In the midst of the storm...

Often we ask God for a supernatural experience, whether it be something spectacular, such as a vision, a dream or a miracle, to see an angel, or even to see Jesus in person!  But sometimes God shows Himself in our lives other ways, like during illness, distress, in the impossible - in the storms or turmoil you could say.

Some days ago I was asking God for just that - something supernatural, powerful - striking even!  However, God showed Himself in a different way; amidst the storms and trials.  A few days back we visited England to see family and to carry on sharing our heart and God's vision for people in Canilla, Guatemala.  To start off with, everything was great; time spent with our lovely family; we visited two churches and could feel how God spoke through us for the poor (not because we are good, but because of His mercy).  We could really sense that God was there.  One of the pastors said that during the presentation we gave, he could feel a strong spiritual connection - in other words, something that came straight from the heart of God.  We saw how God was touching the heart of the church, showing that there is so much that can be done outside of the church - that we can share God's love and His kingdom with those who don't even have a church to meet in.  It was incredible!!

But since that special moment, something striking - shocking, even - occurred, changing the course of our time in England.  Our little baby Isaac, just 6 weeks old, became ill to the point of having a serious infection in his brain.  The doctors diagnosed viral meningitis and everything changed...

There were moments of uncertainty, anguish, sadness, tiredness - to not even knowing what to do... but it is then that God draws near: reminding us that He is right there with us; that He will never leave us; that His peace will carry us through the storm; that He will be our strength.

From the moment we arrived in A&E (E.R), God was there with every medic, nurse, with every person we could feel God's favour upon us.  We also felt God show His love through the many people who sent messages of encouragement and love - people who were praying across the world - in Spain, England, Guatemala and the USA.  We felt God's love and goodness in all those who came to see us in hospital, those who phoned and wrote messages saying that God was with us and had control of our baby.  I clearly remember a friend of Naomi's family saying that God had provided the lamb for the burnt sacrifice, just like when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac... It's amazing!!!

God is good and He always has control of our lives.  The vicar (pastor) from St.Thomas' church came to visit us at the hospital and we are certain that God sent him at just the right time, because we were feeling tired and sad, in fact I was also feeling ill... and the Lord told us through him, "When the disciples were in the boat, all of a sudden a storm broke out and the disciples were worried they might die, but Jesus calmed the wind and the sea and brought great stillness.  He calmed the storm.".

The pastor told us that Jesus was in our boat; that He would calm the storm, and in reality, that's just what happened.

God wants us to walk on water with Him., for us not to be afraid in life's storms and difficult moments: He wants to be with us in the boat.  Jesus wants us to walk together, for us to have faith in Him, to share His love, power, glory, goodness, justice.  He tells us that we are not alone, Jesus wants you to know that He is interested in you, and that in this life with Jesus we are stronger, because only in Him are we more than conquerors.

All the glory to God.

Hugs,
Luis, Naomi, Joshua and Isaac.

Written by Luis.

Naomi with Isaac, waiting for tests to be done on our first night in hospital.

After finding out we were being discharged! 

We continue our adventure, knowing that Jesus is aboard this boat!  ;)