Living Water and Old Friends

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Carl

Since getting back from Africa, I have been a little negligent on my blogging. These last few weeks have been a bit of regrouping time for me, and I am slowly getting my thoughts untangled.

A few weeks ago, we began setting a large cooler of ice water and styrofoam cups outside on our parking lot every Sunday as we meet. The cooler has a sign that says “Cold water compliments of Jesus Christ.” As we’ve watched people these last few weeks, we’ve begun to see a greater significance of in the offering of water. The water has come to represent the livng water that Christ offers each of us. Some in our ministry neighborhood gladly receive the water, while others stand and stare at the cooler…an inner battle as to whether or not they will draw from it. Today, I watched as women spent nearly 2 minutes walking back and forth in front of the cooler with a war raging deep within her…would she take a drink or wouldn’t she? As we battle for the souls of men and women, we realize that this cooler represents the greater truth of our ministry…using a simple cup of water to introduce the thirsty to the living water that leaves them permanently satisfied.

Today was also a joy for me, as we went to McAllen this afternoon to meet up with some old friends who were in the region on a mission trip. We have known Mark and Shannon for about 11 or so years now. They were in a Sunday School class that I taught in Dodge City, Kansas prior to surrendering to the ministry. I could see God’s hand on Mark even then, and I told his wife that he would be in the ministry before it was all over. Little did I know I would beat him there. It has been fun watching him grow in the Lord. We celebrated his first pastorate and his ordination. I now find myself spurring him on in his quest to be all that God has created him to be. I’m thankful that the relationships in the kingdom are not bound by time and distance.

This past Thursday as we were having our Organic Group, we saw the woman who we had taken in off the streets walking past the church. She stopped and began to cross the street towards us, but suddenly stopped and turned the other way. I believe God allowed her to experience something in those few days with us, that is unlike anything she has ever experienced; however, the battle for her soul continues to rage. I know that in due time, God will push back the darkness that blinds her, I hope that day is sooner than later.

Amazed and Yearning

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Carl

Today I received a number of testimonies from Kenya and Uganda that are overwhelming and humbling. Once again I am awestruck, how God can use an ordinary man like me as His instrument to do only that which He can do. I have seen some of these types of things before on my visits to India; however, the Lord did things in Africa that I had never even imagined.

As seems to always be the case, I find myself yearning for more. Why does the anointing of God seem so strong when I’m overseas and almost non-existent at times when I am here? The people of Corpus Christi need the touch of Christ just as desperately as the people of Kitale, Bukwo, Kapchesoy, Madurai or Chennai. The only answer I seem to come away with is a spirit of unbelief. It is said in scripture that when Jesus returned to His hometown, He was able to perform only a few miracles….the problem unbelief.

Our city, our state, our nation all desperately need the life altering touch of Jesus…what must change in me to be used the same way here that I am used overseas?

Testimonies from Kenya and Uganda

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Carl

These are some of the testimonies that have come in since my arrival back in the US.

From Kitale, Kenya:

Greetings in Jesus name.Hope these email finds you well in the lord there.Thanks very much for coming to Africa.Thanks for speaking to my life prophetically.Today i have been given a lot of Testimonies after i announced yesterday in the church that i have heard the voice of God and he has given me the direction in the ministry that the lord has called me to do.The ministry of worship that he has put on my life.Many of the people have testified on how these ministry of worship has affected their lives and they are wondering how the lord is doing through these worship.We have met with those three pastors today during lunch time,we prayed together and also we prayed for your journey.Apostle Stephen reminded me to tell you that we shall be organizing together pastors and leaders conference here in Kitale town on August.Our target is to have 1000 pastors to come for the conference.I will give you the schedule of august when i finish working together.i have read the book that you gave me and i have come a cross some powerful messages,experience is a good teacher and i have discovered that it is true.I will be sharing with you testimonies as we communicate.Have a safe journey with powerful meditations.

Also from Kitale, Kenya –

We were honored to have you minister in our church during your mission trip to Africa.The lord is continuing to do incredible things in our church.We are seeing great move of God in our church members and church leaders.

From a denominational leader in Uganda –

Greetings in jesus name.Thanks for your message sent to me

Truly you have helped opur people especially in such trainings of bible shool.

I do really see the need to work as a team so as to accomplish what God has planned to do through us.

Please Sir,your input is very essential in such a nation for the welfare of the gospel to go forward.

There are many fields to team up together and allow God to be lifted through us.

Testimonies from Kenya and Uganda –

Thank you for your worm love. We bless the lord for your previous trip to East Africa.We ware tremendously blessed with your ministry. Mary my wife was completely healed from her back pain up to now, she doesn’t complain of any pain like she used to be. She does her regular work without any problem at all. We bless our God for what He did through you in Africa. The lord came before you to prepare the hearts that is why there was open reception of your apostolic teaching and receiving of the revelation of the mystery as referred to Ephesians 3;4-6 We saw the lord doing awesome work in Africa through you as many saints, pastors and church leaders received the grace of revelation and understanding.
Many had a transforming experience in both their lives and ministry as radical as the new birth.
In every meeting you ministered, the people received your teaching and received the lord as he came with conviction, releasing impartation of grace and through confirming signs and wonders.

The man you prayed for him in Uganda testified that the power of God did touch him when he heard your voice through the microphone from a two kilometer distance where he was drinking local brew (alcohol) Something within him told him to leave drinking and run to the church, he run so fast that people though he was mad. He found you had just stopped preaching and came strait to the pulpit and gave his life to Jesus.
This was the power of God. Hell had a blackout in Uganda. Demons and devils trembled as God of Glory moved in these darkest sites of the world. God is begging to raise an army who will match forward in His grace, putting hell in mess and establishing His kingdom in these days. Hallelujah!!

I have received several testimonies of healing, breakthroughs, deliverance, salvation and many incredible things that the lord did across Kenya and Uganda.

I want to share with you one from the pastor in Uganda and I will send to you many soon.

Pastor Stephen-Bukwo PCM church-Uganda
I had never experience the power of the Holy Spirit in my life until the servant of God Rev Carl Willis laid his hands on me and anointed my head with oil. For the first time the power of God touched me. I felt like fire burning from my toes to the head. My body shook terribly and there was an inner peace.
Also for my church we had never witness such a move of God, for the first time the Holy Spirit entered our church in power. He was awesome to see Him deliver a lady who was possessed with evil spirit. Such a thing had never happened in my church.

I saw everybody running in front with desperation of meeting with Jesus. The whole church was prayed for. The last two Sunday, the lord has blessed us tremendously and He has raised different ministries that we never had in our church. We acknowledge that we were so religious and we had never given the Holy Spirit a room. We are now enjoying the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit. We bless the lord for sending you to us. Indeed it was the Macedonia call of Paul.

More testimonies from Uganda –

The lord is still healing and delivering.there is this lady who attended our our meeting and invited us for a diner.Whose son got saved,the one came running to recieve jesus Christ.She had been abundoned by her husband for 30 years.The family you prayed with them at night whose daughter has been cribbled.

She shared with me that her husband came back to her.She is not only happy for her husband but also for the salvation of her son.

people are so happy for what the lord did.

There is this lady also from kenya who had growth in her stomatch.She had gone to many hospitals seeking for medical solutions but it never beared any fruit.She took your word by faith.

She got healed.She is now eating the foods she was told not test or eat.She has resummed to her work.She is a primary teacher.And many Rev that pen can not write.

Services, Graduation, etc…

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Carl

The following links are from the services and conferences I led during my time in Kenya and Uganda.

May 8th evening in Kitale

May 9th evening in Kitale

May 10th morning in Kitale

Youth & Leader’s conferences May 10th afternoon

Kitale Pastor’s Conference May 11th

May 12th & 13th services in Kapchesoy, Uganda

May 14th in Kapchesoy, Uganda

May 16th first graduating class of Redeemer Bible College in Bukwo District, Uganda

On a Lighter Note

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Carl

I’ve been home from Africa now for 5 days. As I take time to reflect and put pictures together, I also find myself chuckling over the things that make Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda unique. Here is my list of favorites:

Public nose picking is totally acceptable. Two friends can enjoy a pick and a conversation together.
Muzungu fascination – children would run out to the road and all work would stop, simply because a white man was near
Muzungu prices – my hotel in Kitale cost $300 Shillings per day extra, simply because I was a Muzungu. The zoo in Nairobi cost me $19 US more than anyone else in the group
African time – always at least 2 hours past the stated beginning or ending time
Food for honored guests – the honored guest always gets the chicken’s gizzard
Greetings – bad greetings will cost you friendships and business clients. All business will be put on hold until every guest has had a chance to bring greetings to the audience.
Ugandan handshakes – plan to hold hands for at least 1-2 minutes and renew your grip 2-3 times during that period

The Video Journals

Posted on May 23, 2009 by Carl

These are my video journals from my recent trip to Kenya and Uganda.

May 18th Final Report

Monday Morning from Kitale

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Carl

It has been an incredible weekend here in Kitale. Saturday afternoon, Pastor Adams and I went to the Kitale Museum, where we met Andrew a tour guide. He spent 2 hours with us and told me more about nature than I had ever learned in my life. More importantly though, Andrew saw Jesus and he opened his heart up to what I had to say.

Saturday was the most powerful movement of God I had ever witnessed in my life. I am still awestruck and my written words are not enough. I hope to have the video commentary posted for you.

Yesterday, I ended up speaking for nearly 6 hours to three different groups. We heard many great testimonies of healing and growth.

Today, I am meeting with a group of pastors for an informal time of sharing and prayer.

Tomorrow, I speak in the main prison in Kitale before leaving for Uganda where I will be for the remainder of this trip until my departure next Tuesday.

Monkey at my hotel

Praying with Andrew the tour guide

Ministering to the people on Saturday night

Ministering in prayer on Saturday night

Preaching on Sunday morning

All of my Africa updates are posted at www.tangle.com under carlso20

A Proper Send Off

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Carl

One of the things that I have done since I began travelling internationally is a time of prayer and commissioning before I leave. Tonight I was joined by a dozen or so of my closest prayer supporters. Several scripture passages were given to me during this time. They included Jeremiah 33:3 and Philippians 4:8-9 among others. The key theme of each passage and the words that were spoken to me was the Lord’s promise to be with me, His direction to follow Him in obedience and the promise of His Spirit working through me. A word was also given about a stubborn spirit in those I would be speaking to and the need to pray for open doors and effective doors.

The group then anointed my head with oil and spent 20 minutes laying hands upon me and praying for me as the Lord led. This was such a special time and their prayers echoed the longings of my soul. When it was finished one of the intercessors shared a vision she had while praying for me of Holy fire surrounding my entire person.

We ended our time by sharing a pan of brownies that Collin had baked this afternoon with the words “Goodbye Dad” written on the top.

2 Days and Counting

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Carl

It is hard to believe that in 2 days I will board a plane here in Corpus Christi and spend the next 24 hours making my way to Africa. This trip has me lit up with anticipation of all that God seeks to do in Kenya and Uganda, but more importantly in me. This is not my first mission trip overseas alone, but there is a difference this time. I have a greater awareness this go around of my full dependence upon God.

Those who pray for me and give regular counsel are all saying similar things. Each one reiterating the understanding that this trip is the Lord’s doorway into the next chapter of my ministry call and my walk with Him. The Lord has spent the last several months taking me through the process of complete surrender to Him. Every step of faith has been a practical exercise in drawing closer to Him.

The word the Lord has given me for this journey is “steadfastness.” I will be speaking to these Christian leaders about examples of standing firm…Moses, Joseph, Daniel and others. This word is also for me. The Lord has been teaching me how to stand firm, even when it seems nearly impossible.

When I return, we will be considering our next steps as a ministry. The Lord has been speaking to me about “mobility” in serving the body and we find ourselves through the transitions of life once again honed down to a core nucleus in our ministry. The Lord is at work, but He has not yet fully revealed His plan for Simplicity in the days to come.

Time alone with God

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Carl

Last September I started a retreat series called “Longing for His Presence.” The purpose of this series is to help a person build solid spiritual formation disciplines into their lives. Each retreat is 2 1/2 days in length and focuses on a few key disciplines. In the first retreat about 30% of the time is spent in silence and the remaining 70% is content. The second retreat is about 60% silence and solitude and 40% content. The third retreat is 90% silence and solitude and 10% content.

Today I completed the third retreat. My time in silence and solitude before the Lord was very refreshing. I found that my soul had grown somewhat parched and I needed a refreshing flood of the Lord’s presence. The theme for this retreat was John 15 and for me the key thought was “Abide in My rest.”

Over the past 2 1/2 days the Lord has reminded me of His great love, His all sufficient grace and His constant presence. He also helped me to see some things about myself more clearly. The greatest illumination came in the area of my expectancy. Over the past few years, the Lord has been preparing my heart for some exciting things. With these preparations came a sense of expectancy; however, over time I have allowed that sense of expectancy in some ways to become an expectation of how God should be moving and at what speed. This subtle shift creates an undesirable quality in my character…impatience. I found myself today asking the Lord to give me a new found joy in times of waiting.

The Lord also showed me that I struggle with wanting to see stability and structure in my circumstances, because I often view myself as unworthy to fulfill the call on my life. Humbling revelations about myself, yet they are very accurate. A fellow brother helped me to see this reality more clearly…he chuckled, because I was already doing the things I felt unworthy to be doing.

Tomorrow it will be one week until I leave for Kenya and Uganda. I still lack about $2,000 of covering my ground transportation, lodging and meals. I know the Lord will provide, even though those provisions are not realized yet. Living on the edge in faith and walking in complete trust are all apart of the journey He has me on.

Journey To Simplicity