Freedom for Sahara!

On the day of the festival, I had just given the invitation to receive Christ as Lord and Savior.  The crowd pressed forward – counselors began to counsel and we rejoiced as a team watching the miracle of salvation take place and witnessing so many Bhutanese refugees desire to receive Christ.  As the counselors had begun to counsel we were startled by the shrieking of a woman near the front.  Her body began to convulse as she screamed and writhed back and forth.  Instantly, two team members and several counselors went to her and placed their hands on her to pray.  She had such an angry posture and violently shook her fists.  As folks began to pray over her a couple counselors spoke to her.  It was clear she was in bondage to a demon!

After about ten minutes there was a sudden quietness.  She collapsed into the arms of two individuals but quickly recovered.  The look on her face was amazing.  From anger to beauty and lightness of spirit.  Through tears of great joy she told her story.  Her name is Sahara.  Two years earlier her sister committed suicide by hanging herself.  Life in the refugee camps had been too much for her sister.  Sahara said that ever since discovering her sister hanging, she had been plagued by very dark dreams of death.  In fact, she told those near her that she often thought of death and had felt an overwhelming desire to kill herself.  These dark thoughts, evil dreams, and a sense of being followed by death were a daily burden.  Sahara then said that as people were praying over her and she wanted Jesus in her life she saw a great light and a person.  It was the living Lord – Jesus Christ.  Sahara said the evil presence immediately went away and she was flooded with an inner peace.  She told us her whole person felt lighter and that she had joy.

It was an amazing testimony of the power of the Gospel to heal, free, and save!  Sahara gave her heart to Jesus and in the process was set free from demonic affliction.   

Blessings,

Mike Parker

An angry Sahara as she is first hearing of Jesus

Sahara in the midst of her torment

Sahara nearing release

Hi! My Name is Rosa!

On the second festival day, my good friend and partner, Reid Saunders, was preaching the Gospel.  Reid and his organization, Reid Saunders Evangelistic Association (RSEA), had invited us to partner with them in Demak, Nepal to minister to Bhutanese refugees.  The day before I had been the evangelist.  But on this second day, myself and two others had stationed ourselves in the back of the crowd to pray. 

Near the end of the message, a man  walked up to me and introduced himself saying “hi, my name is Rosa.”  He had learned English over the years of bing in the U.N. refugee camp.  Rosa then went on to tell me he wanted to introduce me to his friend.  He then shared that for two years he had been praying that his friend would come to a saving faith in Christ Jesus.  His friend had suffered for a few years some sort of chest pain and shortness of breath continually.  Rosa went on to tell me that the day before when I was preaching he brought his friend to the festival.  During the invitation time and a special prayer for healing, his friend had gone forward.  His friend then said, through Rosa’s translation, that his pain had instantly gone away.  He then gave His life to Jesus.  Rosa’s friend then went on to tell me that he had been experiencing great happiness in his heart. 

For the next 15 minutes we were able to speak.  We discussed the importance of church and growing in His new walk with Christ.  I do not often see people healed from some physical ailment.  I cannot say what the chest issue was with any medical definitiveness.  I can only tell you that whatever miracle God had done, it was enough for pain to go away!  It was great enough for a friend to witness his prayers of two years answered and with joy want to thank and tell me.  And I can say that as a man gave his heart to Jesus  -the miracle of salvation brought both a physical and spiritual healing.  Praise God!

Blessings,

Mike Parker

Rosa and His Friend

Mike and team had a very successful trip to India and Nepal!  Thank you so much to those of you who helped to cover this trip with your prayers.  The "prayers of the saints" were definitely felt!  Overall, over 21,000 heard the gospel and out of this about 8,000 responded with decisions to follow Christ!  Nearly 1,700 were treated medically, 5,500 school children were ministered to, and 14,000 attended the two festival days!  Additionally, there were other outreaches, churches preached within and pastors who receiving training and encouragement.   It was a very exciting time for those on the team!
In India, Mike and team caught a clear vision of ministry there and ANM will be taking a team back to Northern India in November, 2012. More on that to come!
The photo gives a glimpse of the many hands acknowledging hearts opened to Jesus.
Stories from Mike are coming in the next several days!!