We had yet to see Rushmore Mall since we’ve been here in Rapid City and so our teams spent the morning and early afternoon time engaging in a “Treasure Hunt” here. Each team spent some time in prayer simply asking the Lord to reveal names, places, needs, and anything else that He wanted us to see with His eyes. As we compiled our lists, we set out to meet these people and really experience what it means to listen to what He has to say regardless if we understand it fully.
Afterwards, we returned to Art Alley with painting tools and instruments to once more worship God in song, art, prayer, and being available to what He had. We did not want to retaliate against those that had so blatantly attacked our message a few days ago and so we chose to place our art in different places and to truly be aware of our surroundings, making sure to be respectful and watchful. Our evening ended with an amazing meal cooked by our food team, as well as some others visiting Jeanette and her family (a CCCC member) as she had so graciously invited us to dinner. A few of us went out once more to close the night in the local coffee shop.
Here’s some testimonies from day 12…
“We went to the mall today to do a treasure hunt. Before we started walking around, we individually asked God to give us His eyes and vision for people in the mall such as their names, clothing, a sickness or prayer request, or miscellaneous characteristics or locations. Then, in groups, we shared with each other all that God had revealed and wrote down common responses. Anything that we wrote down individually that was not a common response for the entire group, we held onto and still kept an eye out for on our own.
While I was praying, God kept showing me neon: bright neon orange, green, pink, blue, etc. No one else in the group was given that word or image, but I continued to look for it as we walked through the mall. Eventually, we passed a Lady Footlocker. The store was screaming “neon”. There were neon work-out clothes everywhere and neon colored shoes.
I walked into the store and there was one girl working. Her name is Alicia. I told her that I was on a treasure hunt and had prayed to God for His eyes in the mall and that He had showed me neon. She looked around the store, laughing, and noted all the color. I asked her if she believed in God. Her countenance was bright and she smiled and said that she was very happy I walked into the store. She added that she and her boyfriend had been talking about joining a church for the last two weeks and desired to change their lives. She had fallen away from God, but knew Him as a child. Shortly after, her boyfriend, Vince, walked into the store to meet her for a lunch break. Alicia introduced us and they were both genuinely excited about God sending me there. They asked for specific prayer and shared about what they are going through and I invited them to join Calvary Chapel this weekend for the BBQ, church and to connect more.
Later, Vince boldly approached Chris from class in the cafeteria. He asked Chris if he was with the San Diego group and they exchanged phone numbers. He shared part of his testimony with Chris about the brokenness he has been experiencing. Vince and Alicia want to join us this weekend!
I am so grateful for being blessed to hear God’s voice and know that He pursues me and wants to talk to me. He is amazing and faithful. It was so cool to witness God’s perfect love for someone I’ve never met and how He perseveres for hearts and seeks out relationships with everything that He is. His omnipresence and sovereignty just blows me away. Faith also pleases God and I experienced that firsthand today. Writing down the word “neon” in my journal, believing God had given it to me, then sharing this confidently with a stranger required a step of faith and obedience. God does incredible things when we walk by faith and He drew me to a couple who was searching for Him. I’m really honored to be His messenger and be able to share His good news.” -Caity
“Before Practicum, I felt God’s call to become a missionary to China to teach English. Though I was reluctant at first, I accepted this call on my life. While on this trip, however, I felt like God started calling me to South Dakota, but the instant I was willing to accept this new call, the confirmations ceased. The very next day I met a young woman named Taylor.
After exchanging testimonies, God started to talk to me about China again through her in that she also wants to be a missionary to China to teach English. She told me that God has called her to South Dakota as a detour to prepare her. Like Taylor, God is teaching me things in South Dakota to prepare me for what is ahead. He wants me to be willing to go anywhere and do anything for Him.” -Jonathan
“The lord knows what He’s doing and what He needs to do to get things done. I felt like today was a day to just bask in the sovereignty of the Lord. I did not feel especially led to engage people today but it was a blessing to just sit back and watch the Lord work all around me in so many people and in so many ways. I’m a very vocal guy so I’m kind of labeled as the evangelist so when I was not talking to people they thought something was wrong. I was not being disobedient, I was just resting in the fact that God doesn’t need me in particular to do his will but blesses me with the opportunity.
It was a day I could watch Jesus work through my brothers and sisters and see people get rocked by the Lord. When one person is down we are all down, and like today when one person was rejoicing we all rejoiced! Even though I was not being used in the front line it was just a blessing to be there and see Kristen get used and see people be encouraged.
Its important not to have that mentality of worrying if you’re being used in the right way because we are all being used in different ways. The Lords not concerned about what you do but He’s concerned about your heart and how you do it!” -Chris
“Before we left on practicum, our class held a time of prayer for Rapid City. During that prayer time, Chaz was given the name of a young lady by the name of Olivia that needed prayer; that needed Jesus. Since we have been here we have kept our eyes out for this young lady. Today, we went to art alley. I went up to a girl pushing her baby in a stroller and introduced myself. She responded with, “My name is Olivia.” I was totally shocked. I told her about my pastor and our prayer time, and told her that we came all the way from San Diego, and that the reason I was supposed to talk to her was to tell her that she needed Jesus. I followed that with asking her if she wanted Jesus. With that, she burst into tears and said yes. As it turned out, she hadn’t been talking to God for a long time but just the night before, she had cried out to Him and told Him that she really needed Him.
This was a total appointment from the Lord. She and I were blown away at how God had orchestrated our meeting and had made it known so long before. She gave her life to Jesus this day, 5-8-12. This experience completely solidified for me that it is the Holy Spirit that goes before us and prepares the heart. He began the work and He will complete the work. All we need to do is show up and say, “Here I am Lord, send me.” I thank the Lord for His love and faithfulness to go after His sheep. He is everything.” -Kristin
