Thursday 11/4/2024
Today was a wonderful day; what a lot we experienced! In the morning we left for the La Romana prison, where we experienced incredible things! We notice that the doors open faster and faster, because we were inside in no time. Wonder of wonders, we were allowed to take a phone in and could record everything that was about to happen to us... The service turned out to be outside, where the prisoners were waiting for us. We opened the service with the rope sketch, and Kevin told his testimony briefly and powerfully, which the men already loved. Then it was Karel's turn; he gave a powerful sermon about God's Kingdom and how from a young age he had been involved in criminal activity until he came to know Jesus and turned his life around. He ended with a call for healing. Marlon flagged around the men to release breakthrough, victory and forgiveness, while the rest went along the rows to lay hands on all the men. Many were set free from depression and loneliness right then. Then came the call to repentance, at which 6 men gave their lives to Jesus and renounced crime. We prayed with all the prisoners and cried out to Jesus while Marlon flagged and heaven broke open. Many men were touched by the Holy Spirit, wept and were set free where they sat. The service had come to an end when a man in a wheelchair came up to us. He told us he had had a thrombosis and had since been blind and paralysed in a wheelchair.
We could literally see the white haze over his eyes. He had come to us because he wanted to get up out of the wheelchair. We were on it straight away, praying in tongues while we spoke healing, complete restoration and deliverance. After the prayer, in faith, we helped the man stand up from the wheelchair and helped him walk step by step. At first he still leaned on us, until the anointing of the Holy Spirit fell; he began to speak in tongues, let go of us and started walking in his own strength. Hallelujah!!! Jesus lives and He heals!!! We walked a lap around the square where the service was, shouting Jesús (Spanish) at the top of our voices. The prison guards and other inmates could not believe their eyes: this man who had been sitting in his wheelchair was suddenly walking! Jaws dropped and tears of amazement rolled down their cheeks... From behind the bars the hands of inmates reached out to encourage their brother while they themselves cried out to Jesus: revival broke out! What a miracle; we are so grateful to God for what happened here. This man's life will never be the same again, nor will the lives of the many eyewitnesses of this miracle.
Once we had left the prison, completely overwhelmed, we all went for something to eat. Pedro felt it on his heart to call over the woman who had cooked the food, thank her and pray for her. This woman gave her life to Jesus, together with 2 others present in the restaurant, while others were healed of back pain, shoulder pain and tinnitus. Kevin wished he were a bit taller. We have already seen lots of legs grow even during our time here, and Karel said to Marlon: speak to his legs in Jesus' name, God is going to do it. Completely amazed, Marlon commanded Kevin's legs to grow. And sure enough!! His right leg grew 1.5 cm and then his left leg too. So growing supernaturally when you are short is possible as well :,) Now we know that too, haha!
After the meal we went to the youth prison in La Romana, where we were able to pray for the director and bless the baby in her womb. Her assistant walked with a crutch; Marlon and Karel were able to pray for her, and after some deliverance and healing she no longer needed it. Then we went on to the boys, where after a sketch Kevin preached about sin, repentance and the Father heart of God. Marien came forward to add to it. There was a lot of battle: the boys were caught up in macho behaviour, peer pressure and bravado, so little broke through. Marlon decided to put on music and flag, after which the team went into the hall, simply stood in front of the boys, hugged them and prayed for them. Finally something broke loose, and the guards and carers were visibly touched and emotional at the sight. We hugged them too and were able to give them God's love.
After the prisons we drove on to the Dominican-Haitian church, where we were able to run a programme for children and dance with them with little flags made of gold. We also gave a call for healing of the heart and soul, after which the pastor came forward to say that there was a young girl (3 or 4 years old) in the audience with serious problems: lung problems, a lot of vomiting and a hernia. We addressed everything in Jesus' name, and we could see her responding actively to it. A few hours later she was skipping around happily; we stand in faith that God has healed her.
In the evening we had a prayer meeting in that church, where Chris brought a short, powerful word about how important it is not to look back any more but to keep moving forward.
It was a very busy but mightily beautiful day. Once back at the apartment we quickly took a refreshing dip, evaluated the day and dived straight into bed!
