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.