By Madeline Lafferty
If you
are wondering what God’s plan for your life is, you’re definitely not
alone. For years, I have
consistently sought God with the question, “What is your purpose for my life?” He revealed to me recently that my
purpose is to seek to know Him and to be in His presence. I finally realized that I don’t have to
have a full-life plan in order to please God. He just wanted complete surrender. After I gave Him control of my life He gave me a hint that I
would have assignments in other countries outside the US. Who knew that I would end up leading
worship in two different continents within two weeks? I never would have
imagined doing that but God knew and He prepared me for the assignment without
letting me see the future. Now, as
I sit here in the airport reminiscing, I am in awe of the last two weeks that
God had planned for Madeline Lafferty.
On June 23 I flew with The Awakening across the ocean for the first time. Hungary was our destination and our mission, as Max explain it, was to make History. The IPHC in Europe was uniting for the first time for an event called EuroQuest and we were to help make it happen. Let's just say that I was a little nervous. Ok, I was terrified! However, I did get to see with my own eyes God answer our prayers for the unity among Christ's church in Europe. During EuroQuest I experienced several unforgettable moments. One
happened the first day of the conference. We decided to sing "How Great
is Our God" before starting the afternoon session. With just the
acoustic guitar as our instrument, it was easier to hear people's
voices. I began to hear the faint sound of different languages. Max then
encouraged each country to sing it out in their own language. It was
the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. I was only able to sit and
weep in awe of God's presence at the sound of His people lifting up
praises to Him.
During EuroQuest I experienced several unforgettable moments. One
happened the first day of the conference. We decided to sing "How Great
is Our God" before starting the afternoon session. With just the
acoustic guitar as our instrument, it was easier to hear people's
voices. I began to hear the faint sound of different languages. Max then
encouraged each country to sing it out in their own language. It was
the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. I was only able to sit and
weep in awe of God's presence at the sound of His people lifting up
praises to Him. I got to hear a little taste of what God hears on His throne daily. On the last day of EQ, I had the privilege of seeing a beautiful sight. Each country interceded and pray for the others. As they moved across the room praying for each other, I saw that this is what it truly means to be the body of Christ. United. Caring for one another. God opened my eyes to see Himself and His people in ways that I've never been able to see and I am so thankful! Guest speaker from the UK, Jasmine Crilly, made a statement that I plan to carry with me for the rest of my life wherever I go, and it was this: "Love is a culture of its own for it is separate from the rest of the world." I now know that God's love can tear down all the barriers and bind all people together.
Within two days after we said our goodbyes to EQ our lives turned into a whirlwind! We flew from Hungary to Atlanta to Costa Rica in about 24 hours. I quickly found myself surrounded by a drastically different but just as beautiful culture where Spanish was the common language. I was told by a resident there that the only thing I needed to know how to say was "Pura Vida!" and I would fit right in!
On the first day of our arrival, I was immediately swept away by our view of luscious mountains, breathtaking sunsets, and vibrant trees and plants everywhere! I had kept reminding myslef that this was not Animal Kingdom in Disney World; this was planted by God Himself! Little did I know that my eyes would see things even more beautiful than this. A few days after tedious preparation, two hundred young leaders from 13 different countries in Latin America flew and drove to San Jose, Costa Rica desperate to be in God's presence. On the first morning of the conference, although I could not understand what was being prayed or said, I could see Latin America's hunger for ore of God, for a revival in their continent. This was a beautiful sight to behold. The Holy Spirit was binding His people together across Latin America for a greater purpose- for His will to be done. I was previously fearful that I would not be able to connect with the people because I could not fluently speak their language. However God's word stands true in Ephesians 3:20-21 which I will declare, "Now all glory to God who is able through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish more than we might ask or think." My mind is blown just to thnik that God is not through with me for if He desires to accomplish more through me then I say, "Here I am. Send me!"
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