When God is on your side...

If there is one truth that stood out to me as I look back over the experiences of the preparations leading up to and actually being a part of World Assembly it is this: when God is on your side, there is NOTHING that can stand in His way.

When we were first encouraged by one of our Board Directors, Sister Joan Purcell, to submit six names as possible attendees to World Assembly 2015, it was a huge step of faith. Even after receiving two partial scholarships from IFES, we had no clue how we were going to raise the funds needed. Each delegate was responsible for raising support to cover their airfare, but even with this, ISCF Grenada still needed to source $12,000EC to cover the outstanding expenses. And we only had six months to do it.

Through the hard work and dedication of our Fundraising Committee, the support of our many volunteers and the generosity of a few donors locally and abroad, we were not only able to meet our target, but were able to assist a delegate from another movement in our region who was in need!

Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus

ISCF Grenada representing in Mexico!

In an effort to minimize our expenses, we booked a flight that would take us through Venezuela and Panama before we got to Mexico. This too was a step of faith, since none of us had ever been to Venezuela before, and our fluency in Spanish was very limited. However, with the backing of our prayer supporters, we bravely set out, depending on God to be with us every step of the way.

My biggest concern was our connection in Venezuela. We planned to fly in with Caribbean Airlines, and depart using Copa Airlines. In an industry where delays and lost luggage are daily realities, this was a risky venture - if we missed our connection in Venezuela, neither airline would have compensated us. But God did not disappoint, as we all arrived safely in Mexico, with our luggage intact, despite a two hour delay in Panama! Gloria a Dios!

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Setting foot in Venezuela for the first time!

Hope and I arrived two days before the start of the main conference, so she could be a part of the Student Gathering. She was the youngest student there, as the majority of the other participants were university students. It was also the first time she had been away from home for so long, and she was starting to feel homesick.

By the third day however, the students from the Caribbean region had welcomed her as part of the family. Despite her young age, they included her on all their wild limes... sorry I mean exuberant social activities ;) In addition, the openness and camaraderie afforded by the small groups helped her to apply the bible teachings in a real and personal way. We thank God for the fellowship afforded by being a part of the body of Christ!

Philippians 1:3 - I thank my God every time I remember you.

Can you feel the love from the family of God?!

When packing for Mexico, I treated it like I was going on a mission trip. I walked with my basic cold medication, even though I had not gotten sick in a long while, just in case I couldn't identify the brand of tablets in a Mexican Pharmacy. Well, God knew I would need it, because I got hit hard a few days after arriving in Mexico. Thank God my roommate didn't mind sleeping with the AC off otherwise I would not have been able to breathe at nights. I was coughing a lot, and I was a bit concerned since I was responsible for chairing the session on Prayer for the Global University. Once more I got my prayer supporters on board and, although I was not fully recovered by the time we had the prayer session, I was able to speak without coughing into the people's microphones :)

Hope doing a flute solo at the session on
Prayer for the Global University

Apart from being a Healer, God was also our Protector. After the prayer session we broke up into groups to go on various tours to experience life in Mexico outside of the hotel compound. Hope signed up for a tour at the very last minute, so she didn't know anyone else who chose that tour. They stopped for lunch at a park, and she lay down on a bench and fell asleep. When she woke up, she realised that everyone else had left her and gone into town except for one man. We thank God that He was looking out for her, even when we were not around.

Philippians 4:14 - Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

In booking our return flight from Mexico, it was cheaper to overnight in Panama en route to Trinidad. We had planned to spend the night in the airport, since we didn't have any contacts in Panama and felt that staying at a hotel would be beyond our means.

However, upon arrival at Immigration in Panama, one officer seemed take issue with our plans to sleep on their airport floor. She was not willing to let us through, since we could not prove that we had any place to stay. It was very unexpected, because I have personally slept in the airport in Panama on numerous occasions and it was never an issue before. By this time, we were the only passengers left in immigration, and all the other officers tried to intervene on our behalf. Finally, in exasperation, the officer said, "Ok if you want to sleep on the floor and spend the whole day on the airport (our flight was leaving the following night) - go ahead!"

When we got to the baggage claim, one of the officers who was involved in the discussion suggested to us a cheap hotel which was nearby, saying that it would be really uncomfortable for us to stay in the airport, even with our sleeping bags. We took the information, and were able to get a hotel that offered us free transportation from the airport, and accommodation with a complimentary breakfast buffet for only $22US per person!

Hope had become upset because of the attitude of the Immigration Officer, but I was able to show her that, if she had not behaved so aggressively, we would have spent the night and entire day in the airport, instead of sleeping in cozy beds in air-conditioned comfort, with a couple hours to experience Panama City!

Philippians 1:12 - Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel

View from the rooftop pool deck of our hotel!

When I reflect and consider how God has worked on our behalf, I am truly in awe of His faithfulness. GREAT IS OUR GOD!!!!