On Wednesday just before we were due to start there was rain! My heart sank and I thought that it was going to be rained out. But God was so faithful it cleared just before I was due to preach and The people just seemed to arrive from everywhere around 6 or 7 thousand. The openness of the people blessed us and we saw multitudes make a first time decision for the Lord.
Pastor Jack Hanes Ministered on Thursday night Powerfully preaching a message to a responsive crowd of 7 thousand or more. What was remarkable was that all around the city of Yei it was raining heavenly yet the Freedom Square was perfectly dry! Not a drop of earthly rain fell only the rain from heaven that wets the soul and quenches mans greatest thirst.
Pastor Don Matheney preached a powerful message on the cross of Jesus on Thursday night. When the Large wooden cross was erected on the stage a holy hush fell over the crowd. Some people covering their faces with their hands. When He hammered a huge nail into the wood tears were flowing as a realisation that it was our sin that put Jesus on the cross. Pastor Don preached powerfully naming several key sins and had the people write them down on a paper and tick them if they were guilty of them. Joy flooded hearts when everyone tore their paper into little pieces and threw it into the air, revelation and understanding seemed to come to the whole crowd that their sins had been forgiven and taken care of. Colossians 2:14 He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
It was my turn to preach on Saturday – I preached clearly on the blood of Jesus. One point that I felt a specific pull on was how we have been given us boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. A new and living way opened for us. Fellowship with the King of kings was now possible by the Blood of Jesus. That we had been given access to the throne of grace where we could find help and obtain mercy in a time of need. Multitudes realised that they still needed their sins washed away and responded to the Message. Black clouds seemed to wait a short distance off as we finished a powerful wind swept across the field bringing a heavy downpour. As I was walking back to the Hotel after the meeting the wind swept the field clean of the thousands of torn up lists of sin. It was like a picture to me what had happened in the Spirit moments before the field was littered with the record of sins now it was swept clean.
On Sunday there was not a cloud in the sky the hot sun beat down on our heads. It seemed for a while that Sunday meeting would not be well attended it was just simply too hot. But the moment it cooled down close to 15000 people flooded Freedom Square. I preached a very strong message on full surrender and commitment. People understood and the Holy Spirit seemed to empower every word people all over the field responded surrendering their whole life to Jesus Christ. In the 5 days of meetings a total of about 43,000 people called on the Name of Jesus Christ.
One healing that touched my heart was an old lady who had crawled on her knees since 1999. Her knees looked like leather. Jesus touched her and healed her and she was able to stand up and walk for the first time in 11 years!
A gangster and thief testified how he had surrender to Jesus and was no longer going to continue that lifestyle. Truly God moved in Yei touching multitudes and setting many free.
We also visited Yei prison giving out care packs and food to each prisoner and all the wardens. The whole prison was present seated to hear the gospel. Some of the young men were in chains and there were a few mothers with nursing babies. Hearts now open responded to the word of God.
Yei Southern Sudan
28th July to 1st August 2010
2010 Meetings
- Ukambani Kayatta Mini Crusade 2nd – 7th February
- Loutété The Republic of Congo. 23rd-28th March
- Maridi Southern Sudan 23rd – 27th June
- Yambio Southern Sudan 26th – 30th May
- Yei Southern Sudan 28th July to 1st August 2010
- Sibiti The Republic of Congo. 15th -19th September
- Mindoli The Republic of Congo 8th to 12th December
- Crusade
- Salvation