Chapter 4
Prayer Walk
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Kristina
The year 2006 found me "on the go" as well, with a trip to Arizona and then to Saskatchewan, Canada to do nature research. In addition, I'd taken on a new assignment: organizing a summer colporteur program and recruiting homeschoolers to canvass in Ohio! God truly blessed through hours of talking on the phone and writing email, as 17 young people promised to join the summer colporteur program! Despite the busy schedule, we continued to work on the Discovering His Treasures website.
Daniel
Africa proved to be an incredible adventure. Learning a new language, camping in the bush with the locals, traveling, and even spending a weekend on the Zambezi River, were just the beginning. I set up a recording studio, helped to create educational materials for the Himba people, and spent a lot of time with the young people from the local church. As I faced challenges in my interaction with the culture, it forced me to study more deeply into God's Word. As I studied, I asked Kristina for ideas. This gave us an opportunity to discuss Christian principles, how they affect our lifestyle and choices, and how they could be applied within any culture.
Kristina
A major milestone in my life began in January 2006. Now that I had direction in life, and knew what my involvement would be in God's work, I began to spend a lot more time in prayer regarding my future. At age twenty-two, I knew that a relationship, marriage, and my own home were still in the future. However, as I contemplated the weight of responsibility that would be placed on my shoulders as that time came, I realized that now was not too soon to prepare. A quote that deeply impressed my heart as a teen, came back to me with startling clearness: "If men and women are in the habit of praying twice a day before they contemplate marriage, they should pray four times a day when such a step is anticipated."1
Up until now, I'd been in the habit of praying a total of about thirty minutes a day. Now I made a commitment to God to take an hour long "prayer walk" in addition to my usual morning and evening prayers. Oh, what a treasure those hours with God were! They helped me to experience a spiritual revival, gave me peace in each trial, and relieved the burdens that were so heavy on my shoulders. I used part of that time to pray for the many friends on my prayer list, including Daniel, and the remaining time was dedicated to praying through each issue and decision that I faced. I told God all about my feelings, struggles, and burdens—everything on my heart. It was as if He were walking there beside me. He gave amazing answers to my questions and strength to go through each struggle. I would return with a happy heart, refreshed and ready to do His will.
Daniel
During my time in Africa, I had a real encounter with myself and with God. I had dedicated myself to His work. Yet now, I found myself challenged against everything I'd ever believed about God, biblical truth, worship, culture, Christian standards, marriage, family, and life in general. Now, more than ever before, I needed to spend time in study and prayer. I began taking long walks up the mountain behind our little town each day, just thinking and praying, in addition to my morning prayer and study time.
This was not only a preparation for my immediate service in Africa, but also for my future. While becoming acquainted with Kristina, I began to think that God was leading us together for a broader purpose. My first commitment, however, was to the Lord and His work. It was challenging not to do or say anything that would cause Kristina to be distracted from her focus—yet I did not want to create the atmosphere of a special relationship, where we would be tempted to impress each other and hide our true colors. Unbeknown to me, a rumor was already growing and being passed around my circle of friends in Kentucky—"Daniel has a girlfriend!" Little did they know what struggles this would cause.
Kristina
When summer arrived I had three months of whirlwind activity as head leader for the homeschooler magabook program in Columbus, Ohio. The 17 young people became a close knit family, and it was a real life-changing experience for all. Something, however, was happening without my notice. A rumor quietly made its way to every student in the program. About halfway through the summer, one of the girls from Kentucky told me that I was Daniel's girlfriend. I was shocked! I quickly informed her, and the other girls, that it was impossible—I was not his girlfriend!
The question, however, nagged me: What did Daniel think of me? Or did I even want to know? I fled to the Lord in prayer. "God, You know the longings of the human heart. You know that it's tempting to wonder what Daniel thinks of me, or to wish that I had 'someone special' in my life right now. Please help me to keep my eye single to Your glory, and not let distractions take my focus away from Your work. Please help me not to set my affections on him, and to wait patiently for Your timing. May I not be a distraction to him, as he searches for Your will and work in his life."
Daniel
As the months passed, the African adventures were coming to an end, and I soon said goodbye to all my new friends and flew homeward across the Atlantic. Yet I felt like a different person. I had been on a mission—and was bitten by the "mission bug." I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Africa, yet I felt that my place was in North America. With a degree in computer technology, and opportunities for work and ministry in this field, I was convicted that God was leading me here. When I returned, I would be able to further my education with a Bachelor's degree.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2, RV
Previous—Chapter 3:A New Adventure Next—Chapter 5:Could It Really Be?
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Have you wondered just how much we can learn about God through nature? Discovering His Treasures is a ministry dedicated to helping you gain a closer walk with Jesus and discover the treasures of God's Word as illustrated in His creation. Check out our website where you will discover simple nature object lessons, be empowered to share God's word more effectively, and learn to experience revival in your life as you discover God's second book.
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