Adventuring with God in Vancouver

I recently got to go back to my hometown: Vancouver. The last time I was back I was still a teenager, so clearly a lot has changed. I never had the autonomy of choosing what I wanted to do while I was there, and I never was a adult in Vancouver on fire for God. So clearly.. there was a lot to do in shortly 2 weeks.

A couple of years ago, I had started experiencing what travel means when you're going with God, and as I have grown to walk in the Spirit for ministry, I have learnt that there is no adventure too big for the Spirit, as long as you solely (and souly!) let the Spirit lead you. And thus that is exactly what I did.

In my preparation, I had decided to go to a few meetups and to get connected with the local community, and it's funny, because when I drop by to visit churches, people (even pastors) give me weird looks as to why I'd like to plug in when I'm only visiting for 2 weeks, and really only there for 1 Sunday. It was because I feel that it is important to have global support for what I'm doing in Christ, and clearly, I have already started reaching and touching lives all over the world these past few years. So I am psyched and stoked and thrilled and smashed and totally down for what was coming, what surprises the Spirit was going to give me, and what lessons there were to learn, because surely there will be upgrades for my coming year! And boy, was I right!

Starting in Hong Kong, we were running seriously (1 hour) late for our flight, but got notice that our flight was delayed while we were on the bus, and instead, we had time for dinner, and it was pretty awesome. The flight was really good, and when we landed, the sunset greeted us in an amazing view of the sky. It was like someone took the frame off of God's canvas, aka Hong Kong's high-rise buildings. And it was good.

Second or third day after arrival, I went to my first meetup, but I had arrived 90 minutes before the meetup was to take place, and I had received a lot of warning from my friends on what type of area I was meeting up in, as it was W Hastings and Cambie, and apparently, it wasn't a pleasant street to be on. One look around gave me all I needed to know about it. There were angry people everywhere, people deprived of home, food, and safety, and a guarded drug store, and a rough, if not crazy and unwelcoming crowd. Holy Spirit said I should go on a prayer walk, so I did. I bought an excellent burger from a burger joint nearby, and a drink, and gave them to someone in need, then walked around the whole block praying in tongues and interacting with people that I discerned to be safe but needed love, and stayed away from people who were unsafe, and it was all a new experience for me, but I had timely advice from a missionary friend on how to pray and love in slums, and that's what I did. It was great knowing that every seed I sow will be reaped, and before and after each encounter, I would pray for God's provision, God's love, and their eventual salvation knowing that the God I pray to loves them even more than I. This sort of activity, I continued to carry out whenever possible, and also from this experience and another significant one, I realised that God wanted most to teach me how to love unconditionally in various contexts during this trip. He was going to double, triple, expand, overflow the capacity of my heart.

Then I started forming bonds with people, relating to them with only God's love for them, love that is kind, gentle, patient, that perseveres, hopes, trusts, is not rude, and does not demand its own way. And in the entire time I was there, I constantly prayed for them, asking God to continue to sow and continue to reap these fruits that I have planted even after I leave in shortly 2 weeks or less. And if possible, create opportunities for me to speak into people's hearts, as well as create bonds that would last beyond this visit. And as I had only the desires of God in my heart, they were given to me. I met and touched the lives of 13 individuals whom I connected with on this trip, through various settings, Meetups and churches, and continued fellowship as I made sure to find time to invest and love on them at least 2 times before I left, and thanks to God's grace and provision, I was able to share valuable memories and impart inspiration, love and some wisdom unto them. And it was good.

I went to church events with the agenda to only do what Spirit asks, and speak when the Spirit speaks, and pray for people when the Spirit prompts, and that led to some pretty cool adventures. I first met a Korean girl at CityLights church and somewhat asked a guy at the church to guide us both to the Skytrain, and as we were walking there, we realized that the Spirit had arranged this encounter as this guy had a Korean wife and a daughter who weren't attending church, and so instead of just going to the Skytrain, we went up to visit, and some seeds were planted. Next, I went to Broadway Young Adults service, and there I met a couple of people that I needed to prophesy over, encourage and break down the Word with, and it was also very encouraging for all of us. Despite only having spent 2 days with them, I felt closer with them than anyone else, because we had broken bread and broken Word together. The next church I went to was Coastal Church, and there I was led to pray for a few broken ankles, saw some unbelief and prayed to intercede, and also imparted upon a young girl God's vision or desire for her to go into ministry in the Middle East. And when Spirit leads, it's not about thinking about what to do, even though you often then you need to think to find out. It's more praying and waiting until something catches your eye or something happens. And that's mostly it.

So I had a really amazing 2 weeks in Canada, catching up with friends, and family, and also walking in the Spirit and learning how to love, and I will write more about how this ties into what God has been working on with me these last few months.