Time is rushing so, so fast the past few weeks…. it seems only a couple of months ago that I came back from Cali with my team of 5, but it was 4 months: and now, a week on Tuesday, I’m on my way again, with Thanney Pyper, from here in Bangor, for another 3 weeks of practical blessing through Thanney’s building expertise and skills, and through whatever God wants to do by way of salvation, miracles, and healings. It’s been a stressful build-up, which it generally is when it’s going to be a special trip. Last time, you might remember, Thanney had his credit card ‘cloned’ and emptied, about a week into the trip, and so couldn’t use it anymore: the enemy, who’s not terribly creative and original, has done it again, ahead of the trip this time! Thankfully, Thanney’s got his new card in time, and is going to padlock it to his torso!
As well as some great meetings (England and Killylea I’ve blogged about, I’ll tell you about Jordanstown Christian Centre, Carrickfergus, in a minute, there’s been a lot of admin, a lot of praying for people either in homes, over the phone, by email, or Facebook Messenger; a tough time financially, as I’ve lost some substantial – to me! – supporters in the last couple of months (I’ll say a bit about that, too!); and a concerted attack on my these bendy things half way down my short little legs, as I’ve seen God heal at least 20 pairs of osteoarthritic knees in the first couple of months of this year.
The finances have been assaulted, too, helping the lovely young lady in Romania, Ionela, whom Ive known all her life (she’s 23, I’ve know the family for 26-27 years), who, since finding faith in Jesus 2 years ago, has suffered, in the last 8 months, the most incredible physical attack on her health – a tumour in her breast, which had to be removed, a hysterectomy (and removal of everything else ‘reproductive’ – ovaries, fallopian tubes, and whatever else ladies have down there – I really should have concentrated in Biology at school, but my last Bio lesson would have been 48 years ago even if I had concentrated!), an appendisectomy – her appendix was about to burst which would have resulted in peritonitis; while she was in hospital having the hysterectomy, her dad died, while she was in having her appendix removed, her mum’s house virtually burned down through a fault in her fire – fortunately, mum was safe, but she lost everything, and, of course, in rural Romania, nothing was insured; and then, as we rolled into the new year, Ionela was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer, also about to erupt (peritonitis again), so more surgery. The last month is the longest she hasn’t been diagnosed with something ‘new’ and life-threatening. It’s not possible NOT to help her, when it’s sacrifice, or she dies….. Some wonderful friends in the States bought mum a load of clothes, shoes, housewares, bedding, etc., and shipped it out to her: it arrived yesterday.
Last Sunday, in Carrickfergus, it was a really lovely meeting, a good number there: Thanney was with me, and my lovely friend Michael Gerner, to help with praying, and for Thanney to give his ‘presentation’ on the wonderful vision God’s given him for a street kids hostel, in one of the poorest, and most dangerous ‘barrios’ (districts) of Cali. He speaks about it with so much passion, sharing, too, how God’s just ‘got hold of him’ since the middle of last year, in a ‘wilderness experience’, and given him a whole new lease of Christian life. I spoke for about 30 minutes (there ARE still those sorts of miracles, too!!), and then we had just about everyone there come for prayer. I won’t list all the illnesses/infirmities we prayed for – many of them repeat themselves in every church! – but it was wonderful to meet a lady I prayed for when I was last there (18 months ago?), who was dying with cancer, and who was healed. God is so good, so amazing, incredible….. knees were healed, other arthritic problems with pain going, people experiencing differing sensations in their bodies as they were prayed for – heat, tingling etc., – which is invariably God beginning the process of healing – in these cases, diabetes, sciatic/leg pain (that manifests when sitting down, feeling like cramp and severe bruising, in this case) – the pain went…..
As God’s been moving, the enemy has been out to discourage me (he’s failed, so far!) – losing three regular supporters, all for valid and good reasons (not that they don’t like me any more!), two were £100 a month, gift aided – one lady passed away, another became redundant, another £50: and a church that has revised its mission giving, and I’ve lost £100 a month there, too…. £350 a month is a huge percentage of my regular support, more than 25%. Bear in mind, if you would, that out of my regular support that, as well as ‘living’ – rent, food, bills, car, clothes etc., – airfares have to be paid (the Colombia fare, for my ticket London to Cali, and Belfast to London, is around £900), all the associated expenses with being away on a mission trip, like accommodation, food, and so on. There’s been a hold up on a gift from the States, for a couple of months now: hopefully that will arrive sometime (soon)!! Would you pray, please, as this is a particular pressure at the moment, with Colombia only 11 days away from flying out from London. As always, I covet your prayers, but if you can help practically, too, you can imagine how grateful I’d be….. details at the end of the blog.
Before then, I have a meeting in Porthcawl, South Wales, next Wednesday – Gilgal Baptist Church, Park Avenue, Porthcawl: it’s the part of the world that my amazing dad came from (he was born in Penarth), and it’s the first time I’ve EVER done anything in Wales in my 38-39 years in ministry, and I’m thrilled it’s at dad’s ‘home’, though it was probably 1930 when my grandparents moved to London, as my grandfather was in Civil Defence, in Walthamstow, during the Second World war. I’d love to see God break out in wonderful healing power there, especially as my dad died so young (aged 41) because he was medically mis-diagnosed in 1965 (treated for pneumonia when he’d had a massive pulmonary embolism: the doctor actually joked with my mum that she’d thought that was what he’d had, and that it was ‘nothing more than pneumonia….). So I’d love to see the enemy well and truly neutered for stealing my dad when I was 12!
Then I have 2 meetings on Sunday 12th March, at the lovely King’s Church, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 1UD – a church I’ve been involved with for over 30 years, one is their normal Sunday morning meeting (but open to everyone, if you can go), the other, at 8 p.m., specifically designated a healing meeting. I’ve got quite a nice ‘possee’ of ‘healing prayer’ friends coming to it, and it’ll be great to see you there, if you can come. Dead easy from the M25, Junction 11, A317 Chertsey direction)….
Then, funds permitting(!) – they have to be there!
– Cali, Colombia, Tuesday 14 March to Tuesday 4 April. Davy King was going with us, but has had an extremely busy and stressful time, suffering total exhaustion, and is advised medically to take it easy, and rest, so he’s pulled out. That changes the costing for both Thanney and me, as the accommodation is already paid for three of us, and now it’s two of us. God’s in this, so I’m trusting that all the provision will come in, and for Thanney’s building work. Materials need to be bought, for this trip. Thanney estimates that £17,500 is needed: the total amount to provide a shelter for 350 kids, is £55,000, which works out at £130 a child, gift aided, which is very little for the life of child, and supports the family, too. 12 people donating £20 a month would save 22 children this year: 5 people giving £3 a month (10p a day) will save a child. We’re believing for a miracle!
Thank you for your love, prayers, care, interest, and support. I can only tell you in words that don’t even begin to cover my gratitude, just how grateful I am for all of the things you do to help me see God’s Kingdom come and His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
If you can help, then here’s how:
Stewardship stewardship.org.uk Account Paul Bennison Healing Ministries Worldwide Account: 20028331 if you pay tax, and can reclaim the gift aid for me!
Halifax Sort Code 11-08-75 Account P A Bennison Account No: 00256003
PayPal paul@paulbennison.com
