Carlene's adventure without Darrell

The Cheonon's team of leaders and I (Carlene) were up early today to go for an elephant ride and river rafting. Darrell stayed behind to encourage Thai tribeable pastors.

Pacificministries Darrell AND Carlene Thailand #2

Friends,



(Carlene)

This is the day that never ends.  Yes it goes on and on my friend.  Somebody started planning it not knowing what's ahead, and they'll continue planning it forever just because ....this is the day that never ends.  Yes it goes on and on my friend.......OH my goodness.  We just walked in the door.  It is 10:30pm Sunday night and we were up and running at 6:30.  Let's see if I can "Thai this one together" for you. 



Breakfast

Church

Tour of history of Presbytery missionaries and Aids Foster home for Thai orphans.

Lunch at Korean Restaurant

To worship center to hear Pastor Darrell

Fruit break

To ancient wall/gate to pray.

Stand around and wait for bus

Watch traffic...Darrell and I sang/danced at a outdoor public market square

Share a traditional Thai meal and enjoy a Thai childrens Christian traditional folk music/dance

































The next day was filled with our team prayer assignments at the highest mountain at a Buddhist temple, Listen here, and here for our podcasts).  Later that evening, some 2500 Thai believers came for a worship and prayer concert.  Today, I (Darrell) speak in the morning to 50 pastors from Korea who have sponsored these events and have various mission centers throughout this country, and then, I will share this evening and tomorrow (4, 90 minute sessions) with  Thai pastors.



We are grateful for prayers, and a confirming word from Chuck Pearce a few weeks ago about Thailand makes sense. An excerpt:

“I AM beginning to surround this Nation. I would

say I AM going to break out first in the North, (currently, Carlene and I are in the northern area)

... I AM going to move in a very peculiar

way over these next 3 years, for My Wind will be like a whirlwind

around this Nation... I say teams will come and go with you as you worship

around this Nation. The Nations that surround this Nation will begin to

come to the borders and say ‘Come over...come over and worship with

us.’...“Do not despise a small beginning, for I already began in this Nation.”

Click here for Full word

Bless you,



Darrell and Carlene

Prophetic word for Thailand given by ...

Prophetic word for Thailand given by Chuck Pierce

This is an
incredible prophetic word over Thailand given by Chuck Pierce last
week! My favorite word that Chuck shares from the Lord is this, “The
Nation that I have chosen - that it is now time for CHANGE is
THAILAND.” The Nation of Thailand is being shifted as we speak!

There
still continues to be anti-government riots in Bangkok. The prime
minister of Thailand was just stripped of his position and a new prime
minister and cabinet is being put into position. To read the latest
updates, visit the Bangkok Post online at http://www.bangkokpost.com.

Joy
Jitaporn, an intercessor from Thailand sent me the entire transcribed
word Chuck Pierce gave and she also translated it into Thai. Please be
praying into this incredible prophetic word over Thailand, the Nation
shifts as God wills, and pray for the safety of the people as
dangerous anti-government rioting is happening in Bangkok.

Prophesied by Chuck Pierce at Jaisamarn Church, Bangkok, Thailand on August 24, 2008:

The
Lord would say to you, “I AM beginning to surround this Nation. I would
say I AM going to break out first in the North, then I AM going to move
into the South, then I AM going to move into the West, then I AM going
to move to the East. I say to you I AM going to move in a very peculiar
way over these next 3 years, for My Wind will be like a whirlwind
around this Nation. I AM going to move with the young ones first, then I AM going to move and start raising up the evangelists for this region.

“I
say there will be a thousand of evangelists that arise from this
Nation. I say then 10,000 will go out. I say to you as I move around
this Nation, I will begin to converge on this city (Bangkok). This city
(Bangkok) has a demonic force that I AM ready to break. I will start
moving from around the Nation with worship gatherings from the North,
from the South, from the West and from the East and then you will
worship in this city (Bangkok) for 40 days,” saith the Lord.

“I
say I will draw the young generation to this city (Bangkok) and they
will camp and worship. I say to you every strategy that the enemy has
to hold captive - the youth of this city will break. It will begin to
be heard worldwide how Bangkok is changing. Because there is a sound
rising up, I say as you worship, it will rain and the winds will blow
and you will worship more. And the cities will flood. But the churches
will be filled with My worshippers and My sound will overcome the sound
of the enemy in this Land.

“I say to you it is time and it is
already beginning. I say teams will come and go with you as you worship
around this Nation. The Nations that surround this Nation will begin to
come to the borders and say ‘Come over...come over and worship with
us.’ I say to the leaders of this Nation, ‘Get ready‘ and the leaders
of the church of this city, ‘Get ready.’ For you will open up your
doors and they will be filled with worshipping, worshipping,
worshipping saints filled with My Fire. I say the change is now come to
this Land. I will be like a FIRE that drives the snake out of its
covering and no longer will it be able to vex this nation.”

Let’s give it a shout up into heaven! Let’s Stand up…stand up

I
want you to stay standing. I want you to decree with me. The time of
new beginning is on this Nation. The time of travail is now on this
nation. A new birth has come to this land. A generation is being
birthed. The Spirit of Revelation is coming down on this Land. The
gates of harvests are opening. This land will be refined and cleansed.
New supplies will come into God’s Kingdom people. The Generations now
will align. Generations are coming into alignment. Give one more shout…

Here
is the Word that the Lord has been speaking to me over and over for
Thailand. He has spoken to me clearly all year. He has said, “The
Nation that I have chosen that it is now time for CHANGE is THAILAND.”
And He has said to me, “You will be known as the Nation of Fire!”

This Nation is now being released under the Fire of God. That means a new passion of the Lord will overtake this ENTIRE NATION.

The Spirit of God says, “Thailand is going to be baptized with fire.”

HE
has said to me that this is your defining time. The leaders of the
movement of God in this region are ready to advance into their next
anointing. A new generation is rising filled with passion and fire.
There from this night forward, the Spirit of God will start circling
this Nation. His Fire and Passion will come alive in such a way in this
Nation that the Fire began to burn in this Nation. It will move into
this city in the next 3 years. There will be a Great Awakening in
Bangkok, Thailand.

The Lord says, “Do not despise a small beginning, for I already began in this Nation.”

This
is the final thing HE has asked for me to do. I was given a special
gift at the beginning of this Hebrew Year. It was a tallit from Israel.
Yet it was one different than I had ever seen before. I have carried it
with me and I have looked at it and I have asked God about it. As I
would pray about it the Lord said, “This is the Mantle for the Nation
of Thailand.” So though I carried it to other nations, the Lord would
not allowed me to released this until I got to this Nation. Not only I
am to release it, I am to give it to this Nation as the sign of the New
Covering that is coming over this Land.

I want us to stand up
again. I feel that I am to ask Randy (Randy Nelson) if he would come
here with me. This gift is not for Randy, but this gift is to be
entrusted to Randy so he can move it throughout this entire Nation - so
he can pass it from church to church, from generation to generation.

The
Lord says, “There will come a time where this belongs in a certain
church.” The Lord says, “There will be youth meetings where this
belongs in that meeting. For over the next 3 years, I am going to cover
this Nation in a new way.” And the Lord also says to you, son (Randy),
“You will align the other Nations around this Nation and they too will
come under this Mantle.”

What makes this tallit special was
this - it was called “The Fire Tallit.” I have never seen another
tallit quite like this. It says, ”You shall receive Fire and the Holy
Ghost will come upon you.”

(Chuck asked Pastor Poomwanate and
some pastors and leaders to come up on stage.) Chuck prayed: Father, I
come right now and I say, “A NEW COVERING in the atmosphere of this
Nation is beginning to occur this night. I say now Thailand will be
known as the Nation of Holy Ghost Fire.”

Father, we decree
right now that this Mantle is now being raised over this Nation. The
Lord would say, “Look up, for I AM setting a FIRE between the powers
and principalities that have ruled this Nation and My people that are
now coming alive in this nation. I say now I will shift the government
of this Land in a new way. For I will say I will loose FIRE to purge
that which is not ruling the way that I long for my Rule to occur.”

I
see like 6 different heads and the Lord says, “I AM raising a new head
and it will display My Head of Fire. For I will cover My people now.
They will come alive and I say to you from this night forward, I will
surround this Nation with the Fire of God.”

Let’s give a shout…

Lord,
I decree this night the present leadership of Your church is now under
a new fire mantle. And I decree that the next 2 generations will be
filled the Fire of God. “I say what the enemy has meant to stop in this
Land no longer can be stopped,” saith the Lord.

I am going to
ask Randy to receive this on behalf of these leaders and the leaders
will accept this new Mantle and then the FIRE of God will begin across
this Nation in a new way. (Randy Nelson prayed on behalf of the church
accepting this Mantle. While praying, he declared the Word of the Lord
over the leaders and people.)

Father, I (Randy) want to declare
to all of the leaders and pastors, each and every person, this fire
will be upon this land and will soon be upon you and will change this
country. You will see the harvest that God has shown you for so many
years.

Father, tonight, I (Randy) want to declare and say to the leaders of Thailand,

The
Fire of God is going to be upon you. You are going to spread this Fire
throughout your city. The Fire will fall on you. Fire that comes from
heaven that is going to burn up everything that the enemy tries to do
and open the heavens upon you. You will be able to hear the Lord, be
able to see His face, be able to know what to do. No longer will you
say that I cannot hear the Lord, you will rejoice in the day that the
Lord says, “You will hear My voice and you will move forward.”

(Chuck
took the tallit and laid it on the pulpit and prayed): Father, we
decree every pulpit in the Nation will come alive with Your FIRE.
Father, I make a decree tonight to a generation of idolatry that has
stopped the Word and the Power of God will now burn away. From the
pulpit we decree a waving fire going out across the people. We say,
“Receive the fire of God and move forward and advance throughout this
Nation.”

Now turn around and lay hands on someone and decree a
new fire of God is coming alive in their lives. Grab someone’s hand and
say, “Thailand is now under a new authority of God.”

Dear Friends,

Dear Friends,

It seems like just a few short days since my return to the states and my internal timeclock has finally adjusted, yet suddenly, I find myself once again on an airplane.  This is a good thing, and I'm looking forward to a new assignment in Sri Lanka and Thailand; two countries I have never visited.  The visit has been arranged by my friend and interpreter Pastor Lee from Korea, who has been a missionary with the United Methodist Church in Thailand for some 25 years and recently began a new work in Chiang Mai.  My primary assignment is to encourage, build up, and strengthen pastors and other church leaders during their annual gathering. For further information on the persecuted Church in Sri Lanka click here.

Thank you for praying for Carlene and I during this season of intense travel.  Many leaders have suggested the church is moving through a gateway of new beginnings.  2008 was marked as a year of transition in politics, the economy, and the Church.  This next season, many of us will step into our new assignments.  This has certainly been true for Carlene and I as we remain committed to care for her mother, who is recovering from hip surgery in Bremerton Washington at rehabilitation center.  Port Townsend, Carlene's hometown where we first met at a Baptist Church in 1974 and were married two years later, has become a destination point for us in this season of transition.  We plan (unless the Lord directs differently) to retain our second Sunday, monthly Worship at the River gatherings for the Portland region, the next one being December 14, 2008. Our last gathering featured Carlene's Family Spaghetti Dinner....WONDERFUL!

I'd like to invite you to join with us in a daily prayer focus over the next few weeks. I've described intercession in this way: as Covering Fire, similar to a combat operation, where military soldiers covered each other as they advanced.  I have assigned topics and Scriptures for each day, and I believe this focused prayer will not only bring protection and grace to Carlene and I, but will have application in your life and Ministry.  We have sometimes utilized Chuck Pierce's Focused Prayer Schedule as the Holy Spirit leads us.  Since we will be out of the country in for 17 days, I'd like to amend Chuck Pierce's strategy he released some years ago for a period of 17 days. I'll continue to post audio podcasts during this expedition, especially since these new countries will be filled with new experiences and needs.

This 17 Day Prayer Focus is also attached as a Word document for easy printing.  I would encourage you to post it on your refrigerator or in your Bible.   Join us!

Bless You!

Darrell and Carlene



17 DAYS OF PRAYER TO RELEASE COVENANT VICTORY STRATEGY

November 15 - December 1, 2008

There is a key plan that God is releasing. This plan is falling piece by piece from heaven to secure the blessings today that will effect the next generation. This plan effects us individually, corporately, and nationally.  In the next 17 days the Lord will be releasing key revelation to each one of us personally. This revelation will affect the manifesting of your covenant blessings for the future. For the next 17 days we must diligently seek God. When I looked up the number 17, I found that its meaning is victory. There will be a key unlocking and setting in place of our future over the next 17 days. How we pray in these next 17 days will help to determine our victory in the future. These next 17 days will also set us in God’s perfect timing to advance.

Saturday, November 15: Pray for the President Bush and President-elect Obama to hear God (Romans 13). Pray for Darrell and Carlene's airline travel with smooth passport and customs transitions.

Sunday, November 16: Declare that God’s plan of judgment against His enemies be established. May this plan overrule any of man’s desires. The Lord sends forth judgment unto victory (Matt. 12:20).  Pray for Darrell's accuracy in the discerning the Holy Spirit's intent in every conversation, public and private.

Monday, November 17: Declare that any unwarranted plan of destruction initiated by the anti-Christ system will be thwarted. Declare death and the grave will have no victory (1 Cor. 15:55).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's physical health and safety, especially in areas of political unrest and with Sri Lanka's persecution of believers.

Tuesday, November 18: Pray for your personal vision and destiny (1 John 5:4).  Pray for Carlene's  sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's revelation of her Ministry to the wives of pastors and leaders.

Wednesday, November 19: Review how you are moving forward and the resources you have (1 Kings 17).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's every aspect of transitioning, whether it be taxi, plane, moving from one home or meeting place to another, or one city to another.

Thursday, November 20: Ask God for a new stewardship plan (Luke 19, Proverbs 3:5-10).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's accurate accounting of all resources, both given and received.

Friday, November 21: Ask the Lord for faith strategies (1 Sam. 17).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's sensitivity of when to say no and rest.

Saturday, November 22: Ask the Lord to remove hidden grief from past losses in your life (2 Sam. 19:2).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's discernment of every country and cities redemptive gift, and how to encourage the people to trust God in their identity.

Sunday, November 23: Ask the Lord to break a spirit and shadow of death from you (Isa. 25:8).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's sensitivity to understand the history of the land and our assignment in it.  Pray especially for the church in Thailand... for its growth, and maturity.

 Monday, November 24: Put off a garment of defeat and put on a garment of victory (I Cor.15:54).  Pray for Carlene's ability to celebrate and dance upon injustice.  For Darrell's creativity in declaring God's promise of victory.

Tuesday, November 25: Ask the Lord to reveal to you His building plan for the future. Praise Him for all that He has done in the past to get you as far as you have come (I Chron. 28, 29).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's children: Nate and Krista and son Calvin, Danielle, Matthew (with the Marine Corps on desert training in California... training for deployment the end of January to Iraq), and our youngest couple Paul and Tyla... ready to celebrate their one-year anniversary.

Wednesday, November 26: Fast, to gain the prophetic strategy that will properly position you for victory over the confederated enemies that are set against you (II Chron 20).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's understanding of both the time and season, and especially what to do.

Thursday, November 27: Pray and memorize Jeremiah 33:3. Declare it over the government of your nation. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to revelation that has been hidden from you. Never think that you know more than Jesus about the redemptive plan for your life. (Jer. 33:3 Amp.).  Pray for our discernment and the wisdom with regard to the things that have been hidden that God wants to reveal in nations, cities, and churches we will visit.

Friday, November 28: Read Psalm 20 out loud to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit direct your prayers for yourself and your nation. Pray for the persecuted Church in Sri Lanka.  Pray for their ability to endure and that their faith would grow, and each leader would be are assured of God's call on their life.

Saturday, November 29 Sing the song of the Lamb (Moses’ Song). If you can’t sing, read it loudly. It is key to understand right now! (Rev 15:1-5). Pray for Darrell and Carlene's sensitivity to the new song of deliverance, and boldness to sing it.

Sunday, November 30: Worship in a new way. Read your favorite three Psalms. Allow the Lord to raise up a song of victory in you (Psalm 98).  Pray for Darrell and Carlene's ability to encourage pastors and leaders to move from traditions which inhibit the freedom of worship, and to sing the new song.

Monday, December 1: Exalt Jesus as ruler of your life, your vision, your city, and your nation. Establish Him as victor. Declare Him as victor ( 1 Cor. 15.57).  Join with us as we reenter the United States (an 18 hour flight) and celebrate the season of our Messiah's birth, but also his victory.  Let this day be a Day of Exultation!

Sri Lanka

Friends...


Have just finished 3rd day in Sri Lanka with many being touched by the Holy Spirit. Have just a few minutes to post this audio reflection....tomorrow we join 30 pastors and leaders for a prayer and worship assignment in the central town of Kandy where high level Buddhists have a major influence. This country is divided and under great spiritual oppression. I have prayed for many discouraged leaders and the Lord has been faithful to bring refreshing and encouraging words to their lives. There have been wonderful moments of laughter....even as I try to eat the hottest and spiciest food in my life. I regularly carry water with me!

Our hosts have us staying in a place greatly damaged by the tsunami and you still witness the destruction. Thank you for upholding us....Carlene is flying 18 hours to meet me in Bangkok on Friday morning. The leaders we are working with in Thailand expect nearly 2000 at these meetings. Please pray for strength and wisdom.

Bless you!

Darrell

I survived 2 flights of19 hours,4 sec...

Dear Friends,

I survived 2 flights of19 hours,4 security checkpoints, bad food (never
each a spicy chicken special at the McDonald's in Japan), frantic taxi
rides in Bangkok....all of it  for at least two reasons.  John and Sara
Kim.  John and Sara are, missionary pioneers who have treated me like a
king.  They have hosted me these two days before I leave Monday for Sri
Lanka.  The story of their understanding of the spiritual history and condition of Thailand is HERE(5min).  Their vision for this country is HERE(6min).




While here, the historic funeral of Princess in the Royal Family is effectively capturing the country.






Just saw BBC News report on escalating violence in that country
and would appreciate renewed prayers over the next few days.









Thank you for praying for us!!

Darrell

THE ART OF GRATITUDE

THE ART OF GRATITUDE

In all things, we must give thanks. It is part of our DNA as human beings that we be grateful. If I eat a great meal in a restaurant, I want to thank the server and the chef. It’s just natural! If someone gives us a beautiful sweater for Christmas, we want to say thank you. If someone scores a touchdown for our team, what are we doing when we stand up and cheer? We are showing our appreciation. If someone wins a gold medal, or overcomes a daunting deficit to win, we jump up and down. We are thankful to be a part of that historic moment.

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Intimacy has a voice, and we need to be vocal in our praise and gratitude. Thanksgiving is not just for the Thanksgiving weekend; it should be an everyday occurrence.

I believe that real intimacy with God cannot be hidden. It transforms us. To get there, however, we need to press into communion and praise. We have to live with a heart captured by God. Appreciation is often a tool God uses to draw us closer to Him. When we enter His presence, He usually tells us something He loves about us. He is very good at being grateful—and we need to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead in that.

God’s blessing should propel us into thanksgiving—our excitement over what He is doing must manifest itself in gratitude. Thankfulness is a test we need to pass every day of our lives. Whether life is good or bad, we always have something to give thanks for.

Many Christians have been conditioned to think that they enter God’s presence with prayer. But Scripture is clear that thankfulness is the door to His presence—“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name,” says Psalm 100:4.

Whatever happens, we must thank God for the set of circumstances we are in. I’m not saying that we must thank God for something horrible that has happened: Christians are not called to be masochists. However, we can thank God that He is always with us.

Rejoicing in God gives us the opportunity to hear Him. When we enter His presence with thanksgiving, we open more of ourselves to His voice. When we want to know God’s will for a situation, we begin by giving thanks.

Probably two-thirds of the rest of the world would change places with us in the west in a heartbeat, no matter how poor our lifestyle. To many, we are rich beyond their wildest dreams. Count your blessings; there are so many things to give thanks for. If we struggle with being grateful to God for what He has given us, chances are we will be ungracious to people in how we live our lives. It is disciplines like gratitude, thanksgiving, praise, and worship that keep the presence of God fresh and alive in our hearts.

This is a fundamental spiritual truth that can re-shape and re-ignite our personal time with God. By entering His presence with praise, not petitions, we learn how to adore God. Our hearts become full of constant, continuous worship. We are people called to be happy in God; if we don’t have joy in our relationship with Him, how can we expect anyone else to?

As a Christian, who would you rather be represented by: the most miserable swine on earth, or the happiest person in the world? This is the very choice God faces! Nobody wants to be represented by someone who is glum and miserable. Thankfulness helps us remain happy in God.

Dear Pacifiministries Friends,

Dear Local Pacifiministries Friends,

I am an unabashedly a "Fall" lover.  Something about this season of harvest, cooler weather and leftover turkey sandwiches is so attractive.

The reason I am sending another email is to invite you to celebrate the blessings of this Fall season and worship in one my most favorite ways: Eating!  Worship at the River this Sunday at 6pm will include a Spaghetti Dinner at the Sam Cox Building  at the Troutdale Community Center (our normal meeting place).  The only requirement is for each family to bring a favorite dessert (including fruit offerings for us calorie counters), AND, to reply by THIS FRIDAY, November 7 (pacificministries@gmail.com) with the number of folks coming. 


See you this Sunday, November 9th at 6pm.



Darrell and Carlene





Updated Itinerary


November

    1-4     Port Townsend     Assisting Carlene's mother

    4-6     Victoria, BC      
   House Church gatherings

    9        Worship at the River 6pm Pacificministries will provide  Family Spagetti Dinner!

    13-21 Darrell Columbo, Sri Lanka Pastor's Gathering

    21-2   Carlene and Darrell   Chang Mai,
Thailand Pastor's Gathering

November Update

Dear Friends of Pacificministries,

Every four or five years or so, the wristwatches I'd buy seem to quit.  No matter if they were expensive or the Wal-Mart brand, they just didn't endure.  Several months ago I found myself in search of a new watch, again.  I was determined to find a good quality timepiece, even if I had to pay extra.  I went to my local Fred Meyers (liberal return policy) and over the course of several weeks, purchased four different watches exchanging each for a new one because, well, they just didn't feel right.  (thanks Freddy's)  Finally, I found it. The Timex Expedition Rugged Field Watch from the Special Operations Tactical Supply store.   It included these wonderful features:

• The face was large enough for me to see the numbers without my glasses,
• A comfortable leather band (I can't wear those metal ones),
• Equipped with a backlight for night vision (for late night illumination to find bathrooms in strange countries),
• A trusty and reliable brand  (remember... Timex: takes a licking and keeps on ticking...except they don't make that ticking sound any more)
• Even an uncharacteristically stylish look (according to my son Paul who approves all of my fashion accessories)

But it was not until I returned from my expedition from Russia that I understood why the watch was a perfect fit. 

Expedition in the dictionary is defined as:

1. a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
2. an organized group of people undertaking a journey for a particular purpose;
3. a journey organized for a particular purpose

I believe the Holy Spirit is mobilizing a relational military force designed to establish His Kingdom objectives in foreign lands.  This spiritual army is destined to proclaim God's love and destiny for the land and the people that dwell within its borders. 

Recently, I had a very graphic dream.  I was with several travelers on an expedition.  My friend Delight was driving and I served as the navigator in an old van traveling on Highway 53.  I knew instinctively we were on the wrong road.  We needed to get back to Highway 51.  While there were many more details to the dream, I believe the Lord was clearly inviting us to move from a:

Psalm 53 mentality (... foolish people say in their hearts 'there is no God'... God wants to see if there are any who understand and to trust in Him... won't those people ever learn?)  and return to a,

Psalm 51 mindset.(... create in me a clean heart... renew a right spirit in me... restore unto me the joy of your salvation... then I will teach your ways... let "Delight" be your driving force)

Both the watch and the dream simply illustrate our expedition, our desire to walk in relationship for God's Kingdom purposes with renewed delight of a clean heart and a renewed spirit.  We then have a responsibility to teach and impart His ways to people in spiritual darkness.

Recently I returned from such a Kingdom expedition.  My good friend Pastor David Park from Seoul Korea and I flew to Vladivostok in East Russia.  Our primary purpose was to encourage pastors, leaders, and the people.

Frankly, I was taken aback at the overwhelming spiritual oppressiveness which hung like a heavy black cloud over the land.  Russia's history of hundreds of years dominating and controlling governments has spawned a spirit of fear.  It affects land and steals the joy of life from its people.  In the smaller city of Nakhodka where we held our primary gatherings, large smokestacks belched literal clouds of black smoke from coal burning power plants, and the large Stalin-style apartment buildings are marked by decay.  Larger than life statues of Lenin loom over the city, and memorials to the triumphs of communism dominate town squares.  Most homes have large iron bars protecting outside windows and virtually every apartment is guarded by massive steel doors with multiple locks.  The people supplement their meager income with gardens in their yards, and because of the global economic downturn, many are facing critical financial futures. Alcholism, gambling, and the Russian mafia dominate the culture.  And tragically, divorce affects over 80% of families.

Yet Russia belongs to the Lord.  God created this land and it's vast beauty for his glory.  It does not belong to the communist government.  God was faithful to reveal his heart for this land, and to bring wisdom and revelation to our expedition.  Two themes emerged:

1 God has given Russian people a gift of dance.  He has designed in their spiritual DNA an expressiveness and joy in the delight of who they are, and who God is.  Think of the beauty of the Russian ballet, the music of Tchaikovsky or Rachmaninoff, and the Russian folk dances.  Even in restaurant's, Russians create open spaces where tables can be moved aside so they have room to dance.  Yet the enemy has stolen this joy, this delight, this expressive worship.

2 God loves this land.  He loves the Russian people... deeply and with abundance. 

But this revelation did not come at once.

Two days into our expedition, I began to be affected by the darkness and fear.  I could not sleep, and asked for angelic protection and for God's heart to be revealed with clarity.  Yet, there seemed to be no breakthrough, and Pastor David and I began to ask the Lord to give us his heart and strategy to bring a word that would restore the joy of the Lord to this land and to its people.  I was scheduled to share the second evening of our three day conference, and as I began to prepare, I had this brief exchange with him:

Lord: I want to break through tonight.  I desire to open heaven here... tonight.

Me: Okay Lord, just how do you want to do this? 

Lord: Sing. 

Me: Sing what?

Lord: Don't worry about that, just open your mouth and I will give you the words.

Me: Lord, they have a toy electronic keyboard with no sustain pedal and...

Lord: (silence)

Me: Okay



I whispered to the Russian interpreter Eva, that the Lord had changed the message that evening.  I invited her to sing the interpretation:

Though You Are a People Who Dwell in a Land of Great
Darkness... Behold Your Light Has Come... Arise Shine... Lift up Your
Heads... the Glory of the Lord Is Here, Jesus the King of Glory.

The black cloud of fear began to lift, and the people began to rejoice...and, dance!

      

I am sometimes asked why I travel to these places as an intercessory/worshiper.  This song is why....songs of deliverance.
Captured here, is a 2 minute audio recording:  My Beloved Russia  

In just two weeks, I fly to Sri Lanka on a new expedition.  Then, Carlene will join me in Thailand for 10 days, before we return to the Northwest December 2.   We are only a part of a mighty spiritual force whose delight is in the Lord, who bring words of encouragement, edification, and comfort; sometimes simply expressed... in a song.

Thank you for praying for us.  Despite the economic climate, we feel the Lord is challenging us with the truth he is not affected by the world's financial markets.  This is a great time to let him finance our expeditions.  We step expectantly into difficult and dark places with his joy.  The Church in Sri Lanka has experienced recent persecution and Thailand is politically unstable.  Perfect timing.  I'm remembering my new watch: the Timex Expedition... just keeps on ticking.

Bless you,


Darrell and Carlene 

Updated Itinerary

November
    1-4  Port Townsend              Assisting Carlene's mother
    4-6  Victoria, BC                  House Church gatherings
    9     Worship at the River     6pm Pacificministries will provide Carlene's Famous Italian Family Spagetti Dinner! (detailsforthcoming in an upcoming email)
    13-21 Darrell Columbo, Sri Lanka Pastor's Gathering
    21-2   Carlene and Darrell   Chang Mai, Thailand Pastor's Gathering