If YOU don’t disciple them, SOMEONE or SOMETHING will…
These are the words that I heard God speak to me a few weeks ago. We as humans are hardwired to be discipled…it’s true! The devil (through the world) is more than willing to do the job, if we neglect the necessary command of Jesus to make disciples.
Pop culture, music, TV, ungodly friends at school, bosses, celebrities, and much more will dictate and set the moral, ethical, and personal success standards of both youth and adult in the absence of bold, courageous believers who dare to disciple the world!
Please know that I am not only speaking to parents regarding their children; I am speaking to young adults, and adults, children and youth who must find the strength in the Spirit to disciple one another as well. Remember: PEOPLE WILL BE DISCIPLED, WHO/WHAT WILL BE THE TEACHER??? I am learning this lesson all to well during the DTS.
****Auguste and I want to thank all of you SO MUCH for your prayers for the DTS students. We have seen such a change in all of them, and, as we head to outreach next week, we are sure that they are ready to be “Jesus with skin on” wherever we go. Before I share about where we are going, I want to share what has been happening here lately:
After receiving a strong teaching on God’s Plumbline (the Word of God), and the traps of swinging away from His Plumbline to either rebellion-which leads to pride and anger, or to rejection-which leads to depression and suicidal thoughts; we saw amazing ministry time where we had students release through forgiveness and confession:
Homosexuality
Homicidal thoughts toward their earthly fathers
Sexual addictions (Jezebel spirit)
Rejection issues stemming from adoption
Sexual/Physical/Emotional abuse
Stuttering problems!
Much much more!!!
The week after, we had my friends Rich and Lynn Hodge come to do Father Heart week. What a 1-2 punch for the students and staff! We saw new names given by God that speak contrary to the lies they have believed of the enemy for most of their lives; we saw many choose to release wounds and offenses that stemmed from as early as when they were 4 years old! More than once, we had a public confession by different students BEGGING us to help keep them accountable in a certain area previously in darkness, now brought into light. God was unmasking the “false selves” and the appearances we put up for others, and revealing the true us: messy and needy. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!
We showed John Bevere’s DVD series on The Fear of the Lord in week 8, and they had ears to hear! Where the 2 weeks past they received the love of God (having to accept and embrace what we are, when we don’t see it), they then received the fear of God (realizing what we are not, but what God is calling us to be-HOLY).
This past weekend, we had the privilege to go to a small village about 1.5 hours east of Windhoek to run a 3-day camp. The camp was run at a youth hostel of about 200 children from the ages of 6-16. We were sleeping on the floors of the classrooms at the primary school next door to the hostel, and the children graciously let us borrow their mattresses (which were soaked in urine and probably lice, in all honesty). As a team, we worked together tirelessly and beautifully. A salvation message was given on day 2, and we say at least 160 children dedicate their lives to Christ. We played games with the kids, had team contests, and held them any chance we had. “Jesus with skin on” was our battle cry that weekend, and the superintendent wept as we left on Sunday, so moved by what our team had been able to accomplish in 3 days. There was an atmosphere shift in that place; from the loud music of the bars across the street, to the sound of 200 kids worshipping God with excitement. Hallelujah!
We leave on Tuesday, the 27th, for the bushmen to the northwest in a village called Erwee (pronounced Elveeay). There we will be doing house visits and evangelism in the village, as well as helping out at a pre-primary school and performing dramas at churches. Please pray that we will de discerning, and walk in humility and joy-not giving the enemy an inch of room to wiggle in and disrupt God’s agenda.
After that, we head 3 hours east to the city of Gobabis (pronounced Kobobiss). There we will be again working with children in need, and working with a youth hostel of about 300 children. Please pray again for our protection, discernment, and endurance as we live to serve-being flexible in whatever situation.
Auguste and I are overwhelmed with appreciation to all of you who take up the mantle of prayer for us, as we are praying for you as well. We long to come back and share testimonies and truths that God is revealing and doing here, as well as being built up by the work done there. May the Lord give you strength as you seek His face, and may He reveal His glorious riches to your heart as you grow in the image and likeness of His son, Jesus.
Blessings,
Paul and Auguste Street
