Reflections, re-acclimation and renewal

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Carl

I’ve been back from India for just over a week now. My body is finally getting back to normal and the case of Delhi Belly that hit me upon my return home is finally gone. I’m finally sleeping at normal hours and getting back into my normal routine.

As I’ve taken time to reflect on my time in India, there are a few things that stick out:

First of all, God used my absence to bring about some strengthening in those around me.

My first Friday out of the country, Mike and Kim learned that their brother-in-law had been killed in Afghanistan. Mike and Kim were able to be a source of strength to their family, even though they did not have my presence to draw from. Mike and Kim were forced to lean on the Lord in a way they had not had to draw on His strength before. Carol also felt led to join some meetings that I normally attend, and also led out with our monthly overseer’s meeting. This was a large growth step for Carol as well and she now sees her role as my ministry partner much more clearly.

I believe the second primary purpose of this trip was my influence on some key people:

My interactions with Tom and Santhosh, in particular were part of a molding, shaping and directional process that the Lord is taking them through. In the case of both of these men, I watched God take them through some stretching of their comfort zones and standard modes of operation. Additionally, in two of the cities where I led meetings, the pastors came under conviction about their need to work cooperatively towards the purposes of God’s kingdom. In the wake of our meetings, these pastors have committed to working together towards the fulfillment of God’s plan for their individual communities.

The third key issue was the reminder of the completeness of God’s power and strength.

On two particular occasions, I was speaking with almost no physical or mental strength. On both of those occasions, I spoke not with force or vigor, but the power of God was incredibly overwhelming. On the first occasion a demon manifested in a man as I was speaking and threw this man into the adjacent river. He was immediately delivered from the demon and received the life giving touch of Jesus that night. The second time I gave the invitation after making a very simple gospel presentation and I watched as over 30 people came forward to give their lives to Jesus.

It was good to be back home on Sunday. Sunday was the first anniversary of the launch of Simplicity – Corpus Christi and the Simplicity Church Network. We all marveled at how quickly the year has gone, and how much God has molded, shaped and changed us in this first year. We also decided to replace our big orange water cooler outside with some of the sack lunches we have put together. Sunday we set out 6 lunch bags with Vienna Sausage, fruit cups, and crackers. By the time church was over, only one bag was left.

Tuesday was a great day of victories as well. Carol and I were short on making our house rent. Our rent is $1,000/month and we only had $179 to our name. We asked some people who are close to us to pray with us over this need. One of those individuals told Carol, “I’m praying that someone will show up at your doorstep with a check in hand.” Not 10 minutes later this same individual called back and said she would be bringing a check by…she ended up being the answer to her own request.

Tuesday evening we were praying at the church when we heard a knock on the door. A young man entered and said, “I believe God sent me here.” We then told him how he got to us and he agreed…I told him we were praying for him to come, we just didn’t know it was him that we were specifically praying for. This man has been in Corpus for 2 weeks. In the past his life has included many pitfalls, and of course he found himself in the epicenter of those things here in Corpus Christi. He knows he has a call on his life, but his frustration with his circumstances had led him back to some places he swore he would never go again. After speaking into his life we offered to walk with him as he works to rebuild his life. Over the past two days I have had the opportunity to help him find new housing arrangements and to begin looking for work. While I was in India, the Lord spoke to me about someone he was raising up to become the leader of Simplicity – Corpus Christi…something in my spirit, says this man may eventually be the one God was speaking to me about.

Setting off explosions

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Carl

Over the last few months, the Lord has been speaking to us about the importance of praise in bringing down the spiritual walls of the Simplicity – Corpus Christi neighborhood. So when the opportunity to host The Burn 24/7 was extended, it was a “no-brainer.”

This past weekend, people from a variety of denominational backgrounds came together at 805 S. Staples and for 24 hours, they worshiped, prayed, danced, painted, played and glorified God. During this time, we had several people come in off of the streets and were able to minister to them. It was truly a nuclear event in the spiritual environment of this neighborhood. One of my intercessors said it best: “Foundations were shaken.” This weekend was also strategic, because it was exactly 1 year ago that my church voted to release the staff and ministry, so they could afford to keep the church property. It was that set of events that led to the implementation of the Simplicity vision that God had been birthing in me for a number of months.

Sunday was in my mind, the best worship experience we’ve had at Simplicity since we began in November of last year. We shared how God had touched our lives throughout the week and during that time I began to look at the banner that had been given to us by one of the worshipers over the weekend. The Lord prompted me to hand the banner to Brooke and I gave her permission to move throughout the room with that banner to praise Jesus to the best of her 3 year old ability. The Lord then took me to a song that I had not sang since I was a child…His Banner Over Me is Love. We sang that song and then the Lord began to write the verses. Before our time together was done, the Lord had given us 6 or 7 new verses to this song that we sang with great joy. Our service ended up lasting nearly 2 1/2 hours and yet no one seemed to notice or care.

Yesterday, Mike and I attended a pastor’s prayer retreat in Banquete. This retreat has become a highlight of my year each year and this year was no different. The morning speaker came out of the worship time with a word for nearly each one of us. To Mike and I, he said this: “Sit in the saddle.” “All that you are going through is by God’s design, don’t rush the process.” Throughout the day, God reminded me of the need to be a conduit, not just a cup. The day ended with 2 intercessors praying over each of us. The words spoken over me included: “Courage; a willingness to go where no one else will; the opening of multiple harvest fields unto me; the need for me to have wisdom to manage the resources that God is releasing into my hands; and a prayer of thanksgiving for the resources being released that are not only sufficient, but exceedingly abundant.”

I ended my day by speaking via phone with Pastor Santhosh about our upcoming ministry in Delhi and Kerala. Pastor Santhosh has been unable to raise the $2,000 necessary to put on the conference he had intended in Delhi, so I had suggested that we invite a handful of leaders for a few days of private meetings. Santhosh had been praying and fasting over that suggestion and is being led to invite 15 pastors to join us. We talked about my lack of air travel and fiances, but I assured him that God was going to provide. It is now 13 days until I leave and the airfare is beginning to creep up, so I know that we are not far from the provision, but this is an exercise in faith and trust.

If you would like to contribute to the India ministry effort, please visit the donation link

Sunday recap

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Carl

We were joined yesterday by two representatives from Burn 24/7. We are hosting September’s Burn this weekend, so they were here to scope out building and neighborhood. This was a very moving experience for both of them. I wanted to share with your Rachel’s thoughts to her email list:

Good evening CC Burning Ones!

This morning I visited Simplicity Church- where we will be holding Burn CC this month. I was left utterly broken. Last month someone told me, “your feet will go to dark places” I never imagined that would mean I’d be taking the Burn too!

Simplicity Church is located right across the street from a gay bar where the rainbow flag hangs proudly, its down the street from the abortion clinic and its passed by many lonely travelers- all walking alone- all holding baggage (physically and spiritually). With an open door and a bright orange water cooler with the words “compliments of Jesus Christ” boldly written these few hold church every Sunday morning. Oftentimes people wander in- stare and leave or ask for prayer. Inside little kids sing along their parents and even ask questions and pray for prayer requests during the service. While we read I watched a Dad give his son a bottle and let the little boy fall asleep on his chest.

And the entire time the Lord was speaking to me-

His banner will hang higher than any of the enemy’s flags.

AND His banner over us- over everyone is LOVE!

Hearing the simple prayers and the sweet off-key voices of children made me cry with sweet happiness and I was reminded why the Lord loves these “little ones” who wisdom and faith and trust is SSSOOO much greater than mine!

I believe its pivotal that’s we’re here.

That we are lifting up praises and going to impact the atmosphere!

That our praises will tear down this wall that this church has been coming up against.

That we will raise the banner of Jesus Christ over that area and light a lamp in the darkness- and see His people saved and set free- He will “see the reward for which He was slain.”

Please everyone be in prayer.

“Gird yourselves- consecrate yourselves… for tomorrow the Lord will do increasingly wonderful things!!”

Worshipers- soak up His oil in your secret place- because it will be lit on fire this weekend.

And remember in our intimacy we have victory- it is in this place that we are given our boldness- our words- our strategies- our battle orders.

Also please be cautious-

this is not a safe neighborhood- no one walk anywhere alone- please watch your surroundings. Use caution and be wise.

And please be in prayer for this church-

pray for fiances, for co-laborers and “arm- holders” to share the load, for strength and endurance to keep plowing this land, for walls to be broken, and for the Lord to provide for all of their needs.

And if anyone would like to donate nonperishable food and bottles of water or articles of clothing, shower supplies, etc. (they pass these gifts out to many of the people that visit their church) I know it would bless them tremendously

During the morning and afternoon we met and prayed with Charlie, Everett (our first time to meet him), David and his friend (both believers in Christ), and Richard (I see him walking by almost daily). Some of these men allowed us to pray with them. Others shared lunch with us, since we were cooking out in the parking lot. Each one was a reminder of how God wants to move in this neighborhood.

I am still struggling to get airfare together for India, even though I leave 3 weeks from today. If you would like to help by contributing financially or even donating frequent flier miles, please let us know.

Wind in the sails

Posted on September 14, 2009 by Carl

This past week has been full of wind gusts in the sails of our lives and the ministry. Let me give you a few examples.

Last week one of my overseers came down to the building and we talked about his recent trip to Africa, the ministry and the challenges. After re-arranging our worship space (and he did a fine job I might add), he rattled off a list of things that he felt we needed to make us more inviting to our community. Before the week was over we had an oscillating ionic fan, a water cooler (with hot water option I might add) and a sofa and love seat.

Last weekend, Carol and I had been faced with a decision. We became aware of two needs in the lives of pastors we minister to and we felt very burdened to somehow meet that need. Of course we have many needs in our home as well. Within 24 hours, we were given an amount of money that would meet the need for the 2 other pastors and we felt prompted to forgo our own needs and send that money off to these two ministers. Last Thursday I was handed an envelope containing that same amount of money and told to use it for my own household needs.

Carol and I had been praying for the replacement of the rear brakes on Carol’s van for about 4 or 5 weeks. Last weekend we were blessed with a new set of brakes and someone to install them with me.

Yesterday morning we had a man enter the church. He said “I’ve been watching you guys handing out water at the bus transfer station. I designed some T-shirt logos for you. ” He handed a series of designs with scripture, water and Simplicity. Saturday while we were at the bus stop, we had talked amongst ourselves that we ought to get some T-shirts printed up to help identify us as helping hands to those who are there.

Also yesterday we had a man with us that has been with us for 3 weeks now. We met him 3 weeks ago around the water cooler on the parking lot. He was running from God, so God ran him into us. This man is now working, has shelter and is building a solid foundation for his life once again.

I am beginning a time of focused preparation for India next month, but I still find myself lacking airfare. I know that God will provide, but I still am not sure how that will come about.

Walking alone and other observations

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Carl

Yesterday Mike and I were meeting together for our weekly prayer and accountability time. As we were talking something struck me. The people we see walking the streets in front of the church never walk in groups, but instead they are always walking alone. The Lord helped me see again the isolation of this neighborhood. Everyone walks alone, because they do not allow themselves to get close to others, for fear that something will be taken from them.

The same spirit is evident in the houses. Each house has a high fence surrounding it, some even have barbed wire on the top. No trespassing signs and vicious Pit Bull’s are a common site. Again, it is driven by a fear of having something taken away.

Last week one of my intercessors had given me a proclamation to make over this neighborhood and the people of the neighborhood. The proclamation is a declaration that “the enemy has nothing to offer you, nor can he take anything away from you.” This declaration is critical, as we have had at least two people make this statement to us: “No one will ever take anything from me again.”

The other observation that we have made is that everyone passing by is carrying a bag. Plastic bags, backpacks, shoulder bags…most filled with their worldly possessions. The Lord again gave me greater clarity. Not only are the people of this neighborhood walking alone, but they are walking alone with the baggage of their life. The Lord has led us to begin praying for the release of the bondage created by the baggage.

This has been my first week of working from the Simplicity building in Corpus Christi. There has not been much foot traffic during the day, and the heavy equipment and big dirt piles out front haven’t helped that situation either.

This week I have been presented with several needs from some of my dear African pastors, in addition to our own family needs. The Lord continues to reassure us through His words to us in scripture and in prayer. I am not sure how it will all settle out, or even how all of these needs will be met, but I know I am confident in the Lord’s provision in His perfect timing.

The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Within

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Carl

Days like today are the places where the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde within me get revealed. We began this day with enough gas in Carol’s van to get the kids to and from school today. I went into town to check the mail for a commission check I was expecting (which wasn’t there). When I got back from town, my motorcycle was nearly on empty. We have a $300 truck payment drafting through our bank account tomorrow and we currently have $6 in the bank. To top it off I awoke with a splitting headache.

I started the morning, by telling the Lord my fears and asking for His strength instead of mine and His trust in Himself to replace my own trust. I found myself at peace once I had prayed these things through and I went about my work, writing articles to promote the business websites.

About 2PM, Carol suggested we put an old twin bed on Craigslist that we had been holding back for Christopher. We learned this weekend, that he would not be needing it. We listed it for $35 ($30 for gas in Carol’s van and $5 for gas in my motorcycle) and within an hour or so we had several emails and a series of phone call from a man who was interested in picking up the bed for his son.

At around 4PM the man showed up, took a quick look at the mattress and box springs and said: “I’m going to pass.” By this time my headache had returned full tilt and the hope of seeing gas money provided for went out the window. Once again I found myself in a downward spiral of doubt, anger, fear, etc… Angry that I had turned down work for obedience; wishing God would find someone else who was stronger than I am to take on this call; and more than anything just wanting some relief.

Carol began to tell me that God would take care of us and everything would be ok. I didn’t want to hear anymore “sunshine and promises from Scripture,” and I told her so. I reminded her that our needs have not been met…how can I even teach others that God will supply all of their needs? We have more bills unpaid and delinquent than we do paid. She asked me what did I really need to see? I told her…people who will not just listen to the burdens of our life, but will actually partner with me month by month, so that I can do this work. I told her I wanted to see some growth in the businesses. I just want to see the bills paid and some sort of forward progress. With my head pounding and my stomach nauseous, I went and laid down.

When I got back up for dinner, Carol said a woman had called asking about the bed. At 8:20 this evening she gave us $35 for the bed. Enough for 2/3 tank of gas in Carol’s van and $5 of gas for my motorcycle. Our need had been met.

I choose to be transparent with you about my fears and my failures, because they are a real part of this church planting journey. Make no mistake, this journey has cost us everything….financially we are destitute, emotionally I am on fumes, and spiritually my greatest battles are the ones within. I press on though…sometimes inching forward with my fingernails, because there is a world out there that needs the hope of Jesus. Even though I give up on Him sometimes, He never gives up on me. Today He used a $35 mattress at 8:20PM to prove it to me.

As embarassed as I am to share some of this with you I realize I am in good company. Listen to the Apostle Paul’s description:

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NASB)
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

and Elijah:

1 Kings 19:9-10 (NASB)
9 Then he came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

The battle of the flesh will not end until the day Jesus calls me to His side.

You are my Everything

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Carl

Last week the Lord gave Carol a word for me. That word was “resolve.” As I explained in my last blog post, the Lord brought Carol and I under conviction about our actions in seeking a professional role outside of the ministry and businesses I have been given. The word resolve became critical, because the Lord also asked me to shut the doors I had opened. Before the week was over I turned down two job offers that had come through my active search for work. I told Carol at one point “I can’t believe I’m sending lifeboats away;” however, I also understood clearly what the Lord was telling me. Carol was already firmly planted in her certainty of this direction…the word “resolve” was truly for me. So here we are starting a new week with the knowledge and commitment that God is our everything. He is the provision, the safety net, the course…everything.

This weekend was once again a great time in the life of Simplicity. On Thursday a friend who is a true man of prayer made a commitment to join us every other Tuesday as we pray over our city. The Lord has already begun to give him a direction for prayer over the South Bluff neighborhood. Saturday we were back at the bus transfer station. My most memorable interaction was with a man who asked me: “Why are you doing this?” When I told him that God had instructed us to do it, he began to laugh. I told him, that God may not be someone he acknowledged, but the truth of the fact still remained.

Yesterday during our service we had two different men walk in from off the street. The first man was Jim. Jim was leaving his apartment, because he was having conflicts with his neighbors. As I drove Jim to where he needed to go, Jim went on and on about his need for a good woman in his life. I reminded him that he needed to discover his identity in Christ first and then worry about finding the right woman. When I got back to the church another man I had met a few weeks earlier was back. In his drunkenness, he couldn’t remember that he had been there before, but he did recognize me. Daniel’s story was still the same, no money, no food, hoping to go to San Antonio. We provided him a few cans of Vienna Sausage and some chips; however, he told us we were “weird” because we didn’t have anything for him to drink.

Getting back on track

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Carl

Last Wednesday and Thursday were difficult days for me. I could not escape negative thoughts. I felt overwhelmed by everything, and as much as I want to see things through, I found myself wanting to give up at the same time. I knew I was struggling, so I entered Thursday evening’s prayer time empty and open. As we began to pray, the prayers began to focus on me and my lack of strength. Before long a new voice joined us and I heard someone praying in tongues as I was praying. All of the sudden I found myself out of words, but our guest simply picked up where I had left off. As our prayer time went on, the group laid hands on me, anointed my head, lips, ears and hands with oil and helped me recommit myself to the battle for this city.

As we entered into Friday, I had a new outlook and a fresh wind in my sails. Before the day was over, God had answered Carol’s prayer for the provision of school supplies. A friend had called burdened that she and her husband were to provide our children’s school supplies. Carol had not even mentioned the need to them.

Over the last few weeks, several who have been praying for me from all of the world, had been speaking a word to me that dealt with trust and not abandoning my call. Carol also began sharing with me, that the Lord was leading her to pray for the shutting of all of the potential doors of employment. In light of our current financial situation, it seemed suicidal to pray that way, but I was wrestling with the same question. Sunday, the Lord gave me the clarity I had been asking for…in the form of loving correction. The Lord rebuked Carol and I through my primary prayer intercessor. The issue came down to trust, I had given up on trusting God and have been trying to make my own way through this job search. The Lord reminded me that He conquered death and hell, raised Lazarus from the dead and multiplied loaves and fishes; yet, our actions were denying that very power in our own life and circumstance.

Carol reminded me that Paul’s tentmaking went with him everywhere he went. She pointed out that all of the businesses the Lord has entrusted me with go around the world with me. I have done work from Asia and Africa when I have been before. She also acknowledged that we had tried to make these businesses work in our own wisdom and it simply had not worked. We both realized that we needed to repent…for grieving God and walking in our own understanding. We repented together and asked the Lord to shut the doors He never intended for us to open.

We realize that God has to be our all. He can’t be our #1 priority, the top of our list or any other position…He must be everything. We have to rely on Him for everything. He reminded me of something I’ve often said from the pulpit: “How can you trust God with your eternal salvation, if you can’t trust Him with the smallest details of everyday life?” How true this is…how can I teach the stories of Abraham, Noah, Moses, Elijah, David, Peter & Paul while not trusting in the same God who was there every step of the way for them, to be there every step of the way for me?

The icing on the cake for the weekend came last night. As we were coming home from the baseball game, we were discussing our prayer time on Thursday evening. Carol and I got to discussing the praying in tongues that our guest was doing. Collin, interrupted and asked when she was praying in tongues, because he only heard her speaking English the whole time. I quizzed him about some specific times that she was praying and he again indicated he had heard the whole thing in English. Carol and I both find ourselves amazed at what God has been doing in him already at such an early age.

Testimonies, tempering and trust

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Carl

I want to start this round of rambling and mental sponge squeezing with the following set of emails from Africa. These emails came in over the past 3 days from Bishop Cleophas Makona, Rev. Sabila Adams (who leads the East Africa ministries for Simplicity) and John Juma (my driver in Uganda). These emails give a brief glimpse in the rear view mirror and also point to the destination for my work, they are filled with prayers, promises, passion and prompting:

Our beloved friend willis,

In II Corinthians 11:23-29, Paul the apostle demonstrated his commitment to Jesus Christ by listing a number of the hardships he have suffered . If nothing else, such ongoing mistreatment and deprivation revealed Paul’s perseverance. Let us seek to imitate Paul and his faithful commitment to Christ.

Jesus Christ in (John 7:2-9) experienced ridicule and rejection from his family . His brothers did not understand what God was doing in or through him. Therefore Jesus obeyed the will of his father in heaven instead of bowing to the pressure of those in his family. Like Jesus, we need to make sure that we are following God’s plan for our lives rather than following the dictates of people who do not know that God has planned for us. We must know God’s word and have a close relationship with God, nurtured by prayer and Bible study. Staying lose to God and remaining focused on his purpose for our lives will help us make good decisions and preserve our spiritual growth.

The enemy knows what you are doing for God, so stay focused on your calling , Jesus will never forsake you. Even at times your really own can not understand what calling you have.

God knows it, persevere dear, remember Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego and finally Daniel. They risked their lives in obedience to God’s will to them to die was better than to live with the quilt and shame of disobeying God. Like these three friends, we must determine to stand up against those who tempt us to turn from God’s will. To them to die was better than to live with the quilt and shame of disobeying God. Like these three friends , we must determine to stand up against those who tempt us to turn from God’s plan. We must follow God – no matter what cost.

In (Daniel 3:1-30) , we face situations in which we are tempted to do things that are wrong . Sometimes there are consequences for not going along with the crowd. This fact is clearly illustrated in the story of the fiery finance. The penalty for not following the crowd was death – a horrible death of being burned alive. When we stand for what is right and refuse to yield to peer pressure , we may suffer persecution, but we must stand firm in our faith. God will reward those who remain faithful to Him.

The enemy is after you, many in east Africa are being saved and rejoining the kingdom of God,AS YOU SAID THE WISE WINS SOULS. Many unreached souls have been reached and the neglected and unloved in the community have hope now through your regular support you are sowing to this mission . God is about opening bigger doors of provision through you for His work in Africa, just wait upon His timing and be sensitive in hearing His small voice and obeying every direction He leads you, He has a PURPOSE AND PLAN for your life on earth.

This can be one of the church’s finest hours in all history if we respond correctly. The Bible tells us that “ all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28)”

That includes uncertain times like these. Christians simply must not miss this opportunity to tell those who are looking for answers that JESUS IS THE ANSWER.

In fact, if we falter, I believe God will hold us responsible.

This is divine moment. Today , we can reach multitudes that we could only dream about a few years ago.As a mission we are intensifying our efforts to reach as many souls for the Lord as possible. I have asked our staff to pray more than they have ever prayed before, and I am asking you to join us and do the same. Through you, I’am asking you to sow the best seed you can to help us reach these multitudes who are looking for the Lord. You are the backbone of this mission and millions of lives are depending on your continued obedience during these great days of opportunity.

Every gift you sow into this mission is used carefully has stewards of God and wisely to help reach a growing multitude of souls all over the globe. Thank you for making a difference.

This are August prayer requests:-

i) Pray that God will provide for this two meetings to hire PA system and transport . August 13^th to 17^th ,09 – Kisumu and August 19^th to 23rd ,09 – Kuria on the border of Kenya and Tanzania.

ii) Pray for the feeding programme for orphans and widows that God will provide , for us to buy beans.Psalms 145;1-21,146:5-9. Thank you for now till next , God bless you dear servant of the most high God.

You are loved and appreciated.

All the Best.

Brother Cleophas

Dear Rev Carl and Simplicity Church

Greetings in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful bright day here in Africa and the lord has wakened us up again well.

We bless the lord for what He is doing and what is a bout to do. We had a wonderful church service yesterday at our church in Kitale and the lord did move in a mighty way. The lord led me to share a bout healing the wounded spirit; I was so moved when I saw people moving a head to the altar in tears seeking God to heal their hurts. I saw this woman rolling down in tears and her mouth moving up and down but she could not speak out. When she spoke she said loudly I forgive you JOHN for hurting me and breaking my heart!

I called her latter to see me before she goes to her home. In our face to face talk she told me that she had been separated with her husband for four years a go and she left with two Sons which she is taking care. She had loved her husband so much and when the incident happened she could not believe. She was also rejected by her relatives and she decided to move to town to work as a maid.

She told me that as I was ministering it was like I knew everything which she had gone through in life. She said a heavy load was lifted out from her chest and she felt free and light than never before.

I saw such a radiance of Gods Glory in her face as she shouted a gain Hallelujah to God and saying I have forgiven you JOHN my husband, I don’t hold you any more in my heart. I let go of the past hurts and receive Gods healing Oil on my wounds.

Rev Carl, I thank God for allowing us to touch lives here. My prayer has been to God to do things that are beyond humanity and beyond Imaginations of men so that men may see it and says this is the lord!

Pray for me, I am on fire than never before, I have a heart to disciple nations and share my live testimony to the nations of the world. I believe God to pave and provide ways for me to contact leadership conferences, seminars and crusades for God and Simplicity starting next year 2010 across East and central Africa. I have already set up plans and many pastors are waiting for my first move to step out in the name of the lord. We want to plan churches as the lord leads ALL FOR HIS GLORY.

I feel the wave of Gods revival in my heart. Last night I was before the lord seeking His face over the work he has placed under my care and the Simplicity Church Network.

In my personal devotions in the book of Mathew and the feeding of the four and five thousands (chapter 14&15), I heard Holy Spirit say this to me: “Place a supernatural demand on Jesus”

We all know the story of Jesus feeding the thousands in Mathew 14:13-21 and Mathew 15:32-39.

This seems to be God’s perfect timing to send His word out, to all who are moving forth in kingdom advancement in these days and our team at Simplicity. The need is plentiful and our God has storehouses to fund His work through His people, through supernatural means, etc. in other words, He is the God who meets all our needs that we need to prosper and do the work of the kingdom. So all we need to do is to listen to our Lord and obediently follow in faith. When He leads us out, as He did to the thousands who came to hear His voice, He will not fail to supply our needs. When evening came, the disciples and Jesus came to a deserted place, without adequate supply to meet the natural demand for food. The disciples answers was to look at the natural supply and simply acknowledge that the need was too great and the people should simply be sent away to go into the villages to buy the necessary food. But our answer is found in Christ Jesus so when He talks, we immediately listen and obey. Jesus is quick to say in Mathew 14; 16: “They do not go away. You give them something to eat”. Again in Mathew 15, Jesus commands the multitudes to sit down on the ground, and proceeded to seek heaven to multiply a natural supply with a supernatural demand of faith and obedience by the one in need. There was a divine connection of multiplication when earth aligned with heaven’s supply through faith and obedience. For many this will be a test of faith, for we are looking at a natural lack and can’t see beyond it to see that God will take what is lacking in the natural and multiply it with a supernatural anointing from heaven. How else did they receive all that needed to eat? Mathew 15:37 says: “So they all ate and were filled and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.” Mathew 14:20 says:

“So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained”.

I heard the lord peak to me loudly, Adams my Son! Heaven is ready to supply through supernatural means adequately and to satisfy your natural need. Now please understand my son, when I say ‘demand’ that surely implies that the desire has been initiated in my heart to supply what I desire to activate here on earth.

Thank you father I have heard you.

Stepping out in extraordinary ways in advancing my kingdom requires faith to see me work miracles to supply all that I am requiring all of you to do in these kingdom days. As you follow me obediently, expect heaven to back up what I have initiated in the heavenly realm for you. My son, fear not I love you so much that is why I chose you from your tribe (Sebei Tribe) to serve me. Before you were born, you were in my mind. Trust me Son, I will not fail you.

Thank you dad! I am ready to obey you are hear your voice. Amen

Simplicity, Let us wait on God, He is faithful He will perfect what He has began in us.

God bless you all.

Your humble servant and Son

Apostle Adams Sabila

For

Simplicity Church Network

Dear Rev,

Greetings once more.

I am glad to inform you that the lord has expanded our ministry greatly.We have planted three churches in My Elgon last three weeks.

I wanted to confirm first before letting you know a bout this move.I recieved a call from Pastor Charles from Elgon who informed me that they successful planted three churches in three weeks.

Every church has 50 church members and a bove.

I have been invitated to go on 15th August 2009.Please pray for the provissions of this trip.

I also wanted to ask you if there is a way we can get funds to help us here in Africa,God is opening great doors and weed funds.Like if I can get proposal asking grands in your nation.Can it be possible.if have friends or ministries that can help.

We need to meet the need of our colleges both in kenya and Uganda.

God bless,

Hope to hear from you soon.

Apostel adams

Pastor Carl,

I am so happy again for this open hearted email you have sent.It makes me encouraged and strong and strong in faith,it has encouraged me to be sure that once our plans and imaginations have been committed to God through prayer,He is faithful to grant us the desires of our heart.

I want you to know that your last email really pushed me to seek the lord,because of you and the Simplicity ministry,I joined our church intercessors to fast and pray and we have heard the lord confirming to us that the plans and vision He has for you concerning many Nations Africa being one of them,he will protect and provide for you.Place be sure that you have dear once in Kenya Kitale.

The anointing service you held in Uganda,renewed my spiritual life,our church is now over three hundred members and we give all the glory back to God.

Yours faithfully in Christ,

John.

If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know I have been wrestling with the challenges of what seems prudent and what is beyond the wisdom of man. God has been using emails like these to continue to relay a message of “trust Me” that has been spoken into my life for sometime now. I take great comfort in emails like these, because they remind me that my work is not in vain. They also give me hope for my work going forward. The waiting and trusting in my case are in the realms of finances. Many who could choose to walk beside me in a financial sense, simply have not felt God’s prompting to do so. Carol and I become more and more convinced each day that the Lord’s direction for me is not to spend my time and energies in corporate America as I have been seeking, but that shortly we will see the Divine enter into the dimension of mortality, creating unseen pathways of provision. I truly believe the Lord has already put the ingredients in hand (5 loaves and 2 fish), it is now the time when Jesus does His work and multiplies that which is already present.

The second point of expectation is here in Corpus Christi, Texas and the nation. I have been to India and Africa and seen the types of things these men describe in their emails. I believe in the not to distant future we will see God moving in the hearts of people here in a similar way. A prime example occurred yesteray during our worship time. I was teaching and a watched a man walking by outside. He continued to gaze at the building, smiled, looked up at the sign and passed by. Within a few moments, he had turned around, made the sign of the cross and entered the door. His name is Charlie, he wanted us to pray for his mother Sue, she had nearly died yesterday morning. As we prayed, Kim and I placed our hands on Charlie, he had already gone to his knees. In the name of Jesus we prayed for his mom, his pain and his trust. Just as quickly as he entered, he left, smiling and saying “God bless you” as he exited.

Trust is an interesting concept. The Lord has been showing me lately that He is faithful, but not according to our time table. This week, He placed two passages of Scripture before me, to remind me of what He is doing in my life:

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NASB)
2 Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run.
3 “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

Psalm 145:15 (NASB)
15 The eyes of all look to Thee, And Thou dost give them their food in due time.

Challenges, victories and other miscellaneous ramblings

Posted on July 20, 2009 by Carl

This weekend was a wonderful weekend in our ministry. Carol and Kim spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday at a women’s conference that was life changing for both of them in a number of ways. From my observation, both of them came back with less baggage and greater freedom.

Saturday was our second week of passing out water at the bus transfer station. Within an hour we had distributed over 200 bottles of cold water. I had a conversation with Norberta, who wanted me to have some copies of her Watchtower and Awake magazines. She explained to me that she didn’t understand the Bible, so she used those magazines for her Biblical teaching. Several times she stated to me: “I work as hard as I can in hopes that God will give me His Spirit.” As much as she would allow me to, I spoke to her about God’s grace that is all sufficient. In the end she allowed me to pray for her. She then went and offered her magazines to another man, who simply said, “I would rather have a Bible.” One of the things I need to quickly locate is a very inexpensive way to load up on some pocket sized Bibles. My other notable encounter was with a woman, who said my son looked like Beelzebub. She went on to tell me about the possessed rat that lived under the refrigerator. She questioned Mike about the demonic spirit in the water we were offering, insisting that only Nestle was pure. I asked the Lord to set her free.

During the weekend, Kim and Carol met Bernice and they both agreed that she and her husband may be the first of many people of peace we have been praying for. Mark and Bernice were called by the Lord to come to Corpus Christi from Syracuse, NY last year. Saturday night Mark called and asked where the church was and yesterday they spent the day with us. This couple is amazingly gifted and their own personal stories of deliverance were powerful. I am looking forward to watching how God uses them in this city.

Saturday afternoon, Carol had an hour long talk with our neighbor. Next Sunday she, her family and a best friend are going to join us. We have been praying for the Lord to give us this opportunity.

The highlight of my weekend was late yesterday afternoon. We had set up a canopy in front of the church and cooked hot dogs. As per usual we cooked more than enough for anyone who just happened to come by. Yesterday, no one was coming by until a young man walked up…a young man we had last seen nearly 6 months ago. His countenance had changed, there was humility in his words…God has used 6 months of wandering to soften his heart. We all rejoiced and loved on him. Tomorrow I will be taking him to Alice, TX to see his mother…she hasn’t seen him since he left home a few years ago. We are praying for great healing to take place.

A new challenge (seems like an old challenge) has surfaced in our lives. The landlord dropped by Saturday to inform us that she was going to put the house on the market beginning August 1st. This has already happened to us 2 other times since arriving in Corpus Christi in January of 2007. So here we are with only Carol’s part time income, struggling to make ends meet, possibly needing to move; however, through it all we have a confidence that God’s answer will be beyond our wildest dreams.

On the income front, I had two interviews last Thursday that may lead to more interviews in the coming weeks. I find myself tired…I either want to enter into my new professional role and get on with it or see the Lord provide in a way that keeps me on the course He set me on. This in between, not knowing, not able to pay the bills period is weighing on my spirit…I daily give it over to Him, but I get reminded very strongly of my circumstance quite regularly. I know that He is molding and shaping me into the vessel He’s had in mind for all of eternity…so I trust even when I don’t want to.

Journey To Simplicity