A “Yes” That Changed a Life
In the spring of 2024, Vincent was waiting on the Lord to guide his steps. He was like an athlete sitting in the bleachers, watching a game play out. He had a heart ablaze with prayer and worship and a dream to be a part of reaching the unreached. But he wasn’t yet sure how and when he should join the team out on the field. Soon, a friend began to tell him about MAPS Global’s short-term trip that was coming up, and how excited she was for it. Vincent’s heart began to be stirred with anticipation. Like an athlete about to step onto the emerald field and breathe in the very air of exhilaration, Vincent could almost taste that it was his time. Deep in his spirit, he felt like he should go on MAPS Global’s short term trip. As his friend told him more about it, Vincent decided to say “yes.” He was stepping out of the bleachers and onto the field.
After signing up for the short-term trip, Vincent was elated to be added to the East Africa team. As they boarded the plane and took to the sky, he wondered what the Lord had in store. He knew that the Lord was going to do something, and he was glad to be a part of the team.
Shortly, the team entered into worship and prayer in East Africa, and the Holy Spirit began to move. Vincent then noticed a man standing off to the side, staring at him. The next time Vincent looked in his direction, he noticed a team mate had taken the man aside to hear his story and pray with him. Vincent joined his teammate, and an incredible moment unfolded. The man, named Muhammad, began to tell his story.
Muhammad had given his life to Christ at an Orthodox Church in East Africa and had experienced inhumane abuse from his strict Muslim brother. He was bound and left on the rooftop of their house. He was starved and harshly beaten. As he cried out to the Lord, Jesus met him on that roof, and multiplied his daily ration of bread and water. He was able to eat and drink for 30 minutes straight. When his brother saw the miracle, he was terrified and released him.
However, still dealing with physical pain, Muhammad was also carrying mental and emotional torment. Every time he tried to share the Gospel, fear and pain filled his head and kept him from preaching. His jaw remained damaged from the beatings he had endured. He felt he had an assignment to be an evangelist in his unreached nation, but he needed deliverance to walk out that assignment.
As Vincent heard Muhammad’s incredible story of salvation, and his dreams and visions of Jesus, he felt that Muhammad had a preaching and teaching anointing on his life. It was a preaching and teaching anointing that the enemy was desperately trying to snuff out. Vincent prayed for an impartation of the teaching and preaching gift for Muhammad. He and his teammate also prayed for healing and deliverance. As they prayed, Muhammad felt pain leaving his body. His jaw was healed, and he was filled with a boldness to share the Gospel without fear.
Because Vincent said “yes,” Muhammad got his victory. Vincent was blown away at the goodness of God. As he reflected on the steps the Lord had led him to take, up to that very moment, he was so grateful he had left the “stands” and stepped out onto the playing field. The fields were white with harvest, and the Lord was going to do so much more. He only needed to keep saying “yes,” and keep stepping out on to that emerald field.