Report on 40 Day Fast

First, I am sorry for the weeklong absence from the blog. I have lots of articles finished and ready to put out there for your amusement, enjoyment, and/or challenge. I need to report on some great things God is doing in our midst.

Some of you will remember that our field leader (in our region he is called a strategy associate or SA) called us to a 40 day period of fasting. You might remember that I invited you to join us and some of you even took us up on the offer. There are lots of different kinds of fasts and most, of course, chose a moderated one.

Did God do anything as a result of the fasting period? I don’t know! But, let me tell you what has happened here and you be the judge.

1. There was no spiritual high for me. I have fasted before and never experienced the lack of spiritual refreshment I did during this fast. Why? I have no idea. Probably it was my fault but I really couldn’t say. My teammates’ report was a mixed bag in this regard. For some, it was great; for other, at best, neutral.
2. I am more insightful into people’s lives and the truth of situations. Also, much to the discomfort of some, I am much more bold and capable in speaking that truth in loving and kind ways. Is this the result of fasting? Once again, I don’t know but the timing certainly is interesting. Maybe God has done something in me, even when I did not have the feelings of personal revival.
3. Ministry went better for our entire team during the fasting period than at any time since we have been here. We did not change our approach or methods. We did not suddenly become brilliant or fluent. It is just that, well, God brought things to us. Let me give you a snapshot:
1. Five outreach groups started during this time. That is more than the last two years combined. Some of the people have dropped out or not finished but many have shown significant interest in the Bible and what it has to say about their life and relationship with God.
2. Home groups have grown closer and more effective than at any time since we have been here. I could give you pages of specific details but let me just say that people have grown in their relationship with God, are taking leadership within their group, are ministering in missions and evangelism in ways never considered before, and are inviting others to join the home groups.
3. We were asked to come and lead a church in three seminars on how to walk closer with God. The church asked us in early November. They have now asked that we extend for three weeks before Christmas with a series on growing closer to one another and then a series of three in January on reaching out more effectively. Is this God’s work? I don’t have any idea but it never happened before.
4. Our team seemed much more natural, efficient, and prolific in sharing their faith. I could not believe the monthly reports that came in for November. We gave out hundreds of Bibles, New Testaments or scripture portions and we shared the gospel with well over 100 people. And all of this without any emphasis or program. At times, it was as if people were coming and asking to know. Is it God? Unless you have great blind faith in coincidence, it certainly seems to be.
5. All of the sudden, like a light switch being turned on, our neighbors are open to us. I don’t know what got into them but it sure is nice. They have always been friendly; well, in different measures, but at least they have not been hateful or mean. Now, they want to talk and get to know us better.

i. We went to visit a neighbor last month to bring their new baby a present and to congratulate them. They had never been very open to us. You would have thought long lost and dearly beloved cousins had shown up at the door.

ii. Yesterday, they needed transportation for the baby to the hospital and called on us. In the midst of one of our most horrific transportation days, subject of the next blog, Elise dropped everything and had the woman and baby in a van within ten minutes.

iii. Another woman, who has lived next to our IMB house since the IMB bought it in the late 90's, came into this house for the first time in her life. They are people who have been friendly and open but very quiet in their relationship with us and those who lived here before us. It is as if they suddenly decided more friends might be nice.

iv. I can give other examples but let me stop. Is this God at work? You be the judge.

4. Finally, we have experienced more problems than at any time I can remember. I will fill in the blanks in the next blog. A short list includes but is not limited to: email server down for the better part of the fast and continuing to ‘work’ in interesting ways, phone service and all internet connection gone for five days, new mobile phone not working right, fatal Windows XP Pro error requiring reformatting of hard drive, teammates computer system having significant problems, a car which has never broken down since we have been here broke down two days ago in the center of Zagreb in one of the worst places possible, and now, a registered letter from the tax audit department which says, “Get here, now!” Is God at work and the enemy resisting? In the next blog I will tell just how He has worked in these situations.