Butterfly Banner Day — Brave Everywhere

I spotted a gorgeous butterfly flitting by the fourth graders this afternoon. Even from a distance I could see the how beautiful it was. It was quite large, with happy yellow and black wings. The butterfly seemed to dance with the wind that carried it and whisper hope filled promises of yes and amen as He flew over their heads. A beacon of truth, new life is ours, if we only surrender. Gentle and powerful at the same time, as I sat, mesmerised by this beautiful creature, I knew God was doing a new thing.

If you have never watched the process called metamorphosis in which the caterpillar becomes a butterfly, you must. It is simply one of the most stunning wonders on the earth. The endless array of spiritual metaphors one can draw upon through this process, really do boggle the mind, but today, all that I could think about was “Behold, I am doing a new thing,” Isaiah 43:19.

To be honest, sometimes when I walk around this city I wonder if a new thing is possible. I doubt, I fear, I lament and I get lost in the sea of poverty and pain. It seems like these are the best moments though, because they always preceed the dawn.

On this day, hope burst onto the scene in the simple sighting of a glorious butterfly and I just knew…

When one of our teachers explained that her whole class had decided they wanted to join the family, I began to see. When they stepped up in front of the rest of the school and gave their hearts to Jesus, I was overjoyed. This was enough for me, but oh how small was my thinking? No sooner did our family grow than a question was posed to the rest of the school, “If anyone else would also like to….. and before I knew it, the ENTIRE school body had JUMPED up out of their seats, yelling and clamouring to the front of the place we gathered, desiring also to join the family. Each and every student in our school made a public declaration of faith today, and asked Jesus to be their King. EVERY. SINGLE. CHILD. We didn’t do a thing but ask a simple question… not one thing. It was a spontaneous and glorious and holy moment.

I know what some of you may be thinking, but can I exhort you…. don’t. He delights in our own childlike faith, and He is really good at handling all the details. I am just here to testify about what just happened, and it was nothing short of a miracle. My heart has been on FIRE for two weeks praying for THIS EXACT THING to happen.

It was like watching my own imagination manifest itself right in front of my eyes.

I know this is because this desire and dream came from Him. I was immediately confronted with tiny of my faith, and emboldened once again to pray the big kind of prayers that will change the world. I hope you will join me.

To think that I happened upon the scripture found in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom belongs to ones such as these,” as I began this day! That this scripture played like a movie reel, and He invited our entire school to come to Him, is the most glorious event I have ever witnessed.

Will you join me in a celebration tonight, and spend time thanking God with me for the miracle He did? Be encouraged, He is indeed doing a BRAND NEW THING.

So today is the very best kind of day to write to you once again. I haven’t felt it was the right time… until now. But it was a butterfly banner kind of day, marking a moment that will never be forgotten. There could not be a more perfect way to pick up where we left off as we continue the journey, BraveAfrica style, in Uganda. All of heaven is having a party right now for the children that ran to Him with hearts wide open. Our family table is bigger now, set with a feast fit for children of the king, and tonight, we celebrate.

Thank you all for your prayers and your hope and your support and your LOVE.