An Aglow Transformation team of seven women attended the Holland Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan. The objective of this outreach was “Prayer and sharing - Spying out the land.”
Cheryl Erbes, Transformation Coordinator writes, During the outreach we learned more about ways to approach people, how to begin short conversations, how to be directed by the Holy Spirit, how intricately He planned our footsteps, how to get past our fears and awkwardness, and much more. Basically we just prayed for the city and the things that we were involved in, and let the conversations develop.
Things we learned and experienced from the outreach:
- When shopping, we talked to the clerks about how we could pray for their businesses, their city, and any other concerns. We were received warmly.
- During the Children's Parade when others would talk about some of the difficulties for children in our culture today, we were able to offer encouragement to them.
- At a time when we were not sure of what to do next, God used a shop manager who overheard our conversation to make it clear what was next and very emotionally told us numerous times that we were needed to pray for the children.
- A young mom watching the parade overheard our rather hurried blessing over our sack lunches and said, "It's been a long time since I've heard that on the street."
- Lastly, when the police sergeant was told that we were there praying for the city and the police, he immediately came to us and said, “Let's pray then!” He took off his hat and bowed his head as the 7 of us gathered around him and prayed aloud on the street corner with people everywhere.
Cheryl concludes, Although the team didn't know each other in the beginning, we left for home woven together by the time spent praying, sharing, laughing, eating and conversing with others. We went home thankful for the privilege of being able to share God's care with so many, and to see Him at work.
As a Kingdom Community, Aglow International is absolutely committed to the Core Value of:
Redemption - Partnering with God for the redemption of all things according to the Gospel.