at the line of people and me...and said, "Isn't it cool what God can do?!" I just wanna cry even now....just thinkin' -- "yea, BabyLove...God is COOL!"

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DAY FOUR: San Antoninio

God's Provision of Rain: when the village people said, "if you bring God with you...pray for rain...b/c we have not had rain in 2 and a half months!" We prayed and within the hour it rained hard -- and God came down mightily from the heavens. As we stood in the center of town with the village officials and villagers we watched the rain in awe. I could see people coming out of their houses...onto their rooftops or balconies to see the rain...I could hear the donkeys complaining about the rain...but most impactful to me personally was standing under the covering with this old woman - I sang praises to my Lord - not completely aware of the language of praise or the words I was saying - she looked joyful & blessed...as she huddled close to me, nodding in 'agreement.' It was as if she understood the magnitude of what my mind did not! Praise God for His Miracles!! Rain may not seem like a big deal to us here in the cities, because much of the time if the Doppler forecasts rain - we sigh thinking how inconvenient it will be in our daily commute. BUT, trust me when I say, when there is NO rain-- and you call on the 'maker of rain' to appear in the form of rain...and HE DOES!!?? This is mind - blowing. A true miracle.

DAY THREE: Traveling into the mountains...

Today we got up early... packed all the vehicles to drive into the mountain village. Our first destination was SanAntonino. The drive was amazing... winding thru the mountain dirt roads, seeing towns people walking roadside with their goats & donkeys, watching cows feeding on practically vertical grasslands, looking thru the plush mountain range & the bright blue skies with puffs of clouds. Bouncing along the rocky roads, streams, & water crossings...passing thru the needy Zapotec villages & road blocks.

As we were driving we would plant keys thru out the land. We especially like dropping keys in the water trusting God that he was opening up things in the 'spirit realm' for the people of these mountains. There were a couple different turns where we had opportunities to get out of the van, it became a fun game with God....we'd bury keys in all sorts of areas.

• on the side of the road
• under trees
• in holes of walls
• in a garden of corn
• or throwing them down a cliff into river.

God said...

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on
earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will
be loosed in heaven." ~Matthew 16:19

DAY TWO: Morning Mountain Mercies...

We were surprised this morning when we found out that we, as a team, were driving up to a mountain sight overlooking OAXACA to have our morning worship...and time with the Lord. Isabella, Russ and I decided to take this time to start our "Freedom Key" adventure. It was so powerful overlooking Oaxaca City & praying for freedom for the city, the people...and all that God would do in the days to come while we were on this mission trip.

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"I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." ~Matthew 16:19~

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We are LOOSING things here in Oaxaca -- FREEDOM -- loosing the chains of the heritage lands, the generational teachings, witchcraft, alcoholism, bitterness, anger, & death. We are calling forth FREEDOM & HEALING. This treasure hunt has turned into an incredible time of building our faith as we are laying down symbols in the "natural realm" as we bury keys --FREEDOM KEYS!!

We are believing that GOD is releasing the bondage chains within the land of Oaxaca!!

Isabella's first SWEET prayer over the overlooking Oaxaca City was sooo amazing as she prayed for the people, but emphasised that children in Oaxaca would be 'healed in Jesus name'...and come to know who Jesus was. Her belief and trust is so precious -- I see God teaching ME what it means to have faith of a little child. She definitely is being moved, and trusting God completely thru the Holy Spirit -- because I couldn't possibly teach her this...as I feel I am still learning this type of faith. I'm sooo thankful to be her Mommy. THANK YOU, LORD.

DAY ONE: Mission Compound...Training...& AMAZING FOOD!

OAXACA, Mexico or BUST!!

Our day was uneventful...and smooth.

THE FIRST TRAVEL DAY WAS GREAT!!!

And although we didn't leave for the airport at our original time we planned we arrived in plenty of time....and much of the team was not ther yet. (I was thankful for THAT...even though we were not planning on packing glasses, drops or medications within our luggage.

GOD answered all of our prayers....

• PLEASE PRAY – travel mercies (everyone in our team arrives, travel details, flight details, patience, Isabella will be peaceful and cooperative)
• Isabella was soooo great! She was sooo giddy and excited... she stayed awake until we boarded the plane!! (and before take-off promptly passed out!)
• PLEASE PRAY – we can sleep on the plane. (we arrive in Oaxaca at 7:30am)
• YEA!!
• PLEASE PRAY – that we will be able to check our luggage all the way through to Oaxaca City and go through customs there.
• THIS was amazing...all of our luggage went straight thru to Oaxaca - and customs was sooo easy & simple!
• PLEASE PRAY – that customs and immigration will go smoothly for all, that all our luggage will arrive safely. (Also, we are transporting over 1000prs. of glasses – that they will clear, and all equipment and medication will clear.)
• SMOOTH as SILK!!!

Praise GOD for the early stages.... for the most part all went well.

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Although I didn't sleep much on either flight....Isabella and I enjoyed the beautiful sunrise over Mexico City....where Isabella was determined we saw a VOLCANO! Later we found out it really WAS!! Volcano Popo...it's one of the twin volcanos surrounding Mexico City, her sister has the nickname for : ""The Sleeping Woman." Popo (formally known as: Popocatepetl) was letting off some steam!

Isabella's MINISTRY....

I believe that God is going to use Isabella in AMAZING ways for his Kingdom. She's so excited about this mission trip, I can only think that the Lord has enhanced this excitement and joy!
My first mission trip to Mexico was 11 yrs ago...I connected with the children by singing....I knew ONE SONG in spanish....and the kids flocked to me...and we painted DAY after DAY!! Well, my sweet girl LOVES ART....loves to color...
Many of you know that I'm illustrating children's books....and so I thought, what fun to illustrate some coloring pages...and buy some bulk crayons from Oriental Trading company.

Please pray that God will bless her time...our time.