Hello, brothers and sister and Heartdwellers family. I hope you’re enjoying the vlogs.
So upon arriving I was put in a very nice lodge for my two weeks stay in Zambia as you all have seen in the previous video. However, the Lord and St. Francis were
As a Franciscan sister, one of the vows I have taken is that of Holy Poverty which means to live a life of simplicity — living on the edge of need and taking less than is necessary and not stealing from the poor. As I looked around in my nice room with electricity, shower, a nice bed, and refrigerator, I knew this violated my vows because we are to live like those we serve, the poor. And yes, it’s a sacrifice, but we willingly do it to imitate that of Jesus who walked around all of Galilee, not having His own place and staying as a guest in different people’s homes and at times going away in solitude to rest on the mountain when he went to pray.
I had a strong conviction and told Pastor Chama this before arriving, but he was adamant that he felt more comfortable that I stay there rather than with them in the village, which I know was what the Lord desired and actually my heart’s desire. But I submitted to his preference since I was coming to visit him.
However, once I arrived and after posting that video I decided to take a little nap to get some rest before they came back to get me to see the children. I had a demonic attack in the form of sleep paralysis while I was sleeping. When I was released from my attack immediately I knew I couldn’t stay there. The Lord had allowed attacks like this on different occasions when I slept somewhere that violated my vow of poverty. He gave me the example first in the reading of St. Francis who went to visit a Cardinal who admired him and greatly prepared rooms for St. Francis and his companion to sleep in for a couple of days.
The first night St. Francis was viciously attacked by the demons and devils all night. He was so shaken that he asked his companion to come and sleep with him in the same room because he was terrified and couldn’t understand why the Lord would allow him to be attacked. So the second night he prayed fervently to the Lord to show him. It was revealed to him that he is called to be an example and if he comes to stay in this castle — in this nice room while his brothers elsewhere are suffering from cold, sleeping on floors, etc., how then can he encourage them to preserver in the vow of poverty. Also that the devils are God’s policeman and when we violate God in any way it’s an open door and he allows the demons to attack us to get our attention and it worked — It got my attention.
I immediately called Pastor Chama and told him my conviction and what happened — because of the vows that I took, I could not stay here. Although we had paid over $300 non-refundable US dollars for the stay, I had to do what I knew was the will of God. Now, looking back, boy am I so glad that I listened and that they submitted to what the Lord was telling me.
Living in the village enriched my joy and my zeal for my vocation as a Franciscan and the life of poverty because the way I lived was so simple, yet I was so full of contentment. I got to know Pastor Brian and Pastor Chama so personally and deeply. I would not have [had] the many stories and experiences if I [had] stayed at that lodge — with them having to drive every day for an hour to pick me up. So the Lord worked it all out for his glory.
The vlog you’re about to see is from my first day there meeting the kids in our first community, called Musaila, where Pastor Brian and his wife Leonia live and watch over the kids in that community. They meet with the children once a week and teach them Bible stories and songs. Because of your generosity, we were able to come bearing gifts as we passed out toys, to all the children, and books. I also attempted to play a local children’s game with the children — I tried at least. They were so happy, and I got to meet the young boy who was born crippled and had no wheelchair. His mother is a widow, and we were able to buy him a wheelchair a few months ago. I shared this video with you guys in Pastor Chama’s “Cry of the Poor” video. So I was so excited to see him and meet him in person. I also got a chance to meet a young boy, Peter, who has a terrible skin condition and is needing financial help to get medical treatment.
So I want to thank you all for your donations and I pray that these videos will touch your heart deeply and that you would continue to give to us so that we can be a blessing and help the many in need there and also come alongside us to build the Children’s Home Community Center in Zambia.
God bless you, family enjoy!
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