I have a Dream! Someone once said....... We all need dreams, a vision of a better world, a better future for ourselves or for those around us. The Swahili word for 'dream' is 'ndoto'.
Whenever I hear this word I am reminded of Jacob in the Old Testament. He had a dream whereby he saw heaven open and a ladder reaching from heaven to earth, and there was heavenly activity taking place, angels were ascending and descending upon his life. Jacob called that place Bethel meaning the 'house of God', referring to it as the gate(way) of heaven.
Jacob's response was to declare, "Surely God is in this place and I did not know it!" Jacob was taken a back, surprised, amazed at the activity of God around his life and the undeserved favor that God was showing him.
Above you will see a picture of me with another Jacob. Jacob Stanley, a 20 year old Tanzanian, a friend of our family. In fact I first met Jacob when we visited Tanzania for the first time in 2003. We stayed with Jacob and his family during our visit. Back then Jacob was 12 years of age.
Yesterday Jacob came to visit me to tell me some exciting news that he had to share........Let me tell you his story:
We had not seen Jacob for a while but just over a month ago I met him twice in 2 different locations, over a few days. Jacob & I commented how uncanny that was. The second time we met, Jacob came back to our house for some refreshment. We finished our time together with me praying for him. Jacob had been telling me that he hoped to go to university in the Ukraine to study medicine. However he was concerned about getting a visa. So we prayed.
This is what happened next in Jacob's own words:
"Pastor after you prayed for me I immediately felt different, that something had changed around my life. I left your place with a new courage and confidence that all would be well with my future. Over a week ago I travelled to Nairobi, Kenya with my friend to try and get our visas from the Ukranian embassy there.
We only had money for 2 days travel and accomodation and we were concerned that we would not get all the paperwork done in that time. On the way to Kenya, my dad, called to tell me that through a contact he met in Dar, the ambassador of Tanzania to Kenya was inviting us to stay at his residence during our time there in Kenya! We were amazed. We stayed there for a week, eating with the ambassador and his family and being driven around in the embassy vehicle.
When we went to the Ukranian embassy, we found many people waiting to process their Visas, we were concerned. But God was with us. We were personally introduced to the Ukrainian ambassador and he told us to return in 2 days! When we returned 2 days later to meet him, he personally presented us with our visas. It was a miracle!
We returned rejoicing to Tanzania, knowing that this was the hand of God & the result of the prayer I received in your home.
Twice this week, Pastor, I have had a dream where I met you and told you this story. I knew that God was telling me to come here today to tell you this"
From my side, Friday morning was a challenge and Karen & I were talking upsatirs about some issues we were facing when we got the message that Jacob was downsstairs waiting to talk with me. When Jacob told us his story, it so encouraged us, and the Lord used it to strengthen our hearts. Don't you just love the activity of heaven on earth???
On Tuesday, Jacob will travel to the Ukraine in the knowledge that the Lord goes with Him. Jacob has a dream to be a Doctor. What is your dream? Your 'ndoto'? With God's assistance our dreams really do come true. Keep dreaming!
