Well we’ve headed into our final day and it started with a Q&A session with Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton. As per last year it was one of the best sessions. These two guys are so packed with wisdom it’s unreal. I’m going to spend the plane flight home trying to capture everything I’ve learned.
After the morning session I got chatting to Jim. He’s an American who’s lived in Ecuador for 25 years. They started with 1 church with a few missionaries. 24 years later they are now 25 churches some of which have over 1000 people in them. Recently they had a team of students come down from Bethel. On one day the students and locals visited a hospital – and prayed for over 200 people (two complete floors). 75% of them were discharged from the hospital after medical examination. The administrator of the hospital invited them to come back any time!
This is the normality of life at Bethel. I’ve been blown away again at the exaltation of Jesus in this place. Their view of the glory of Jesus is so high, the love of God so extensive, the power of the Spirit so massive, and the identity that we have as believers in Him so mind-blowing that it leaks out everywhere they go. Recently a team went into the mall on a treasure hunt and found a guy and told him he was God’s treasure. “You’re kidding he shouted, I’ve heard about this and I’ve always wanted to be the treasure”. This typifies the effect that these people are having on the community.
Of course it’s not perfect – no church is. But we’ve been ministered to by so many, prayed for and loved and learned so much. More for Bedford Lord!
Amen to your last sentence! Loved the blog Simon, we already feel blessed knowing you guys are being so. Keep drinking Him in and we will pray that the flight home is all that you need to hold on to what you have captured. See you soon. K